Atlanta Courts Companies and Investors in NYC and Declares Itself “Center of Holiday Shopping and Entertaining”

NEW YORK – Dec. 4, 2017 – More than 30 executives from leading Atlanta companies, such as UPS, The Home Depot, First Data, Intercontinental Exchange and Mercedes-Benz USA, convened in New York City to celebrate the region’s success in business, talent attraction and innovation. With Fortune 500 and high-growth companies represented, metro Atlanta is the first U.S. region to gather at the New York Stock Exchange for an event of this kind.

The event, which coincides with the busiest shopping season of the year, provided the platform for the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) to declare Atlanta as the ‘center of holiday shopping and entertaining’ in the U.S.

“We’re boldly declaring Atlanta the ‘center of holiday shopping and entertaining,’” said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of MAC. “No other U.S. region can boast the unparalleled combination of a world-class airport, leading supply chain companies like UPS, fintech prowess from companies like First Data and Intercontinental Exchange, and venues like Mercedes Benz Stadium that make the season’s biggest sporting events possible. Atlanta leads in the industries and technologies that shape today’s holiday experience.”

MAC outlined four key facts that differentiate Atlanta from other markets, especially during the holiday season:

• Digital Supply Chain Leader – Deloitte recently named Atlanta as the #2 metro area in the nation for digital supply chain, behind only New York-New Jersey. As one of the most important global logistics centers in the U.S., the region is ranked #5 nationally for employment in transportation and logistics and #6 nationally for employment in distribution and e-commerce.
• Transaction Alley – Atlanta is widely known as “Transaction Alley” – with 70 percent of all credit, debit and gift card transactions in the U.S. flowing through the region. More than 15 million global card-enabled merchants rely on Georgia companies. In September 2017, Deloitte reported that e-commerce sales grew 14.3 percent totaling $93.8 trillion between November 2016 and January 2017. That number is forecasted to grow by 18 to 21 percent between November 2017 and January 2018.
• Global Logistics Hub – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) is the world’s most traveled airport and is within a two-hour flight of 80 percent of the U.S. Last year, HJAIA averaged 275,000 passengers per day and more than four million people traveled through the airport during the holiday season. The airport is also a pivot point for global cargo.The Port of Savannah, the largest single container terminal in the nation, is approximately 250 miles from Atlanta. It is also the nation’s fastest growing and fourth-busiest container port while serving as the second-busiest U.S. container exporter. The Port of Brunswick is approximately 300 miles from Atlanta. It is the #1 port in the U.S. for new automobile imports.
• “Field of Champions” – Sports entertainment is often a highlight of the holiday season, and Atlanta offers the venues and major events fans crave – whether they’re attending in person or watching from their living rooms. Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 8, 2018. The stadium will also host the MLS All-Star Game in 2018, followed by Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2020.

During the New York visit, executives from Atlanta participated in events centered around the region’s leadership, including:

• The Atlanta Football Host Committee and Herschel Walker will ring the NYSE BellTM at 9:30 a.m. to kick off the countdown to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
• A panel discussion on growing and scaling in today’s competitive environment.

Leaders joining the delegation from Atlanta represent the following companies: AGCO Corporation, Alston & Bird, Anthem, Inc., Aware Software, Beazer Homes, Buckhead Investment Partners, Comcast, First Data, Floor and Décor, Georgia Power, H.J. Russell & Company, The Home Depot, Intercontinental Exchange, King & Spalding, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Novelis Inc., PulteGroup, SecureWorks, Sharecare, SunTrust Bank, UPS, and Veritiv.

The visit is part of MAC’s ongoing effort to position Atlanta as a top-tier global competitor.

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About the Metro Atlanta Chamber

The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) serves as a catalyst for a more prosperous and vibrant region. To advance economic growth and improve metro Atlanta’s quality of place, MAC is focused on starting, growing and recruiting companies to the 29-county metro Atlanta region. The Chamber is also focused on expanding the region’s innovation economy by promoting and strengthening connections to drive Atlanta’s innovation and entrepreneurial culture. MAC is committed to being an active voice for the business community, serving as an advocate for a competitive business climate and promoting Atlanta’s story. For more information, visit www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com.