GPT Announces New Director of Planning and Development

Shelby Fox Director of Planning and Development

 Shelby Fox has recently joined Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport as the Director of Planning and Development. She is responsible for managing leases and contracts and planning for future developments. 

Fox received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Memphis. She most recently served as Vice President of Strategy and Development for Goodwill Industries of South Mississippi, Inc., and was Director and Operations Manager for the Gulf Coast Nonprofit Center, Inc. Prior to these roles, Fox served in Project Manager roles for Suntrust Subsidiaries in Memphis, TN. 

Her community involvement has ranged from serving in Board and Committee capacities for Make a Wish of South MS, Goodwill Industries of South MS, and the United Way of South MS. In this new position, Fox aims to aid in optimizing operations, enhancing, and fostering collaborative partnerships at the airport. She is a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast and Gulf Coast Business Council Master’s Program and is also a member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport. 

Chandeleur Island Brewing Company, Sonic and Coffee Connection Open at GPT


Gulfport-Biloxi is thrilled to bring our passengers new and exciting food concepts by Faber. The Grand Opening of Chandeleur Island Brewing Company, Sonic and Coffee Connection was held April 26 at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. The new food and beverage offerings bring a welcome mix of local cuisine, craft beer and coffee as well as nationally recognized fast-food favorites. 

About Faber:

For over 170 years, we have satisfied travelers with news, gifts, books, and cafes, and we continue serving millions of customers in airports, train terminals, interstate thruways, hotels, and office buildings today.

From travel essentials to unique specialty boutiques, Faber has the knowledge and skill to develop the right concession program for you.

Faber’s conservative growth philosophy is to select the right locations, ensure profitability and fulfill the needs of the traveler. Dedication to our four main business fundamentals – Experience & Stability, Customer Focus, Performance & Creativity, and Flexibility – are what helps us turn ideas into reality.

GPT Announces New Director of Finance

Stephen Oberlies has joined the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport as Director of Finance. Oberlies is responsible for directing and managing all airport financial and administrative activities.

Oberlies holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. With over 26 years of accounting experience, he returns to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, where he previously served from 2007 to 2017, after having most recently worked as Controller for Roy Anderson Corporation in Gulfport. There, he oversaw the finance and accounting departments for one of the most successful construction firms in the Southeast.

Oberlies is a member of the Mississippi Society of CPAs, and he serves as Finance Chairman for the St. James Catholic Parish Fall Festival. Oberlies is a sacristan for St. James Catholic Church, where he also serves as a Core Team Member for the Life Teen Youth Program.

 

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Exhibit at GPT

GULFPORT, Miss. – Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport recently installed an exhibit from the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum titled United We Play, United We Win: Sports and Recreation at Camp Shelby in World War II. The exhibit can be viewed on the first floor of the Airport across from the United Airlines check-in counter. Continue reading below for more information on the exhibit and Mississippi history behind it. 

United We Play, United We Win:

Sports and Recreation at Camp Shelby in World War II

Located in south Mississippi, Camp Shelby was established as a military training site in 1917 and has operated almost continuously since installation. During World War II, Camp Shelby was the second largest training base in the United States in troop capacity and geographic size. Nine US Army infantry divisions, a detachment of the Women’s Army Corps, and numerous tank destroyer, engineer, independent artillery, and field hospital units trained at the base throughout the war.

While stationed at Camp Shelby, service members took part in various recreational activities to keep both physically and mentally fit. Organized competitive teams, in such sports as baseball, basketball, and football, were formed at company, regimental, and divisional levels. Teams at Camp Shelby competed against one another and played other regional military teams and local civilian teams in tournaments. Service members also engaged in more leisurely sports activities for pure enjoyment and relaxation, including miniature golf, badminton, bowling, and table tennis.

Camp Shelby’s sports arena, known as the Field House, was central to sports on the base and hosted a range of basketball, boxing, and wrestling matches. Special sports exhibitions were often organized at the Field House to keep morale high among troops. In December 1943, famed heavyweight champion, Joe Louis, and welterweights, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jackie Wilson, participated in exhibition matches and gave physical fitness talks. In the same month, the American exhibition basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, stopped at Camp Shelby during their tour of the South.

The following photographs featuring wartime sports and recreation belonged to Ernest A. Schleuder, the public relations officer at Camp Shelby during World War II.

About the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum

Through exhibits, videos, and immersive dioramas, within galleries spanning from the War of 1812 to present day, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum highlights Mississippi’s role in United States military history. Experience the evolution of military strategy and technology, view one-of-a-kind historic artifacts, and share the personal stories of Mississippi’s American heroes.

The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum is located inside historic Camp Shelby, just 60 miles north of the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm. Admission is always free.

Driver’s License Renewal Now Available at GPT

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, October 12, to launch the opening of a Driver Service Bureau location at the airport.

