the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this edition, you'll learn about the successful start of our Chairman's Campaign and the Chamber's role in the effort to bring Mueller Water Products' headquarters to metro Atlanta.

You'll also learn about Georgia's recent top-10 ranking for the number of biotech companies located here and about Glen Gould, the Chamber's new Director of Small to Mid-size Business.

We'll tell you about the Chamber's involvement as one of 30+ groups offering input on statewide water planning and about how you can help the Chamber work to stop freight congestion.

On the education front, we'll tell you about how your company can help the mayor find summer internships for students.

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

Hot Topics

Chairman's Campaign
Kicks Off to Strongest Start Ever

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's annual Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign is off to its best start ever.

Led by Campaign Chairman Dick Anderson (Vice Chairman and President, Business Markets - BellSouth Corporation), volunteers from 20 participating companies kicked off this year's campaign with a record 28 percent of the $2.8 million goal.

The BellSouth Corp., Wachovia Bank and Georgia Power teams lead the pack this week.

Other teams include AGL Resources, Bank of America, Bank of North Georgia, ChoicePoint, The Coca-Cola Company, Cousins Properties Inc., Delta Air Lines, Equifax Inc., GE, H. J. Russell & Company, Harry Norman Realtors, Hyatt Regency, Post Properties, Powell Goldstein, RBC Centura, Small to Mid-Size Business Team, and SunTrust Bank.

Along with being this week’s number one producer, special recognition was given to Joe Chandler (BellSouth) for raising more than $1 million for the campaign in his 15 years of participation. Only one other volunteer has accomplished this significant feat, Rick Maurer with Georgia Power.

Mueller Water Products Locates Corporate Headquarters
In Metro Atlanta

Newly formed Mueller Water Products LLC, a spin-off of Tampa-based Walter Industries, will locate its corporate headquarters in metro Atlanta. President and CEO Greg Hyland made the announcement in April.

Fifty new high-value jobs will be created and preliminary revenue projections indicate the firm will likely be ranked in the Fortune 1,000 list.

"This is another significant headquarters win for metro Atlanta and Georgia," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "Mueller chose Atlanta for the same reason so many other companies do. We're the hub of the fastest growing region of the country. We're close to their manufacturing facilities across the southeast, and our international airport gives them access to their customers worldwide. As an added benefit, Atlanta will gain leadership and expertise in an area important to us -- water infrastructure."

The Chamber, with partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Power Company, has been working with top management at the new firm since January to lure the headquarters to Atlanta over Nashville and Chicago--
the two cities providing Atlanta the most competition.

The office is slated to open in early fall 2006.
more

Chamber Names Glen Gould
Director of Small to Mid-size Business

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has named Glen M. Gould -- current president of the Punta Gorda, Fla., Chamber of Commerce and a former Atlanta resident -- as its new Director of Small to Mid-size Business. Gould is slated to take his post on June 1. "Roughly two-thirds of job growth in metro Atlanta is from small businesses, so this sector is critical to our economy," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "We're pleased that Glen has agreed to come home to Atlanta to lead our outreach efforts in this arena. He brings a wealth of experience as a Chamber president, Chamber board member, public speaker and writer -- and as a small business owner himself for nearly two decades." more

Glen M. Gould, Director of Small to Mid-size Business

30+ Groups Offer Input
On Statewide Water Planning

The Metro Atlanta Chamber, along with more than 30 organizations, have come together to provide consolidated and consensus input into Georgia's statewide water planning process.

The group includes the state county and municipal associations; the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, representing over 130 water statewide water utilities; the Georgia Chamber; and the state associations for homebuilders, realtors, forestry, agribusiness, mining, textiles, industry, and consulting engineers.

"Water is a critical issue in Georgia," said Metro Atlanta Chamber president Sam A. Williams. "That is why these organizations have come together to reach consensus on important issues and find solutions. First and foremost, we need to make sure we are basing water policy decisions on sound facts."

