By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

Dozens of businessmen and women will gather at the Carl. C. Morgan Convention Center Thursday, Jan. 22 for the Selma-Dallas County Centre for Commerce’s 11th annual meeting.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. with a reception sponsored by the Economic Development Authority. A seated dinner will follow the reception at 7 p.m.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director for the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said the meeting is held every year to bring members of the Centre together to discuss the Centre for Commerce’s successes.

“It’s our annual meeting where we report to our membership about our successes for the year and our accomplishments,” Smedley said. “It’s an opportunity for members to network with each other.”

Wayne Vardaman, president of the Centre for Commerce and executive director of the Economic Development Authority, said the meeting will also feature a guest speaker.

This year’s speaker is Selma native Meria Joel Carstarphen, Ed.D., who will discuss the importance of education.

Dr. Carstarphen leads Atlanta Public Schools as the superintendent and is in charge of overseeing 50,000 students, 5,500 employees and 106 different educational locations.

Vardaman said it is a pleasure to have Carstarphen come back to her hometown to share her success in education with the community.

Dr. Carstarphen started her career in education as a middle school teacher in Selma. She has degrees from Harvard, Tulane and Auburn and has studied at the University of Seville, Spain and the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

The first annual Tourism Awards will also be announced at the meeting. Awards will be given out for the attraction and the event of the year.

To vote for the awards, visit the Selma & Dallas County Tourism Facebook page. The deadline to vote is Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Tickets can be purchased for $40 at the Centre for Commerce, 912 Selma Ave. The deadline to buy tickets is Friday, Jan. 16. Tickets purchased after the deadline will be $50.