August 2011 Newsletter

Featured Articles Congratulations Chip Cherry! Register for TWO Events Georgia Forward Forum Add a Photo Online! New MOBILE Website CoreNet Global Forum 2011 Events Calendar New Members LOW Hotel Rates GCI Listening Sessions Update GEDA's New Mobile Site Access GEDA.org from your smartphone! GEDA has recently unveiled a new "Mobile Friendly" version of our website!  We have included many of the web links you find most popular on our full site, plus some new added fun! From your iPhone, Android phone or other smartphone, simply go to www.geda.org and begin exploring.  Features include: Member Portal Member Directory GEDA Event Calendar And some new features like: Call Us - click on this link kand your phone will automatically dial us. Call Me Back - if you select this option, you can enter your phone number and request a call back from GEDA Offices, along with a note. Links to our Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages! You can even forward links to your friends and find a map to our offices. Let us know what you think! CoreNet Global Forum The CoreNet EdForum will be held on Thursday, August 25th at the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead.  The topic is Leading Through Turbulent Times: Transforming Challenge Into Opportunity.  Need more information?  Flyer with more information.

Congratulations to Chip Cherry! Donald C. “Chip” Cherry, Jr., CCE, President & CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, was presented with GACCE’s top award last week. The announcement was made Thursday, July 21 at the 2011 GACCE Annual Conference held at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Chip Cherry began his career with the Rocky Mount Area (NC) Chamber in 1981. He has led chambers in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. Chip became the President and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber in 2001. A graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College with a B.A. in Business Administration and an MBA from Mercer University, Chip also graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management. Chip attained the designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in 2002. Chip is a Past Chair of GACCE and a former member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was selected as the North Carolina Chamber Executive of the Year by the Carolinas Association of the Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) in 1996.  Read the full press release from GACCE.   Register, Register, Register! Two Exciting Programs on the Horizon Have you registered yet?  Are you SURE?  There are a total of THREE registrations you need to have completed by now: Register for the August 15th Luncheon at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown.  (Sponsored by the Fairburn Development Authority and the City of Fairburn.)  Early bird deadline is THIS FRIDAY, August 5th. Register for the 2011 Annual Conference in Savannah.  (September 21-23) Reserve your hotel room at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott. You might be thinking, "I know the GEDA Staff is extremely talented and busy.  I'd hate to bother them, but I truly can't remember whether or not I have registered for everything."  Relax!  It's very simple to see your list of registrations.  Just log into your Member Portal page.  You will see several events listed at the top right.  If you see, "You are registered."  Guess what?  You are registered!  If, however, you see a link to the registration page, that means we have not yet received your registration.  Follow that link, and you'll be all set!   Georgia Forward 2011 Forum  2011 GeorgiaForward Forum  When: August 17-18, 2011  Where: The Lodge at Callaway Gardens  What:  Join leaders and stakeholders to hear from speakers from around the country and Georgia as we collaborate and “think big” for Georgia.  The event will draw decision-makers from government, business, academia and civil society to explore innovative solutions to economic development, education, water, transportation and public health challenges.  It’s the can’t miss policy and networking event of the year!  You can view the full agenda and register here:  http://georgiaforward.org/2011-forum/  GEDA members are entitled to a $25 discount with the promo code “founded1732”    Say Cheese!   Now you can add a picture to your GEDA profile!  It's very simple.  Log into your Member Portal page.  At the top left, you should see a large image that is waiting for your picture.  Click on Change/Add Image and select your favorite from your compter.  Click save and you are all set!  (Note - we had this feature previously, but it was fraught with difficulties.  We are back live again and ready for your images!)

2011 Events Calendar August 15:  Luncheon featuring Shan Cooper of Lockheed Martin at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown (formerly the Hotel Palomar) September 21-23.  Annual Conference at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott.  Click HERE to reserve your room at the Marriott.  Click HERE to register for the Conference. Welcome New Members John David Lindsay, Jekyll Island Authority Hazel McCranie, Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber David McCulloch, Gwinnett Technical College Ann Sechrist, Gwinnett Technical College John Zegers, Manufacturing Innovation Center   Hotel Rates for You! GEDA Has Negotiated Rates at TWO Great Properties!

