the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this edition, learn about the behind-the-scenes collaboration between the Chamber and its partners over three years to win a major Chinese manufacturer.

Hear an update from the Greater Grady Task Force, which was formed to address the issues that threaten Grady Health System's long-term viability.

Read about a recent visit from Mary E. Peters, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

And remember to mark your calendars for:

• June 8, when the annual Small Business Person of the Year award will be given to an outstanding small business person.
• May 31, for a Hot Topic Forum on how business leaders can help high school students gain the skills needed to ensure that they will graduate and secure good jobs after graduation.

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

Another Major Chinese Manufacturer Chooses Georgia
General Protecht U.S., Inc. Expected to Bring 240 Jobs,
$30 Million in Investment

Read Sunday's feature story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Friendships Before Business.”

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2007/05/13/sbizchina0513a.html

This article tells the behind-the-scenes story of how General Protecht, a major Chinese manufacturer, chose to locate its new assembly and distribution facility in metro Atlanta. As the story describes, the Chamber was involved for more than two years in building relationships with company officials and working with our economic development partners around the region to win this deal -- through face-to-face meetings, helicopter rides, a Shanghai riverboat and even homemade potato salad! Thanks for your support as the Metro Atlanta Chamber continues to focus on bringing jobs and investment to the region. The company is expected to bring 240 jobs and $30 million of investment over two years to Barnesville, in Lamar County south of Atlanta.

Click here for press release.

Greater Grady Task Force Expected to Make
“Straw Man” Recommendations in June

The Greater Grady Task Force, which was formed to address the issues that threaten Grady Health System's long-term viability, said on May 11 that the task force is expected to present initial “straw man” recommendations at its next meeting in June.

The task force will hold its next meeting at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The meeting is open to the public and media.

“Grady has some serious near-term financial issues that need to be addressed, and the time for addressing that is clearly more urgent than we originally thought,” said former Georgia-Pacific Corp. Chairman A.D. “Pete” Correll and Greater Grady Task Force co-chair. “We have reached the perfect storm and it is by no means anyone's fault. Without intervention, the hospital will be threatened with closing its doors, and the consequences could ripple across the region and the state.”

The task force has determined that there are three mitigating factors facing Grady:

•  Payments, from a variety of sources, have remained flat or declined over time.

•  The region's population has increased and the patients that Grady sees have also increased.

•  Health care costs have skyrocketed.

“Over the past 30 days, the task force has received a great deal of information. What we have seen so far is that Grady has really not fundamentally changed since the hospital authority was created in the 1940's,” said Michael B. Russell, CEO of H.J. Russell & Company Greater Grady Task Force co-chair. “What has changed is the healthcare industry and the region that Grady serves. Given the changes in the environment, Grady needs a business model that reflects those changes.”

A diverse group of 17 top business leaders serve on the Greater Grady Task force, created by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce at the request of the board of directors of the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority. The task force has been studying Grady Health System's finances, structures and operations since the task force members were named on April 9.

Grady Health System is an internationally recognized teaching hospital staffed exclusively by doctors from Emory University and Morehouse schools of medicine. The health system manages more than 900,000 patient visits each year and consists of Grady Memorial Hospital, 10 neighborhood/airport health centers and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated by a Children's affiliate. Twenty-five percent of all physicians in Georgia are trained at Grady. Grady's services include its acclaimed level I trauma center, burn unit and one of the busiest Emergency Care Centers in the nation.

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

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.

Chamber Chairman Dick Anderson Named To Serve
on Board Of Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Chairman Richard A. “Dick” Anderson has been named by Gov. Sonny Perdue to serve on the board of directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority.

“The Metro Atlanta Chamber has been on the front lines of galvanizing the region to fight traffic gridlock -- and pushing for smart, sustainable growth policies that will keep our economic engine humming,” Anderson said. “I am pleased to answer the Governor's call to serve on a board that has these critical goals in common with the Chamber.”

Anderson, a former vice chairman of BellSouth, is on the board of Children's Healthcare, Clark Atlanta University, Camp Twin Lakes and Atlanta Local Education Foundation. He earned a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Murray State University. Anderson and his wife, Maureen, have three children. 

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, created by the General Assembly in 1999, is charged with improving mobility, air quality and land use practices in the metropolitan Atlanta region. GRTA was formed to insure that metropolitan Atlanta can sustain its economic growth, while maintaining the excellent quality of life that has made the area so attractive to businesses and workers.

