Featured Articles
Congrats to Our Award Winners!First Annual Committee Chair/Member of the YearAt the November luncheon, GEDA presented the First Annual Committee Member of the Year and Chair of the Year Awards. We present these as a way to say thank you to the numerous volunteers who spend so much time making GEDA the great association that it is.
Joy Wilkins, chair of the Professional Development Congratulations to both Elbert and Joy! Mark Your Calendars!
For 2015 and 2016 ...
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...Three ... Two ... One ...Congratulations!One More Look at Our 2012 Scholarship RecipientsGEDA has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to our members in the last 15 years. 2012 was no different with the following 15 individuals receiving professional development assistance:
We will again award as much as $15,000 in scholarships in 2013. Our application deadlines will be February 1, March 30 and August 2. Look for more information and applications very soon! It's Profile Update Time!
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2013 Events CalendarDecember. NO MEETING. Happy Holidays! January 30. Legislative Luncheon. Invite your legislators today! 2013 Calendar is available now too! New Members in November!Brittany Romig, Jackson EMC App of the Month
Have an app to recommend to us? Fill out this simple form. Interest in Becoming a CEcD?As you know, Georgia is the second most successful state in
If you're interested at all, let us know! |
Friday, December 7, 2012
December 2012 Newsletter
Because of his great work with the Business Recruitment Committee, specifically with doing such great work making our Brokers' Event a huge success, Elbert Rivers with Rooker was awarded the Committee Member of the Year Award.
Committee, was honored as our Committee Chair of the Year for her tireless efforts in promoting GEDA's professional development scholarships, as well as leading the effort to create the new CEcD Exam Prep Class.
GEDA is very happy to announce the dates and locations of the 2015-2016 GEDA Spring Workshops! Based on feedback from you, we solicited bids from properties all over the state and selected two that you said were your favorites. Here are the dates and location of the next four Spring Workshops:
profile picture? Married and need to add a spouse name? All of that fun stuff is still right where it's always been. But wait, there's more!
The new year is almost upon us. And what January is complete without New Years resolutions? And what February is complete without regret about not following through on one or more of those resolutions? 
the country for professionals gaining their 
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
November 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
After Luncheon SessionVERY VERY Important TopicGEDA has been working with the Departments of Community Affairs and Audits to create some educational information about some annual reporting requirements for Development Authorities and other public agencies. There are very specific registration and reporting requirements for ALL Development Authorities across the state. DCA and Audits have worked together to create educational sessions to help you understand the process. GEDA will host a mini-version of the session immediately after our November luncheon. Stay and take notes for your local Development Authority to make sure you are in compliance!! See other seminar dates here. FREE MONEY!SETAAC Offers Assistance
The Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) is a Federal program funded by USEDA to assist companies that are struggling. Distressed firms that have experienced a five percent decline in both sales and employment, as a result of import impact, are eligible to apply for certification and assistance. Companies could receive up to $75,000 in 50/50 financing to help with myriad areas, including: strategic planning, target market identification, new product development, website design, continuous improvement programs, export feasibility and much more. For more information, read the attached flyer and contact Tracy Cole at 404-385-4222. Economic Development Law SeminarGEDA continues its long-standing tradition of sponsoring the The training will take place at the State Bar of Georgia Headquarters, 104 Marietta Street, NW, Atlanta, GA on Thursday, December 6. Registration is available online. |
2013 GEDA Calendar Announced
GEDA is very pleased to announce our calendar for 2013! As is our custom, we will host our three special events (Legislative Luncheon, Spring Workshop, Annual Conference) and will host luncheons the rest of the year. One change for 2013 will be a special celebration luncheon in March. More details will be available on that soon. Please save these dates on your calendar NOW so that you can plan accordingly for the year.
