Sponsors

Co-Sponsors

The DeKalb County, Georgia Office of Economic Development and the Development Authority of DeKalb County is aggressive in recruiting new industry, promoting private investment, retaining existing companies and increasing the commercial tax base markets DeKalb County. These two agencies strive to create quality jobs, investments and to expand the tax base by supporting balanced growth. These objectives are achieved through dedicated project management, structured incentives and interfacing with business at the speed of business, not the speed of government.

Created in 1973 by Georgia law and a resolution of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners as a special unit of government, the mission of the Development Authority is to stimulate quality economic development in Fulton County using comprehensive marketing programs designed to expand and diversify the tax base, provide quality jobs, retain existing businesses and sustain quality of life for residents throughtout Fulton County. It does so primarily by providing taxable and tax-exempt bond financing under the auspices of the Development Authority and Policy Development Incentives created by the Board of Commissioners.

Signature Sponsors

The Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) is the official economic development agency for the City of Atlanta. ADA represents in-town Atlanta, a population of 500,000, and growing. They are a research-based economic development organization whose operating departments focus on residential, business and investment growth in the city. ADA has 50 employees and partners with over 55 economic development partner organizations regularly.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm. The agency attracts new business, encourages the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locates new markets for Georgia products. It also markets Georgia to tourists and promotes the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects. For more information, visit www.Georgia.org.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Georgia Power has been involved in economic development for more than 80 years and has an international reputation for excellence in site selection services. The company has helped create almost 200,000 new jobs for Georgia over the past two decades, while bringing more than $20 billion in capital investment to the state.

Chairman’s Club

Development Strategies is a St. Louis-based consulting firm with a national practice providing economic and market research, strategic and land use planning, counseling, and appraisal services. Our fields of endeavor include real estate development, economic development, and community development.

Development Strategies’ mission is to help guide sound decision-making among corporate, institutional, and public sector clients. The foundation of our services is quality research and analysis. The depth and range of the collective knowledge and experience of the firm’s professional staff are of great value to its clients in achieving effective implementation of their visions, plans, and strategies.

ExecutivePulse Inc. provides consulting, training and database solutions for results-oriented business retention and expansion programs, including the largest programs in the United States and Canada. Company principals Laith Wardi, CEcD, and Del Birch have a combined 20 years of direct experience as business retention practitioners and consultants, helping local and regional clients establish systematic, sustainable retention programs. Clients include: the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Province of Ontario, the Washington D.C. Marketing Center, and the Greater Halifax (NS) Partnership.

NCDS is the nation’s leader in raising money for community and economic development organizations. Since 1977, we have raised over $1.5 billion in over 500 communities, nationwide. Our campaigns for economic development organizations have funded a variety of multi-year strategic initiatives, including public-private partnerships; marketing & new business attraction; industrial parks & buildings; business incubators; and many others. Our success and value is based on a strategic approach, a proven methodology, our team of skilled and experienced professionals, and an emphasis on return-on-investment. Our ability to understand and navigate community dynamics supports our philosophy that “it’s about more than just money.”

New Economy Strategies LLC (NES) is a national technology-based economic development consultancy focused on innovation capacity building within and across regions. Our process combines rigorous data collection and analysis with on-the-ground engagement of key stakeholders to foster the development and implementation of actionable plans. Engagement principles include:

• Generate New Understanding: collect data and conduct analysis to trigger action
• Accelerate Results: facilitate an inclusive stakeholder implementation process
• Focus The Future: focus leadership and resources on key critical steps to transform a region’s economic future

Resource Development Group (RDG) was established in 1995 for the sole purpose of providing experienced fund raising counsel specifically for economic development organizations. We have effectively created working partnerships with a variety of Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Corporations, Community Improvement Corporations and Regional Partnerships to help them successfully attain their programmatic and funding objectives. We have raised funds for operations, marketing and image enhancement, special advertising campaigns, industrial parks and buildings, incentive funds, workforce incubators and many other economic development related activities and programs. RDG specializes in custom-fit funding models and has helped our clients generate close to $500 million for economic development operations and special projects.

