the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

In this edition, read about the new nonprofit Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation assuming responsibility for the hospital's operations - triggering the first $50 million of a pledged $200 million from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation over four years. We're very proud that Grady's restructuring is now complete. This has been a milestone accomplishment for the Chamber.

Remember to mark your calendars for June 6, when the 22nd Annual Small Business Person of the Year Award winner will be announced.

Lastly, read about this year's inductees into the 2008 Business Hall of Fame at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business.

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

Message to Members: Great News for Grady!
Editor's Note: Chamber President Sam A. Williams sent this message to members on May 19.

Dear Members:

Tomorrow the new nonprofit Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, led by Pete Correll, will assume responsibility for the hospital's operations – triggering the first $50 million of a pledged $200 million from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation over four years.

This is an incredibly positive step for Grady, and a huge milestone in the Chamber's history.

As Pete said: “Tomorrow begins a new chapter in Grady's history. And the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce was the only institution that had the resources, the reputation and the guts to take this on.”

Please join me in thanking Pete, Tom Bell, Michael Russell and all the members of the Chamber's Greater Grady Task Force for their hard work despite daunting odds. We can all be very proud of the role the business community played -- and will continue to play -- in saving this vital community resource.

Sincerely,
Sam

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ...
The 2008 Small Business Person of the Year

You are invited to join us as we announce the 2008 Small Business Person of the Year Award Winner. The 22nd annual luncheon, co-hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Business Chronicle, will be held on Friday, June 6, at The Ballroom at TWELVE – Atlantic Station from noon - 1:30 p.m.

Be one of the first to know if … Sam Pettway, founding director of Boardwalk Consulting; Shashi Reddy, CEO of Case-Mate; Mary Moore, founder and CEO of The Cook's Warehouse; Charles Humbard, founder and president of the Gospel Music Channel; or Tony Conway, president and owner of A Legendary Event; will be announced as this year's winner.

Tickets are available for Metro Atlanta Chamber members for $50 and can be purchased by emailing Katie Grosshans at events@macoc.com or by calling 404.586.8534. For more detailed information click here: http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/fm_sbpoty.html

Special thanks to this year's sponsors: AirTran Airways, AT&T, Bank of America, WABE-FM 90.1, Exact Target and IBM.

Metro Atlanta Chamber President Inducted Into
GSU Business Hall of Fame
Four metro Atlanta business leaders inducted into Robinson's Business Hall of Fame

Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business inducted Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, into the 2008 Business Hall of Fame on May 15.

The 24th annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner honors business leaders for their work within the business community to enhance its role both nationally and internationally. Robinson's Business Hall of Fame provides the highest recognition given by the college to business leaders and recognizes their accomplishments in industry as well as their contributions to the community.
Click here to read entire release.

Atlanta-Based Logistics Startups Discuss Opportunities and Growth

The Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council hosted a panel discussion on May 8 featuring some of metro Atlanta 's fastest growing logistics companies - 3PD, Eggs Overnight and Roadlink.

“These are some of the fastest growing and most innovative logistics companies in the country,” said Mark Holifield, senior vice president of Supply Chain for The Home Depot. “And they are right here in our back yard.”

The topic discussed was “Third Party Logistics Startups: Getting from Innovation to Implementation – the journey to growth, scale, and profitability.” Panelists included Ben Gordon, managing director for BG Strategic Advisors; Karl Meyer, chairman and CEO of 3PD; Chris Munro, CEO for RoadLink; and Bill Fraine , executive vice president for Eggs Overnight.

“Our logistics industry continues to grow and attract companies and jobs,” said Bob Pertierra , executive director of the Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council and vice president of Logistics Industry Development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “These fast-growing companies are clear examples of Atlanta 's continued success.”

Principals For a Day Making A Difference:
Post Properties' Dave Stockert and Cleveland Avenue
Elementary School

Students at Cleveland Avenue Elementary School are enjoying a new playground thanks to the generosity of Post Properties President and CEO Dave Stockert, in partnership with KaBOOM!.

Stockert was among the hundreds of volunteers, parents, teachers and school administrators to build the much-needed playground. He became involved with the school by participating in Principal For a Day, an annual program of the Atlanta Partners for Education that provides an opportunity for business and civic leaders to experience first-hand the challenges and successes of public education. Atlanta Partners for Education is a joint venture of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Public Schools.

Principal For A Day participants are charged with the mission of impacting student achievement by establishing a sustainable partnership with an Atlanta Public School. Since he was a Principal For a Day in 2005, Stockert has been instrumental in supporting a successful partnership with Cleveland Avenue Elementary School.

This year, Principal For a Day will be held on October 28. To learn more about Principal For a Day and the Atlanta Partners for Education, please visit www.apfeonline.org or contact Christine Clark at (404) 586-8531 or cclark@macoc.com.

Campaign Corner

Thanks to the strong leadership of Chairmen Jackson Kelly, vice president for The Coca-Cola Company; and Willem Hattink, vice president for SunTrust Bank, the Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign - Atlanta It's Your Business - has officially reached the million dollar mark!

In our third week of the campaign, our corporate teams have brought in $1,104,929. The dedication of our volunteers makes this incredible venture possible. Bringing in a third of the operating budget, the Chairman's Campaign is vital to the success of the Chamber.

Member Testimonials

The PAR Group

Between the First Friday Executive Series and the CEO Action Group, I have received more than a 100 percent return on my Chamber investment.

Patrick Malone
The PAR Group
www.thepargroup.com

MBM International Logistics

I am very excited to become a new member of the Chamber and look forward to having the opportunity to connect with the Chamber and the ability to get our name out and grow our business.

Maggie Mers
MBM International Logistics
www.mbminternational.net

Chamber Events

Community Events

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University will host a three-part series to address issues related to the state's trauma service crisis beginning Tuesday, June 3, from 7 – 9:30 a.m. at the Andrew Young School.  Subsequent meetings in July and September will explore the route to developing appropriate trauma services for Georgia and how to make it sustainable.

If you would like additional information on the Georgia Trauma Care Forum or to confirm your attendance, please visit http://www.regonline.com/ayspstraumaforum or you may contact Elnora Kelly at 404-413-0172 or ekelly@gsu.edu.