HIGH POINT — Bill Simmons, managing principal at Dutko Worldwide, the government affairs firm that represents the American Home Furnishings Alliance in Washington, will headline AHFA's annual manufacturing summit March 8-9 at Mississippi State University.

Simmons will update attendees on key legislative issues and discuss their potential effects on the furniture industry.

Also scheduled to speak are Howard Armistead, managing director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, and Donald Meurer, director of product sourcing and development for the commercial seating division at Flexsteel.

Armistead will provide an industry overview and economic analysis, while Meurer will spotlight Flexsteel's EFEC (Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture) environmental management program.

Others on the agenda are Mary Jean Gates of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality; Wanda Jones, a workforce specialist at the Mississippi Development Authority; and Dan Mullen, Mississippi State football coach.

The summit begins with a reception at 6 p.m. March 8 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Starkville, Miss. The program begins at 9 a.m. the following day at Mississippi State's Franklin Furniture Institute.

The event costs $89 for AHFA members and $139 for non-members. Hotel rooms are available at the Hilton Garden Inn for $109 per night until Feb. 23.

Additional information is available on the events page at the AHFA web site, www.ahfa.us.