the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this issue, read about a great accomplishment for metro Atlanta and the state with the opening of Dick's Sporting Goods distribution center in East Point.

Also, read about how The Honorable Madame Qiao Hong, the new Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Houston, recently visited Atlanta.

Lastly, we hope that you enjoy reading a testimonial from Chamber member World Logo.

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

Dick’s Sporting Goods Chooses East Point
for New Distribution Center

Below is an e-mail sent to all members by Chamber President Sam A. Williams on Aug. 3.

Metro Atlanta strengthened its position as a global logistics powerhouse with today's announcement that Dick's Sporting Goods is creating 484 jobs and investing $23 million
over the next five years with a 657,200-square-foot distribution center in East Point. 

The Metro Atlanta Chamber played a significant role to bring this project to Atlanta. Bob Pertierra, our VP of logistics development, worked closely with our partners at Georgia Power, the Georgia Dept of Economic Development, and Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council members Bob Robers and Paul Roeser of Staubach.

Click the link below to read the full release: http://www.gov.state.ga.us/press/2007/press1498.shtml

New Consul General of the People’s Republic
of China Visits Atlanta

The Honorable Madame Qiao Hong, the new Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Houston, recently visited Atlanta. During her first visit to Georgia, she met with Gov. Sonny Perdue's office, the Chamber, various state agencies and several Atlanta companies with ties to China, such as Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and CNN.

She met with the Chamber to discuss how the Chamber and the consul general's office could collaborate and further enhance trade ties between metro Atlanta and China along with the importance of Delta Air Lines' bids for direct air service to Shanghai and Beijing, in 2007 and 2009.

Member Testimonial-World Logo

Editorial Note: From time to time, you will see member testimonials included in The Phoenix, highlighting the value of being a Metro Atlanta Chamber member.

Jeff Albert, vice president of World Logo

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the difference it makes in not only our business, but in the business community of Atlanta at large. World Logo launched in 2002 and became a member of the Chamber in December 2003. Over the past five plus years, we have been members of over a half dozen other chambers, business associations and networking groups; however, none of them come close to providing the services, education, information and opportunities paramount to the growth of a small businesses like the Chamber does. As a result of this, we have centralized all of our networking efforts within the Chamber. 

In 2005, I became an ambassador and in 2006 began my involvement in committee work with the Chamber. It has allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the important issues that impact the growth of small businesses such as education, transportation, economic development and quality of life. Not only is the Chamber involved in communicating what is best for the business community to state and local governments, but they also are actively participating in the processes directing the outcomes of these important issues.

I have, and will continue to refer my customers to the Chamber, as I understand this will lead to the growth of their business. As they grow, so will World Logo, the Chamber and the Atlanta business community as a whole. Thank you for playing such an important role in this area. Keep up the great work!

World Logo
1066 Union Center Dr., Suite C1
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: 678.624.0140
Fax: 678.893.0562
http://www.worldlogo.net

2007 Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge

FORE! The 19th Annual Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge will be held on Monday, Oct. 15, at six of Atlanta 's premier golf courses-Atlanta National Golf Club, Bear's Best, Country Club of Roswell, Settindown Creek, Country Club of the South and Standard Club. This event is for Chamber members only.

Also, don't miss out on great silent auction items including: a one-week stay in the Abacos, Bahamas and a three-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico in a Casita Oceanview Room.

For more information on the title sponsorship or hole sponsors contact Kari Hackett at khackett@macoc.com or click the button:

Advertising Opportunities Available in Chamber’s
Resource Guide

Would you like to reach the people making Atlanta their home … or is there a message you want your fellow Chamber members to hear?

The Metro Atlanta Resource Guide is a combination of the Metro Atlanta Chamber membership directory and newcomer's information.

Highlighting the region's business community and its strong commitment to excellence, this publication provides a complete list of Chamber members and its leadership. The directory is a great tool for promoting member-to-member sales and services.