In an April 18 letter to Dr. Carol Couch, chair of the Georgia Water Council, the group lauded Couch for pushing for "more and better facts" as the state develops its water policy framework.

The letter accompanied a 10-page memo in which the group said the state should gather the research it already has, determine what important facts are missing and prepare a schedule, scope of work and budget to collect these missing facts. The letter cited examples of information from existing resources that would help inform the debate, set priorities and put state water issues in context.

The first phase of the state water planning process (now through July 2007) will result in a policy framework for the later development of a statewide water plan (post 2008). During this first phase, the State and its various stakeholder groups will consider changes to state water policies.

Given time and funding constraints, this first phase will rely heavily on the State's existing data relating to water availability, use, areas of stress, identifying priorities, and the practical impact of various water policy proposals.

"We need to make sure that the facts are in front of policy makers so they can make informed decisions," said Jack Dozier, with the Georgia Association of Water professionals.

The letter concluded: "We also stand ready to assist you in seeking funding to enable you to develop a fact-based State Water Plan for Georgia."
If you would like a copy of this letter, email Kevin Green at the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

Georgia Ranks 7th in Nation
For Number of Biotech Companies

Georgia ranks seventh in the nation for the number of biotechnology companies located here, according to a new Ernst & Young report.

In just five years, the state has moved from 11th place (in 2001) to seventh place, according to Ernst & Young's "Beyond Borders: Global Biotechnology Report 2006." California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania took the top six ranks.

"Georgia is a powerhouse for university research that spawns biotech companies," said Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce President Sam A. Williams. "We are literally growing this industry from within - by turning university research into biotech companies that produce significant economic gains for the state."
more

The Chamber is Working to Improve Freight Mobility
and Reduce Congestion...You Can Help

Logistics is a core business for metro Atlanta. The Chamber's Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council is working with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to develop the region’s first freight mobility plan to ensure the region's future competitiveness.

The plan will identify current and future challenges of freight movement in the metro Atlanta region and recommend short-term solutions and long-term strategies to move freight more effectively and reduce traffic congestion.

Interested in getting involved? Are you a shipper, receiver or carrier?

We need your input. Click here to take the survey.

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

Education

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 to purchase AVP Atlanta Open tickets.

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

May

9 Tuesday
Best Business Practices: How do companies recruit
and retain employees?
Hear from a panelist comprised of Atlanta's leading employers listed in Fortune magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For including:
Linda Matzigkeit - Senior Vice President, Human Resources of 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.

May 24
Professional Development Series:
Work/life/family balance
Members are invited to bring their lunch and join Bob Lancer (author, radio show host, seminar leader, public speaker and consultant) for a presentation on how to find a good balance in life, work and family.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Event sponsored by: Bank of America
RSVP required. $50 non-members

June

20th Annual Small Business Person
Of the Year Awards
Join us and the Atlanta Business Chronicle as we honor one outstanding small business person. Tickets are only $45 for Chamber members.
Special thanks to this year's sponsors: AirTran Airways, Bank of America, BellSouth, Public Broadcasting Atlanta, IBM and Exact Target.
Date: June 9, 2006
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Location: The Ballroom at Twelve at Atlantic Station
RSVP to www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com or events@macoc.com.

Community Events

Marketing Seminar for Selling and Marketing
To Baby Boomers
This important one-day seminar at the Crowne Plaza Buckhead will present leading national marketing and research authorities including Matt Thornhill, founder of the Boomer Project and leading expert on selling and marketing to Baby Boomers.

For 40 years marketers have focused on the 18-49 age demographic. But with a Baby Boomer turning 50 every seven seconds, it's time you recalibrated.

During the next ten years the 50+ segment will grow in size by 25% while the 18-49 segment will remain unchanged.

Register before May 19. For more information, contact:
Matt Thornhill at 804-690-4837 or matt@boomerproject.com

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