“The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is proud to partner with the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport on opening another driver service bureau in our state,” said DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell. “This new addition will be a convenient location that will continue to promote and encourage our reduced wait times, customer service, and efficiency.”

 

The new DPS Driver Service Bureau location allows Coastal Mississippians to reserve appointments online to renew their driver’s licenses at the convenient airport office, which is located on the first floor near Baggage Claim 2. This service is available only by pre-arranged appointment or for a person who holds a boarding pass or flight reservation. Gulfport-Biloxi is the first airport in the State of Mississippi to open a DPS office.

 

“We are pleased the Mississippi Department of Public Safety is offering this option to the public providing a convenient service for travelers to become REAL ID compliant for future flights” said Clay Williams, Executive Director at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.

 

Beginning May 3, 2023, the Transportation Security Administration will require every air traveler 18 years of age and older to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card.

 

For more information on REAL ID and acceptable forms of ID, visit tsa.gov/real-id. For more information on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Driver Service Bureau or to make an appointment, visit driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/. 

GPT Features New Art Exhibit by Mary Louise Porter

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport recently installed a new art exhibit featuring original pieces by local Gulf Coast artist, Mary Louise Porter.

Porter, a contemporary landscape painter, draws inspiration from common areas found in nature. She enjoys working with acrylic and other mediums to engage the viewer emotionally and visually, sometimes layering with mixed media and cut canvas to create texture and pattern throughout the landscape.

Porter’s journey as a landscape artist is rooted in the rich soil of Louisiana, with wanderings in the woodlands and hills of Arkansas, and moored to the warm healing salt waters of the beaches and marshes of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.

Porter’s work can be found on the 2nd floor of the terminal building, and she can be contacted by visiting mlporterfineart.com.

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Art Program currently has 4 existing exhibits that aim to enhance the experience of airport users, educate visitors and locals on the cultural heritage of the area, and showcase the artistic development of the Coastal Mississippi Region. Artists who may be interested in displaying their work at Gulfport-Biloxi should contact marketing@flygpt.com or call (228) 863-5951 for more information.

BEAU RIVAGE’S AIR PROGRAM CELEBRATES ITS ONE MILLIONTH PASSENGER

On August 25, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino welcomed its one millionth charter program passenger to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT). The milestone took place aboard Sun Country Flight SCX 8179 inbound from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) at 12:40 p.m. local time. Passengers on Sun Country 173-seat 737-800 aircraft were greeted with a water cannon salute on the tarmac alongside Beau Rivage charter services employees, Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport staff, elected officials and dignitaries. Cake, champagne, commemorative gifts and photos also accompanied the red carpet welcome.

Beau Rivage’s scheduled charter air program formally launched in 2009 following a post-Hurricane Katrina $550-million resort renovation, and has been partnered with Sun Country Airlines since 2014. Since its inception, the program has flown more than 8,000 flights from 90 cities nationwide, from Minneapolis to Miami and New Hampshire to West Texas.

“MGM Resorts International guests from around the country love to visit the Gulf Coast and our goal with this program has always been to make that travel as easy as possible,” said Beau Rivage President and COO Brandon Dardeau. “The charter program has elevated all of Coastal Mississippi, including our 1,740-room AAA Four Diamond resort on the beach in Biloxi, from a regional destination to a national market.”

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Executive Director Clay Williams said “Beau Rivage has worked strategically over the years to exponentially grow its air charter program, bringing visitors to the Coast from 90 cities across the US. With this effort to attract additional fly-in visitors, the Beau Rivage air program has grown to comprise approximately 25 percent of the air service at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.”

Tiered-pricing packages are offered to casino players and leisure travelers and include roundtrip airfare, multi-night accommodations, baggage delivery service and roundtrip transportation between Beau Rivage and GPT. Since its inception, Beau Rivage’s air charter program has generated 1.6 million hotel room nights at the resort. With two incoming and two outgoing flights per day, the program averages seven different cities in-house each night. Top travel markets include Detroit, St. Louis, San Antonio, Richmond, Va, and Macon, Ga. Clearwater-St. Pete is the No. 1 market.

“Sun Country has been a proud partner of MGM Resorts and Beau Rivage since 2014,” said Grant Whitney, Chief Revenue Officer of Sun Country Airlines. “We are thrilled to celebrate the one millionth passenger that our program has brought to this world-class property and are excited about our future relationship with MGM Resorts/Beau Rivage and their loyal customers.”

High resolution artwork and additional information can be found at Beau Rivage Digital Newsroom.