Diamond Sponsors

The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) is made up of more than 900 professionals from Georgia's chambers of commerce, development authorities, state agencies, universities, technical colleges, and industry partners. GEDA's mission is to provide and promote networking and professional development opportunities and to shape economic development public policy. Our Vision is to be the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing Georgia's economic vitality. GEDA hosts regular events that provide professional development and learning opportunities to the membership, as well as time for the membership to network and interact with each other.

Platinum Sponsors

AngelouEconomics is a recognized leader in technology-based economic development consulting, building globally competitive companies and communities. AE produces results-oriented strategies for clients seeking high impact investment and targeted, sustainable growth. One of the nation’s largest full-service economic development consulting firms, AE utilizes an innovative and integrated approach with a global perspective using both a site selectors’ and practitioners point of view for our client’s long-term economic success. Communities from rural to state and foreign governments have put their trust in our professionals for their economic development needs. For information on how we can develop successful solutions for you visit www.angeloueconomics.com.

With annual sales of more than $660 million, ESRI remains the world leader in the geographic information system (GIS) software industry. Our business involves the development and support of GIS software for all types of organizations--from the one-person office to multinational corporations to innovative Internet GIS solutions. www.esri.com

GIS Planning’s ZoomProspector software is an innovative and effective online economic development program using Internet-based geographic information systems (GIS). It features powerful tools necessary for effective site selection analysis. It provides essential information businesses need when considering a business expansion or relocation including user-defined property searches, site-specific demographic analysis, spatial business mapping and geographic advantages. ZoomProspector is successfully implemented in 28 states and is serving the majority of the 50 largest cities in the nation as well as small communities. It was featured in the Wall Street Journal and recognized by the US Department of Commerce.

The Greater Oklahoma City Partnership consists of all the entities in Greater Oklahoma City which employ full-time economic development professionals. The partners include cities, counties, utilities, chambers of commerce, state government and more. This 10-county region works together as a Partnership to market Greater Oklahoma City and to provide quality client services to not only increase leads and prospects but also improve conversion ratios of prospects to locates for the region.

TIP Strategies, Inc. (TIP) is an Austin-based consulting firm providing innovative solutions in economic development. Our areas of focus include: strategic planning, redevelopment, entrepreneurship and innovation, market analysis, target industry analysis, workforce analysis, and marketing Our approach -- Theory Into Practice -- has resulted in repeat business and new consulting engagements across the country. TIP has the tools, experience, and commitment to help identify, build support for, and implement high-profile projects.

Gold Sponsors

Under its core purpose of “Building Value with Values®,” Crowe Chizek and Company LLC provides innovative business solutions in the areas of assurance, benefit plan services, financial advisory, forensic services, performance services, risk consulting, and tax consulting. Crowe, a Crowe Group LLP entity, was founded in 1942. One of the top 10 public accounting and consulting firms in the United States, Crowe also serves clients worldwide as a leading independent member of the Horwath International global professional services organization. We invite you to find out why companies are turning to Crowe. For more information, visit us online at www.crowechizek.com.

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. is one of the largest law firms with approximately 800 lawyers in 30 offices and 14 countries around the world. We have represented many governments and private developers in all aspects of economic development and public-private partnership projects for almost 50 years. From conception through financing we offer creative and innovative structures. Our experience in this arena includes planning, financing and implementation of national, state and locally assisted projects designed to obtain new private development or renovation, create or preserve jobs and economic opportunities, eliminate blight, build or improve public facilities and infrastructure, and undertake land assembly by negotiation or eminent domain.

Silver Sponsors

Over forty economic development clients in twenty-three states have been transformed by the leadership and expertise of Atlas Advertising, formerly known as ccintellect llc. As a full-service advertising agency specializing in economic development, Atlas Advertising offers a complete, yet customized, set of services from branding and creative services, to website development, to GIS mapping applications and lead generation programs. And, Atlas’ programs consistently deliver results: increased inquiry levels, prospect activity and stakeholder engagement.

Development Counsellors International (DCI) is the leader in marketing places. Since 1960, we have worked with 300+ cities, regions, states and countries helping them attract both investors and visitors.

