HFA President Janice Strohm will be hosting our next meeting in Gulfport, Mississippi.  The dates are September 10-13, 2025. 

Centennial Plaza, known as the “Crown Jewel” of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is one of the most breathtaking sites in South Mississippi with its campus of Spanish-style buildings on 48 acres shaded by graceful live oak trees along the Gulf of Mexico. CP was once a military training ground during World War I and later became the Veterans Administration Medical Center. The first structure on the campus was erected in 1923. The campus contains several wonderful examples of Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings. The campus of 30 buildings sustained massive damage during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, necessitating the facility’s closing. During the site clean-up after the storm, a number of buildings were demolished. The core administrative and health care facilities buildings, including the nurse’s quarters and the chapel still stand today, a testament to their sturdy construction.

 Once so close to being lost forever, the future is now bright becoming Centennial Plaza Resort! Our property consists of a 152-room hotel called The Oasis Resort with a separate large lobby in the same Spanish style. We also have a boutique hotel called The Grand Centennial with 63 rooms available, a beautiful Wine Bar offering small bites and a board room. Guests who stay with us will enjoy our spectacular waterpark which includes a zero-entry pool with a swim up bar and a 950’ lazy river. Guests will also enjoy 2 large waterslides which will spill riders into the lazy river and 8 more waterslides that will twist and plunge in the 13,000 square foot splash pad! There is also a large children’s game area adjoining the waterpark!

 On property Centennial Plaza has several venues for meetings and a board room. The historic “Chapel” for the Veteran’s Administration was not renamed but is now a wide-open venue space for events, meetings and weddings. The original brick inside The Chapel has been kept along with many other features dating back to the 1900’s! The Chapel has a breakout room accommodating up to 20 guests and its own large catering kitchen for all your event/meeting needs. This event space is approximately 2500 sq. ft. and has 25’ high beam ceilings. This venue also offers a high arched inset stage with a hand-crafted wood front. The Clubhouse has a 2nd floor with spectacular balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and it’s sandy, white beaches and another balcony overlooking the campus and dancing water fountain. This venue space is equipped with a built-in bar for your guests’ enjoyment.

Just this year, one of the buildings is being renovated into an arcade and gaming area with a 36-hole putt putt course behind it!

See the May Newsletter for details.