the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

Welcome to The Phoenix, the Chamber's recently revamped e-newsletter. We hope you enjoyed the inaugural edition on March 22.

In today's edition, you'll learn about how Chamber staff and airport officials recently visited China to build relationships with air cargo carriers there-- and about an Italian air cargo carrier that is now operating in Atlanta. You will also learn why a recent KPMG study found that Atlanta is the least expensive large city in the United States to do business.

On the education front, we'll tell you how your company can help the mayor find summer internships for students, how you can reserve your seat for the 16th Annual A+ Awards Luncheon, and what's on the mind of new University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr.

We'll also recap some of the important accomplishments of the 2006 Georgia Assembly Session, and tell you how to get involved in the Chamber's 2006 Chairman's Campaign.

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

Hot Topics

Study: Atlanta Least Expensive Large U.S. City To Do Business

Atlanta is the least costly large U.S. city to do business, according to an independent study released in March by audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP.

"Companies looking to expand or relocate to a well-connected, world-class city can't do better than Atlanta," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "Not only do we have the lowest cost of doing business in the nation, but our international airport gives companies access to the world, our quality of life attracts top talent, and our location as the business capital of the Southeast means companies can operate at the nerve center of the fastest growing region in America."
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Alitalia Lands At Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

Alitalia cargo, an Italy-based cargo carrier company, now offers nonstop service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport.

In a recent announcement, the airport's Aviation Development Manager, Warren Jones, noted the important partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber in recruiting the airline.

"We are pleased to welcome Alitalia Cargo to our growing list of efficient carriers operating at Hartsfield-Jackson," Jones said. "The addition of Alitalia is the latest example of our work with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce to recruit quality carriers with a strong network of global operations."

Atlantans Build Relationships On Trip To China

Bob Pertierra, the Chamber's vice president of logistics industry development, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Aviation Development Manager Warren Jones recently returned from a trip to China.

They were in Shanghai to attend the 2006 Freight Asia Conference and to build relationships with a goal of increasing air cargo carriers and routes operating to Atlanta.

"We met with several Asian carriers and our prospects look very good," Pertierra said. "We continue to build relationships within the fastest growing economy in the world."

Air cargo represents a critical part of the Chamber's economic development strategy to grow the logistics industry in metro Atlanta and create jobs. Please click the following link for a story about the China trip in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Chairman's Campaign Begins

The 2006 Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign begins Wednesday, April 26 with the theme "Atlanta, Winning the Game," and will be led by Dick Anderson, Vice Chairman and President of Business Markets for the BellSouth Corporation.

The Chairman's Campaign is one of the primary sources of revenue for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers from more than 25 corporate partners in metro Atlanta will sell memberships, advertising and sponsorships from April through August to finish at the $2.8 million goal. Join the Chamber at the Campaign kick-off being held at BellSouth headquarters, Wednesday, April 26 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Contact Rebecca Brubaker for more information.
Please RSVP to:chairmanscampaign@macoc.com

Education

Last year the event drew a crowd of more than 1,000, and we’re lining up another terrific luncheon this year. Jocelyn Dorsey, host of WSB-TV's "People to People" and Director of Public Affairs at one of the primary sources of revenue for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.WSB-TV, will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. Awards will be presented in the categories of: community achievement, innovation, mentoring, rookie achievement, team, tutoring and summa cum laude. The event is hosted by the Atlanta Partners for Education, a joint venture between the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Public Schools. Special thanks to this year’s event sponsors: AJC, WSB, AirTran, UPS, GE, Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific, GA Power, Publix, Troutman Sanders, Emory University, Turner Broadcasting, Georgia Natural Gas, Marriott Marquis, Portman Holdings, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Speakeasy, AGL Resources, BellSouth, H.J. Russell & Company, Heery International, AMERIGROUP, Macy's, metroPCS, Verizon Wireless, Kroger, Your Event Solutions, Wachovia, 11-Alive WXIA, K & G Fashion Superstore and Longhorn Steakhouse. Location: Georgia World Congress Center Time: 11:30a.m.- 1:30 p.m. To RSVP and for more information contact Carolyn Lloyd at 404.586.8519 or clloyd@macoc.com. Cost: $50

(click photo to enlarge) The 2005 A+ Awards drew more than 1,000. We expect another great event on April 13.

