Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce ::: E-newsletter

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

In recent weeks, Atlanta has showcased how it is a strong competitor in the global marketplace. As the governor described Atlanta when he was a guest at our recent board meeting: “We’re in the big leagues now and we need big-league thinking.”

In this edition of The Phoenix, we’ll tell you about a number of examples of how Atlanta is expanding its reach around the world. We'll share how the Chamber was recently recognized with the top international award for its strategy to grow the logistics industry and about how the Chamber is hosting an event bringing together top city officials, economic development experts and business leaders representing Atlanta’s 13 sister cities to discuss strategies for global economic development.

On the education front, we’ll tell you about the Chamber’s partnership with Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L.Hall for the third annual “State of the Schools in Atlanta” address. We’ll also share a recent study released by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE) that highlights how colleges and universities in the Atlanta region add jobs and talent to Georgia and Atlanta economies.

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

Bob Pertierra, vice president of logistics industry development at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (center), accepted an award Sept. 19 for the Chamber's strategy to grow the logistics industry. He is pictured here with Chamber President Sam A. Williams (left) and Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has won a top international economic development award for its cluster-based economic development strategy to grow Atlanta’s logistics industry.

The Chamber’s involvement in the “Logistics Industry Development Initiative” since it began in 2003 has resulted in 32 firms relocating to Atlanta or expanding here—creating more than 4,200 jobs and acting as a catalyst for the creation of hundreds more.

“Atlanta is already one of the world’s leading logistics hubs,” Williams said. “We are fortunate to have a Logistics Council Chair like Lee Torrence and high-caliber staff like Bob Pertierra leading the Chamber’s effort to grow the logistics industry—a critical sector of job growth for the metro Atlanta economy.”
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Jorge Fernandez, pictured above with a new U.S. citizen, gave an inspirational speech on setting personal and professional goals and reaching those destinations at a naturalization ceremony held at the U.S. District Court of Georgia on Friday, Sept. 29. Fernandez is vice president of Global Commerce for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and was invited to be the keynote speaker at the ceremony, which was attended by 145 people representing 51 countries.

Fernandez, originally from Cuba, became a U.S. citizen before serving 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. After his speech, he handed out the naturalization certificate to each new citizen and provided his congratulations. All attendees were sworn in as U.S. citizens by Judge Marvin H. Shoob.

The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission (ASCC) will welcome 13 of Atlanta’s international sister cities for the first Economic Development Global Partnership Conference on Oct. 19 and 20 at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Participants will share best practices and innovative strategies that will help metro Atlanta and other sister cities across the world plan ahead for future economic growth.

Participating sister cities include: Ancient City of Olympia, Greece; Daegu, Korea; Fukuoka, Japan; Lagos, Nigeria; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nuremberg, Germany; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Ra’anana, Israel; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Salcedo, Dominican Republic; Toulouse, France; Taipei, Taiwan; and Tbilisi, Georgia. Other invited cities include: Bangalore, India; Dalian, China; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Seating is limited. Please contact Sebastian Mathews at CIFAL for details on conference admission and sponsorship opportunities at 404.962.4841 or by e-mail at smathews@cifalatlanta.org.
Visit http://www.cifalatlanta.org/ to view the latest agenda.

On Sept. 19, community leaders rallied around public schools by urging peers to become "principals for a day." Pictured left to right: William Lorenz, Regional Managing Director, Merrill Lynch; Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin; Arthur Blank, chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and owner of the Atlanta Falcons; Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L.Hall, Chamber President Sam A. Williams and State School Superintendent Kathy Cox.

Now in its seventh year, “Principal for a Day” is designed to forge long-term partnerships between the community and schools. The program is sponsored by the Atlanta Partners for Education, a longstanding partnership between the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Public Schools. The program is slated for Oct. 30.
Click here for a news release on the Principal for a Day Program
Click here for the Principal for the Principal for a Day fact sheet

On Sept. 27, community leaders gathered to hear the results of a study released by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education. The study concluded that colleges and universities in the Atlanta region contribute $10.8 billion annually to Georgia's economy. Pictured left to right: Dr. Lisa A. Rossbacher, president, Southern Polytechnic State University and chair of the ARCHE Board of Trustees; Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Michael A. Gerber, president, Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education; Craig S. Lesser, commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

Colleges and universities in the Atlanta region contribute $10.8 billion and 130,000 jobs to the state’s economy annually, according to a study released today by the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE).

The report, “How the Atlanta Region’s Colleges and Universities Are Enriching Georgia,” brings together data from Atlanta-area private and public institutions and shows a spending impact from the institutions, their students, employees and visitors of more than $9.2 billion a year. Spending on capital improvements adds another $1.5 billion impact in Georgia.

“Our universities are a big part of what makes Atlanta attractive. Companies want to locate where they have access to a highly-educated, top-quality talent pool. These professionals, in turn, want to live in a place with a high quality of life. Atlanta's got both, so the bottom line is jobs, jobs, jobs.”

“Higher education is a significant sector of the Georgia economy,” said ARCHE President Michael A. Gerber. “This report shows us a different way to think about the region’s colleges and universities. These are not only great educational institutions – they’re major developers, they’re tourist attractions, and they’re big employers.”
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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

11 Wednesday
Business Development Series:
Leads to Business!
Join fellow chamber members in our inaugural Leads to Business program. Bring plenty of business cards and plan on developing your network while finding new trusted resources. This structured lead generating and referring program is a presented by the new Networking/Leads Committee of the Small to Mid-Size Business Council of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 7:30- 9:30 a.m.
Please RSVP in advance via email: events@macoc.com fax: 404-586-8416 or website: www.metroatlantachamber.com

18 Wednesday
Is Your Networking Working?
Come join this fun and fast-paced two hour program guaranteed to improve your networking skills. Make sure to bring several business cards.
Two Sessions:
9-11 a.m. OR 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce- 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
RSVP required.
$77 non-members

18 Wednesday
Powell Goldstein Hosts Member Reception
Members are invited to join Chairman Jim McAlpin at Powell Goldstein for an evening of business to business networking at its best.
Hosted by: Jim McAlpin, chairman, Powell Goldstein, LLP
Location: 1201 West Peachtree W St. NW
One Atlantic Center, 14th floor
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.
RSVP required.

26 Thursday
Power Networking
Members are invited to join this breakfast networking session. Make the most of your Chamber connections and bring plenty of business cards and promotional materials to share.
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce- 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Seating is limited and only one representative per company may attend.
RSVP required.
$50 non-members

1 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-1 p.m. Lunch/Networking
Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce- 235 Andrew Young International Blvd.
Event sponsored by Bank of America and Office Depot
RSVP required.

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)
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 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.