On Thursday, May 22, the Gulf Coast Business Council welcomed a sold-out audience of 550+ business and civic leaders to the 2025 State of the Coast Symposium, held at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. This year’s theme—“Leveraging Human Intelligence and AI to Work Smarter, Compete Better, and Stay Future-Ready”—invited attendees to explore the powerful relationship between innovation and economic development.
The symposium provided both a high-level economic overview and a deep look at how Coastal Mississippi can continue to grow smarter, more resilient, and future-ready in the age of artificial intelligence.
Jamie M. Miller, President & CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council, delivered the morning’s core address.
A Vision for the Coast
Jamie M. Miller, President & CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council, delivered the morning’s core address—a data-rich snapshot of the region’s economic health and potential. From rising wages and population growth outpacing the rest of the state, Miller’s message was clear: Mississippi is winning in economic development and education, and the coast is a big part of that success.
Mississippi’s momentum is measurable. Since 2020, the Mississippi Development Authority has announced more than 180 projects totaling $32 billion in private capital investment. Mississippi also saw the second-highest GDP growth in the country for 2024, and the Coast continues to be a top contributor to that success.
Mississippi saw the second-highest GDP growth in the country for 2024.
He was joined on stage by GCBC Chairman Jonathan Jones, SVP & General Manager of Harrah’s Gulf Coast, and Title Sponsor representative Pedro Cherry, President of Mississippi Power Company. Both emphasized the pivotal role of cross-sector collaboration in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready Coastal economy.
Pedro Cherry, President of Mississippi Power Company, speaks on stage at the 2025 State of the Coast Symposium.
GCBC Chairman Jonathan Jones, SVP & General Manager of Harrah’s Gulf Coast, emphasizes the power of collaboration in building a vibrant, resilient Coastal economy.
Innovation Amplified: How AI Tools Can Elevate People, Not Replace Them
One of the most thought-provoking moments of the morning came during the keynote by Kevin Popović – The Idea Guy®. As an innovation strategist, founder of the creative communications agency IDEAHAUS®, and instructor at institutions like San Diego State University and UC San Diego, Kevin brought a unique mix of creative thinking and technical clarity.
Titled “AMPLIFIED: How Leaders Leverage Human Intelligence and AI to Work Smarter, Compete Better, and Stay Future-Ready”, Popović’s presentation reframed AI from a vague threat into a practical, accessible business tool. Using sketch visuals, humor, and real regional examples, he walked attendees through:
- What AI really is: Software that learns from data to mimic human tasks—faster, more consistently, and at scale.
- What AI is not: Sentient, autonomous, or out to replace jobs.
- How it’s already here: In tools like Google Maps, fraud alerts, Netflix, ChatGPT, and even electric utilities and health systems on the Coast.
Kevin Popović, “The Idea Guy®,” delivers an engaging keynote on how Gulf Coast leaders can harness human intelligence and AI to stay future-ready.
Popović highlighted 10 real-world examples of AI being used by Mississippi Gulf Coast businesses—including Coast Electric’s customer service chatbots, Mississippi Power’s smart grid management, and Beau Rivage’s AI-powered tourism promotions. His message was clear: this isn’t just happening in Silicon Valley—it’s happening here.
He emphasized that the most competitive companies in Mississippi won’t be the ones with the best tech—they’ll be the ones that use tech to amplify their people’s intelligence, creativity, and strategic thinking. Popović left the audience with a challenge: embrace the technology, not as a replacement for human effort—but as a partner in progress.
Investing in Our Future: The Superintendents Behind the Surge
Among the most inspiring highlights was a moment of recognition for the public leaders shaping the future talent pipeline: the 11 public school superintendents of Coastal Mississippi. Together, these educators were honored with the 2025 Rising Tide Award (Public Sector) for their visionary leadership and collaboration across school districts.
Thanks in large part to their work, Mississippi has climbed from 49th to 29th in national education rankings—an unprecedented jump. Even more impressively, when adjusted for demographics, Mississippi now ranks #1 in 4th grade reading and math, and #4 in 8th grade reading.
