the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

Welcome to The Phoenix, the Chambers e-newsletter.

This week has brought a whirlwind of positive developments on the issues you care about – issues that top the Chamber’s agenda and show a significant return on your investment in us.

On Monday, Wachovia’s Bill Linginfelter won the attention of lawmakers as he testified before the House/Senate transportation committee, and Bill Lorenz of Merrill Lynch and Rick Smith of Equifax, Inc. briefed this year’s “Principals For A Day” on what to expect on Oct. 26 when they shadow principals in all 96 Atlanta public schools.

On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines won a direct route to China with the help of the Chamber’s 14-state campaign that garnered support from 70 corporations, 12 governors and 27 mayors across the Southeast. And the work of the Greater Grady Task Force continues to shape the discussion over how to save Grady Memorial Hospital.

Thanks for reading. We will continue to keep you informed on the big issues that matter most.

Sam A. Williams
President
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Hot Topics

DELTA

Delta Air Lines Wins Direct Route to Shanghai
Metro Atlanta Chamber led a 14-state campaign and rallied the business community

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, which led a 14-state campaign to rally civic support for Delta Air Lines’ bid for China flights, hailed the news that on Sept. 25 the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded direct air service between Atlanta-Shanghai to Delta.

“Delta Air Lines and Atlanta were the right choice for the route to China,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “From global companies to mid-sized businesses all over the southeast, we all understand the critical role that direct air routes play in building global commerce. The Atlanta-Shanghai route is a win not just for Delta, but for the southeast, Georgia and metro Atlanta.”

Click here for a full news release. Click here to read news coverage. Click here to enlarge photo

Ric Hubler, director of international trade for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, interviewed by Channel 2 and Channel 5 stations on the economic impact of Delta Air Lines direct route to China.

TRANSPORTATION

Metro Atlanta Chamber Testifies at House/Senate Committee:
‘No Money Left for New Construction’
Data Show Nearly 95 Percent of Motor Fuel Taxes Are Used for Debt Service, Maintenance New Long-Term Funding Sources Must Be Found.

The state has virtually no money left to build new transportation infrastructure each year after paying for debts on existing projects and fully maintaining our existing transportation system.

That was the message from Bill Linginfelter, Georgia State CEO of Wachovia Bank and chairman of the transportation committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, who testified in Atlanta on Sept. 24 before a joint House/Senate committee on transportation funding.

Click here for a full news release. Click here to enlarge photo

Bill Linginfelter, Georgia State CEO of Wachovia Bank and chairman of the transportation committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, interviewed by Channel 46 regarding his testimony to the joint House/Senate committee on transportation funding.

For additional information click on the links below:

Atlanta Journal Constution
Chamber of Commerce: Gas tax no longer enough for roads

Atlanta Business Chronicle
Chamber: State has no money for new road construction

Education

Merrill Lynch’s Bill Lorenz & Equifax’s Rick Smith – Educating Atlanta and Impacting the World
Top Community Leaders Return to Become “Principals” For a Day

Merrill Lynch Regional Managing Director Bill Lorenz and Chairman and CEO of Equifax, Inc., Rick Smith have agreed to co-chair the popular “Principal for a Day” program, which lets business and civic leaders spend a day shadowing a principal each fall at one of 96 Atlanta public schools. The program is slated for Oct. 26 this year.

“Principal for a Day is about making sure every child in every public school in Atlanta understands that they’re not alone – that they have help, that they have mentors, that somebody is watching out for them,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Chamber. “Nothing is more important to the future of our region than a well-trained, well-educated workforce.”

Click here for a full news release. Click here to read news coverage. Click here to view video Click here to enlarge photo
	Bill Lorenz, regional managing director of Merrill Lynch, and Dr. Beverly Hall, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, talk with Channel 2’s Jocelyn Dorsey, host of "People 2 People," about this year’s Principal For A Day.

Governor Perdue Applauds First Graduation
Coach-Community Coach Forum
Business Community Supports Work to Improve the Metro Region’s High School
Graduation Rate

A group of over 100 high school and middle school coaches representing some 15 metro Atlanta school systems gathered in Atlanta on Sept. 25 in a forum sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Power Company.

“High school graduation is one of the most critical milestones in a child’s life and it takes more than educators to keep students engaged and completing school on time,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I applaud the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power Company for sponsoring the community coach program and today’s forum as a prime example of how the business community is stepping in and making a difference.”

“The state’s and the metro Atlanta region’s economic vitality to a large degree depends on the quality of our local workforce.  The first step to having that workforce is having students graduate from high school,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “We often say that our workforce of tomorrow is in today’s classrooms.  The Metro Atlanta Chamber’s membership understands the importance of Governor Perdue’s high school graduation coach program and our members stepped up to recruit community or business coaches to assist with this effort.”