We look forward to seeing you all year long as we celebrate 50 years of GEDA! If you are interested in sponsoring one (or more!) of these events, please contact Brian Dill for more information. Georgia Trend features GEDADeal of the Year Award WinnersGeorgia Trend magazine is currently featuring the 2012 GEDA Deal of the Year awards in the November issue. This is the second consecutive year that Georgia Trend has covered the story. If But wait there's more! In an effort to better promote economic development and the work that GEDA members put forth everyday for the betterment of their communities and the state, GEDA has partnered again with Georgia Trend - this time to distribute copies of our 50th Anniversary celebration publication! 50,000 Georgia Trend readers will receive a copy of our 50 year history with their January issue ... 50,000 readers!!! I cannot fully reveal what the publication will look like, but scroll down just a little bit for a sneak preview of the cover ...
Sneak PreviewYou'll See This Again in January!Here is the cover of our 50th Anniversary book coming out in January ...
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2012 Events CalendarNovember 19. November luncheon at the Delta Heritage Museum! Harold Bevis will be the speaker. December. NO MEETING. Happy Holidays! 2013 Calendar is available now too! New Members in October!Christina Span, Georgia Tech App of the Month
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Economic Outlook Luncheon
Don't forget about the Terry College of Business Economic Outlook Luncheon series! Register here!
Annual Report
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Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) Economic Development Law Seminar this December. As mentioned on the 
you turn to page 37 in your November issue, you will see stories about all of our recipients: Augusta (Starbucks), Oconee/Athens-Clarke (Caterpillar), Rome-Floyd (Lowe's), Dublin-Laurens (Dinex) and Joint Development Authority of Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties (Baxter). Also, you can view the 
November is here which means overeating, colder weather and spending lots of time with holiday shopping, but where to shop and what to buy? If only there was an app that helped us sort through all of the Black Friday shopping chaos. Ahhh but there is. Only available in the iTunes store, Black Friday has the Black Friday sales ads out before they are printed and will have special app only specials on that crazy day in two weeks.
Next month, GEDA will send out annual dues renewal notices. We hope that you will agree that we have a lot of great momentum building through our programs, the 50th Anniversary, our new marketing and communications plan, the great work of our committees and so much more. We are publishing a Year in Review document so that you can better understand all of the work that has been done in 2012 to assist you in your jobs. There will be a nice gift in there for you as well, just to keep us in your mind all year long! Sunday, October 7, 2012
October 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
IMPORTANT!! From the Public Policy CommitteeProposed Rules & RegulationsThe Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) has released the proposed rules and regulations for the sales and use tax exemption on energy used in manufacturing. This is only a proposed draft. DOR will hold a public hearing on November 14 at 10am in Suite 15210 at their headquarters (1800 Century Blvd, NE; Atlanta, GA 30345.) All comments must be received by 10am on November 14th. Comments can be emailed or faxed to 404-417-2293. Please reference "Notice Number SUT 2012-010" on all comments. IEDC Salary SurveyBi-Annual Survey Going Out Soon
The International Economic Development Council will soon be soliciting data for the 2012 Salary Survey. GEDA is partnering with IEDC on this survey, so that we can provide you with current and relevant data. Once the data has been compiled and all analysis completed, GEDA will provide you access to the Georgia-specific results. The report should be available in the first part of 2013. The report will be organized into several sections. The Salary Tables section presents data on base annual salary and total compensation by personal, career-related, and organizational characteristics. Be on the lookout for an email from IEDC/Readex - the company hired to perform the survey. Can You Crack the Code?Maybe you've already heard, but GEDA is celebrating 50 |
Annual Conference Wrap
GEDA Awards CeremonyGEDA was able to recognize our best and brightest at the Wednesday evening ceremony, emceed by Timothy Wang. Deal of the Year awards were presented to Dublin-Laurens County (Dinex Emissions), Rome-Floyd County (Lowe's Distribution), Augusta-Richmond County (Starbucks), Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties (Caterpillar), and the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties (Baxter.) Individual awards went to Morris Jordan with the Development Authority of Walton County as Volunteer of the Year and Al Hodge with the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce as our 2012 Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence recipient. Congratulations to all of our winners! Officer/Director ElectionsHere are your new Officers and Directors for 2013! Officers Chair - JoAnne Lewis; 1st Vice Chair - Angie Gheesling; 2nd Vice Chair - Tim Evans; Secretary-Treasurer - Greg Wright; Immediate Past Chair - Misti Martin. Directors 2011-2013: Anna Chafin, Nancy Cobb, Missy Kendrick, Saralyn Stafford 2012-2014: Elyse Cochran, Gretchen Corbin, Ricky McGee, Andrea Schruijer 2013-2015: Mary Ellen McClanahan, Sen. Jeff Mullis, Charles Stallworth, Greg Torre Congratulations to the entire new leadership team!
