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 Chamber's efforts to continue to strengthen our global ties with a visit from the French Ambassador to the United States, a mission to Germany and a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article about how the Chamber and its partners are working to continue recruiting investment from China.

Lastly, remember to mark your calendars for:

• Oct. 15 -- The Chamber's McAfee-Vigilar Golf Challenge will take place this year at six of metro Atlanta 's premier golf courses.

• Nov. 30 – We will host the 148th Annual Meeting of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. This year's theme is “Key Leaders. Big Issues.”

Thanks for reading. We will continue to keep you informed on the big issues that matter most.

Sam A. Williams
President
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Hot Topics

New French Ambassador to the United States Makes Atlanta His First U.S. Stop
Making Atlanta one of his first official visits since being named France's ambassador to the United States in August, Pierre Vimont met with French and American business and civic leaders at a Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Monday, Oct. 8.

The state's high-tech expansion, university research and manufacturing base make it one of the top magnets for French investment in the United States. Vimont said that French business ties with Georgia are growing.

France is one of Georgia's top 12 trading partners. In 2006, more than 50 French companies operated in metro Atlanta, employing over 5,600 people. There are currently 60 Atlanta companies operating with subsidiaries in France.

Earlier this year, Chrstine Lagarde, the current minister of finance of France, spoke at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce as well. Lagarde was the first woman ever to become a finance minister of a G8 economy.

Delegation Travels to Germany to Foster Trade and Investment Relations
A delegation including Mayor Shirley Franklin, Georgia State House representatives, business leaders, and economic development professionals from Georgia Power, Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Chamber's global commerce department, traveled to Germany to foster trade and investment relations in Europe’s largest economy. The delegation was organized and headed by Chamber member Wayne Reece, president of Reece and Associates.

The mission's itinerary included the booming cities of Dresden and Leipzig in Saxony and Nuremberg in Bavaria. The mission focused on economic development within targeted strategic industries including tourism.

During the mission, delegates met with the economic development offices and elected officials in an effort to heighten visibility of our state and region and seek business opportunities. The delegation also visited with companies such as Volkswagen, Porsche, Qimonda and BioCity, a bioscience incubator at the University of Liepzig.

The delegation conducted a business roundtable in Nuremberg and spoke with a number of local companies who have an interest in investing in metro Atlanta. While in Nuremberg, the delegates were hosted by Nuremberg Messe, Europe's sixth-largest international trade fair.

Earlier this year, Saxony officials visited metro Atlanta and were hosted by the Chamber.

On Sept. 27, a delegation visits the Porsche Diamond Plant in Leipzig, Germany. From left: Jorge Fernandez, vice president of global commerce for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Georgia State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), chairman of the House Economic Development Committee; Claire McLeveighn, director of external affairs and international relations for the City of Atlanta; Dr. Michael Schimansky, CEO of the City of Leipzig office of Economic Development; Andi Killick, director of the state of Saxony Economic Development office; Roland Clement, director for marketing and distribution for Porsche Leipzig; Mayor Shirley Franklin; Uwe Albrecht, mayor of the city of Leipzig; Wayne Reece, president of Reece and Associates; Georgia State Representative Mike Coan (R-Lawrenceville), chairman of the House Industrial Relations Committee; Antje Abshoff, managing director, Georgia Department of Economic Development European Office; and Robin Spratlin, general manager of Economic Development for Georgia Power.

Chamber Continues to Forge Ties with China
The Chamber has led the effort to build relationships with the Chinese government, cities and businesses. When it comes to economic development in the global marketplace, direct air routes and diplomatic ties are essential. Once they are in place, companies will come.

In last 18 months alone, without directs flights with China, approximately $75 million in Chinese investment in the metro Atlanta area has been announced.

• Sany, $30 million
• General Protecht, $30 million
• Kingwasong, $15 million

A 2005 study estimated the impact of a Delta Air Lines’ direct Atlanta to China flight on the U.S. economy to be approximately $400 million a year. The direct flights don’t translate easily into set dollar figures. They translate into infinite possibilities and opportunities.

2007 McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge
Silent Auction Live Online Now

FORE! The 19th Annual McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge will be held on Monday, Oct. 15 at six of Atlanta 's premier golf courses.

7:30 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. Shot gun start at all six courses
Followed by the McJunkin Awards Cookouts at each course
Prizes for first, second, third place, longest drive and closest to the pin.

Even if you are not playing in this year's tournament, you can get into the game by bidding on some of this year's silent auction prizes.

Bid today on the following items:

• Three-night stay for two at the beautiful Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico.
• Seven-night stay for eight at the Beachfront Retreat of Bone Ami in Abacos, Bahamas.
• Romantic five-night getaway for two to California 's Mendocino Wine Country.
• Clay shooting outing for ten at Blalock Lakes.

Educating Atlanta and Impacting the World
Top Community Leaders Return to School to Become Principals For a Day

Merrill Lynch Regional Managing Director Bill Lorenz and Chairman and CEO of Equifax, Inc., Rick Smith 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 96 Atlanta public schools. The program is slated for Oct. 26 this year.

"Principal for a Day is about making sure every child in every public school in Atlanta understands that they're not alone that they have help, that they have mentors, that somebody is watching out for them," said Sam A. Williams, president of the Chamber. "Nothing is more important to the future of our region than a well-trained, well-educated workforce."

Click here for a full news release.

Save the Date: 148th Annual Meeting of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Key Leaders. Big Issues.

Don't miss the Metro Atlanta Chamber's event of the year. Join us as we honor 2007 Metro Atlanta Chamber Chairman Dick Anderson, vice chairman of BellSouth Corp. (retired), at our annual meeting. Name an issue critical to metro Atlanta's sucess, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce has taken a lead role. Hear how the last 10 years have been so momentous. Also, don't miss out on your chance to win airline tickets from AirTran Airways.

Friday, Nov. 30
11:30 a.m. Registration
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Luncheon Program

To RSVP click here.

Special thanks to this year's sponsors: The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Power Company, Bank of America, GE Energy, The Home Depot, AirTran Airways, AT&T, AGL Resources, Exact Target, Omni Hotel @ CNN Center, Speakeasy, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, TBS, Inc., Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Gas South.

Chamber Events

Community Events

25th Annual Georgia Economic Outlook Luncheon

Date: Dec. 4, 2007

Location: Georgia World Congress Center

Special Guest Speaker: David Wyss, chief economist, Standard & Poor's

Registration starts at 11 a.m. Luncheon: Noon - 2 p.m. Online Registration: http://www.terry.uga.edu/exec_ed/programs/eol/atlanta/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Wants to Talk With You

The 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 the CDC is doing and how it is working with today's business community, please contact the 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.