Oracle Corp. President Charles Phillips speaks at a meeting hosted by The Southeastern Software Association in conjuction with the Chamber and the Executives Roundtable on April 18.
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In This Issue
Volume 1, Issue #3 - April 19, 2006
Hot Topics
Habitat for Humanity Locates Administrative Headquarters in Downtown Atlanta
Chamber Courts China
to Open Consulate Office in Atlanta
Arby's Thanks Mayor, Chamber
for Warm Atlanta Welcome
Help Chamber Stop
Freight Traffic Congestion
Chairman's Campaign Begins
A+ Awards Honor Top Teachers,
Business Partners
Education
Help Chamber, Mayor Find
Internships For Students
Sports Corner
Pro Beach Volleyball Headed to Atlanta
How About Some Golf?
Special Guest:
Oracle Founder Speaks at Chamber
Chamber Events
Could You Be The Next
“Small Business Person
Of The Year?”
Host Your Next Special Event
in the J.B. Fuqua Rooftop Pavillion
Community Events
East Africa-America Trade Summit
Help Support The Arts

Calendar
New Members


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



  the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter
     

President's Message

Welcome to another edition of The Phoenix, the Chamber's e-newsletter.

In this edition, you'll learn about Habitat for Humanity's plans to open its new administrative headquarters in Atlanta and the Chamber's role in a statewide effort to bring a Chinese consulate office here. You'll also learn how the Chamber's economic development department played a significant role in bringing Arby's new headquarters office to Atlanta.

We'll tell you how you can help the Chamber work to stop freight congestion, how to get involved in the 2006 Chairman's Campaign and what Oracle President Charles Phillips had to say during a recent visit to the Chamber.

On the education front, we'll tell you how your company can help the mayor find summer internships for students and we'll give you a recap of the A+ Awards luncheon.

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


Sam A. Williams
President
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Hot Topics

Habitat for Humanity Locates Administrative Headquarters
in Downtown Atlanta

Habitat for Humanity International announced on April 19 that it will locate its new administrative headquarters in downtown Atlanta, joining a cluster of international nonprofits that call Atlanta home.

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce President Sam A. Williams said Atlanta is an excellent choice for Habitat because of its international airport, the city's dedication to affordable housing and the outstanding research universities here that can partner with Habitat.

"Atlanta will give Habitat a home base that's connected to the world and a hometown that strongly supports its critical work," said Williams.

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From left to right: Habitat CEO Johnathan Reckford, Richard Bowers of Richard Bowers & Co., Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, President of Central Atlanta Progress Inc. A.J. Robinson, and Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam A. Williams.

Chamber Courts China to Open Consulate Office in Atlanta

The Chamber has joined a statewide effort to court the People's Republic of China to open an Atlanta Consulate office.

A resolution passed at a recent executive meeting said: "The presence of a Chinese Consulate General in Atlanta would further promote and enhance business and cultural exchanges between the southeastern United States and China."

This effort is one of many by the Chamber to build relationships with China -- the world's fastest growing economy. Chamber staff also recently visited Shanghai to attend the 2006 Freight Asia Conference with a goal of increasing air cargo carriers and routes operating to Atlanta.

Arby's Thanks Mayor, Chamber for Warm Atlanta Welcome

Arby's Restaurant Group marked the official opening of its new Atlanta headquarters offices on Tuesday, April 18. Roland C. Smith, new president and CEO of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., welcomed Mayor Shirley Franklin, Chamber President Sam A. Williams, Georgia Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser and hundreds of guests to a VIP reception and open house.

Click to enlarge
Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam A. Williams (left) and
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (center) joined New Arby’s President and CEO Roland Smith (right) as the company celebrated its return
to the city where it was founded.

Led by the Chamber’s Economic Development Division and its
partners at the state and Georgia Power Company, Arby's Restaurant Group completed the move of its corporate offices from Fort Lauderdale in late 2005.

