Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber Of Commerce Inc

UPGRADE & ADVANCE THE ATLANTA METRO AREA IN POPULATION, COMMERCE & FINANCE; EFFECT CIVIC & SOCIAL IMPROVEMENTS; BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY;&PROMOTE INTEGRITY IN BUSINESS

OVERVIEW IN 2021, THE METRO ATLANTA CHAMBER CONTINUED TO EXCEL AS THE REGION'S CONVENER AMONG ATLANTA'S THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY. AMID THE CONTINUED CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC HEALTH, RACIAL EQUITY AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY, MAC PROUDLY EXECUTED EFFORTS THAT STRENGTHENED UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, FORTIFIED OUR REGION AS THE CHOICE FOR COMPANIES TO HAVE NEW OR EXPANDED OPERATIONS AND DOUBLED DOWN ON OUR STRATEGIC BUSINESS PILLARS (GROW, ADVOCATE AND PROMOTE). WITH OUR DEEP HISTORY IN BEING LEADERS IN THE REGION, WE: . OBSERVED SEVERAL EMERGING STARTUPS DEVELOP INTO TOMORROW'S UNICORNS . SPEARHEADED GROWTH IN LEADING INDUSTRIES SUCH AS SUPPLY CHAIN, SMART CITIES, IOT, BIOSCIENCE, GLOBAL COMMERCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERTAINMENT TO NAME A FEW . PROTECTED GEORGIA'S STATUS AS THE NO. 1 STATE TO DO BUSINESS - FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR . MERCHANDISED OUR REGION'S UNIQUE CULTURE AND MET THE COMPETITIVE CANDIDATE MARKET HEAD-ON . PRIORITIZED THE IMPERATIVE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION . AND ULTIMATELY LEVERAGED THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO MAKE IMPACT. DETAILED RESULTS GROW: COLLABORATING WITH REGIONAL PARTNERS TO DRIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT, JOB CREATION AND CONTINUED ECOSYSTEM EXPANSION . EXECUTED THE RACIAL EQUITY INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND TACTICS, FOCUSED ON SUPPLIER DIVERSITY. . REMAINED AS THE TOP REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION IN PROJECT GENERATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR RECRUITING GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED COMPANIES, WHICH RESULTED IN LANDING 13,484 (128% YOY) NEW HIGH-SKILLED JOBS AND MILLIONS IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT. . IMPLEMENTED THE TARGETED BUSINESS STRATEGY (TBS) BY TARGETING AND CONNECTING WITH BUSINESSES IN HIGH-COST MARKETS, E.G., NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO, TO PROMOTE ATLANTA AS A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. . LAUNCHED THE STARTUP OUTREACH STRATEGY (SOS) WORKING WITH 11 ORGANIZATIONS, E.G., TECHSTARS, ENGAGE, ETC., TO PROVIDE MISSION-CRITICAL CONNECTIONS AND DELIVER VALUABLE SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO HELP THEM RAPIDLY EXPAND. . ESTABLISHED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) OF 14 TRUSTED ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS FROM AROUND THE REGION TO HELP ENGAGE OUR PARTNERS TO SHAPE AND SUPPORT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. . LAUNCHED THE ATLANTA SMART CITIES ALLIANCE, RECRUITING 30 KEY INFLUENCERS TO JOIN THE COALITION OF CIVIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND BUSINESS THOUGHT LEADERS TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE REGION'S ECONOMIC GROWTH. . PARTNERED WITH MICROSOFT AND MAC PUBLIC POLICY/WORKFORCE TEAM TO LAUNCH AND IMPLEMENT ACCELERATE ATLANTA, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, CLOSE THE DIGITAL SKILLS GAP AND BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE. . LED THE FIFTH YEAR OF ATLANTA METRO EXPORT CHALLENGE (MEC), THE LARGEST REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING INITIATIVE, AS A CATALYST FOR SME GROWTH AND