the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this edition, read what business leaders are doing to help high school students gain the skills they need to go to college or to land good jobs after graduation.

Also, learn why more than 500 trade ministers, government officials and business executives from 34 countries in the Western Hemisphere are coming to Atlanta from June 11-13 for the Americas Competitiveness Forum.

Celebrate with us as the 21st annual Small Business Person of the Year award will be announced on June 8.

Lastly, on June 27, join us as we salute Delta Air Lines and CEO Gerald Grinstein for leading the company to health again.

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

Highlights From the Hot Topic Forum:
Can Our Students Compete in a Global Marketplace?

“Do Atlanta’s high school seniors have the skills they need to land good jobs at your company?” That’s the question Dr. Beverly Hall, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, pressed business leaders to answer in a May 31 forum at the Chamber.

The forum brought business leaders together with leaders from Atlanta Public Schools. Panelists Russ Moore, founder of Seamless Education Consultants; Tad Hutcheson, vice president of sales and marketing of AirTran Airways; Dr. Beverly Hall, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools; and Robert Atterbury, associate superintendent of high school transformation of Atlanta Public Schools; discussed the challenges and triumphs of transforming public high schools in Atlanta.

Click here to read an Atlanta Business Chronicle Op-Ed by Tom Hough, vice chairman and area managing partner of Ernst & Young LLP and chair of the Atlanta Public Schools Education Committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

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.”

Atlanta to Host the Americas Competitiveness Forum
Over 500 Representatives from 34 Western Hemisphere Countries to Visit

The Metro Atlanta Chamber is proud to be a partner with the U.S. Department of Commerce in the first-ever Americas Competitiveness Forum.  The forum brings together over 500 representatives from 34 Western Hemisphere countries from June 11-13. This forum is about one simple but powerful idea: how the Western Hemisphere can work together to be a stronger force in the global economy.

The selection of Atlanta as the host city for this historic conference is a testament to
Atlanta 's position in the global economy. 

The forum will consist of panel discussions on topics such as leveraging the local government, business and university ties to foster innovation and technological readiness, education and workforce development and supply chain management. The conference will also incorporate site visits around the region that relate to the forum's theme and main topics.

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. http://www.ita.doc.gov/competitiveness/ACF/

Click on the icon to learn more.

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 bankruptcy process and the threat of a hostile takeover bid. Atlanta is fortunate to have Delta as our hometown airline.

Chamber Events

June

8 Friday
Small Business Person of the Year
Please join Bill Linginfelter, Georgia State CEO, Wachovia Bank and Chair-Elect of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, as we celebrate and announce the 2007 Small Business Person of the Year Award Winner.
Time: Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Atlanta Marriott Marquis 265 Peachtree Center Ave. Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Special thanks to our sponsors: AirTran Airways, AT&T, Bank of America, WABE 90.1, IBM, Exact Target , Active Production and Design and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia.
Cost:
• $45 per Metro Atlanta Chamber Member
• Tables of 10 - $400 per table
RSVP Required

12 Tuesday
Leads to Business
Come to the Chamber and 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.
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Cost: Free to members
Non Members: $50
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
RSVP Required

13 Wednesday
Power Networking Luncheon
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.
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $12
Non Members: $50
Location: TBD
RSVP Required

19 Tuesday
Quick Business Connections
Members are invited to join this breakfast networking session to make the most of their Chamber connections. You will have the opportunity to "power network" with at least 48 other Chamber members and potential clients face to face in this unique setting. Make sure to bring plenty of business cards and promotional materials to share with those that you meet - you will need them.
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
RSVP Required

20 Wednesday
Member Reception
Members are invited to join our board of director member John Somerhalder, president and CEO, AGL Resources as he hosts business-to- business networking at its best.
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Cost: Free to members
Non Members: $50
Location: AGL Resources, Corporate Headquarters 10 Peachtree, NE, Atlanta, Ga 30309
RSVP Required

27 Wednesday
Power Networking Luncheon
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.
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $12
Non Members: $50
Location: TBD
RSVP Required

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.