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 how the Chamber will welcome eleven of Atlanta’s international sister cities for the first economic development global partnership conference to be hosted at the Chamber. You’ll also learn about a Scotland-based company locating its first U.S. headquarters to Atlanta.

You’ll read about how Atlanta was recently chosen as the location of the first-ever hip-hop awards.

On the education front, we’ll tell you about how the Chamber is supporting Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall in her 12-year plan to reform Atlanta’s K-12 system and how you can help the Chamber recruit teachers to Georgia.

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 Hosts Sister City Conference

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.

Scotland-based Company to Locate First U.S. Headquarters in Atlanta

Governor Sonny Perdue announced Oct. 12 that Redeem plc of Scotland has selected Atlanta for its new U.S. headquarters. The company, operating in the United States as Recycling Appeal USA, expects to create more than 100 jobs over the next three years. United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta will be its first non-profit partner.

“Recycling Appeal USA’s embrace of best practices in environmental sustainability and corporate philanthropy make landing this headquarters a win-win for our region,” said Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “Atlanta is a good place for Redeem plc, which will join a number of other European companies headquartered here.”
MORE>>

Music is a Global, Billion-Dollar Industry for Metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia

Atlanta has been chosen to host the first BET Hip-Hop Awards on Nov. 12 at the Fox Theatre, further evidence of the economic influence of Georgia’s music industry.

“Metro Atlanta is a driving force in the hip-hop music scene,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “The industry continues to give us a uniquely defined place in the commercial music industry and to be an important asset to our economy.”
MORE>>

Education

Business Leaders Applaud Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent at Halfway Point in 12-year Reform Plan

At a critical halfway point in a 12-year plan to reform Atlanta’s K-12 system, public education in Atlanta is improving under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall.

That was the reaction on Oct. 5 of key Atlanta business leaders in response to Dr. Hall’s third annual “State of Schools in Atlanta” address – a tradition started three years ago by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Atlanta Public Schools.

“No urban public school system in the nation has completely reformed its K-12 system – but that’s exactly what Superintendent Hall is determined to do,” said Dick Anderson, vice chairman and president of business markets for BellSouth Corp. and the Chamber’s incoming 2007 chairman. “Business leaders in Atlanta applaud the high standards she has set, and the determination with which she has tackled these goals.”
MORE>>

Help Chamber Recruit Teachers

In February, the Regional Education Policy Committee convened a meeting with the school superintendents from the 15-system metro region for the purpose of identifying their needs and priorities. The superintendents responded that one of their top priorities is the recruitment and retention of teachers in the region.

Given this direction, the Regional Education Committee has been working with the human resources officers in these school systems to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. The Committee is exploring opportunities to offer discounts or reduced fees to teachers who choose to teach in the metro Atlanta region.

The Committee would like to know which Metro Atlanta Chamber members already offer discounts or reduced fees to teachers.

If your business offers such discount, please contact Joy Hawkins, VP Regional Education at 404-586-1937 or at jhawkins@macoc.com with the name of your business and the discount or reduced fee your business offers to teachers.

Guess Who's Getting Sent to the Principal's Office?

Arthur Blank, chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, and Merrill Lynch Regional Managing Director William Lorenz are being sent to the principal’s office. But not for tardiness or late homework.

The two Atlanta business leaders have agreed to co-chair the popular “Principal for a Day” program, which lets business and civic leaders spend a day shadowing a principal each fall at one of 89 Atlanta public schools.
The program is slated for Oct. 30 this year.


“Nothing is more important to the future of our region than a well-trained, well-educated workforce,” said Sam A. Williams , president of the Chamber. “We all have a role to play – and I’m thrilled that Arthur Blank, Bill Lorenz and local celebrities have stepped up to energize our community to make a personal difference in the lives of our children.”

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.
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

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

October

26 Thursday
Power Networking
Members are invited to join this breakfast networking session to make the most of your Chamber connections. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and promotional material to share with those that you meet.
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.
Please RSVP.
$50 non-members

November

1 Wednesday
Member Orientation
Members are invited to this monthly session to learn the ways to get the most out of their Chamber investment.
Time: 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
Please RSVP.

Community Events

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)
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