Southaven Chamber luncheon to feature Memphis airport exec

Photo: Terminal B at Memphis International Airport (Memphis International Airport/Facebook)

Key Points

• Event Details: The Southaven Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon will take place Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Featured Speaker: Terry Blue, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, will provide updates on the major modernization efforts at Memphis International Airport.
• Project Focus: The presentation will highlight the $700 million “MEM on the Move” initiative, including the seismic upgrades and terminal renovations scheduled through 2030.

SOUTHAVEN — Local business leaders will get a firsthand look at the future of the region’s primary aviation hub when the Southaven Chamber of Commerce hosts its Quarterly Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 18

Terry Blue, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA), is set to headline the luncheon at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center. Blue, who took the helm of the authority in early 2024, is expected to detail the sweeping changes currently transforming Memphis International Airport (MEM).

The centerpiece of Blue’s presentation will be the Terminal Modernization and Seismic Program (TMSP), a massive $700 million capital undertaking. Often referred to under the “MEM on the Move” banner, the project is designed to bring the 60-year-old terminal into the modern era while ensuring it can withstand significant seismic activity.

“This is the largest capital project in our airport’s history,” Blue has previously noted regarding the modernization.

Attendees can expect updates on several high-visibility phases of the project, including the ongoing demolition of Concourse A and the reinforcement of the transit tunnels and upper-level roadways. The multi-year plan also includes a complete reimagining of Terminal B, which will feature a centralized security checkpoint and expanded ticketing and baggage claim areas to accommodate the growing passenger traffic in the Mid-South.

Beyond construction, Blue’s leadership has focused on enhancing the passenger experience through technology, such as the recently implemented smart parking guidance systems and license plate recognition technology in the airport’s parking facilities.

The luncheon is scheduled to run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For Southaven and DeSoto County business owners, the airport’s growth is a critical economic indicator, as Memphis International remains the busiest cargo airport in North America and a vital gateway for regional commerce.

Registration for the event is available through the Southaven Chamber of Commerce website.