A location that’s good for business. An environment that’s good for people. Mesa del Sol is located on 20 square miles featuring 18 million sq ft of office and industrial space and located just minutes from Albuquerque’s airport and major highways. By combining a robust business environment, a highly educated and available work force, Mesa del Sol is creating a vibrant, artful, healthy place to work and live. In addition to Forest City Covington NM, LLC, Mesa del Sol is being developed with help from the University of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and the State of New Mexico. Visit www.mesadelsolNM.com.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations, providing consumer and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management; and global fund services.

Ryan is the leading tax services firm in North America, with the largest transaction tax practice in the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state, local, federal, and international tax advisory and consulting services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, credits and incentives, tax process improvement and automation, tax appeals, and strategic planning. With a multi-disciplinary team of more than 725 professionals and associates, Ryan serves many of the world's most prominent Fortune 1000 companies.

The central focus of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (OU/EDI) is to provide economic development professionals and those aspiring to the ED profession the tools, skills and knowledge to be successful economic developers and positively impact their communities. Founded in 1962, OU/EDI provides an aggressive three-session program of instruction and research. Accredited by the International Economic Development Council, OU/EDI is the only multi-year, professional level program of its type offered in the United States and Mexico. Graduates of OU/EDI will have met the education requirements to sit for the CEcD exam.

Bronze Sponsors

A&R Global Consulting specializes in international economic development by matching major projects in immerging economies with expertise and financial resources from North America and by helping companies from immerging economies to identify partnership and investment opportunities with companies in North America. We have worked with projects and companies in Asia, especially China, Eastern Europe and Africa. Our clients and contacts include major developer, investment banks, investment funds, international investment promotion agencies and North American economic development organizations.

Argus Growth Consultants, Ltd. is a multi-faceted company formed specifically to meet the needs of clients in the local economic development practice. Whether formulating and implementing a development policy or managing an existing economic development program, Argus has the tools to guide you from start to finish. Argus provides services through two divisions. Argus' Analytical Services Division assists local governments and developers with front-end and back-end services in connection with the implementation of economic development programs, including financial analysis and management services on TIF districts, community development authorities, and special improvement districts. Argus' Development Finance Division focuses on finding, analyzing and critically evaluating the multiple development funding sources available to its public and private clients. Please contact Price Finley for more information at pfinley@argus-growth.com or (614) 227-8897.

In six elegantly designed issues a year, The American focuses on the ideas and energy that drive business growth. A nonpartisan magazine rooted in free-market economics, it examines all aspects of globalization, trade, and finance, while spotlighting the intensely regional nature of business development. Beautifully written and intelligently argued, The American has been called “the secret weapon of our C-suite” influencing 55,000 leaders in the world of business, business education, government, and journalism. American.com brings the same fresh analysis of the world of business ideas to 300,000+ unique visitors each month and delivers a daily e-newsletter with innovative Web-only content.

CSX Transportation, Inc. is the largest railroad in the Eastern United States helping customers and communities grow through the most environmentally friendly and safest mode of transportation. Rail is green. Integrate rail into your logistics platform and give your community an advantage in the global economy.

The City of Dublin, County of Laurens Development Authority is a small staff and a body of volunteers that represent the professional and personal integrity of the community. Our mission is to attract and retain world-class companies in our area to create well-paying, quality jobs for the citizens of our community. The Development Authority’s success is a direct result from the cooperation we receive from the City of Dublin, the Laurens County Board of Commissioners, the State of Georgia, our Federal and State Delegations, and our utility partners such as Georgia Power, Georgia EMC, AT&T, and the City of Dublin Telecomm, Water, Sewer, and Natural Gas departments.

EMSI is a premiere provider of regional economic and workforce data and analysis. We have built our reputation on our ability to quickly tailor analysis to the specific needs of our clients. EMSI has also developed user-friendly web-based tools, economic impact studies, regional reports, and a responsive customer solutions department to meet your needs. We currently serve community colleges, workforce boards, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, universities, state agencies, non-profits, private companies, consultants, and the federal government.