 

ABOUT BEAU RIVAGE

Already known as the crown jewel of the Gulf Coast, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino continues to raise the bar. Named one of the “South’s Best Resorts” by Southern Living, MGM Resorts International’s AAA Four Diamond beachfront resort is undergoing a $55 million dollar room remodel of its 1,740 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites. The resort is home to 10 restaurants, four bars and lounges, and an 85,000-square-foot gaming area that includes the new Buffalo Zone and BetMGM Book Bar and Grill, Mississippi’s full-service sports betting and entertainment destination. The resort also offers live entertainment in its 1,550-seat theatre, an upscale shopping promenade with a Black Clover Lounge and Topgolf Swing Suite, a world-class spa & salon and Fallen Oak, a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course. For more information and reservations, call (888) 567-6667 or visit www.beaurivage.com.

ABOUT GULFPORT-BILOXI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is the second largest airport in the state of Mississippi welcoming nearly 800,000 travelers each year. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport serves as the gateway to the Gulf Coast and is served by five major airlines – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines. For more information, visit flygpt.com.

 

ABOUT SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES
Sun Country Airlines operates 98 routes serving 78 airports across the United States, Mexico, Central America, Canada and the Caribbean, providing safe, reliable, hassle-free flights at affordable prices. Sun Country offers a customer experience that includes free in-flight entertainment, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage service, a new mobile-friendly website with more self-service tools, and new interiors on each aircraft. Based in Minnesota, we focus on serving leisure and visiting friends and relatives (“VFR”) passengers. Sun Country Airlines is a new breed of hybrid low-cost air carrier that dynamically deploys shared resources across our synergistic scheduled service, charter, and cargo businesses. Based in Minnesota, we focus on serving leisure and visiting friends and relatives (“VFR”) passengers and charter customers and providing CMI service to Amazon, with flights throughout the United States and to destinations in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. For photos, b-roll and additional company information, visit http://www.suncountryview.com/newsroom/multimedia/.

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GPT launches new TSA PreCheck® enrollment initiative for departing travelers on May 26th, just in time for Memorial Day weekend!

Did you know that in April 2022, 94% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes in the security screening line?

IDEMIA is excited to bring convenient TSA PreCheck enrollment to travelers. Taking five minutes or less, and with no appointment needed, this special initiative for departing travelers allows them to enroll in TSA PreCheck at the airport as they fly out on their next trip. Once approved, they can then enjoy a smoother screening process at airport security. Look for the IDEMIA TSA PreCheck Enrollment Ambassadors, and make sure you bring your photo ID and proof of citizenship (i.e., passport, birth certificate) or proof of lawful permanent residency. For extra speed and convenience, complete the online application before your trip.  

What is TSA PreCheck?

The TSA PreCheck program was created in December 2011 as a way to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience at the airport security passenger checkpoint. The program is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as members participating in Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI. The TSA PreCheck program is a great option for frequent travelers looking to save time during the airport security process. Enrolled members can travel with ease with no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets.  They can also access dedicated screening lanes at participating U.S. airports nationwide. 

What is GPT Offering to Travelers?

GPT is one of the first airports to offer the new TSA PreCheck enrollment initiative. It will allow travelers to enroll in TSA PreCheck as they depart for their trip with no need for an appointment. 

Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, this initiative will be available from May 26 through June 6. IDEMIA TSA PreCheck Enrollment Ambassadors will be stationed throughout the airport with carts equipped to enroll passengers in TSA PreCheck. 

  • Start Date: Thursday, May 26, 2022

  • End Date: Monday, June 6, 2022

Hours of Operation

Look for the roving TSA PreCheck Ambassadors who will be enrolling near Level 1 Ticketing and Level 2 Security Checkpoint at the following hours:

Thursday 5/26: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Friday 5/27: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Saturday 5/28: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Sunday 5/29: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Thursday 6/2: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Friday 6/3: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturday 6/4: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Sunday 6/5: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Monday 6/6: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM

This new, simplified initiative delivers TSA PreCheck enrollment in five minutes or less, and most passengers will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days, and in most cases, just in time for their return trip.

What to Expect During the TSA PreCheck Application Process

The enrollment process is quick and convenient.  The traveler can enroll at the airport simply by stopping by the IDEMIA TSA PreCheck enrollment cart. No appointment needed!

Enrolling at the airport is even faster if the traveler applies online beforehand. TSA PreCheck enrollment requires proof of identity, proof of citizenship (forms of identification can be located here: proof of citizenship), fingerprint and photo capture. There is an $85 enrollment application fee, which covers five years of participation, if approved.

Click here if you wish to start the application process before arriving at GPT.

For more information on TSA PreCheck, please visit https://www.tsa.gov/precheck. 

 

Rental Car Parking Upgrades In Progress

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is working to upgrade the rental car parking area. The area is being expanded with additional parking and resurfaced with an added entrance and exit for ease of use. This project is partially funded through MDOT’s Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Program. We are excited to continue working to improve passengers’ airport experience.