the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter

President's Message

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

First, read about the drought in metro Atlanta – and what the Chamber is doing to push for short – and long-term solutions to our state's water crisis. Read the call to action sent to members, and our letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Also, read how the long-standing partnership between the Chamber and our region's public schools has produced some past and upcoming events, including:

•  Oct. 9, the regional education policy committee hosted a forum to work on teacher recruitment and retention issues in the metro Atlanta area.

•  Oct. 26, Principal For A Day Event, which lets business and civic leaders spend a day shadowing a principal each fall at all 96 Atlanta public schools.

•  Oct. 31, Fourth Annual State of the School Address — Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall will present a progress report on the implementation of comprehensive reforms, ongoing challenges and vision for the future of Atlanta Public Schools.

Lastly, remember to save the date for Nov. 30, to join us for 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

State's Water Crisis is the Region's Most Imminent Economic Threat

Note: Chamber President Sam A. Williams sent this call to action e-mail to all members on Oct. 15.

Dear Members:
We are experiencing the state's worst drought and the second drought this decade. Simply put, we have an ongoing water crisis in metro Atlanta – and it is the biggest and most imminent economic threat to our region and state. Unless aggressive plans are implemented, forecasters say we could run out of water in 12 to 15 years.

This drought emphasizes the critical need for a state water plan that ensures the continued economic vitality of our region and state.

We want you to be aware that there is a state water plan currently being proposed. Your Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of Pam Sessions of Hedgewood Properties and John Somerhalder of AGL Resources, is advocating every day to make sure the final version of the plan protects our natural resources for continued growth and prosperity.

Business leaders need to make their voices heard on this issue.

Sam A. Williams
President
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Learn more about the issue and how you can get involved.

Regional Education Hosts Forum on Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategies

The regional education policy committee hosted a forum on Oct. 9 for human resource officers from the metro school systems and private businesses, including Delta Air Lines, Rock-Tenn, Gas South, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Worldspan, to work on teacher recruitment and retention issues in the metro Atlanta area.

With the region's population growth, baby boomers retiring and other teachers leaving the profession, the region faces real challenges hiring and retaining qualified teachers. Last year, there were over 1,000 teacher slots still unfilled after the beginning of the school year. Georgia needs over 14,000 new teachers, and approximately 5,000 were produced by the state's colleges and universities.

Given the impact good teachers can make on a student's academic success, the regional education policy committee made teacher recruitment and retention a priority issue for the committee. As the committee has conducted research and collected data on teacher recruitment and retention, it has become apparent that private businesses share many of the same human resource challenges as public schools. The recently held forum gave both public and private sector human resource officers a chance to identify primary challenges relating to recruitment and retention and key drivers associated with these challenges.

The committee will host a second forum in the first quarter of 2008.

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.

Fourth Annual State of the Schools Address to Provide Update on Atlanta's Public Schools
Four years ago, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce partnered with Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall to create the first-ever State of the Schools address in Atlanta . This event provides a public opportunity for Dr. Hall to present the progress, challenges and future direction of the Atlanta Public Schools system. Dr. Hall will address questions from the audience following her remarks.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber continues to foster collaborative relationships between Atlanta Public Schools , the Atlanta Board of Education and the business community. This year's sponsor is AGL Resources.

Atlanta Logistics Council to Present First-Ever Metro Atlanta Logistics Award
As part of the annual logistics luncheon, the Atlanta Logistics Council will present the Chamber's first logistics award for logistics companies and professional of the year.

A logistics company and professional will be honored for their contribution to one of metro Atlanta 's key sectors-logistics.

Click here to attend the luncheon and awards event.

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 - with support from members, partners and allies - has taken a lead role. Come hear what we've achieved together. 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.

2007 Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Golf Challenge
The 19th Annual McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge was held on Monday, Oct. 15. Over 800 golfers participated in the golf challenge at six of North Atlanta 's premier golf courses. With a perfect Chamber weather day, golfers competed for a ton of prizes including those from Porsche, Dell and AirTran Airways.

Don't miss out on the action next year on Oct. 20, 2008.

Enjoy some picture highlights from this year's golf challenge below.

Steve Johnson, David Medford, Alan Seagers and Vince Heflin, the team from Speakeasy, were the first place winners of roundtrip tickets on AirTran Airways at the Country Club of the South.

Having a wonderful day during the McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Chamber Challenge on Atlanta National Golf Club is the Newell Recycling team featuring Chip Shirley, Sharon Shirley, Johnny Rexrode and Hugh Stith.

Playing on Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek during the McAfee-Vigilar Metro Atlanta Chamber Golf Challenge is the Nelson Mullins team of Kurt Collier, Brad Wahl, Cyprus Williams and Bill Bartlett.

Thanks you to our sponsors.

Sports Corner

NCAA Men's Final Four Means Great Business for Metro Atlanta and Georgia

The 2007 NCAA Men's Final Four proved to be as big a win for Atlanta 's economy as it was for the Florida Gators.

An Atlanta Sports Council study showed a $51.6 million statewide economic impact and a metro Atlanta-area impact of $43.9 million on the local economy as a result of hosting the four-day event.

“When you're talking about first-class, mega sporting events that really have a positive effect on your city, there is no doubt the NCAA Men's Final Four is at the top of that list,” said Gary Stokan , Atlanta Sports Council president. “Atlanta has a long tradition of successfully hosting major sporting events, but our experiences with the NCAA Final Fours – both men's and women's – have been among the most significant and impactful of them all. We're fortunate to have been a part of them.”

Click link -- http://atlantasportscouncil.com/Default.aspx?tabid=126

Chamber Events

Community Events

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.

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.