the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

Greetings from China!

I am with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta Regional Commission Chair Sam Olens and top business leaders on a Chamber-led trip to China. You can join us virtually by clicking the postcard on the bottom of the Metro Atlanta Chamber home page to get day-by-day trip highlights and photos.

This trip is a great opportunity to showcase metro Atlanta and the state, and to brand Atlanta as a great destination to do business. The delegation is visiting several cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Wuhan from Sept. 5-13.

In this edition of the Phoenix, we’ll also tell you about a Chinese culture class held at the Chamber in preparation for the Chamber’s trip to China, about the Chamber’s successful 2006 Chairman’s Campaign and about a new company that has chosen Atlanta as its headquarters.

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

Mayor, Chamber and Business Leaders Head to China

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce are leading a delegation of 30 business leaders to China. The delegation will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Wuhan from Sept. 5-13, 2006.

“The trip to China is a great opportunity to promote Atlanta as a suitable investment destination for Chinese companies,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “The delegation will meet with key government and business leaders in China to also promote the interests of Atlanta-headquarter companies conducting business there.”

Numerous Georgia companies have operations in China, including UPS, GE Energy and Delta Air Lines, which is advocating Chinese and U.S. government officials for new direct service from Atlanta to China.

“Relations with China continue to grow, and this trip is a great opportunity to highlight metro Atlanta and the state,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “Metro Atlanta will serve as a model for the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is in the heart of the nation’s fastest growing region, maintains a low cost of doing business and has access to the world through our international airport.”
More >>

Chamber Hosts Chinese Culture Class

The Global Commerce Department of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Georgia China Alliance, hosted a Chinese culture class on Aug. 24.

The class was a cultural introduction to China, including the do's and the don'ts, as well as basic Chinese language tutoring. The attendees included delegates of the Chamber's mission to China along with the organizers of the Airport Security and Logistics Preparedness Workshop for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The Preparedness Workshop is being hosted by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Atlanta International Training Centre for Local Authorities/Actors (CIFAL), a hub for capacity-building and knowledge-sharing between local authorities, national governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society.

Barbour Corporation Chooses Metro Atlanta For New Manufacturing Plant

Barbour Corporation has chosen metro Atlanta for its subsidiary, Barbour Plastics, Inc., to begin its new plastics operation. Barbour Plastics, Inc. will begin distribution operations in October and manufacturing in November in South Fulton County, Atlanta.

“Barbour Plastics is a major supplier of extruded moldings and other components for the marine industry, which is now largely located in the southeast. This location will allow us to get closer to our customers and as a result serve them better,” said Richard Hynes, president and CEO of Barbour Corporation. “Atlanta also is a perfect logistical center for distribution of our products throughout the United States.”
More >>

2006 Chairman's Campaign Victory Celebration

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce exceeded this year’s Chairman’s Campaign fundraising goal by over $88,000 and held their “Victory Celebration” on the Chamber’s rooftop pavilion on Aug. 31. Led by Dick Anderson, campaign chairman and vice president of business markets for the BellSouth Corporation, corporate volunteers have been selling memberships, advertising and sponsorships to reach their goal of $2.8 million dollars to fund chamber initiatives.

Volunteers were recognized for their hard work and for their major contribution to the Chamber and final results of the Campaign were announced, including the final fund-raising tally of $2,888,237. Special recognition was given to teams and individuals who were top producers in this year's Campaign.

The top five individuals raising the most dollars for the Chamber this year were: Rick Maurer of Georgia Power with $232,518; Joe Chandler of BellSouth Corporation with $202,311; Frank Boyd of Georgia Power with $159,830; Ron Keller of SunTrust Bank with $92,361 and Brian Hannon of AGL Resources with $72,083. This year’s top five teams were: Georgia Power; Wachovia Bank; SunTrust Bank; BellSouth Corporation, and AGL Resources.

Other participating teams in the Chairman's Campaign include: Bank of America, Bank of North Georgia, ChoicePoint, The Coca-Cola Company, Cousins Properties Inc., Delta Air Lines, Equifax Inc., GE, H. J. Russell & Company, Harry Norman Realtors, Hyatt Regency, Post Properties, Powell Goldstein, RBC Centura, and Small to Mid-Size Business Team.