And don't forget ... you can still see speaker presentations, photos from the event (thank you Matt Forshee) and thank our conference sponsors! Economic Outlook Series11 Locations from Now through JanuaryThe Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia will once again host Georgia Economic Outlook luncheons across the state over the next few months. GEDA is very pleased to be a sponsor of the series again this year. From their website, "The Georgia Economic Outlook series annually draws several thousand influential Georgia Economic Outlook Luncheons this year will be held:
For more information, visit the Terry College website. |
2012 Events CalendarOctober 15. Consultants Panel at the Georgia Tech Hotel. November 19. November luncheon at the Delta Heritage Museum! December. NO MEETING. Happy Holidays! New Members in September!Shaun Adams, ACCG App of the Month
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Upcoming Events
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years in 2013!! One of the most exciting parts of this will be the unveiling and opening of a time capsule created at our 25th Anniversary in 1988. Can you guess the code? 
... and what a great conference it was!! Survey results are in (thank you for responding!) and you confirmed what we knew - you loved it! Thank you and congratulations to Angie Gheesling and her team for another great conference! Here are some of the highlights:
business and governmental leaders to luncheons around the state. Directed by the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, this popular program has become the most comprehensive and detailed look at the future economy in Georgia."
This month's app provides a fun, safe, effective way to communicate with your contacts. VOXER is part walkie-talkie, part social media tool, part mobile communications genius. It is very simple - once you have connected through Voxer to a contact, you can send instant voice messages to each other, a lot like a walkie-talkie. It's very fun to use and extremely easy to get set up. You can even have multiple people in one "conversation" and turn it into a group chat or discussion! FREE on both iPhones and Droid phones. Visit Friday, September 7, 2012
September 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
IMPORTANT!! From the Public Policy CommitteeProposed Rules & RegulationsThe Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) has released the proposed rules and regulations for the sales and use tax exemption on energy used in manufacturing. This is only a proposed draft. DOR will hold a public hearing on November 14 at 10am in Suite 15210 at their headquarters (1800 Century Blvd, NE; Atlanta, GA 30345.) All comments must be received by 10am on November 14th. Comments can be emailed or faxed to 404-417-2293. Please reference "Notice Number SUT 2012-010" on all comments. IEDC Salary SurveyBi-Annual Survey Going Out Soon
The International Economic Development Council will soon be soliciting data for the 2012 Salary Survey. GEDA is partnering with IEDC on this survey, so that we can provide you with current and relevant data. Once the data has been compiled and all analysis completed, GEDA will provide you access to the Georgia-specific results. The report should be available in the first part of 2013. The report will be organized into several sections. The Salary Tables section presents data on base annual salary and total compensation by personal, career-related, and organizational characteristics. Be on the lookout for an email from IEDC/Readex - the company hired to perform the survey. Can You Crack the Code?Maybe you've already heard, but GEDA is celebrating 50 |
October/November LuncheonsAnnual Conference may be next week, but that does not mean we haven't been hard at work getting ready for the October and November luncheons, too!
And GEDA is very excited to announce the date and location for our November luncheon! We will meet on Monday, November 19th at the Delta Heritage Museum! Thank you to Timothy Wang for helping us secure this incredibly cool lunch venue! Not only will we have yet another fabulous GEDA program, but we'll be sitting in a hangar with historic aircraft sharing the room with us. Mark your calendars now and get ready for the great event. (Hint: there is a rumor that we will be able to have some fun with the menu, too! That alone should be worth the trip to the event!)
