UPS Chairman and CEO David Abney, foreground, speaks during Mississippi State's inaugural New Narrative Festival. The two-day event, hosted by the MSU Department of Communication and held at The Mill at MSU, brought together students, faculty, community members and business leaders to share storytelling ideas and best practices while discussing the Magnolia State’s influence on the American narrative. Steve Soltis, backround, former senior director of corporate executive and employee communication for Coca-Cola and MSU communication department advisory board member, served as an organizer of the conference.