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation Visits Chamber

On May 15, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce hosted the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mary E. Peters, for a discussion on federal transportation funding. Vance Smith, chair of the Georgia House Transportation Committee, Jeff Mullis, chair of the Georgia Senate Transportation Committee, were in attendance as well.  

The Secretary informed a packed room of business leaders of a looming shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund, which takes its revenue from the federal motor fuel tax. The trust fund is comprised of both the highway account and the mass transit account, both of which are projected to be in a deficit in two years.  If that happens, Congress will either have to raise the motor fuel tax or cut projects to fund the program.

The Secretary's visit underscores the need to immediately address transportation funding in Georgia , especially for fast growing, congested areas like metro Atlanta. Georgia is currently the fourth fastest growing in the nation, but ranks 46 th on transportation spending at the state level.

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. The top five finalists are: Andy Briggs of Pro Power Solutions; Matt Clouser of Active Production & Design; Sacha Taylor of Nannies and More; Mike Trotter of Trotter & Company and Michael Williams of Making Projects Work.

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, Bank of America, WABE-FM 90.1, Exact Target, IBM, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Active Production and Design, Inc. Tickets are available for Metro Atlanta Chamber members for $45 and can be purchased by emailing Katie Grosshans at events@macoc.com or by calling 404.586.8534.

	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.”

Campaign Corner

The 2007 Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign is in full swing with the theme "All Roads Lead to Atlanta." Scott Fisher, Atlanta regional president of Wachovia Bank, is leading 200 corporate volunteers from 20 companies in the metro Atlanta region for the Chairman’s Campaign.

The Chairman's Campaign is one of the primary sources of revenue for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, funding new and existing Chamber programs and initiatives. Volunteers from our corporate partners in metro Atlanta will sell memberships, advertising and sponsorships from April through August to finish at the $2.9 million goal.

Below are the results from the second report session.

Top Teams and Team Captains for the week 1. Rick Maurer, Georgia Power 2. Dan Denton & Stephanie Plousis, Wachovia Bank 3. Randy Rowe, GE Energy 4. Moses Brown, ChoicePoint Inc. 5. Angela Reach, SunTrust Bank	Trey Briscoe of Equifax Inc. and Brad Beisbier of RBC Centura Bank and other volunteers discuss strategies to reach the $2.9 million goal at JCT Kitchen.
Top Producers for the week 1. Rick Maurer, Georgia Power 2. Frank Boyd, Georgia Power 3. JJ Ahern, Georgia Power 4. Angela Parks, SunTrust Bank 5. Janie Maddox, Post Properties

Atlanta Economic Briefing May 2007 E-Newsletter

Below is a link for the latest breaking e-news on economic development for the metro Atlanta region. A major Chinese manufacturer is coming to Atlanta, new census figures show Atlanta leads in population gains, Atlanta ranks third with the most Fortune 500 headquarters and other late breaking news on the metro Atlanta area is available through our economic development news area. http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/macoc/business/news/20070516_newsletter.html

Chamber Helps Secure 100+ Graduation Coaches

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has helped secure more than 100 high school graduation coaches, which is more than 90 percent of the total coaches needed in metro Atlanta for the 2007-2008 school year.

Kerry Campbell, chair of the high school graduation subcommittee of the Chamber’s regional education policy committee, has been leading the Community Coaches Program for the Chamber over the last six months. The high school graduation coach program, launched by Gov. Sonny Perdue, identifies students at risk of dropping out of school and partners students with coaches to help them graduate.

Campbell and his Georgia Power team have recruited community and business leaders to serve as community coaches in an effort to reduce the high school dropout rate.

“I wanted volunteers from the business community to help graduation coaches but quickly realized that it would not be useful to have 100 volunteers knocking on their doors asking to help out,” said Campbell at a recent Chamber Board meeting. “That’s when I conceptualized a community coach program that would serve as a one-person link to connect graduation coaches to resources, tutors, mentors and other volunteers.”

High school graduation is one of four areas the regional education policy committee has focused on for improvements in education in the region. The other three areas are: career preparation, teacher recruitment and school board governance.

Sports Corner

Sand, Sun and Fun!
Tickets on sale as pro beach volleyball returns to Atlanta

The best professional beach volleyball players in the world will return to Atlanta on June 7-10, for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Atlanta Open, the eighth event of the 2007 AVP Crocs Tour. Once again, Atlantic Station will turn into a huge beach party featuring 2,000 tons of sand and four days of sun, fun and fierce competition.

Last year’s Atlanta debut of the AVP Crocs Tour brought thousands of fans to experience the best in beach volleyball action – selling out both weekend sessions – and became the most successful first-year event in AVP history.