The move created new positions and directly aided in the retention of a like number of existing jobs with its RTM subsidiary.

Williams observed that Arby’s becomes the latest in a stellar
lineup of companies that have critically evaluated many other
cities and decided that metro Atlanta offered them the ideal combination of talent, air service and quality of life needed to successfully conduct operations in a global economy.

The Chamber is Working to Stop Freight Congestion...
You Can Help

The Chamber's Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council is working with the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Transportation to develop the first freight mobility plan for the future of the Atlanta area.

The plan's primary goals are to identify current and future challenges of freight movement in the Atlanta region and to recommend short-term solutions and long-term strategies to effectively address freight traffic congestion.

You can help.

On-line surveys have been developed for shippers, receivers, carriers and the general public. The information obtained will help to identify opportunities to improve current and future transportation infrastructure.

For more information on the survey please contact Bob Pertierra at the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

For more information on the Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council, visit www.LogisticsAtlanta.com.

Chairman's Campaign Begins

The 2006 Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign begins Wednesday, April 26. This year's campaign, themed "Atlanta, Winning the Game," is led by Dick Anderson, Vice Chairman and President of Business Markets for the BellSouth Corp.

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 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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


16th Annual A+ Awards Honored Top Teachers, Business Partners

Atlanta's top public school teachers and the community and business partners who work with them to help students thrive were honored Thursday, April 13, at the 16th Annual A+ Awards.

The event, attended by over 1000 and held in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center, is hosted each year by Atlanta Partners for Education, a joint venture between the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Public Schools.


Click to enlarge
Atlanta Public Schools’ Teachers
of the Year were recognized at the
16th Annual A+Awards Luncheon
on Thursday, April 13.

Business award highlights include HOPE worldwide-Georgia winning the Team category and Turner Broadcasting winning the Summa Cum Laude category.

Atlanta Public School System's prestigious Teacher of the Year award went to Phyllis Lucy-Manuel. Other notable award winners included Elementary School Teacher of the Year award winner Annie Cecil and Middle School Teacher of the Year winner Deborah Mills.

Mike Garrett, 2006 Chamber Chairman and A+ Awards honorary co-chair, speaks about the importance of education and the A+ Awards in this Atlanta Business Chronicle article.

Special thanks go to this year’s event sponsors: AirTran Airways, GE Energy, AJC, WSB, UPS, Coca-Cola, Georgia-Pacific Corp., Georgia Power, Troutman Sanders, Speakeasy, Emory University, Publix, Turner Broadcasting System, Georgia Natural Gas, Marriott Marquis, Portman Holdings, Kroger, Your Event Solutions, Wachovia, 11-Alive WXIA, and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Education

Help Chamber and Mayor Find Summer Internships for Students

Student achievement is important to the region’s prosperity. You can play a part.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ajcjobs and Mayor Shirley Franklin, has agreed to help the Atlanta Public Schools find summer internships for graduating high school seniors. Internships would run from June 5 through July 28. Your company would have the satisfaction of helping talented students glimpse the excellent career opportunities they have in their own backyard.

For more information and/or to register for this program, go to www.ajcjobs.com/nextstepinterns.

Please encourage your customers and suppliers to participate, as well.

For further information contact Brooke Havice at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, 404.586.8429 or bhavice@macoc.com.


Sports Corner

Pro Beach Volleyball Headed to Atlanta

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour has awarded Atlanta a stop on its 2006 season schedule.

The AVP Atlanta Open is scheduled to take place at Atlanta’s new Atlantic Station and will draw the world’s best men’s and women’s professional beach volleyball players for four days of competition July 6-9. The tournament will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports Net.

"This is a big win for Atlanta," said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president. "The AVP Tour will give our city an annual marquee lifestyle sports event that will really stand out as something special in an already impressive annual sports lineup. And bringing beach volleyball back to Atlanta where it made its debut as an Olympic sport will pay special tribute to the 10-year anniversary of the Centennial Games."

