Coastal symposium planned Oct. 17-18

The third annual Louisiana Geological Survey Coastal Symposium is being held Oct. 17-18 in the Dalton J. Woods Auditorium at the LSU Energy, Coast & Environment Building, 93 S. Quad Drive, in Baton Rouge.

The event is presented by Louisiana Geological Survey and New Orleans Geological Society.

Scientists, engineers, geographers and policy makers from across the range of geoscience-related disciplines will exchange ideas, interpretations and insights into Louisiana's coastal geology, both onshore and offshore, and on associated topics.

This year's focus will be on coastal geoscience, specifically including coastal geology, geophysics, geomorphology and geography.

Credit hours will be available for licensed geologists. An ethics presentation will satisfy the Louisiana annual ethics requirements for licensed geologists and licensed engineers.

Information and registration are at www.lsu.edu/ces.

Energy Summit challenges paradigms

Energy Summit 2019 is being held Oct. 23 in the Dalton J. Woods Auditorium at the LSU Energy, Coast & Environment Building, 93 S. Quad Drive, in Baton Rouge.

Challenging Traditional Paradigms is the theme of the summit. Registration starts at noon, with the event at 1 p.m. A reception will follow from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Topics include new policy directions in electricity; new directions in containing methane emissions at the wellhead; the Austin Chalk and the future of Louisiana crude oil production; grid-scale solar development in MISO South; and trends in battery storage.

Continuing education credits and professional development hours will be available for various organizations. Some groups receive discount registration. Information and registration are at www.lsu.edu/ces.

Applicants sought for Leadership Academy

The Pelican Institute's Leadership Academy is accepting applications until Oct. 15 for a program being facilitated in Baton Rouge and meeting monthly over a 9-month period of time with a summer break.

The program is designed to inform, educate and connect emerging and experienced leaders in Louisiana about some of our state’s biggest assets and most daunting challenges. Participants — representing a range of industries in the private and public sectors — graduate with tools necessary to grow as thought leaders in their respective professions, the institute says. The program will cover leadership and ethics training, free market public policy training, understanding the legislative process and demystifying the campaign process.

Information and applications are at https://pelicaninstitute.org/pelican-leadership-academy.

Marketing breakfast features restaurateur

Steven Ballard, of Ballard Brands LLC, which operates more than 100 restaurants/food businesses in the southern U.S., will be the guest speaker at Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual Marketing Breakfast Oct. 9 at the Alumni Center.

The company’s restaurant portfolio includes retail brands WOW Café, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans, The Original City Diner, Boardhouse Serious Sandwiches and Ole Saint. Through itsr Outstanding Management Group, the company manages Eloisa Restaurant and Filmore in the Oaks.

Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and the speaker will begin at 8 a.m.

The event is sponsored by the Southeastern Marketing Association, the marketing faculty, the College of Business and G. Dean Brunson, of Richmond, Virginia, and is part of Business Week scheduled during Homecoming Week.

The program is open to students and the general public. Registration is at southeasternmarketing.simpletix.com and is limited to the first 100 registrants. Tickets are $11.63 online or $10 in the Marketing office in Garrett Hall, room 74.

BBB holding annual Torch Awards banquet

Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana is holding its 19th Annual Douglas Manship Sr. Torch Awards banquet Oct. 30 at the Renaissance Hotel — Baton Rouge at 7000 Bluebonnet Blvd.

A social hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the program. Featured entertainment will be Mickey Smith Jr.,Grammy finalist, music educator and motivational speaker.

Seating is limited. For reservations, contact B.J. Militello at (225) 346-8343 or bjm@batonrouge.bbb.org.

BRCC gets funds for construction program

Baton Rouge Community College has been presented a check for $90,000 from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors' Education Trust Fund during the agency's recent Commercial Board Meeting held in Baton Rouge. The check was presented to BRCC Interim Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith, who was joined by Todd Dozier, BRCC's Dean for Business, Social Sciences and History; Tim Dykes, BRCC's Construction Management Program Manager; and Tracy Osazemwinde, BRCC Foundation Donor Relations Manager. This is the second consecutive year this gift has been given to BRCC’s program.

Interim Chancellor Willie E. Smith said the funds will help support BRCC's construction management program and growing workforce.

BRCC is the only American Council for Construction Education-accredited construction management associate degree program in the state and one of 12 in the United States. The program has graduated nearly 200 students since 2012 and has a current enrollment of 257 students.

Information about the program is at www.mybrcc.edu.

Beyond the Equator expanding nationally

Beyond the Equator, a retail food brand launched in New Orleans in 2017, is available in Rouses and has begun nationwide expansion.

Last year the company's nut-free Creamy 5 Seed Butter won a best new product award at the Fancy Food Show in New York City and has launched unsweetened and crunchy varieties with plans for flavored varieties like cinnamon vanilla and single-serve packets later this year.

Beyond the Equator launched its seed butters at Food Lion on the East Coast this summer and is in more than 575 stores across 19 states. Its website is beyondtheequator.com.

Unitech opens training academy

Unitech Training Academy has opened a New Orleans campus at 5401 Jefferson Highway, Suite D.

Owner and CEO Deanna Head said the campus provides hands-on learning in labs as well as classroom lessons.

Unitech Training Academy now has seven campuses across Louisiana. Programs include dental assisting; early childhood ancillary certificate; EKG/phlebotomy technician; information technology support specialist; massage therapy; medical assistant; medical billing and coding; and pharmacy technician. Its website is unitechtrainingacademy.com/neworleans.

BayouWorks opens coworking space

BayouWorks, a coworking space near Bayou St. John, has opened at 3205 Orleans Ave. in a renovated Mid-City church.

The coworking space offers 13 powered desks that convert from sitting to standing; Wi-Fi and charging stations at each desk; 24/7 access available; a permanent mailing address; kitchen with dishwasher, fridge/freezer, convection oven, microwave and coffee.

Friends of Bayou St. John, the nonprofit that produces the annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo and works to protect and preserve Bayou St. John year-round, is the anchor tenant of BayouWorks. Attached to BayouWorks is Mayhew Bakery. 

Information and rates are at bayouworks.com.