Gold Dome Update

The 2006 Georgia Assembly Session ended near midnight on Thursday, March 30. Among the key measures successfully backed by the Chamber were:

• funding for an intercity rail project between Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
• a 250 percent funding increase for the biotechnology facilities fund to grow the high-tech sector
• continued funding for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
• the creation of a House committee to examine Georgia's economic development incentives

The Chamber also worked to stop harmful legislation, including:

• several bills that would have adversely affected water quality and sound conservation policy
• provisions in a biomedical research bill that would have criminalized research into therapeutic cloning
• a bill that would have mandated a commuter rail referendum for any city or county looking to add such service
• a bill that would have interfered with local governments' ability to protect property owners and the character of their neighborhoods.

For more information about specific legislation, please see 2006 Session Reports on our governmental affairs Web site.

Sports Corner

The Nation's Best Honored with Prestigious Naismith Trophies

	Finalists for the Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Coach of the Year and Men’s College Player of the Year assembled at the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis last weekend prior to the award winners being named. Standing, left to right: George Washington head coach Karl Hobbs, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl, Villanova head coach Jay Wright and Atlanta Tipoff Club President Gary Stokan. Seated, left to right: J.J. Redick (Duke), Rudy Gay (UConn), Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) and Allan Ray (Villanova). Villanova’s Jay Wright was named Coach of the Year and Duke’s J.J. Redick took home Player of the Year honors.
	Former Naismith Trophy winners and NBA legends Bill Walton (left) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took part in Naismith Trophy festivities at the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis.
	Duke University senior guard J.J. Redick (left) gives his acceptance speech after being presented the Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Player of the Year presented by Cingular Wireless at the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Guardians of the Game Award Show at the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. Presenters included, left to right: Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president, Marc Lefar, chief marketing officer, Cingular Wireless and Jim Williams, Atlanta Tipoff Club chairman.

For more information, please visit the Naismith Awards Page on The Atlanta Sports Council Web site.

Special Guest

Metro Atlanta Chamber Welcomes
New University System of Georgia Chancellor

Erroll B. Davis Jr., the new chancellor of the University System of Georgia, was welcomed by top Atlanta business leaders at a reception Monday, March 27. Davis is former chairman, president and CEO of Alliant Energy Corp. He has received numerous honors and awards, including recognition as one of the "50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America" (2002) by Fortune magazine.

As the guest of honor at a Chamber reception, Davis discussed his new role as chancellor, which includes being responsible for the state’s 35 public colleges and universities and $5 billion annual education budget. Click the link below to read a story about the event in the Fulton County Daily Report.
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Chamber Events

April

12 Wednesday
Business development series:
Members are invited to join this breakfast program lead by Sharon Quaintance and Lawdocsxpress to learn about small business legislation and what you can do to make it work for you.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
RSVP required.
$50 non-members

12 Wednesday
Have Lunch With The Braves!
Be a part of the Braves Lead-Off Luncheon to get an inside look at the upcoming 2006 season. The luncheon, held on April 12 at the 755 Club in Turner Field, is your chance to have lunch with Braves players, coaches and executives, and walk away with a special Braves premium giveaway. This year’s luncheon will celebrate the Braves 40th anniversary in Atlanta and will include members of the 1996 Braves team. All Chambers in attendance will be seated together as well as verbally recognized as a group.
Visit www.atlantasportscouncil.com for more information.