COLLABORATION OF REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS. . LED THE RESTORE ATL GRANT PROGRAM TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ADDRESS THE PANDEMIC'S DISPROPORTIONATE ECONOMIC FALLOUT FOR BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, PROVIDING $180,000 TO 19 COMPANIES. . GENERATED $77,560, A 35.5% INCREASE YOY, BY PROCESSING EXPORT CERTIFICATES FOR REGIONAL EXPORTERS AND FREIGHT FORWARDERS FOR 65 COUNTRIES. . PRODUCED AND EXECUTED OUR NEW MAC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AFTERCARE PROGRAM OFFERING VIRTUAL WORLDWIDE LIVE BROADCASTS TO MAJOR LANDED PROJECTS INCLUDED: MICROSOFT, GOOGLE, AND HAPAG LLOYD. . EXPANDED BACKED BY ATL WITH THE LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE GROUP OF COMPANIES IN TERMS OF TALENT, LOCATION, AND INDUSTRY IN COHORT 4. . DEVELOPED THE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAYBOOK TO GUIDE OUR COMPANIES ON HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES THROUGH ACCESS TO CAPITAL, CUSTOMERS AND NETWORKS. . SHAPED AN INNOVATION NARRATIVE TO HELP PROMOTE OUR INNOVATION ECONOMY THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS. . AMPLIFIED OUR INNOVATION NARRATIVE THROUGH A VARIETY OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. . LAUNCHED THE LARGEST ACTIVATION OF ATLANTA INNOVATION WEEK ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BROADER INNOVATION COMMUNITY. . CREATED AND PRODUCED THE ATLANTA INNOVATION STUDIO PRESENTED BY MAILCHIMP TO TELL THE STORIES OF OUR INNOVATORS AND THEIR COMPANIES WITH EVERGREEN CONTENT. . PARTNERED WITH GEORGIA TECH TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT. . CONVENED THE INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVISORY BOARD TO FOCUS SENIOR LEADERS FROM CORPORATE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, HIGHER EDUCATION AND CREATIVE ON KEY ISSUES IN OUR INNOVATION ECONOMY. . CONNECTED OUR STARTUP SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AND OUR CORPORATE INNOVATION CENTERS THROUGH THE ATLANTA INNOVATION ALLIANCE AND THE CORPORATE INNOVATION COUNCIL. . LED THE METRO ATLANTA ECONOMIC RESEARCH COUNCIL. . HOSTED A VIRTUAL CONVENING OF AREA RESEARCHERS IN JUNE, SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE IN JUNE -- THE HIGHEST PARTICIPATION RATE OF THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. . ORGANIZED AND MODERATED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL "THE STATE OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IN METRO ATLANTA." . IDENTIFIED AND ANALYZED NEW METRICS RELATED TO THE BLACK POPULATION IN METRO ATLANTA, SUCH AS BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS INDICATORS, DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP OF MANAGEMENT OCCUPATIONS AND BLACK EDUCATION DATA. . ALIGNED WITH NEW MAC INITIATIVES TO COMMIT TO BUILD RACIAL EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INTO RESEARCH FRAMEWORK AND CAPABILITIES. . CREATED NEW MONTHLY NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTING THE LATEST DATA AND ECONOMIC NEWS RELEVANT TO ATLANTA REGION AND GEORGIA. . HOSTED VIRTUAL SESSIONS UPDATING NEARLY 100 INVESTORS ON REGIONAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND TRENDS. ADVOCATE: WORKING TO MAINTAIN A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CLIMATE FOR ALL PEOPLE . EXECUTED MAC'S PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA: PROMOTE PRO-BUSINESS LEGISLATION, OPPOSE DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION AND PROTECT GEORGIA'S REPUTATION AS THE #1 STATE IN WHICH TO DO BUSINESS. . PASSED TAXPAYER FAIRNESS LEGISLATION. . PASSED REFRESH LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE. . SECURED