“What a tremendous first year we had last year and we can’t wait to do it again,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president. “All we need to do now is throw on some sun screen, don our shades and watch the best beach volleyball players in the world hit the sand.”

Competition in men’s and women’s brackets will take place over four days with Thursday, June 7, serving as the open qualifier, Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, (afternoons and evenings) will feature main draw action and Sunday, June 10, will showcase men’s and women’s finals. The finals matches will be televised nationally on Fox Sports Net. “The players really loved the Atlanta event last year and are looking forward to coming back,” said Leonard Armato, AVP Crocs Tour commissioner. “The fans in Atlanta are very knowledgeable and it’s great to play in the city where the sport made its Olympic debut.”

Tickets Available online.

AVP Atlanta Open tickets are $35 for reserved courtside and $20 for general admission and are available online at www.avp.com. Admission to Thursday’s tournament qualifier on June 7 is free.

Session times are Thursday, June 7 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.), Friday, June 8 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m. day session & 7 – 10 p.m. night session), Saturday, June 9 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. day session & 7 – 10 p.m. night session) and Sunday, June 10 (9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.). Tickets are required for each session.

The AVP Crocs Tour is comprised of the best men’s and women’s professional 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.

Atlanta Sports Council Named Sports Commission of the Year-Honor is Third in Six Years for Sports Arm of Chamber

The National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) has named the Atlanta Sports Council as “Sports Commission of the Year” for 2006. The award was presented to the Atlanta Sports Council at the NASC’s annual Sports Event Symposium last month in Dallas.

This marks the third time in the last six years the Atlanta Sports Council has earned national Sports Commission of the Year honors. The Atlanta Sports Council also won in 2000 and 2004.

Judging was based on the quality of sporting events brought to the city, community benefit from those events and economic impact on the region. The award winner is recognized as having had the most outstanding impact on its local community through sporting events.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our team,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president, on accepting the award on behalf of the Atlanta Sports Council Executive Board, members, staff, city and state. “We’re honored to be recognized in this way, and while we achieved much last year, we know we have even more left to accomplish. We are truly thankful and humbled to be recognized by our peers in such a meaningful way.”

Owned-and-operated events highlighted in the Atlanta Sports Council’s award-winning year included:

The Atlanta Sports Awards – local sports awards gala                       Feb.
Naismith Awards – national college basketball awards program        March
AVP Atlanta Open – professional beach volleyball tournament           July
RaceTown Atlanta – NASCAR festival in Centennial Olympic Park        Oct.
Chick-fil-A Bowl – college football bowl game                                      Dec.

The Atlanta Sports Council was also recognized as having a significant role in helping attract or host events including the Nokia Sugar Bowl, 2006 NCAA South Regional, USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior Olympics, U.S. Taekwondo Junior Olympics and the U.S. Fencing Summer Nationals. The Atlanta Sports Council promotes the value of sports growth in Atlanta and Georgia by acting as an authority on the economic impact, visibility and quality of life issues associated with sports. Its mission is to lead, organize and support sports development with the goal of building Atlanta’s reputation as the Sports Capital of the World. For more information, please visit www.AtlantaSportsCouncil.com.

Chamber Events

May

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.

June

4 Monday
Chamber Masters
7:30-9:30 a.m.
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce-Ivan Allen Room 235 Andrew Young International Blvd. Participate in a fun and supportive Toastmasters group, you'll become a better speaker and leader and gain confidence to succeed in whatever path you've chosen in life.

6 Wednesday
Member Orientation
Registration: 10 a.m.
Orientation: 10:15 a.m.
Meet the members: 10:45 a.m.
Noon-Lunch
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Lunch sponsor: A Southern Tradition
Event sponsor: Bank of America
RSVP Required
Members are invited to this monthly session to learn the ways to get the most out of their Chamber investment.

Community Events

“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 required. Please register at www.myheritage.org/Atlanta.

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

Salute To Delta Air Lines

You are cordially invited on Wednesday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta-Centennial Ballroom to join the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Central Atlanta Progress, the Buckhead Coalition and the Midtown Alliance for a Salute to Delta Air Lines.

Delta Air Lines is the catalyst that generates more than $19 billion annually to Atlanta 's economy, helping drive 86 million travelers through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport . Please RSVP at https://secure.atlanta.net/salutetodelta/index.asp to celebrate and pay tribute to Delta Air Lines and CEO Gerald Grinstein for emerging from the three-year ordeal of bankruptcy and the threat of a hostile takeover bid. Atlanta is fortunate to have Delta as our hometown airline.

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.