The AVP Tour is comprised of the best men’s and women’s pro beach volleyball players in the U.S. and the world. Featuring more than 150 of the sport’s top competitors, the Tour includes world-class athletes such as 2004 Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor as well as other Olympic medalists and professional stars like Holly McPeak and Karch Kiraly, who won the sport’s first gold medal in Atlanta. The AVP’s main goal is to deliver its fans the experience of an amazing athletic contest surrounded by an unforgettable beach party.
Click here www.avp.com/tickets to purchase AVP Atlanta Open tickets.

Special Guest

Metro Atlanta Chamber Welcomes
Oracle President Charles Phillips

Charles Phillips, president of the Oracle Corp.--the world's largest enterprise software company--shared insights into the software industry with Atlanta business leaders at a breakfast held at the Chamber on April 18.

At Oracle, Phillips is responsible for global field operations including consulting, marketing, sales, alliances and channels, and customer programs, as well as corporate strategy.

Before joining Oracle, Phillips was a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley in its technology group and a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.

He is on the boards of Viacom Corp., Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, and New York Law School.

Chamber Events

Hold your next special event in the J.B. Fuqua Rooftop Pavilion
The J. B. Fuqua Rooftop Pavilion overlooking the Atlanta skyline and Centennial Olympic Park is offered to Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce members for a special discounted rate.

The open-aired rooftop venue is the perfect space to entertain clients or your staff in 2006. Enjoy a great night overlooking Centennial Olympic Park and the lights of downtown Atlanta as your guests enjoy breath-taking skyline views.
For more information please visit: www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com/macoc/home/rooftop.shtml

April

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.

26 Wednesday
Chairman's Campaign Kickoff
The Chairman's Campaign has changed. Please change your calendar to Wednesday, April 26, to start this year's Chairman's Committee Campaign themed "Atlanta Winning the Game."

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.
Location: MACOC - 235 Andrew Young International Blvd
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
RSVP required.
Members Only

27 Thursday
Power networking:
Members are invited to make the most of their Chamber connections with other Chamber members and potential clients at this breakfast "power networking" session. Make sure to bring several business cards and promotional materials to exchange with other members!
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.

9 Tuesday
Best Business Practices: How do companies recruit
and retain employees?
Hear a from a panelist comprised of Atlanta's leading employer's listed in Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For including:
Dr. Jim Talley, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; Dr. Ike Reighard, HomeBanc;
Gary Price, Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Ben Johnson, Alston & Bird, LLP
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Event sponsored by:Exact Target
RSVP required. $50 non-members

10 Wednesday
Turner Broadcasting hosts member reception
 Hosted by Turner Broadcasting Chairman and CEO Phil Kent
Location: Omni Hotel in the International Ballroom,
North Tower - M2 Level Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
RSVP required. Members Only

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

Don't miss the April 21 Application Deadline to be
2006 Small Business Person of the Year
We are currently accepting applications from outstanding small business shareholders in the metro Atlanta region. Please nominate yourself or someone you know who embodies the qualifications of a Small Business Person of the Year.

For more information please visit: www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com In partnership with the Atlanta Business Chronicle and special thanks to this year's sponsors: AirTran Airways, Bank of America, BellSouth, Public Broadcasting Atlanta, IBM and Exact Target.

Community Events

East Africa-America Trade and Investment Summit
 The East Africa-America Business Council (EAABC) is pleased to invite you to the 5th East Africa-America Trade Summit that will take place May 15 - 17, 2006 at the Carter Presidential Center and The Renaissance Hotel in Atlanta.

Under the theme "Making the Partnerships Work," the summit will highlight business, trade and investment opportunities in East Africa and the United States. It also brings together key government and business leaders from the U.S. and the East African region to discuss creating mutually beneficial business partnerships.

For more information regarding the program, please visit www.eaabc.org or contact
Ms. Denise Midyette at 404-630-4936 or info@eaabc.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