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 how the launch of the fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport strengthens Atlanta's position as a global leader in logistics. We'll also show you which companies helped Atlanta rank - once again - No. 3 in the nation for the greatest number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered here.

We will introduce you to Jorge Fernandez, the Chamber's new Vice President of Global Commerce, and tell you what's on the mind of Delta Air Lines CEO Gerald Grinstein.

On the education front, we'll discuss a new teacher-training institute coming to Atlanta.

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

Fifth Runway at World's Busiest Airport
Strengthens Atlanta's Position as Logistics Leader

The opening on May 15 of a fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson International, the world's busiest airport, enhances Atlanta's position as a global logistics gateway and top passenger hub.

"Atlanta is already the business and distribution center of the Southeast," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "Our state's tightly woven network of air, ports, rail and roads -- converging in Atlanta -- rivals competitors worldwide. The addition of this fifth runway makes Atlanta an even stronger logistics leader, and allows us to step on the gas to grow global commerce and jobs."

More >>

Chamber Names Jorge Fernandez
Vice President of Global Commerce

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has named Jorge L. Fernandez, former international and alliances vice president for Delta Air Lines and a 24-year pilot and international affairs adviser for the U.S. Air Force, as its new vice president of global commerce.

Fernandez took his post on May 15.

"Atlanta is already a gateway to the world with companies that are major players in the global economy," said John Rice, chairman of the Chamber's International Task Force, vice chairman of GE and president & CEO of GE Industrial. "Now we are focused on tackling the next frontiers in global expansion and recruitment. We are delighted that Jorge will be putting his considerable expertise in international affairs to work to expand Atlanta's reach around the world."
More>>

Atlanta Once Again Ranks No. 3
For Fortune 500 Headquarters

Atlanta once again ranked No. 3 in the nation for the greatest number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered here.

The annual Fortune 500 listing was released in the April 2006 edition of Fortune Magazine.

"This ranking is a strong indicator every year that Atlanta is a world-class business center," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
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

On June 11, more than 500 of our nation's top graduates will converge on Georgia Tech's campus for a summer-long introduction on what it takes to be a Teach for America teacher.

This summer, Teach For America is partnering with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and the Georgia Institute of Technology to form the first-ever Atlanta Institute -
an intensive academic summer program for Atlanta Public Schools students. The Atlanta Institute is a five-week teacher-training experience designed to help corps members understand the pedagogical approach that successful teachers utilize in low-income communities.

The program will reach 3,500 summer school students in 10 schools across the city. New corps members will work under the guidance of a team of veteran educators to provide a quality education for their students.

This expansion is exciting, not only for APS and Teach for America, but for the city of Atlanta as a whole. One hundred of the 500 exceptional graduates coming to Atlanta for the summer will remain in our city to fulfill their Teach For America commitment and join our alumni movement. For more information on Teach For America, please contact:
Keecia Broy at keecia.broy@teachforamerica.org.
Source: Carrie Link Underwood
more

Special Guest: Delta Air Lines CEO Gerald Grinstein

Delta CEO Shares Insights With Top Business Leaders

Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein drew an early-morning audience of nearly 100 as the featured guest at the Chamber’s “Insights on Leadership” series on May 10.

Grinstein talked about leading Delta through the “dark hours” of bankruptcy and pilot contract negotiations while working to maintain the confidence of the public, the company's board and creditors.

Chamber President Sam A. Williams said Delta’s recent expansion of international air routes to locations such as Tel Aviv, Dusseldorf and Copenhagen has strengthened the city’s position as a hub of global commerce.

Today Atlanta is home to nearly 1,600 international companies. In addition, 52 countries are represented here by consular corps and trade offices.

“Your route service is one of the major draws to recruit any company to Atlanta,” Williams told Grinstein during the discussion.

As a result of the airline's recent expansion, Delta and Delta Connection offer 627 international non-stop flights each week to more than 70 international destinations. Atlanta now ranks as the No. 3 gateway in the nation based on number of international destinations served.

Grinstein was named CEO of Delta Air Lines in January 2004. He has been a director of Delta since 1987 and served as Delta’s non-executive chairman from August 1997 until October 1999. Grinstein has chaired the board’s executive sessions since 1999.

A native of Seattle, Grinstein graduated from Yale College in 1954 and Harvard Law School in 1957. He and his wife, Lyn, have four grown children and reside in Atlanta.

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

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: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Event sponsored by: Bank of America
RSVP required. $50 non-members

June

7 Wednesday
Member Orientation
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: Lowcountry Barbecue
Event sponsored by Bank of America and Office Depot
RSVP required.

20th Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards
Co-hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Business Chronicle, this annual luncheon will honor one outstanding small businessperson for their contributions to Atlanta's civic and business community
Special thanks to this year's sponsors: AirTran Airways, Bank of America, BellSouth, WABE-FM 90.1, WPBA-TV 30 Public Broadcasting Atlanta, IBM and Exact Target, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Date: June 9, 2006
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: The Ballroom at Twelve at Atlantic Station
RSVP required
$45 members - $55 non-members
Corporate Tables available. For more information contact Brooke Havice at bhavice@macoc.com or 404.586.8429.

14 Wednesday
Business Development Series:
Members are invited to join this breakfast program lead by Debbie Davidoff, The Davidoff group, to learn how to bring your business to the next level.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 7:30-9:30am
$50 non-members
RSVP required.

Community Events

Banquet Honoring Republic of Liberia President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Hosted by:
Women's Healthcare and Awareness International
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter
National Coalition of 100 Black Men, Inc. Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Date: May 27, 2006
Location: The Westin-Buckhead Hotel
3391 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
Tickets: $125
"Friends of Ellen" Table: $1,000 per table
For more information, call 678- 570-3087 or go online to www.whaintl.org/

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.

Registration for MACOC members is $495. For more information and to register visit www.boomerproject.com/atlanta
Matt Thornhill at 804-690-4837 or matt@boomerproject.com