the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this issue, learn how the Chamber is leading a 14-state campaign to rally support for Delta Air Lines' bid to win Atlanta-Shanghai and Atlanta-Beijing direct air routes.

Read about the Mayor's Youth Summer Employment and Training Program. This program is a joint effort between Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Metro Atlanta Chamber with the support of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ajcjobs and others.   

Lastly, read about the Chick-fil-A Bowl's donation to the National Football Foundation's Play it Smart program to help more student-athletes graduate.

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 Rallies Southeast Business Community In 14 States
To Support Delta’s Bid For China Flights

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, leading a 14-state campaign to garner support for Delta Air Lines' bid for China flights, submitted a separate civic filing to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on July 26 emphasizing the need for direct air service between Atlanta-Shanghai and Atlanta-Beijing.

“The business community has rallied like never before to help Delta gain nonstop service to China,” said Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam A. Williams. “From Fortune 500 corporations to local chambers of commerce in mid-size cities, we all understand the critical role that direct air routes play in building global commerce.”

Click here for entire release

More Than 1,000 Students Completed Internships
At More Than 325 Atlanta Companies, Organizations
And Government Agencies This Month

For the second year in a row, more than 1,000 high school students and returning college students from Atlanta Public Schools are completing internships at top Atlanta companies and organizations. Last year, more than 500 students received summer internships in more than 100 organizations in the public and private sectors.

This program is a joint effort between Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce with the support of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ajcjobs and others.

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Chick-fil-A Bowl Blazes a Path for Atlanta Public Schools with the National Football Foundation’s Play It Smart Program

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced on July 27 that the Chick-fil-A Bowl has agreed to provide $180,000 annually to ensure that all Atlanta
public high schools are able to participate in the NFF's highly successful PLAY IT SMART program for at-risk student-athletes.

“This really is an incredible program that matches perfectly with our commitment to be a positive impact in our community and we hope that other bowls will follow our lead in their own cities,” said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl President. “Play It Smart is significant. It is meaningful. And for us, it's just the right thing to do for the student-athletes in Atlanta. Our mission is
to support football at all levels and we can think of no better initiative than this one to deliver on that promise.”

“One of the things that sets the Chick-fil-A Bowl apart from other bowls is its dedication to lead its industry in charitable and scholarship giving,” said Chuck Fruit, Chick-fil-A Bowl Chairman & Senior Advisor, Marketing, Strategy and Innovation, The Coca-Cola Company. “Beginning this year, we are proud to support the Play It Smart program as one of our biggest scholarship endeavors and we look forward to helping make a positive impact on the lives of these young men.”

Fruit also serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, which is committed to bringing business leaders and schools together to provide students with a quality education. “As business leaders, we understand that the future of our economy depends on a well-educated and well-trained workforce,” he said. “Play It Smart compliments the Metro Atlanta Chamber's efforts to help raise the bar for education in the city.”

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Chick-fil-A Bowl President Gary Stokan announces the Chick-fil-A Bowl’s $180,000 annual pledge to support the Play It Smart program in Atlanta.

Campaign Corner

The 2007 Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign has passed the halfway point. Scott Fisher, national sales manager for Wachovia Mortgage, is leading more than 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.

Gary Dowell, Georgia’s Regional President of RBC Centura Bank; and Gary Peacock, President and CEO SunTrust Bank; may work for different banks, but are on the same team when it comes to the Chamber’s Fundraising Campaign.

Sports Corner

Highlights from the July 19 Atlanta Falcons Luncheon

Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Bobby Petrino motivates Chamber board members and his team by discussing the game plan for the 2007-2008 season. The luncheon is held every year to give Chamber members a chance to meet the Falcons.	Steven Broadbent, Dr. Monte Masten and Marcy Nadir were the three winners of the luncheon raffle. They each received a signed football by Falcons players D.J. Shockley, Michael Koenen and Michael Boley.

Chamber Events

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.