Economic Outlook Series11 Locations from Now through JanuaryThe Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia will once again host Georgia Economic Outlook luncheons across the state over the next few months. GEDA is very pleased to be a sponsor of the series again this year. From their website, "The Georgia Economic Outlook series annually draws several thousand influential Georgia Economic Outlook Luncheons this year will be held:
For more information, visit the Terry College website HERE'S TO A GREAT FALL!
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2012 Events CalendarOctober 15. Consultants Panel at the Georgia Tech Hotel. November 19. November luncheon at the Delta Heritage Museum! December. NO MEETING. Happy Holidays! New Members in September!Shaun Adams, ACCG App of the Month
Have an app to recommend to us? Fill out this simple form.
Upcoming Events
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The October 15th Luncheon will be our Annual Consultants Panel! This is one of those programs you beg us to bring back every year. We have not yet confirmed all of the panelists, but I can tell you that McCallum Sweeney will be one of them. Watch for the final list of consultants and registration information to be available as soon as we get home from Savannah.Tuesday, August 7, 2012
August 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
Say Cheese!Head Shots Taken at Annual ConferenceGEDA is very excited to announce a fun opportunity at Annual Conference. Our own Matt Forshee (photographer Welcome Rebecca McGee!GEDA InternGEDA is pleased to announce the hiring of Rebecca McGee as our new Intern! Rebecca comes to GEDA from The University of Georgia where she recently received her degree in Journalism. Her work and volunteer experience are right in line with what our needs going forward. We know that Rebecca will be a great addition to the GEDA Team! Make sure to say hello when you see her at the August luncheon. In MemoriamRest in Peace, Linda Williams
Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Marty Williams, Dawsonville; daughter, Angela Lackey, Brooks, GA; a number of other relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held Thursday August 16, 2012 at 11 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel (Dawsonville). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dawson County Mentoring Program, P. O. Box 872, Dawsonville, GA 30534 or Dawson County Family Connection, P. O. Box 872, Dawsonville, GA 30534. |
Join Us For the GEDA Games: We Hunger for Growth
We are just over a month away from GEDA's 49th Annual Conference! Are you registered?? For a registration fee of only $290, you get all this:
If you haven't registered yet, the time is now. Early bird pricing ends August 31. Book your room for Wednesday and Thursday nights at the host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Savannah. We'll see you there! (If you need extra incentive, we will have LOTS of cash and prizes to give away during the Conference. Must be present AND seated to win!)
August Luncheon Is Around the CornerGEDA Welcomes Chancellor Hank Huckaby
Join us for lunch on August 20th at the Renaissance Midtown (adjacent to the Centergy Building). Huge thanks to this month’s sponsor City of Fairburn.
The NEW www.geda.org!GEDA Set to Unveil New HomepageMost website 'experts' recommend an updated look for a website's home page every 2-3 years. It has been about 2-3 years since GEDA undertook a full overhaul of our home page. We have received some feedback New features include:
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2012 Events CalendarAugust 20. Monthly Luncheon featuring Chancellor Huckaby at the Marriott Renaissance Midtown. September 12-14. Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. (Reserve your room at the Hyatt.) Welcome New Members!John Cheek, City of McDonough App of the MonthThank you to Nicole Ward with the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority for this month's submission. CardMunch is a free iPhone app that can turn business cards into contacts. It's extremely easy to use. Once you Have an app to recommend to us? Fill out this simple form.
US Department of Energy
ECOtality, the Department of Energy and the EV Project are offering a chance to be a part of a national and historic undertaking in the electric vehicle conversation. Utilizing both government grants and private funding, the EV Project is offering FREE electric vehicle chargers, installation funding and establishing, within the Greater Atlanta Area, a comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Read the full article. Register for this event online; or to find out more, contact Stephanie Cox at 615.504.4928 / scox@ecotality.com or Jeremy Covert at 615.476.2814 / jcovert@ecotality.com. |
extraordinaire) will be on hand and prepared to take a professional photograph of YOU! For a very small fee ($30 vs. over $100 charged by most professionals) Matt will schedule time with you at Annual Conference to take a high-quality head shot of you for your use at work. And, as an added bonus, GEDA can use these files and automatically update your profile page on our site! Say Cheese! (Scheduling and payment handled directly with 
GEDA is very sad to announce the loss of our member, Dawson County Chamber President Linda Williams. Linda served as President of the Chamber for 16 years and made countless contributions to Dawson County and North Georgia. She had retired just one month ago.
Today is the Early Bird registration deadline for the 
from folks about what you'd like to see at GEDA.org. And now we are counting the minutes until we can unveil the new look. We have tested it with a small number of people so far and have received rave reviews! Here is a 
have the app on your iPhone or iPad, use it to take a picture of a business card. That card will then come back to you as an electronic contact. What a great time saver! Thank you, Nicole! (I use this one too, and love it.) This one is for iPhones only, right now.
We have an exciting opportunity! Ecotality North America is bringing the largest electric vehicle deployment project in history to metro Atlanta! Atlanta has been selected as the next city to receive mass deployment of EV stations under a large scale grant from The US Department of Energy, however, many more cities and regions in Georgia could qualify, if there is enough interest. Saturday, July 7, 2012
July 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
Annual Meeting HotelsCall NOW to Reserve Your RoomSpring Workshop is behind us which means it is time to start thinking about Annual Conference. We return to the Hyatt Regency for 2012! (Reminder - Annual Conference dates are September 12-14 this year.) The Hyatt Silver Shovel AwardFifth Win in Seven Years!
The awards recognize significant economic development projects announced and initiated within the 2011 calendar year. Georgia was recognized for 10 projects that combined created nearly 4,000 jobs and more than $800 million in investment for Georgia. Bed, Bath & Beyond’s Jackson County fulfillment center, The Home Depot’s Cobb County customer service call center, and Lowe’s Floyd County distribution center were among those economic development projects Georgia submitted for Shovel Awards consideration. WEEC in Atlanta!World Energy Engineering ConferenceGeorgia welcomes the 2012 World Energy Engineering Conference to the Georgia World Congress Center October 31 - November 2. The WEEC brings together top business leaders from both the public and private sectors to see firsthand new developments in the ever growing energy efficient, green economy, to discuss real-world strategies for implementing energy savings game plans, and to meet face-to-fact to forge innovative business development & project development. As a GEDA member you can:
For more information, you can read this flyer or visit the show's web page. (Enter WEECGA at checkout for the discount.) |
GEDA Unveils New Logo
What we need from YOU --- between now and our September Annual Meeting--- is your help finding archival information on the 5 decades defining how and why GEDA's people and programs generated prosperity and good jobs for Georgians. Any documents can be sent to GEDA Offices at 75 5th Street, NW, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308. Any electronic information or offers to help can be emailed to deb@geda.org or call Deb at 404-405-5904. Thank you in advance for helping us to create the best 50th Anniversary celebration possible!
2012 Spring Workshop WrapGreat Event Held at Brasstown Valley Resort What a great event! Hats off to Tim Evans and his committee for the 2012 Spring Workshop. Reviews are back in and it's obvious that you loved it. The weather was perfect, the setting was beautiful, the topics were on If you want to relive some of the fun, we brought back some souvenirs from the mountains!
Extra special thanks to Tim Martin for leading the IGNITE! Session on Thursday afternoon. That was very well-received and I'm certain that you'll see it again!
Deal of the Year Awards!It's Time to Recognize Our Award-Winning Deals!
Forms can be found here. For more information, contact Timothy Wang, Chair of the GEDA Special Service Awards Committee.