Education

Georgia SAT Rankings Moving in the Right Direction

With the release of SAT scores on Tuesday, Aug. 29, Georgia fared better than ever in national rankings. This year, the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) was revised in content as well as scale, so the overall test scores are different from previous years.

Although Georgia’s scores in math and science were no better than last year’s scores, students performed well on the new writing portion of the test. As compared to the rest of the nation, Georgia’s SAT scores still ranked better than four other states, bringing Georgia’s ranking from 48th in the nation to 46th.

As Janie Maddox, SVP, Post Properties, Inc. stated, “Governor Perdue and State Superintendent Kathy Cox are working to make Georgia students more competitive. We’re moving in the right direction in the national SAT rankings, and this year’s performance among African-American and Hispanic students is especially encouraging. But as the Governor noted, there is still more to do. The business community continues to support higher and higher standards that will help our students compete in a global marketplace.”
More >>

The 15-system metro area region ranked very well compared to the rest of the state with 20 of the state’s 25 top high schools coming from the metro region. Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Fayette, Gwinnett and Cherokee all had high schools on the “Top 25 Highest SAT High Schools in the State” list. Seven Fulton County High Schools made the list.
More >>

More good news for the state came this week with the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation’s ranking of public school standards across the nation. This latest ranking placed the state’s new academic standards, the “Georgia Performance Standards,” fifth in the nation, moving up from 21st place in 2000. These standards provide a more rigorous curriculum for students and have been cited as a reason for the Georgia’s Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) scores dip in the spring.

The Chamber supports more rigor in our schools and will continue to monitor the progress of these new standards as they are being implemented in all public schools.

Sports Corner

Supporting Youth Football a Priority for Chick-fil-A Bowl

The Chick-fil-A Bowl so passionately believes in its support of youth football in metro Atlanta, that in 2006, the bowl game will enhance its Youth Football League program to include more than 18,000 children from 10 counties.

Adding two conferences and 6,000 more players ages 6-13 will make the Chick-fil-A Bowl Youth Football League one of the largest such programs in the country supported by a bowl game.

The program will sponsor a “Game of the Week” each week over 14 weeks from the North Georgia Football League (NGFL), Gwinnett Football League (GFL), Georgia Youth Football Conference (GYFC) and United Youth Football Conference (UYFC). The 14-week schedule leads up to 19 championship games played on four different sites Nov. 18 and 25 where the players will experience all the big-game atmosphere of the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

“Our only goal with this program is to positively affect youth football at all levels,” said Chick-fil-A Bowl President Gary Stokan. “We’re fortunate to have this chance to get involved in these communities and create a memorable experience for the kids and their families. Our hope is that by helping make these games really special, more kids will get involved and have more fun doing it.”

Each Game of the Week will feature Bowl-sponsored interactive games and contests, a preview and summary of the action on the Bowl’s Web site and a weekly Scholar Athlete of the Week award for players and cheerleaders. Players and cheerleaders will also receive a free sandwich from Chick-fil-A.

At the end of the season, the four league championship games will culminate in the 19-game Chick-fil-A Youth Bowl Championship Series with all the elements of a big-time college football bowl game. Chick-fil-A Bowl signage, giant inflatables, field goal kicking contests and even an appearance by the Chick-fil-A cows will help provide a championship-caliber atmosphere for the players, cheerleaders and their fans. League champions will also be recognized at the Chick-fil-A Bowl FanFest during Bowl Week in front of more than 25,000 fans.

“Our partnership with the Chick-fil-A Bowl has been nothing but positive,” said Erik Richards, president of the Gwinnett Football League. “The Bowl shares our vision for youth football and has bent over backwards to make football fun for our kids.”

For more information on the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Bowl Youth League, visit www.Chick-fil-ABowl.com. For information on individual leagues, visit:

GFL : http://www.gwinnettfootball.com/.
NGFL: http://www.ngflonline.com.
GYFC: http://www.gyfc.org/.
UYFC: http://eteamz.active.com/uyfc/index.cfm.

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

OfficeMax Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge Supported by HP

Golf anyone? Since 1988, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has hosted the largest one-day golf tournament in the Southeast. More than 700 of the region's key decision makers enjoy a spectacular day of golf, making this event one of the most successful places to network.