July 2011 Newsletter

Featured Articles Annual Conference Registration August Luncheon Registration Interactive Census Map CNBC Ranking 2011 Events Calendar New Members Awards Deadline Extended Interactive Census Map See Gains and Losses by County The New York Times has released a new online, interactive map that shows results from the 2010 Census.   You can zoom in and see numbers for individual counties and even down to the census tracts!  On the far left, you'll see "View More Maps" where you can select from one of a dozen different maps.  Below that, you'll see a blue bar that says "Zoom to a State".  Click on that and you can go straight to Georgia.  You can see population growth and decline, changes in racial and ethnic concentrations and patterns of housing development. Click here to go to the site and have all kinds of fun!    CNBC Ranking Georgia at #4 CNBC Ranks Georgia as the #4 state in the nation for doing business.  Georgia was ranked #10 last year and vaulted 6 spots, due to large gains in education, economy, cost of doing business and business friendliness.  Click here to see the video report!  What we do as economic developers makes a difference!  Keep up the good work, Georgia!!

Annual Conference Registration!! It is time to register for GEDA's 48th Annual Conference!  After our theme of "Survivor" in Spring - the natural next step is "Stayin' Alive!!"  Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for Savannah - GEDA style. JoAnne Lewis and her team have a great program put together for Annual Conference.  This Conference is all about continuous improvement.  There is no time better than now to improve ... your sales skills; your community relations; your community infrastructure; your relationships with statewide developers.  Developing and honing these skills are what can take you from "Surviving" to "Stayin' Alive" to "Thriving." If you need something to get you in the mood for the Conference - watch this!! We have some new features available for registration this year.  For the first time ever, we have one-day only registrations!  You can register for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or the entire Conference!  Also, if you are bringing a guest for one day (like a Board Member), you can use a separate form to add them at the member rate!  As always, we welcome your participation at the Conference as an Annual Conference Sponsor.  We have a lot of great options available for you! We look forward to seeing you in Savannah!! August Luncheon Registration Featuring Shan Cooper of Lockheed Martin Enough with the summer break ... it's time for the next GEDA Luncheon!  We gave you a brief respite with a month off in July, but we're back into the swing of things in August.  We will return to the Marriott Renaissance Midtown (the Artist formerly known as Hotel Palomar.)  This month's presenter is Shan Cooper with Lockheed Martin in Marietta.  She is the vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and the general manager of the facility in Marietta. As a former HR director and someone who has seen the company operate in many states, Cooper has a very unique and first-hand view into the business atmosphere and workforce climate in Georgia, especially in comparison to some of our competing states. Make sure to register early!  GEDA has sold out of all four luncheons this year.  We hate turning people away but have had to do so at every event this year - space is limited!!  Major thank you to the Fairburn Development Authority and the City of Fairburn for sponsoring the August luncheon!!

2011 Events Calendar August 15.  Luncheon program featuring Shan Cooper of Lockheed Martin.  Marriott Renaissance Midtown (formerly the Hotel Palomar.) September 21-23.  Annual Conference.  Savannah Riverfront Marriott.  Click HERE to reserve your room at the Marriott.  Click HERE to register for the Conference. Welcome New Members Kathryn Lookofsky, Athens Downtown Development Authority Charlie Wilson, Hogan Construction Sara Singleton, University of Georgia    Awards Deadline Extended Submit Applications for Promotional Marketing Innovation Awards by July 31 GEDA's Special Service Awards Committee has extended the deadline to receive applications for our inaugural Promotional & Marketing Innovation Awards until July 31! Please submit your applications for the following three categories: General Purpose Brochure General Purpose Promotion Website Winners will be selected in each of the following categories: Population Category: Large (County of over 100,000) Medium (County of 50,001 - 100,000) Small (County of 50,000 or less) Regional - Any multi-county initiative GEDA is also still accepting nominations for the Zell Miller Public Policy Award.

June 2011 Newsletter

Featured Articles Spring Workshop Wrap Update Your Building Info! SBA Disaster Recovery Assistance Annual Conference Hotel Available June Luncheon Registration 2011 Events Calendar New Members Georgia Competitiveness Initiative Annual Conference Hotels! Room Block is Now Available But we just finished with Spring Workshop!  I know, I know.  It feels like we're just now finished with laundry after the super-duper successful Spring Workshop.  But Annual Conference is just three months away! GEDA is pleased to announce that our room block at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott is now available!  Conference dates are from September 21-23, but you can start arriving at our discounted rate as early as Tuesday, the 20th. You can either click on this link which will bring up our dates and rates, or you can call (888-236-2427) and give "gedgeda" as the rate code.  (HINT - it's a lot easier to just click here.) June Luncheon Early Bird Deadline is This Friday June 20th is right around the corner, and that means that our Early Bird deadline for the luncheon registration is coming - this Friday!  Make sure to register today to get in at the lower rate. Our "program" is the 2nd Annual Broker's Event.  The feedback from members and brokers alike was that last year's event was a great idea and quite successful.  We were extremely pleased to have 23 brokers as our guests in 2010.  And we already have that number this year, with several more RSVPs to come.  This promises to be a great luncheon, yet again.   This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce yourself and your company/community to the major players in the brokerage community.  And major thank you to our sponsor - the Georgia Department of Labor. NOTE:  Make plans to stay for a bit after the luncheon.  GEDA is hosting a listening session to find out what you think about US!  We are in the midst of creating our next strategic plan and need to hear from you!

