After a seven-year hiatus, the Professional Cowboy Association Championship Rodeo returned to Biloxi to the enthusiastic response of cowboys and cowgirls along the Gulf Coast. Sponsored in part by a grant from BP, the rodeo drew thousands of visitors to the four-day event and marked the first time the championship was held in Biloxi since Hurricane Katrina. View video of Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo. 

With 38 years in the US Navy – the past eight as the person responsible for overseeing the safe reactor operations of more than 80 nuclear-powered submarines and 12 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers – Admiral Frank ‘Skip’ Bowman knows a thing or two about keeping people safe.

Bowman, former director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, shares what he learned while overseeing the naval reactors for nuclear submarines and carrier fleets — and how he is applying that safety knowledge as a new member of BP's board of directors.

Read more about Bowman's approach to safety and his work with BP. 

For a great many shrimpers on Mississippi's Gulf Coast, the ocean is more than just the source of their livelihood, it's part of their heritage. For this reason, they feel a responsibility to keep all of its inhabitants safe from harm. Using money from the Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife, which funds projects that support wildlife populations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources was able to outfit hundreds of Mississippi's shrimping boats with turtle excluder devices (TEDs) to help keep sea turtles safe. View video of "Restoration Gulf Coast: Mississippi."

Generations of fishermen have made their livelihoods and their homes on the Gulf Coast. They want you to know that seafood -- shrimp, oysters and all sorts of fish -- from the Gulf of Mexico is the most inspected and most tested in the world. The confidence they have in their catch has never been higher, and they want you to try it for yourself. View video of "Gulf Commitment: The seafood." 

New Orleans – Two spectacular college football games are in the books and so is BP’s successful Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash.

BP created the event in partnership with Gulf Coast tourism planners as a way to celebrate Gulf Coast culture, seafood and tourism – and to maximize exposure for the area during the Allstate Sugar Bowl and BCS National Championship.

Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash events included celebrity chef appearances by Emeril Lagasse and John Besh who both conducted dozens of national TV interviews to share Gulf seafood recipes and the news that the Gulf is open for business.

“We’re in heaven, the beaches are open and the seafood has never been better,” said Besh to a Chicago reporter.  “It’s all about seafood and tourism for us and the city right now, here in New Orleans – it’s electric.”

Before the BCS National Championship game between LSU and Alabama on January 9, eight top New Orleans chefs prepared a 30-foot “Peacemaker” po’ boy stuffed with Louisiana shrimp and Alabama oysters. On hand for the ceremonial cutting of the po’ boy were Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne, as well as legendary quarterbacks Ken Stabler of Alabama and Bert Jones of LSU.

The message of quality seafood and clean beaches is what tourism planners hope visitors will take away from these events and their stay in New Orleans.

“Seafood and tourism are two of the best things about this unique region,” said Crystal Ashby, BP executive vice president of government and public affairs. “By working closely with the Gulf Coast’s seafood and tourism industries, we’ve been able to deliver a clear message that the Gulf's beaches, restaurants, fishing and attractions provide unsurpassed vacation experiences.”

As part of the festivities around both the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the BCS National Championship, BP gave away free samples of Gulf Seafood.  They also provided a “dine around” experience to VIP’s.  See coverage of the "dine around" from WKRG-TV in Mobile.

And while the football games are over, the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash is giving away free vacation packages with a “text to win” sweepstakes until January 13.  Any United States resident who is at least 18 years old can enter.  Simply text GULFCST to 76060 for a chance to win a vacation to one of these four destinations: New Orleans; Biloxi, MS; Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama; and Pensacola Beach, Florida.

Read complete rules for the text to win sweepstakes.

View video of Gulf Coast Seafood and Tourism Bash.

See photos from the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash.

In 2010, BP donated approximately $22 million to help wildlife recovery and restoration. Known as the Recovered Oil Fund For Wildlife, this fund has not only helped protect endangered sea turtles and thousands of migratory birds, it has provided an opportunity to address long-standing issues in the Gulf ecosystem and help to create a healthier Gulf. Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which administers the fund, explains its mission and how the fund works. View video of Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife.

Records fell as top anglers from around the country gathered in Biloxi for the Southern Kingfish Association National Championship. Competitors call the Gulf of Mexico a “Paradise of fishing.” View video of Southern Kingfish Association National Championship.

In a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago, CEO Bob Dudley reaffirmed BP's commitment to US energy security. Read BP CEO Bob Dudley's speech. 

With the Allstate BCS Sugar Bowl as a backdrop, BP and Gulf Coast tourism and seafood officials launched the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash to celebrate Gulf Coast seafood, culture and tourism through special events and promotions throughout New Orleans. View video of Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash.