the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

Fighting traffic gridlock continues to be our No. 1 priority of the legislative session.

In this issue, hear how our transportation coalition continues to explore every avenue to pass HB 434 during this legislative session. Listen to the radio ads running on WSB-AM, check out the GetGeorgiaMoving.com Web site and a four-page transportation brochure.

You’ll also learn about the 2007 Small Business Person of the Year nominations that will honor one outstanding small businessperson for their contributions to Atlanta's civic and business community.

I hope you’ll also enjoy the Small Business Spotlight, a new addition to The Phoenix, which will highlight a small business Chamber member every month.

Thanks for reading. We will continue to keep you informed on the issues you care about.

Sincerely,

Sam A. Williams
President
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Hot Topics

Get Georgia Moving

Radio ads began airing last Monday during morning and evening drive times on WSB-AM. Bill Linginfelter, Georgia State CEO, Wachovia Bank; Kessel Stelling, President and CEO, Bank of North Georgia; Lee Torrence, Senior State Executive, IBM; Phil Hickey, Chairman and CEO, RARE Hospitality International, Inc. and Gary Peacock, President and CEO, Suntrust Bank are directing listeners to a new Web site at www.GetGeorgiaMoving.com, where any member of the public can send a letter to lawmakers in support of H.B. 434.

Tell everyone you know to log on and send a letter. http://www.getgeorgiamoving.com/

Also, check out the four-page transportation brochure that is starting to make its rounds now.

Small Business Person of the Year Nominations

Since 1986, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Business Chronicle have honored one outstanding small business professional at the annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards. Arnold Silverman, President of Silverman Construction Program Management, was named Atlanta’s 2006 Small Business Person of the Year as the Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards celebrated its 20th year.

Small businesses are a critical sector. Of the more than 130,000 total businesses in metro Atlanta, 94.8 percent employ fewer than 50 people.

Past award winners have included: Bryan Kujawski, President, 360i.com; Michael Kogon, CEO, Definition 6; Oscar Harris, Chairman and Founder, Turner Associates Architects & Planners; Claire Arnold, CEO, Leapfrog Services and Dan O’Leary, President, O’Leary Partners.

To qualify, nominees are required to be a primary owner or a major shareholder of a business that has been locally established for at least three years with gross annual revenues not exceeding $40 million. They are also required to be a member in good standing of the Chamber and an active member of the community.

This year’s sponsors include AirTran Airways, AT&T, WABE-FM 90.1, IBM and Exact Target. The 21st Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards luncheon will take place on Friday, June 8, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in the newly re-opened Imperial Ballroom from noon -1:30 p.m. Tickets are available for Metro Atlanta Chamber members for $45 and can be purchased by emailing Beth Goette at events@macoc.com or by calling 404.586.8429.

We are accepting applications now for the 2007 Small Business Person of the Year.

Small Business Spotlight

Once a month, the Phoenix will highlight a small business Chamber member. The company must employ fewer than 100 employees with less than $40 million in revenue. This month, the spotlight features Aldelano Packaging Corporation, located in Atlanta at www.aldelano.com. Don’t miss the next Member Orientation meeting on April 4 for your chance to be our next member featured in the Small Business Spotlight.

Aldelano Packaging Corporation, founded in 1968, is one of the nation’s leading contract packaging companies with operations across the U.S. and Mexico with partnerships in China. The company pioneered the concept of “To Your Door Service,” setting up full-service operations in more than 20 cities nationwide.

With a customer roster that includes Proctor & Gamble, Kellogg’s, American Airlines, Red Bull and Sunny Delight, they offer an array of contract packaging services and materials, warehousing and distribution and on-site project staffing and management.

Known for exceptional service and value, Aldelano has built a reputation of dependability and trust. They have received numerous awards and accolades including National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) Corporate Plus distinction, an unprecedented program for MBEs that have the proven capacity to handle national contracts for major corporations.

In 2004, they were granted Foreign Trade Zone status, which is a secured area within the U.S. where merchandise can be admitted without the immediate payment of customs duties or excise tax. The biggest advantage is the money this saves Aldelano’s customers.

In 2005, Aldelano Corporation developed another organization, Aldelano International, inspired by Hurricane Katrina. Aldelano International has developed a line of disaster preparedness materials for the public and corporations. The survival kits are designed to include enough food, water and hygiene products to sustain an adult for three days, and has a five year shelf life. Products are conveniently packed in a durable 100 percent nylon “fanny pack.”

In addition to the kits, Aldelano International has developed an all-in-one flashlight, AM/FM radio, siren and cell phone charger. The “emergency manager” requires no batteries and sells for roughly $19.99.

Show Teachers You Care

Sparkfly, an Atlanta-based employee discount administrator, has generously agreed to offer its program at NO COST to teachers in metro Atlanta school systems. The program will allow teachers to save money on everyday purchases from auto service, restaurants and gym memberships to big-ticket item purchases like a new home or an automobile. Sparkfly currently administers a similar program for employees at Coca-Cola, Post Properties, SunTrust other large Atlanta companies.