Mississippi’s education rankings are on the rise—jumping from 49th to 29th nationally thanks to bold leadership and strategic investment in public schools.
Mississippi now leads the nation in 4th grade reading and math—a powerful testament to the impact of our Coast’s public school superintendents.
“This is a story of what’s possible when committed leaders put students first,” Miller said. “These superintendents aren’t just improving schools—they’re laying the groundwork for workforce readiness and long-term economic strength.”
2025 Rising Tide Award Recipients (Public Sector):
- Marcus Boudreaux, Biloxi Public Schools
- Glen East, Gulfport Public Schools
- William Bentz, Harrison County Public Schools
- Dr. Talia Lock, Long Beach Public Schools
- Dr. Carla Evers, Pass Christian Public Schools
- Billy Ellzey, Pascagoula-Gautier Public Schools
- David Baggett, Jackson County Public Schools
- Dr. Oswago Harper, Moss Point Public Schools
- Michael Lindsey, Ocean Springs Public Schools
- Rhet Ladner, Hancock County Public Schools
- Dr. Sandra Reed, Bay St. Louis–Waveland Public Schools
Coast superintendents take the stage to accept the 2025 Rising Tide Award, honoring their collective leadership in driving Mississippi’s historic rise in education rankings.
Private-Sector Impact: Superior Optical
The Rising Tide Award (Private Sector) was awarded to Superior Optical, an Ocean Springs–based company with deep Mississippi roots and a mission-driven model. Led by Service-Disabled Veterans Hal Walker (Founder) and Derek Bodart (CEO), Superior Optical has been a longstanding provider of eyewear for veterans through VA Hospital programs.
Their work reflects a larger commitment to service, integrity, and investing in the local workforce—a hallmark of the Coast’s economic backbone.
Superior Optical accepts the 2025 Rising Tide Award, recognized for their veteran-led leadership, commitment to service, and impact on the Coast’s economy and workforce.
Mississippi by the Numbers
Miller’s economic report delivered hard-hitting data that underscored the region’s growth:
- Tourism generated a $3.37 billion impact in Coastal Mississippi, contributing 35% of the state’s tourism tax revenue
- Employment reached an all-time high with over 1.2 million nonfarm jobs statewide, and a 188,000-strong civilian labor force on the Coast
- Hourly wages increased 9% on the Coast, slightly outpacing the statewide average
- Population growth on the Coast surged 8.4%, in contrast to the state’s overall decline of 1.2%
- Gaming revenues stabilized at $1.58 billion—still $260 million higher than pre-pandemic levels
The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s overall employment growth outpaced the state, with a 9% increase compared to Mississippi’s 8.8%—a sign of strong regional momentum.
Yet, challenges remain. A shift share analysis revealed job losses in high-wage STEM sectors like construction and professional services. Miller emphasized the need to accelerate investment in innovation, tech, and science-forward industries—calling out progress like:
- MSU’s Northern Gulf Aquatic Food Research Center in Jackson County
- USM’s School for Ocean Science and Engineering at the Marine Research Center
- The Council’s StartUP Gulf Coast partnership with Innovate Mississippi
- Regional work to create a Defense and Military Affairs Council supporting South Mississippi’s base economies
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Gulf Coast Business Council extends sincere gratitude to the sponsors who made this year’s State of the Coast Symposium possible:
- Title Sponsor: Mississippi Power
- Breakfast Sponsor: Ingalls Shipbuilding, A Division of HII
- Flagship Sponsor: Hancock Whitney
Navigator Sponsors: ESC Federal, Beau Rivage, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), Mississippi State University, Ocean Aero, Play Coastal Mississippi, Renasant Bank, Scarlet Pearl, University of Southern Mississippi, Warren Paving, Yates Construction
Lighthouse Sponsors: AnderCorp, The Citizens Bank, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Lemon Mohler, To the Rescue Bookkeeping, Singing River Health System, William Carey University
Links to both presentations can be found here:
