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 launch of our completely redesigned Web site. We hope you enjoy the cleaner, sleeker look. Please take a moment to click on the following link and take a look: www.metroatlantachamber.com.

We'll feature the winner of the 2006 Small Business Person of the Year Award and tell you about how the Chamber's top researcher was nationally recognized.

We will also tell you about how the Chamber participated in an important water panel discussion. On the education front, we will show you how the Chamber is supporting our public schools, and about how Newsweek ranked an Atlanta high school among the top 2 percent in the country.

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

Chamber Web Site Gets Makeover

The Chamber has just launched a newly designed Web site. We hope you enjoy the sleeker, cleaner look. In the coming months we’ll also be enhancing the site’s content.

In redesigning this important communication vehicle, we wanted to create a fresh, dynamic site that highlights Atlanta’s core strengths. We also want the site to be relevant to a variety of users – members, companies relocating to Atlanta, visitors and more. Some new features of the site:

• newsroom – We’ve added a section where you can find news releases, newsletters and “hot topics” fact sheets on everything from the most recent listing of Fortune 500 companies located in Atlanta, to what the Chamber is doing to create jobs and tackle quality-of-life issues like transportation, education and the environment.

• easier navigation – The site now features drop-down menus from the home page and other tools to quickly get you what you need.

• flash images– Images featuring top Atlanta companies and attractions are now prominently displayed on our home page.

As your Chamber, we are constantly looking for ways to communicate with you and tell Atlanta’s story better. Earlier this year we launched The Phoenix, our twice-monthly e-newsletter. We’ve appreciated the positive feedback on the newsletter. And we hope the new Web site becomes one more tool you can count on.
Take a look! >>

Arnold Silverman Named
2006 Small Business Person
of the Year

Arnold Silverman, president of Silverman Construction Program Management, was named Atlanta's 2006 Small Business Person of the Year on June 9 as the Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards celebrated its 20th year.

The event, which for two decades has honored one outstanding small businessperson every year for their contributions to Atlanta's civic and business community, is co-hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
More >>

Top Chamber Researcher Earns
"Certified Community Researcher" Designation

The Chamber's Vice President of Research, Jennifer Zeller, shown to the right,
has been recognized as a "Certified Community Researcher" (CCR) by the nation's top community research council.

Only 20 other people in the United States hold this designation, which is given by ACCRA-the Council for Community and Economic Research.

"The Metro Atlanta Chamber has become an authoritative source for information on the region's economy and vital statistics - thanks in large part to Jennifer Zeller," said Chamber President Sam A. Williams. "Only 20 other people in the nation hold the title of 'Certified Community Researcher' - and we've got one of them right here in Atlanta. Jennifer's accomplishment is evidence of the caliber of the Chamber's research operation."
More >>

Chamber Participates in
Panel Discussion on Water

On June 1, Metro Atlanta Chamber staff participated in a panel discussion for the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District Board of Directors. The Chamber's presentation focused on the State Water Plan currently being developed, the portrayal of the water issue in other areas of Georgia and the need to start with the facts.

Kevin Green, the Chamber's vice president of environmental affairs, detailed river-gauge data that demonstrates how little metro Atlanta's water use impacts many downstream communities and states, then contrasted these facts with news articles from across the state.

Green presented research showing the Chattahoochee River has approximately 10 times more flow at the Florida line than in metro Atlanta, and that if every person in metro Atlanta moved away, river flows at the Florida line would only increase by 3.8 percent.

Hot Topic Forum: Top Experts To Discuss
Georgia's Water Future on June 22

Water is a critical issue affecting the future of Georgia and metro Atlanta.

What are the facts?

Come hear from the experts on June 22 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Chamber. They'll talk about what we need to do to ensure clean and adequate supplies of Georgia's water, including an update on the state water plan being developed and the status of the tri-state water dispute with Alabama and Florida.