Sparkfly needs sponsors to cover the costs associated with printing and distributing materials and creating a customized Web site for teachers and educators. The Sparkfly discount program for teachers is an excellent opportunity for your business to build brand awareness and promote your organization to more than 98,000 metro Atlanta school system employees.

As a sponsor, your company’s logo will appear on the customized Sparkfly Web site for teachers as well as Sparkfly’s printed materials distributed to all 98,000 school system employees. Additionally, your company’s name and logo will be recognized on the Metro Chamber’s Web site and in The Phoenix. To learn more about participation as a sponsor, contact Matt Tabor, Vice President, Sparkfly, at 404-574-1442; mtabor@sparkfly.com.

Why Is the Chamber Concerned About Teachers? A gifted teacher can have the single biggest impact on a student’s academic success, yet schools in the metro Atlanta region need thousands of additional teachers in classrooms every year. The metro Atlanta region’s school systems are among the fastest growing in the nation, and with this growth comes the need for additional teachers and educators in the region’s schools.

Last year alone, the metro region needed more than 5,000 new teachers for the 2006 school year. To address the continual need for teachers, the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Regional Education Policy Committee is working with the school systems on multi-faceted initiatives to assist with recruitment and retention of teachers.

In considering the most appropriate ways to support school systems with teacher recruitment and retention, the Regional Education Committee surveyed teachers asking: “What would help recruit teachers to the region? What would encourage teachers to continue working in the area?” Teachers responded: Appreciation from parents and the community…anything that helps us stretch our paychecks.

Given these responses, the Regional Education Committee sought a program to show the business community’s appreciation for teachers and to provide teachers with incentives, aside from paychecks, to work and stay in the region. Among other initiatives to improve recruitment and retention of teachers, the Regional Education Committee is partnering with Sparkfly to offer a regionwide discount program for teachers.

Sports Corner

Lead-Off Your Braves Baseball Season with a Luncheon

Missed the Braves spring training in Orlando? Can’t make it to opening day on April 6? Be a part of the Braves Lead-Off Luncheon April 10 at the Intercontinental Hotel. Get an inside look at the upcoming 2007 season, and have lunch with Braves players, coaches and executives. The program is brought to you by the Atlanta Sports Council and the Atlanta Braves Foundation.

Be a part of the 2007 Braves Luncheon

Chamber Events

March

14 Wednesday
Member Reception
Members are invited to join our board of director member John Krenicki, president and CEO, GE Energy hosts business-to-business networking at its best.
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location: 4200 Wildwood Parkway , Auditorium
RSVP Required

20 Tuesday
Is Your Networking Working?
A fun and fast-paced two-hour program guaranteed to improve your networking skills. Bring lots of business cards and make new connections! Whether you’re new to sales, a business owner, chairman of a large corporation or active in your service club, these skills are critical to success in all walks of life – everyone needs to know how to network successfully.
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Non-members: $50
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
RSVP Required

20 Tuesday
Luncheon with the Foreign Trade Minister of France
The Trade Office of the Consulate General of France in Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce are pleased to invite you to a luncheon featuring:

Christine Lagarde, Foreign Trade Minister of France

Time: Registration at 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.

RSVP: Space is strictly limited for this event, and reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to members of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and to the French business community in Atlanta. The deadline for reservations is March 16.

E-mail your RSVP to Michel Besson at michel.besson@missioneco.org, including all the information requested below:

• Name
• Title
• Company Name
• E-mail
• Mailing Address
• Telephone
• Fax

For more information, contact Michel.Besson at 404.495.1695 or John Woodward at 404.586.8447.

22 Thursday
Leads to Business
Come to the Chamber and network with fellow members. This program is designed to integrate people into the Chamber. It allows people to introduce themselves and openly promote their company.
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Non-members: $50
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber Of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
RSVP Required

28 Wednesday
Power Networking Luncheon
Join Chamber members at lunch to network. This program is designed to integrate people into the Chamber. It allows people to introduce themselves and openly promote their company.
Time: 11:30 - 1 p.m.
Cost: $12
Non-members: $50
Location: Spondivits, Buckhead 360 Pharr Rd, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30305
RSVP is required.

Community Events

Atlanta Press Club hosts Sam A. Williams
The Atlanta Press Club will host Sam A. Williams, President of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, at a Newsmaker Luncheon on Thursday, April 12, at The Commerce Club. He will discuss “Metro Atlanta 2030 — Challenges & Opportunities.”

This luncheon is open to the public. APC members may purchase individual tickets for $28 each or tables of 10 for $280, which includes signage. The nonmember prices are $35 for individual tickets and $350 for tables of 10 with signage. The $6 parking fee is not included in the ticket price. Tickets and tables may be purchased at www.atlantapressclub.org or by calling 404-577-7377. No tickets will be sold after noon on Wednesday, April 11. Payment must accompany reservations, and there is a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Atlanta-- A Legacy of Champions
In just a couple of weeks, Atlanta will host thousands of basketball fans for the 2007 NCAA Men's Final Four, March 30 – April 2. To help roll out the red carpet for thousands of guests who’ll be in town, the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau have created a community welcome. Plan the best experience for our Final Four Fans by visiting http://www.atlanta.net/legacy/.