ADDITIONAL STATE SUPPORT FOR CHILDCARE AND PARENT SERVICES (CAPS). . SECURED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER CERTIFICATION. . PASSED PROBATION REFORM TO REDUCE BARRIERS FOR RETURNING CITIZENS. . ADVANCED ONLINE SPORTS BETTING. . DEFEATED ADVERSE CHANGES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES AND TAX CREDITS. . RENEWED COVID-19 SAFE HARBOR LAW. . PASSED BENEFICIAL CHANGES TO IMPROVE GEORGIA'S LEGAL CLIMATE (CIVIL AND CRIMINAL). . EXECUTED COMMITTEE FOR A BETTER ATLANTA 2021, RANKING CANDIDATES FOR CITY OF ATLANTA OFFICES. . SUPPORTED CHOOSE ATL AFTER 5. . MITIGATED HARMFUL EFFECTS OF VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION. . SECURED FULL FUNDING FOR THE METRO NORTH GEORGIA WATER PLANNING DISTRICT. . HELD MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITY ATL HIRING EVENTS AND EMPLOYER WEBINARS. . REPEALED GEORGIA'S CITIZENS ARREST LAW. . ENGAGED IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION WITH US SENATORS, STATE LEADERS AND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. . INFORMED BOARD TO COUNTER BUCKHEAD CITYHOOD MOVEMENT. . DEVELOPED AND EXECUTED STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY. PROMOTE: TELLING ATLANTA'S REMARKABLE STORY TO THE WORLD . HEADING UP THE CONTINUED EFFORT TO CONFIRM ATLANTA'S POSITION A HOST CITY FOR THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP (EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED BY FIFA IN 1Q, 2022). . BEGAN BID PROCESS FOR ATLANTA TO BE SELECTED AS HOST OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST CENTER (FINALIZED AND ANNOUNCED IN MID-LATE 2022). . POSITIONED ATLANTA AS A CANDIDATE HOST CITY FOR THE 2031 RUGBY WORLD CUP (OFFICIAL NATIONAL BID TO TAKE PLACE IN 2022). . BEGAN OFFICIAL BID PROCESS FOR THE NEXT NCAA MEN'S FINAL FOUR (2027-2031); BID TO BE FINALIZED 3Q, 2022 WITH HOST CITIES NAMED IN 4Q, 2022. . ASSISTED BRAVES AND OTHER REGIONAL PARTNERS IN PLANNING PROCESS FOR 2021 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-STAR GAME (JAN - MAR; EVENT MOVED OUT OF ATLANTA IN EARLY APRIL). . CONTINUING WORK WITH MAC PUBLIC POLICY ON SECURING AN ANNUAL STATE-BASED SPORTS FUNDING MECHANISM FOR FUTURE SPORTING EVENTS. . ASSISTING MAC PUBLIC POLICY TO SECURE AN EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON SPORTING EVENTS TICKETS (CURRENTLY SUNSETS AT END OF 2022). . EXECUTED SUCCESSFUL AND PROFITABLE 16TH ANNUAL ATLANTA SPORTS AWARDS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WXIA-TV / 11 ALIVE. . SUBMITTED TO NFL, ALONG WITH THE ATLANTA FALCONS, AN INTENT TO BID DOCUMENT FOR THE 2028 SUPER BOWL (STANDARD NFL PROCESS). . LAUNCHED ATL ACTION FOR RACIAL EQUITY, INCLUDING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING INCLUSIVE OF MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL STRATEGY, EARNED MEDIA STORYTELLING AND WEBSITE LAUNCH. TO DATE, OVER 250 COMPANIES HAVE SIGNED ON TO THIS WORK. . ADVANCED METRO ATLANTA'S REPUTATION AS A TOP-TIER GLOBAL REGION FOR INNOVATION AND INCLUSION, SECURING 130+ MENTIONS/FEATURE STORIES IN PRIORITY REGIONAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA. . EXPANDED ATL INNOVATION WEEK WITH REFRESHED BRANDING AND THE ADDITION OF A DIGITAL INNOVATION STUDIO, IN COLLABORATION WITH I&E. . DIRECTED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS (DIGITAL AND EARNED MEDIA STRATEGY) FOR 2021 BACKED BY ATL COHORT ANNOUNCEMENT. . DIRECTED STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING STORY FRAMING, MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY AND EARNED MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, FOR THE FOLLOWING MAC STORYTELLIN