Spring Workshop Wrap!! We have closed the books on the 2011 Spring Workshop.  I think we all "survived" and were able to have a fabulous time on the coast!  Early reviews so far have said, "By far, this is the best overall conference in several years", "This was one of the best I remember", "Maybe the best I have attended in my four years in Georgia" and "This was the best conference yet."  The weather was picture perfect; the speakers were very well-received; the afternon and evening activities were well-attended and successful.  By all accounts, Angie Gheesling and her team did a tremendous job on this conference! "By far, this is the best overall conference in several years" Presentations are now all online.  We have fourteen presentations from the Conference that are now available online.  So, if you saw it, loved it and want to refresh your memory -click here.  If you MISSED a particular session or even the entire conference, you can still check out the slides here. For those of you who attended, there is still time to complete the survey.  We have about 25% of our attendees who have already done so (THANK YOU!)  If you have not yet had a chance to let us know what you thought, please take just a few minutes to give us your feedback.  Thanks!  And start watching the Gazette and email for information on Annual Conference - it's right around the corner! We have photos uploaded also.  HUGE thank you to Greg Mullis with Tri-County EMC!  Click here to view the photos. Don't Get Left Behind! Update Your Building Info! The Georgia Department of Economic Development is requesting your assistance.   Georgiafacts.net which houses a greatd eal of information about available buildings in Georgia has some information that may not be up-to-date.  We need YOU to create an account online and update the assets in your community.  Detailed instructions are available below. To Create a Login: Go to georgiafacts.net > My Account (on the top far right) > Sign In. Select "Create a New Account.:  Enter the requested information (name, email, phone) and click 'Continue.'  Select 'Continue' again and enter the rest of the information, including a username and password. Select 'Local Economic Developer' and click 'I agree.' Once you are logged into the system, you will be able to add new buildings, edit existing listings and delete buildings that are no longer available.  After saving the changes, they will be live immediately.  For detailed instructions on how to add, edit and delete buildings, click here. SBA Special Assistance For Communities Affected by Tornados The Presidential disaster declaration in Georgia as a result of the recent tornadoes automatically activated the U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan program. This financial assistance is available to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes. The interest rates are fixed and are as low as 2.688% for homeowners and renters, 3% for non-profit organizations and 4% for businesses with terms up to 30 years.  For more information, click on the attached flyer.

2011 Events Calendar June 20.  June Luncheon.  Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center.  2nd Annual Broker's Event, sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor.  (Stick around afterwards for a GEDA Listening Session.  Help us help you by making GEDA stronger than ever.) JULY - NO PROGRAM. August 15.  Luncheon program.  Marriott Renaissance Midtown (formerly the Hotel Palomar.) Welcome New Members Dorie Bacon, Screven County Development Authority Parker Bray, Student Scott Cooper, TVA Oliver Dallas, AGL Resources Alan Pryor, Fulton County Angela Steedley, The Steedley Firm Theo Stone, Wolverton & Associates Eric Van Otteren, City of Snellville   Georgia Competitiveness Initiative 12 Regional Listening Sessions The Georgia Competitiveness Initiative (GCI) was created by Governor Deal, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.  It is designed to bring government and business leaders together to craft a long-term economic growth strategy for the state.  There are several phases of the plan, but the next one is the most important one - regional listening sessions. GCI will host listening sessions in each of the twelve regions over the summer.  It is absolutlely VITAL that economic developers go to these meetings with ideas to improve Georgia's competitiveness.  The committee will use the results of these 12 meetings to formulate the recommendations for the legislature next year.  If you do not go, someone else will!  Economic developers must voice opinions on what should be done to make us the strongest state possible. Go to the GCI website to find dates/locations for your region.