50% of Something > 100% of NothingArticle in the Atlanta Business Chronicle by Development Authority of Fulton County Chair Bob ShawHave you ever needed a handy and fact-filled piece explaining that the benefits of new jobs and large capital investments FAR outweigh the perceived cost of the incentives offered to win these projects? Well now you In it, GEDA's own Robert Shaw (Chairman of the Development Authority of Fulton County) trumpets the huge announcements of Baxter and Caterpillar, noting that tax incentives are "phantom revenues" - the property taxes, etc. would not exist unless the company located in the first place! The central point of the piece is summed up at the very end. Mr Shaw states that other global centers are more than happy to compete for these large projects. If Georgia fails to do so, "the critics who see business incentives as lost revenue will quickly understand what true lost revenue really is." THIS IS A MUST READ!!
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2012 Events CalendarNO JULY MEETING. Enjoy your summer! August 20. Monthly Luncheon at the Marriott Renaissance Midtown. September 12-14. Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. Welcome New Members!Ani Agnihotri, USIBRC, LLC App of the MonthDo you send Outlook meeting requests to family and friends Have an app to recommend to us? Fill out this simple form.
International Corner
AND ...
3rd annual USA India Business Summit (UIBS) UIBS 2012 and the 18th Annual Georgia Tech Global Business Forum are being organized at Georgia Tech in Atlanta on June 21 and 22. UIBS has distinguished history of being largest conference in the Southeast USA that promotes business relations between the USA and India. Key sectors of interest this year are - Science & Technology, Life Sciences, IT, Investment, and more. Organizers are expecting participation of about 350 delegates from seven Southeastern U.S. states and from India. For registration & program details: www.usaindiabusinesssummit.com. |
has created a 
Area Development Magazine recently awarded Georgia with a Silver Shovel Award for its efforts in economic development. Georgia is one of 14 states nationwide to receive this recognition. 
GEDA will soon celebrate its 50th year! In 2013 we will take a year to celebrate our productive past and recharge for the future... the Great Recession starting in 2008 has helped us know we cannot rest on past successes but we can learn from them!
point, and of course the networking was the finest in the state!
have it! Please take a moment to read this 
GDEcD International Trade Division has rolled out a new online directory of state's exporters. Georgia exporters now have an easy way to increase their presence in the global marketplace and find trade partners throughout the world. By listing their companies and products or services in the online Georgia Export Directory, companies in the state can heighten their global visibility and attract potential customers, buyers and/or representatives. The directory is a tool not only for small business, but for medium- and large-sized ones as well. Qualified Georgia companies of all sizes are invited to apply online at Monday, May 7, 2012
May 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
Mobile App of the MonthNew Gazette Feature!Since GEDA is so hip and fun, we are launching a new series today. In each month's Gazette, we will feature Want to suggest an app for a future issue? Fill out this simple form. Georgia Chamber ExchangeNew Member-to-Member Marketplace
For more information, view the marketing flyer or contact Rebecca Jones at 404-223-2473. G.R.O.W. Georgia ProgramHelp Local Companies Export
As you may have heard, GDEcD’s trade team was recently awarded a grant from the Small Business Administration to enhance export promotion efforts for Georgia companies. As a result of this grant, GDEcD is bringing a series of qualified international buyers and country experts into the state to meet with Georgia suppliers. This program is free of charge to all exporters (and potential exporters) in Georgia and a great way for companies to make new international connections. From May 14-18, the GROW program will be held in Athens and Dublin. In each location, there will be a seminar on business opportunities in Canada and South Korea, as well as an opportunity for one-on-one appointments with buyers. For more information, view the attached flyer. |
Go For the Gold
THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK TO RECEIVE REGULAR PRICING FOR THE CONFERENCE!! Please verify that you have registered for the conference. The easiest way to check is by going to your Member Portal page. If the link next to Spring Workshop says, "You are registered", guess what? You are registered! If not, you'll have a link asking you to go in and register. It's a giant cost-savings for you if you can get that registration in by Friday, May 4. We have an all-star lineup of programming for you. It will be three days of non-stop knowledge and fun! (Wait ... wasn't that the introduction for Tic Tac Dough with Wink Martindale?) Unique approaches to incentives, how to be ready for the burgeoning film & entrepreneurial industries growing in Georgia, and that's just Wednesday. Great food, great entertainment, great programs, phenomenal location ... Tim Evans and his committee truly deserve a gold medal for creating our "Go For the Gold" program! Register now to get in on the lower pricing! 2012 Legislative SessionOne of the Most Successful Sessions in Memory! If you see a member of the Georgia General Assembly, give 'em a hug or a high five. The 2012 Georgia General Assembly produced one of the best legislative sessions we have seen. While there are still a few bills to GEDA worked hard this year to bring you the best and most up-to-date reports from the Capitol each week. We relied very heavily on three sources and we must take this opportunity to thank them. In no particular order, GEDA extends deep and sincere thanks to Elmer Stancil and the GEDA Public Policy Committee, Jim Finch (GEDA's legislative monitor) and the entire team at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, led by President & CEO Chris Clark. We were able to receive guidance and constant feedback from all three parties and send that on to you so that you had the best information possible. We hope to continue these partnerships as we move forward. On to the exciting legislation! HB 742, HB 386, HB 48, HB 397, HB 868, HB 1027 and SB 402 all will or can have major positive implications for economic developers in Georgia. To read the full report from Elmer Stancil on these bills and what they really mean, click here. And please join me in thanking and congratulating all of our Senators and Representatives!