Panelists include:

• Brad Currey, Retired Chairman and CEO, Rock-Tenn. Co.

• Dr. Carol Couch, Director, Georgia Environmental Protection Division

• Patricia Barmeyer, Counsel to the Atlanta Regional Commission and metro governments in the tri-state water litigation, King & Spalding

• Jim Stokes, President, Georgia Conservancy

Please click here to RSVP for this event.

Education

North Atlanta High School has been ranked by Newsweek magazine as among the top two percent of high schools in the United States. The Newsweek ranking placed North Atlanta at 531 out of 27,000 surveyed by the magazine this year.

The ranking is based on how committed the schools are to helping students take college-level courses, judging by the number of advanced placement (AP) and international baccalaureate (IB) courses they offer.

"With our Best High Schools list, Newsweek recognizes schools that do the best job of preparing average students for college," the magazine wrote. "We think kids at those schools have an edge, no matter their economic background."

Scott Bursmith, who is just completing his first year as North Atlanta's principal, is not surprisingly delighted with the school's ranking. "We are honored to be listed in Newsweek's nationally top-ranked schools," says Bursmith. "This validates all the hard work we are doing as a school in raising expectations for students by offering them several AP courses, as well as the IB program."

In addition to the AP and IB programs, North Atlanta also has International Studies and Performing Arts magnet programs. The International Studies magnet stresses foreign languages, communications and social studies, and its students participate in youth exchanges and partnerships in international companies. The Performing Arts magnet encompasses the Center for the Performing Arts, with high-level academic and performance training.
Source: Joe Manguno
Media Relations Specialist
Atlanta Public Schools
(404) 802-2829
jmanguno@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Chamber Supports Atlanta Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall

Top business leaders affiliated with the Chamber co-wrote the following Op-Ed showing support for Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall and regional school systems.
Insert PDF of Op-ed here >>

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

June

21 Wednesday
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Hosts Member Reception
Hosted by: Jack Guynn, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Location: Federal Reserve Building
1000 Peachtree Street - Executive Reception area (3rd floor)
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
RSVP required
Members Only

22 Thursday
Hot Topic Forum: Water's Future
We are no longer in a drought, so we don’t need to worry about water, right? Wrong. Water is the single biggest issue affecting the future of metro Atlanta and Georgia. What are the facts? Come hear from the experts on what we need to do to ensure clean and adequate supplies of Georgia’s water.
Panelists include:
Brad Currey • Retired Chairman and CEO, Rock-Tenn Co.
Dr. Carol Couch • Director, Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Patricia Barmeyer • Counsel to the Atlanta Regional Commission and metro governments in the tri-state water litigation, King & Spalding
Jim Stokes • President, Georgia Conservancy
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 8 - 9:30 a.m.
RSVP required

27 Tuesday
NetWeaving with Bob Littell
Members are invited to join Bob Littell for the 2nd NetWeaving session of 2006, and why not bring a friend?
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.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
RSVP required
$50 non-members

July

12 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: Deli & Dawgs
Event sponsored by Bank of America and Office Depot
RSVP required.

13 Thursday
Power networking:
Make sure to bring several business cards and promotional materials
to exchange with other members!
Location: MACOC - 235 Andrew Young International Blvd
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
One representative per company can attend this event
RSVP required.
Members Only

Community Events

The Making a Difference Discovery Tour

The Making A Difference Discovery Tour will be held at The Home Depot in Marietta, Ga. from 9am-1pm on Thursday, September 21. The Tour is a uniquely formatted half day executive briefing designed to expose business leaders to powerful opportunities to tap into one of the largest pools of qualified, reliable workers in the metro Atlanta area.

Be part of a win-win solution for your company and thousands of persons with disabilities ready, willing and able to add value to your bottom line. Become a sponsor. Confirm your reservation. For more information contact the Governor's Council On Developmental Disabilities.
Valerie Meadows Suber
404-657-2122
vmsuber@dhr.state.ga.us.