This publication is also the best source of information for your employees moving to metro Atlanta. From county-by-county descriptions to detailed education choices, as well as other helpful hints on transportation and events, this book is essential in making a newcomer feel at home. For more information on advertising in this "must-have" business and newcomer resource, click on the cover image.

Campaign Corner

The 2007 Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign will be making its final stop Thursday, Aug. 30, at 5:30 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate the great work of our volunteers at the J.B. Fuqua Rooftop Pavilion atop the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Southern Company and Wachovia Bank. Click here to RSVP.

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 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 have been selling memberships, advertising and sponsorships since April to reach the $2.9 million goal.

Top Teams and Team Captains for the week 1. Equifax Inc., Trey Briscoe 2. Georgia Power, Rick Maurer 3. SunTrust Bank, Angela Reach 4. Wachovia Bank, Dan Denton and Stephanie Plousis 5. GE Energy, Bency Thomas Top Producers for the week 1. Rick Maurer, Georgia Power 2. Bill Davenport, Georgia Power 3. Frank Boyd, Georgia Power 4. Angela Reach, SunTrust 5. George Gornowicz, SunTrust Bank	This week’s Top Producer and Georgia Power team captain, Rick Maurer, shows off the custom atlas and AirTran Airlines tickets he received as thanks for his hard work.

Congratulations to Pam Simon, team captain RBC Centura Bank, winner of a pair of season tickets to the Atlanta Falcon’s 2007-2008 season courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons & Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.	It is clear that VIPGift.com’s rewards for bringing in new memberships have motivated the SunTrust Bank team! Team captain Angela Reach accepts gift cards for the 47 new memberships the team sold.	Equifax team captain Trey Briscoe, accepts a custom atlas from guest MC and Wachovia team captain, Stephanie Plousis, on behalf of the Equifax team for being this week’s top producing team.	Campaign volunteers network and share insight into their success on the campaign at Ecco.

First Friday Executive Series

On Sept. 7, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., the Small to Mid-Size Business Council will launch the First Friday Executive Series. This is a series of alternating “real-world” panel discussions and “how-to” workshops designed to help Chamber executives grow their business. 

Each panel will feature one successful small, mid-size and large company representative who will share their personal experience in five key areas of expertise. 

September's program will feature Brenda Mullins, second vice president of human resources and diversity officer of AFLAC; Michael Kogon, CEO of Definition 6 and Sacha Taylor, president of Nannies and More discussing “Employee Excellence.”

The follow-up workshop “Leading People for Quality Results” will be facilitated by Patrick Malone, senior partner of The Par Group. Future programs include:  Marketing Magic, Financial Focus, Management Mastery and Sales Success. The series will conclude with a panel discussion on Future Focus.  

“Most busy executives experience the need to ‘work on' rather than ‘work in' their business.  The First Friday Executive Series provides that opportunity to our members,” said Debra Kline, president of BusinessWise and chair of the Programming Committee for the Small-Mid Size Business Council of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. To attend the First Friday Executive Series on Sept. 7, please RSVP to events@macoc.com.

Chamber Events

Community Events

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Wants to Talk With You

CDC is interested in helping you learn more about health issues and approaches, facilitating your involvement in health issues and gaining your input on efforts to address the nation's health-related challenges. An ongoing part of CDC's mission is convening the people who need to be at the table to make decisions or to plan together. As part of that effort, CDC's senior leaders, including Dr. Julie Gerberding, the director of CDC, welcome the opportunity to speak to the Atlanta metro business community and its leaders.

If your organization is interested in hearing more about what CDC is doing and how it is working with today's business community, please contact CDC via email at speakersbureau@cdc.gov.

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.

This year's event will feature Gov. Sonny Perdue; John C. Maxwell, internationally recognized leadership expert and author; Jeffrey Gitomer, the ultimate “sales guru” and author; Angie Morgan & Courtney Lynch, retired Marine Corps captains, authors and respected speakers on leadership development; and an Economist Panel featuring expert opinions on the Economic Forecast for Atlanta 2008.

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 for Metro Atlanta Chamber members.