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2012 Events CalendarMay 16-18. Spring Workshop at Brasstown Valley Resort. "Go For the Gold". REGISTER TODAY! June 18. 3rd Annual "Meet the Brokers" event at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center. Welcome New Members!Akai Baraka, Student Joanna Barnes, ADP Elise Barton, Student Deborah Bowie, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Kyle Fletcher, Thomaston-Upson County IDA Mark Harris, Student Barbara Herskowitz, AHI Corporate Housing Dan McHugh, ECS SOutheast, LLC Jessica Melton, Student Allie O'Brien, City of Hapeville Chris Pettis, Wells Fargo Ryan Purvis, Student S.T.E.M. Education AwardsCall for Nominations! The Technology Association of Georgia and the TAG Education Collaborative are excited to
The inaugural S.T.E.M. Education Awards event will be held on September 14th at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center. For more information please contact Melanie Brandt at Melanie@TAGonline.org or (404) 920-2037, Michael Robertson MRobertson@tagonline.org or (404)920-2038, or Brady Cannon at Brady@tagonline.org or (912)713-7116. |
the newest, coolest mobile app. We'll start this with some shameless self-promotion by featuring the GEDA Spring Workshop app! Available on iPhones, Droids and Blackberries, this app has EVERYTHING you need to know about the conference at your fingertips. Easy, free and convenient ... what else could you want?
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has just announced the creation and release of the "Georgia Chamber Exchange", an exclusive marketplace for Georgia Chamber members. For all Georgia Chamber members, you can log into the 
be signed by the Governor (including the FY 2013 budget), there is a long list of bills and resolutions to be excited about.
announce the S.T.E.M. Education Awards, an event that will recognize and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding effort and achievement in advancement of STEM Education in Georgia. If you, your school, your company or organization would like to suggest a nominee or apply yourself, please send the following information to 
Saturday, April 7, 2012
April 2012 Newsletter
Featured Articles
Georgia @ WorkUpdates from GDEcD
Check back every month for the latest updates! Time Capsule!
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Go For the Gold
This will be a tremendous program with exciting opportunities every day! Wednesday has breakout sessions on the film industry, creative incentives, how to be a high quality organization and small business. That night we'll have a great dinner outside followed by a screening of a Georgia-filmed movie (trust me - you'll like it). Thursday brings Chris Clark's update on the Competitiveness Initiative, famed author and speaker Gus Whalen and a special opportunity to hear from past GEDA members, now in other states, on their opinions of Georgia as a competitor. Optional activities include a twist this year: based on your feedback - we're offering an exciting educational opportunity Thursday afternoon called IGNITE! Fast-paced, educational and fun! Friday morning will have a star-studded update from the Gold Dome followed by a detailed analysis of the recent Caterpillar decision. It will be an incredible three days!! Our host hotel, Brasstown Valley, is completely booked solid for our three days. If you have not yet booked a room, you can still call The Ridges Resort (less than three miles away) at 888-834-4409.