Click here for a full news release.

A delegation from the Chamber and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport attended Air Freight Asia, and met with a number of air carriers as part of the air cargo business development mission from Sept. 3-11.  The delegation traveled to Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

“Through our successful partnership, we continue to aggressively market access to the world’s sixth largest economy, the Southeastern U.S., via the world’s most efficient airport, Hartsfield-Jackson,” said Bob Pertierra, vice president of logistics for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “It is a powerful one two punch.  Airlines stop and take notice.”

The group met with a number of carriers during the trip including: Cathay Pacific, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, Oasis Air and Emirates.

These things take time but we continue to deepen our relationships in critical emerging markets, added Pertierra. 

From left to right: Warren Jones, aviation development manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Bob Pertierra, vice president of logistics industry development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; and Jeff Pearse, director of marketing & business development for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; met with representatives of Emirates SkyCargo, one of the top air cargo carriers and the international airline of the United Arab Emirates. Photo courtesy of Warren Jones. Click here to enlarge photo

Link to Atlanta Airport and Chamber Officials Touring Asia, Middle East at
http://stories.globalatlanta.com/2007stories/015457.html

Atlanta Adds New Air Cargo Carrier

Mexico-based Mas Air began serving Atlanta from Mexico City on Sept. 15, with one flight a week connecting the two capitals. Mas Air will fly a Boeing 767-300 that can carry 54 tons of cargo, with an approximate economic impact on Atlanta of $1 million.

“New air cargo routes bring trade and jobs,” said Bob Pertierra, vice president of logistics industry development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.  “Every new air cargo connection energizes our economy and promotes growth. That’s why we actively work with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to recruit new carriers and routes.”  

Mas Air had been shipping goods through the Miami airport to Atlanta on trucks, but demand here grew enough to justify the new flight. The all-cargo carrier ships goods for Lan Chile Airline and British Airways. 

Side view of a MAS aircraft on its inaugural flight on Sept. 15.

2007 McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge

FORE! The 19th Annual Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge will be held on Monday, Oct. 15, at six of Atlanta 's premier golf courses-Atlanta National Golf Club, Bear's Best, Country Club of Roswell, Settindown Creek, Country Club of the South and Standard Club. This event is for Chamber members only.

Also, don't miss out on great silent auction items including: a one-week stay in the Abacos, Bahamas and a three-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico in a Casita Oceanview Room.

Metro Atlanta Arts Culture Coalition
- Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta

Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta (ALMA) is a program of the Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition (MAACC) that began in 2004 and encourages leaders throughout the community to take an active role in the developments and challenges facing the region's arts and culture community. ALMA was created to bridge the gap between the arts and business communities in the metro Atlanta area, and create partnerships that will expose our leaders to ways in which business can enhance the arts, and the arts can enhance business. Since its inception, nearly 150 of Atlanta 's top arts and business executives have completed the program.

The application process The next class of ALMA will take place November 2007. The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 1. A selection committee reviews applications carefully. Complete applications thoroughly and thoughtfully. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

If selected, you must commit to attending all five sessions. There is no fee for your participation in this program.

Please be advised that email is our primary means of communication, therefore, PLEASE include an email address that you check frequently.

If you have questions contact Adisa Nickerson at 404.230.1292 or adisanickerson@metroatlantaarts.org.

Mailing address:
Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition
Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 980
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Fax: 404.230.1289

Chamber Events

Community Events

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Wants to Talk With You

The CDC is interested in helping you learn more about health issues and approaches, facilitating your involvement in health issues and gaining your input on efforts to address the nation's health-related challenges. An ongoing part of CDC's mission is convening the people who need to be at the table to make decisions or to plan together. As part of that effort, CDC's senior leaders, including Dr. Julie Gerberding, the director of CDC, welcome the opportunity to speak to the Atlanta metro business community and its leaders.

If your organization is interested in hearing more about what the CDC is doing and how it is working with today's business community, please contact the CDC via email at speakersbureau@cdc.gov .

Business Growth Expo

If you're serious about growing your business, you don't want to miss this exciting event! Join us Thursday, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., as the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce present the Third Annual Atlanta Business Growth Expo at Cobb Galleria Centre.

This year's event will feature Gov. Sonny Perdue; John C. Maxwell, internationally recognized leadership expert and author; Jeffrey Gitomer, the ultimate sales guru and author; Angie Morgan & Courtney Lynch, retired Marine Corps captains, authors and respected speakers on leadership development; and an economist panel featuring expert opinions on the Economic Forecast for Atlanta 2008.

Place your ticket order now ($49) and receive a second ticket free! Why not bring your client or co-worker to the best business event of the year? Please call 404.249.1065 to take advantage of this limited offer for Metro Atlanta Chamber members.