This year's 18th Annual OfficeMax Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Golf Challenge supported by HP is being held Monday, Oct. 16, at five of Atlanta's premier golf courses including: Bear's Best, Country Club of Roswell, Country Club of the South, Standard Club and Windermere Golf Club. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. followed by lunch and shot gun start.

After a day of golf, everyone is invited to Country Club of the South for the McJunkin Awards Reception at 6 p.m. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin for each course. And don't miss the incredible items available at the silent auction.

Foursomes are being reserved quickly. Don't miss out on the action!
Reserve your foursome today following this link: http://www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com/macoc/members/golf_highlights.shtml

Building Peace and Prosperity:
The EU-US partnership Event

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Economic Development Atlanta Press Club, and Flag Bank invite you join His Excellency Ambassador John Bruton, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, on Thursday Sept. 14 for a special breakfast briefing: “Building Peace and Prosperity: How the EU-US partnership creates jobs, trade, and security for Europeans and Americans.” Ambassador Bruton will be joined by His Excellency ambassador Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland to the United States.

The event will take place at the Commerce Club at 34 Broad Street NW, with coffee service beginning at 7 a.m. and program from 7:30-8:30 a.m.. There is no charge for this event, but reservations are mandatory to ensure seating. RSVP online by Aug. 31 by clicking the following link: http://apc2.securesites.net/events/event.php?id=29.

Because of limited parking at the Commerce Club, please consider walking, using MARTA (Five Points station) or parking at 55 Marietta Street, two blocks north of Broad between Forsyth and Fairlie Streets.

This event is sponsored by Flag Bank.

September

12 Tuesday
Netweaving with Bob Littell
Please join Bob Littell, founder of the Netweaving concept for our final 2006 session and learn the basics of building meaningful relationships in the business world.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce- 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
RSVP required.
$50 non-members

20 Wednesday
IBM hosts member reception – Business to Business Networking at its Best.
Hosted by: Lee Torrence, Senior State Executive, IBM
Location:4111 Northside Parkway - Hillside Auditorium
Time: 5:30- 7 p.m.
RSVP Required
Members Only

27 Wednesday
Professional Development Series:
How to Create and be a Part of a Winning Sales Team
Members are invited to bring their lunch and join Art Schoeck, CEO of Data Dome, Inc. to learn sales strategies and techniques for managing a great sales team.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Boulevard.
Time: 11:30 - 1 p.m.
RSVP Required
$50 non-member fee
RSVP required

October

4 Wednesday
Member Orientation
Members are invited to this monthly session to learn the ways to get the most out of their chamber investment.
10:15 a.m. Registration/Networking
10:45 a.m. Program
Noon-1pm Lunch/Networking
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce- 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Lunch Sponsor: Imperial Fez
Event sponsored by Bank of America & Office Depot
RSVP required.

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 9 a.m.-1p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 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

Pandemics, Crises and Prices:
Business Continuity and Commuting

How will your employees commute in the event or aftermath of a natural disaster or regional emergency? Being prepared in advance can make all the difference. Join us to learn from knowledgeable experts within the private and public sector.
Lunch Provided
Date:Thursday, Oct. 26
Time:11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (registration begins at 10:45, program will begin promptly at 11:00)
Location: Maggiano's Little Italy
Corleone Room
4400 Ashford-Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30346
For more information and to register, please go to: http://www.cleanaircampaign.com/for_employers/register_for_training

The Nano4Food 2006 Conference

The upcoming Nano4Food 2006 Conference will be held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute on Oct. 12-13.

The conference is designed to provide a business perspective on the entire value chain of nanotechnology’s commercial development as it relates to the current and future needs and opportunities for the food industry. Nano4Food 2006 will offer an in-depth analysis on the industry’s needs, including first-hand comments from leading representatives of the manufacturing, distribution and consumption communities.

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce members can enjoy a 20 percent discount on applicable registration fees by registering on-line at http://www.nanofood.info/register.php.
Simply enter the code (25741) into the “Discount Code” field during registration for the discount to apply. Members who register by Sept. 5, can also take advantage of the “Early Bird Offer,” providing an additional discount on registration fees.