And don't forget - we have a super-cool new mobile app for the conference! Sponsored by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, this app is FREE to download and comes in all three formats - iPhone (iPad), Droid and Blackberry. EVERYTHING you would ever want to know about the conference is there. Check it out today! Scan this code to the right for the free download. Nominations!The 2012 GEDA Nominating Committee is charged with developing a slate of candidates to move into leadership roles in GEDA. The Committee is chaired by Pat Topping as our past-past Chair. The Nominating Committee is looking for one person to serve as GEDA's newest officer, in the role of Secretary-Treasurer and four candidates to serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors. To nominate an active member you can fill out this simple form online. Please keep in mind that complete nominations give the committee the best information for making their decisions. Click hear to see the full message from Pat Topping, as well as a list of our current board and the qualifications of the ideal candidate. Thanks! Roads and Bridges and Rail ... Oh My!T SPLOST Vote is Coming SoonWe all know the importance of transportation infrastructure to our state's economy. Economic development is so often driven by connectivity ... to the ports, suppliers, other markets, other countries, etc. We also know that funding for our state's Department of Transportation has been insufficient to cover the upkeep of our existing infrastructure and handle the growth created by our economic development successes. Our chance to do something about that gap is coming on July 31. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Transportation Alliance are teaming to run campaigns in 11 of Georgia's 12 regions - the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce is working on the Atlanta region. GEDA's April luncheon will bring those three groups to us to tell us what is being done, what we can do and what to expect for the next four months leading up to the vote. Chris Clark, Doug Callaway and Renay Blumenthal will be our guest speakers for the day. This is an extremely important issue and I hope you will be able to join us at our April 16th luncheon at the Marriott Renaissance. (Thank you to the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce and Bridgestone Golf for sponsoring the luncheon.) And don't forget the super-special opportunity we will have during the luncheon. GEDA's 50th Anniversary Committee is convening a meeting of the pillars that created and built GIDA/GEDA into what it is today. We have already heard from many of these leaders that they will be able to join us for the luncheon! This is a great opportunity for some of the newer GEDA members to meet and learn from these great individuals. And then after the luncheon, we have the iPad for Economic Development course led by our Young Professionals Committee. |
2012 Events CalendarApril 16 Luncheon at Marriott Renaissance Midtown on the T-SPLOST - vote is coming up very soon!! May 16-18 Spring Workshop at Brasstown Valley. Going for the Gold! Register today! Welcome New MembersJoanna Barnes, ADP Deal of the Year AwardsDo You Have the Winner?Do you have a big announcement? Do you have that special project that took tons of hard work but was so worth it once they located? GEDA is continuing one of our newest but most popular traditions by awarding our Deal of the Year honors at this year's annual conference. It's almost time to submit those applications so be on the lookout for information coming from us. As an added bonus, we are now sending our Deal of the Year winners on to the SEDC competition for their CEDA Awards - no extra work for you! NBIA Conference26th Annual Conference in AtlantaGo beyond best practices and explore the cutting edge of entrepreneur support at NBIA’s 26th International Conference on Business Incubation, scheduled for May 6-9, 2012, in Atlanta. NBIA’s conference is the premier event in the incubation industry, so you won’t want to miss this opportunity to share ideas with colleagues and gather tools and techniques to The Preconference Institute features six full-day workshops. Two of these workshops – Serving Client Companies and Facilities Management – fulfill requirements for the NBIA Incubator Management Certificate Program. The other four provide intensive training on other topics of interest for industry professionals, from those who are just exploring the idea of starting an incubator to seasoned managers who want to learn new strategies and skills.
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archival materials, and now she already has a signature find! At the 25th Anniversary celebration for GIDA, we created a time capsule to be opened at the 50th Anniversary celebration. It's been found! We have the time capsule and will begin making preparations for the big unveiling next year!
improve your program. With more than 60 educational sessions as well as incubator tours, keynote addresses and networking opportunities, the conference offers something for everyone.