the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this edition, join us as the Greater Grady Task Force members tour Grady Memorial Hospital. The task force is made up of a diverse group of 17 top business leaders, created by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce at the request of the board of directors of the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority.

Also, join a Georgia delegation led by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin as they completed a successful eight-day mission to Asia that included visits with business leaders and senior government officials in Japan and Korea from April 22-29.

Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerce will host the first-ever Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in Atlanta on June 11-13. The ACF will convene senior government leaders from the Western Hemisphere’s 33 countries to discuss ways to improve the region’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.

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

The Greater Grady Task Force

The Greater Grady Task Force members toured Grady Memorial Hospital on
May 3. The tour was an opportunity to get a first-hand look at the daily service Grady Memorial Hospital provides to the community.

The Greater Grady Task Force, which was formed to address the issues that threaten Grady Health System's long-term viability, plans to spend the next 90 days studying Grady Health System's finances, structures and operations before delivering its recommendations. The task force held its first meeting
April 11. Additional meetings are slated as follows:

• Friday, May 11
• Wednesday, June 13
• Friday, July 13

Chamber Mission to Asia Led By Mayor Forges Stronger Relationships
Successful Mission Expands Atlanta’s Reach Around the World

A Georgia delegation led by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin completed a successful eight-day mission to Asia that included visits with business leaders and senior government officials in Japan and Korea from April 22-29.

“We had a very productive trip to Asia, including being warmly received by the mayors of Fukuoka, Japan; and Daegu, Korea – as well as sister city officials in Fukuoka and Daegu,” said Mayor Franklin.“ The purpose of the trip was to explore business opportunities and promote Atlanta as a global business center, along with paying ‘thank you' visits to several companies that are already doing business in Atlanta, such as Sekisui SPR Americas, Inc.; Panasonic and SKC.”

“The economic development mission to Asia was an opportunity to network with a number of Asian companies that expressed interest in learning more about the opportunities to invest and locate in Georgia and Atlanta,” said Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “We would like to see real job growth come out of a trip like this. Building relationships and networking is what will continue to help metro Atlanta increase international presence both here in Atlanta and across the world.”

The delegation also learned about the culture and people of Japan and
Korea, visiting the 700-foot high Fukuoka Communications Tower, Fukuoka Atlanta Park at Island City and meeting Miss Japan Universe.

Objectives of the Asia mission included:

• leveraging Atlanta Sister City connections for economic development
• visiting with Asian companies that already have a presence in metro Atlanta
• meeting with prospects in Asia that could possibly expand to metro Atlanta
• promoting metro Atlanta as a global business center

The following sent delegates on the trip to Asia: City of Atlanta; Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Delta Air Lines; Jones Day; Bentley Investments, Inc.; Georgia Power Company; Fayette County Development Authority; Han Capital Partners,LLC; SunTrust Bank; Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu; Sekisui SPR Americas, Inc.; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Reece & Associates; Panasonic Automotive Systems; Fukuoka Sister City Committee; MHR International, Inc.; Georgia Department of Economic Development; Georgia Marble; China Professional Tours; Galaxy Partners, Inc.; Korean-Southeast U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Sachi Koto Communications, Inc.; Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce; Land Haskell Slaughter & Young LLC.

Atlanta to host the Americas Competitiveness Forum

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez will host the inaugural Americas Competitiveness Forum on June 11–12, 2007, in Atlanta.

The Americas Competitiveness Forum will provide a venue for government ministers from the Western Hemisphere to come together with leaders from the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations, to explore cutting edge ideas and best practices in several key areas of competitiveness.

The ACF's main tracks are:

•  sparking and sustaining innovation
•  creating solutions in education and workforce development
•  designing successful global supply chain strategies
•  fostering small business development and growth

This forum will be more than a discussion; it will serve as a launching pad for a continued, practical dialogue on competitiveness in the Western Hemisphere.

Click on the icon to learn more.

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Receives Top National Economic Development Award

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has been designated one of the top 10 economic development organizations in the nation, according to Site Selection magazine.

The magazine, which is read by more than 44,000 executives, released its 2006 ranking this week.

In the last 20 years alone, the population has doubled and Atlanta has become one of the top job producers in the nation. In 2006, metro Atlanta created more than 60,000 jobs and in 2005 created 70,000 new jobs making metro Atlanta No. 2 in the country for job creation.

Economic development groups were ranked according to four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount and new investment per 10,000 residents. They were also reviewed on innovation, leadership and customer service.

“As we considered the nominations for the Top Development Groups this year, it became clear that the most competitive organizations shared several characteristics,” said Ron Starner, director of publications and general manager of Site Selection publisher Conway Data. “They provide market access to expanding companies, strong logistics support networks, highly qualified and abundant labor pools, competitive business costs and good old-fashioned ingenuity to get deals done."