13 Thursday
2006 A+ Awards Luncheon:
Atlanta Partners for Education's annual year-end celebration to salute the Teachers of the Year and acknowledge the exceptional partnerships between Atlanta Public School and the business community.
Sponsored by: AJC, WSB, AirTran, UPS, GE, Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific, GA Power, Publix, Troutman Sanders, Emory University, Turner Broadcasting, Georgia Natural Gas, Marriott Marquis, Portman Holdings, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Speakeasy, AGL Resources, BellSouth, H.J. Russell & Company, Heery International, AMERIGROUP, Macy's, metroPCS, Verizon Wireless, Kroger, Your Event Solutions, Wachovia, 11-Alive WXIA, K & G Fashion Superstore and Longhorn Steakhouse.
Location: Georgia World Congress Center
Time: 11:30a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
To RSVP and for more information contact Carolyn Lloyd at 404.586.8519 or clloyd@macoc.com
Cost: $50

19 Wednesday
McKenna Long & Aldridge hosts Member Reception:
Members are invited to join Eric Tanenblatt, Governmental Affairs for McKenna Long & Aldridge, for an evening of business-to-business networking with over 100 other Chamber members. McKenna Long & Aldridge, 303 Peachtree Street, 53rd floor.
Members only.
RSVP required.

27 Thursday
Power networking:
Members are invited to join this breakfast networking session to make the most of their Chamber connections by "power networking" with other Chamber members and potential clients. Make sure to bring several business cards andpromotional materials to exchange with othermembers!
Location: MACOC - 235 Andrew Young International Blvd
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
RSVP required.
Members Only

May

3 Wednesday
Member orientation:
These monthly programs introduce new members to the Metro Atlanta Chamber and all of its benefits by helping them discover ways to become more involved and providing a networking opportunity.
10:15 a.m. Registration/Networking
10:45 a.m. Program
Noon -1p.m. Lunch/Networking
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Lunch sponsor: A Southern Tradition
Event sponsored by: Bank of America & Office Depot
RSVP required.

May 21-22, 2006
8th Annual ACC/SEC Invitational, A Chick-fil-A Bowl Event:
How About Some Golf?
The 8th Annual ACC/SEC Invitational will be held May 21 and May 22. If you want to golf with Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southeastern Conference (SEC) and local personalities, come join the Chick-fil-A Bowl as we hold our annual appreciation event for the ACC and the SEC. Foursomes include breakfast, lunch, dinner, a casino boat reception, golf at Lake Lanier Islands with a VIP and a prize pack for each golfer. Spots are limited and this event has sold out every year.

For more information please contact Derek Martin @ 404-586-8505 or dmartin@macoc.com.

June

Could You Be the Next "Small Business Person of the Year"?
Do you know people like this?

Bryan Kujawski, President, 360i.com; Michael Kogon, co-founder & CEO, Definition 6; Oscar Harris, Chairman & Founder, Turner Associates, Architects & Planners, Inc.; Claire Arnold, CEO, Leapfrog Services; and Charles Brewer, Founder, MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. They are all winners of the Small Business Person of the Year Award. We are looking for the 2006 nominees.

Please take a moment to consider your customers, clients and vendors who could win the 2006 award. The process is simple. Send their name, company name and email address to Brooke Havice at bhavice@macoc.com and we'll handle the rest. Special thanks to this year's sponsors: AirTran Airways, Bank of America, BellSouth, Public Broadcasting Atlanta, IBM and Exact Target.

Community Events

Help the Georgia Cancer Coalition
Check a Box and Give a Buck (Or More!)
The Georgia Cancer Coalition is proud to announce that Georgians again have a unique opportunity to contribute to the fight against cancer - through filling out your state income tax return. By increasing the amount of tax that you owe by as little as $1, or decreasing your refund by as little as $1, you can contribute to the Georgia Cancer Research Fund on the appropriate line of your state tax return. This fund is managed by the Coalition and supports life-saving research into the causes, treatments, and cures of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. For more information on the Georgia Cancer Coalition or the state income tax program, please visit www.georgiacancer.org.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund Luncheon
On May 11, The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund will award $500,000 in grants to approximately 10 metro Atlanta arts organizations.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund – the foundation of Atlanta's arts community - is an endowment that exclusively serves metro Atlanta’s small and mid-sized arts organizations. Each Spring, the Arts Fund makes substantial grant awards to organizations in our 23- county area, thus securing the long-term stabilization of the region’s diverse arts community.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund is a partnership of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Please join in celebrating the arts in Atlanta.

Date: May 11, 2006
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Hyatt Regency Atlanta – Downtown
For more information and to register please visit: www.MetroAtlantaArtsFund.org