The Chamber's areas of economic development focus include:

•  marketing & business recruitment: Proactively marketing metro Atlanta as a business location, attracting companies and creating quality jobs.
•  logistics industry development: Positioning metro Atlanta as a global logistics center of innovation and growing and attracting logistics companies and jobs.
•  technology cluster development: Shaping Atlanta as a center of technology and innovation by attracting and growing companies in the IT, software, biotech and telecom industries.
•  international economic development: Developing metro Atlanta into an international business center and attracting foreign direct investment, companies and jobs – while assisting metro Atlanta companies who do business abroad.

Top Economic Development Groups of 2006 (in alphabetical order)
Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Dallas, Texas
Greater Louisville Inc., Louisville, Ky.
Greater Washington Initiative, Washington, D.C.
Indy Partnership, Indianapolis, Ind.
McAllen Economic Development Corp., McAllen, Texas
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta, Ga.
Mooresville-South Iredell Economic Development Corp. and Greater Statesville Development Corp., Iredell County, N.C.
Piedmont Triad Partnership, Greensboro, N.C.
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, St. Louis, Mo.
World Business Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

The entire Top Groups and Top Deals articles appear in the May 2007 edition of Site Selection and at www.sitenet.com .

Hot Topic Forum: Developing Atlanta’s Workforce to Compete in a Global Economy

Atlanta Public Schools is embarking on one of the most comprehensive and innovative approaches to high school reform in the nation. As it designs its new small schools of learning under the rubric of “High School Transformation,” you can play a major role in ensuring that students are learning the skills they need to get good jobs in your industry. This opportunity is real as this transformation will be implemented in three waves during the next five years.

Join the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce as we discover how to bridge the gap. Don't miss it! Lunch will be served.
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd., NW Atlanta, Ga. 30303

Presenters include:
Russ Moore, Founder, Seamless Education Consultants
Dr. Beverly Hall, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools
Robert Atterbury, Associate Superintendent of High School
Transformation, Atlanta Public Schools

Please RSVP to Katie Mills at events@macoc.com or 404.586.8424. www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com

Sponsored by: AT&T

Mark Your Calendars for June 8
2007 Small Business Person of the Year to be Announced

Join us for the 21st Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards luncheon on Friday, June 8, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in the newly re-opened Imperial Ballroom from noon - 1:30 p.m.

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, nearly 95 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. 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.

	Arnold Silverman
	“I would not have believed how significant this award is and how positively it has impacted our company. I wish ‘my’ year as Small Business Person of the Year would not end.”

	Michael Kogon
	”Being selected as the 2004 Small Business Person of the Year was a honor that has impacted me professionally, personally and forever. To be recognized by my peers and the city made me realize how much the city cares about small business and the growth of the city.”

Chamber Events

May

10 Thursday
Small Business Matters Presents: The Art of Being Unforgettable
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd., Board Room
Lunch will be provided

New program for 2007 relating to specific issues of interest to Small to Mid-Sized Businesses with a focus on learning how to do business with big business. The speaker will be Tana Goertz, runner up in “The Apprentice 3” with Donald Trump. Tana Goertz is a sought-after motivational speaker and enthusiastic spokesperson for such companies as BeDazzler, and the new internet site Bozang, based in Atlanta, Ga. Please RSVP to events@macoc.com. Attendance is free for Chamber members.

16 Wednesday
Member Reception
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Hosted by: Robert Hays, Chairman, King & Spalding
Non-members: $50
Location: 1180 Peachtree Street, 16th floor, Atlanta, Ga. 30309
RSVP Required

Members are invited to join our board of director member Robert Hays, Chairman, as King & Spalding hosts business-to-business networking at its best.

22 Tuesday
Netweaving
Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd, Board Room
RSVP Required

A “win-win” form of networking, this series is all about being a strategic connector and resource provider for others and has redefined the belief that “what goes around comes around.” Attendees learn how to create new business opportunities while enhancing their image and reputation as people who believe that helping others become more successful is one of the best ways to ensure their own success.

23 Wednesday
Power Networking Luncheon
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: TBD
RSVP Required

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.

24 Thursday
Leads to Business
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd, Board Room
RSVP Required

Come to the Chamber at 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. Lunch will be provided.

Community Events

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.

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.

“The Best Medicine: Consumer Driven Health Care”

Most citizens are aware of the dire state of health care in America today. They see their health care costs continue to rise, doctors going out of business, and most importantly, they see the immense need for a grand overhaul of the entire system. They are not willing to compromise their doctor-patient relationships, the status of their coverage or an increase in their taxes in order to do so. So what can be done? Can we find a remedy to the problem without the painful side-effects?

Members of the Atlanta Committee for The Heritage Foundation believe that we can. They are providing an opportunity for area business leaders, medical professionals, insurance executives and hospital administrators to come together and learn more about the future of health care coverage in America.
RSVP is required. Please register at www.myheritage.org/Atlanta.

May 30, 2007
Location: The Four Seasons
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
There is no charge for this event.  

Panelists:

• The Honorable Tom Price, United State House of Representatives
• The Honorable Judson H. Hill, Georgia State Senate
• Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, Chairman, Georgia Public Policy Foundation Board of Governors