Franklin Public Affairs is a government relations and public policy firm that provides personal attention with a straightforward approach. We manage your issues and political needs, and represent you where you need to be with credibility and integrity. Whether your need is monitoring legislation, addressing existing policy, creating new policy, navigating the complexities of government or creatively solving unusual problems, we are here to serve you. We serve you from our offices in Atlanta, Michigan, Sacramento, and Washington DC.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) was created in 1977 to serve as an advocate for local governments. As outlined in its mission statement, DCA seeks opportunities that support "partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses" DCA operates a host of state and federal grant programs; serves as the state's lead agency in housing finance and development; promulgates building codes to be adopted by local governments; provides comprehensive planning, technical and research assistance to local governments; and serves as the lead agency for the state's solid waste reduction efforts. For more information about DCA, please visit www.dca.state.ga.us.

The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute helps companies, entrepreneurs, economic developers and communities improve their competitiveness through the application of science, technology and innovation. The Enterprise Innovation Institute seeks to redefine the service role for universities and how they support local, state, regional and national economies. This effort is part of Georgia Tech's overall goal of defining the technological university of the 21st century. In the future, the ability to develop and apply innovation will drive the success of all types of enterprises. The Enterprise Innovation Institute will be a source of that innovation, drawing on the experience and expertise of Georgia Tech and affiliated organizations.

Shopping centers are America's marketplace, representing economic growth, environmental responsibility, and community strength. Founded in 1957, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its over 55,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and more than 75 other countries represent owners, developers, retailers, lenders, and other professionals as well as academics and public officials. For information about ICSC and the shopping center industry, please visit www.icsc.org.

Jorgenson Consulting is a leading national executive search firm exclusively serving community and economic development organizations. We specialize in the placement of executives for chambers of commerce, downtown partnerships, research parks and economic development organizations nationwide. Whether the scope of the search is local, regional or national we commit to identifying and recruiting the best qualified professionals. For more information, please visit www.jci-inc.net or call us at 866.564.3138. Joan Jorgenson, President and CEO Todd Jorgenson, Executive Vice President and COO.

In the early 1950s, Pattillo began building quality manufacturing and distribution facilities as a general contractor and industrial developer. Since that time, we have constructed more than 1,000 buildings which stand as solid evidence of our qualifications. Pattillo is a family owned firm that is committed to customer service. While design-build construction is our foundation, quality industrial development has become our trademark. Pattillo is the leading privately owned industrial developer in the Southeast. We own, manage, lease and maintain an inventory of over 20 million SF of industrial buildings. By specializing solely in industrial construction and standing firmly behind our product, Pattillo has built a reputation for fostering long-term relationships and satisfied customers.

Powell Goldstein LLP prides itself on its 99-year history and its long line of distinguished lawyers, many of whom have served as legislators, judges and justices and as general counsel for major corporations. Our lawyers serve clients in all aspects of business and personal legal matters and contribute to their communities through many civic organizations, charitable endeavors and public service legal organizations. Since its founding in 1909, the Firm has grown to approximately 250 lawyers and four offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, DC; Dallas, Texas; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Our lawyers offer a wide variety of services and represent corporations and organizations throughout the United States and the world.

Seyfarth Shaw is a full-service law firm with over 750 attorneys located throughout the United States including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Houston, California and Belgium. The firm provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, real estate, litigation and business services assisting companies and public bodies with financing and incentives of development and re-development projects, and bond financings. Our practice reflects virtually every industry and segment of the country's business and social fabric. Clients include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, including financial, health care and religious institutions, media, hotels, airlines, railroads, government and educational entities.

SEIDA – “Your Regional Source for Sites, Facilities, and Financing.” SEIDA represents 11 of the southeast region’s power distributors, along with the Tennessee Valley Authority. The SEIDA region encompasses the hills and valleys of 22 counties – 10 in southeast Tennessee, 10 in north Georgia and two in southwestern North Carolina. SEIDA provides a coordinated approach to the delivery of a range of services to assist businesses with locations, expansions, and helps with the identification of financing opportunities, infrastructure development, marketing, and demographic research. The SEIDA board and staff work closely with numerous economic development partners, governing authorities, and educational institutions to create a viable regional economy.

Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia is America’s first chartered state university. With 33,800 students, a work force of 9,600 and a $1.3 billion annual budget, UGA is Georgia’s largest and most comprehensive educational institution. Ranked among the nation’s Top 20 public universities by U.S. News and World Report, UGA spends more than $330 million annually on research and has the world’s only standalone school devoted to the study of ecology. This year UGA was the only public university to have two Rhodes Scholars and the only public university among only six schools with recipients of Rhodes, Truman and Goldwater scholarships.

Awards Sponsors

American City & County is designed to serve as a clearinghouse of information about issues of interest to local government leaders, both elected and appointed. Its focus is broad enough to encompass the concerns of the administrative officials who are charged with the making of policy and operational professionals who must implement that policy. Coverage areas include streets and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and disposal, water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, public safety, urban revitalization, public finance, parks and recreation, government technology and buildings and grounds maintenance.

AngelouEconomics is a recognized leader in technology-based economic development consulting, building globally competitive companies and communities. AE produces results-oriented strategies for clients seeking high impact investment and targeted, sustainable growth. One of the nation’s largest full-service economic development consulting firms, AE utilizes an innovative and integrated approach with a global perspective using both a site selectors’ and practitioners point of view for our client’s long-term economic success. Communities from rural to state and foreign governments have put their trust in our professionals for their economic development needs. For information on how we can develop successful solutions for you visit www.angeloueconomics.com.

ERA is an international consulting firm that provides economic and real estate development consulting services for the public sector, real estate industry, and entertainment industry. Since its founding in 1958, ERA has completed over 16,000 assignments for a diverse roster of public and private clients around the world. For public sector and economic development agencies, ERA specializes in economic development policy and planning with particular emphasis on neighborhood and corridor revitalization strategies, public/private financing analysis and deal structuring, economic development strategic planning, and real estate feasibility analysis. ERA has offices in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, San Diego and London.

Media Sponsors

Business Facilities offers an integrated suite of print, online, and in-person marketing venues.
• The only monthly publication in the field, Business Facilities magazine delivers a steady flow of editorial focused on readers’ strategic needs. News features; how-to articles; real estate updates; and state, local, and national reports prompt readers to contact advertisers for more information.
• Business Facilities LiveXchange is a unique event that connects economic development professionals with senior-level executives actively seeking new locations.
• New in 2008, Business Facilities Online Site Seekers’ Guide is an innovative mapping tool designed to promote your location’s strengths and create geographic awareness of your community.

Business Xpansion Journal delivers support tools 10 times a year to 22,000 companies actively looking to expand. We target executives responsible for researching, planning and implementing expansion and relocation projects. These decision- makers are C-level executives representing small to large companies; most are in the medium-size range. Our Editorial Advisory Board assists us in providing practical and timely editorial to prepare companies for the fine points involved in the site selection process. Regular editorial topics include state investment profiles, spotlights on various topics, annual focuses, and industry focuses highlighting industries such as alternative energy, automotive, life sciences, high tech and aerospace.

Global Corporate Xpansion provides in-depth national coverage five times a year in regard to the site selection process. Our how-to editorial approach provides decision-makers with practical insight into the issues involved in the process. A comprehensive resource directory appears in every issue to link decision-makers with economic development experts. A circulation base of 10,000 copies of each issue is delivered to trade shows, site consultants and vertical marketing manufacturers. Beginning in 2007, our coverage will include regional business climate profiles in each issue.

For more than 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has provided a forum for exchanging news, information and ideas on how to rebuild the hearts of our cities. Our resources include the print newsletters, Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter; a wide range of books and reports; and our free email newsletter, Downtown Digest. You may learn more about these resources for revitalization by visiting our website provided above.

Expansion Solutions is unlike other economic development publications. Comprised exclusively of active site location consultants and corporate real estate brokers, this magazine helps economic development organizations reach the most influential site location audience in the nation. The content of the magazine and website highlights expansion/relocation activity and trends in communities and industries worldwide. Every 2 months, Expansion Solutions is mailed to its circulation of 20,000 readers. To learn more about their proven strategy to generate exposure and response for economic developers involved in business recruitment, contact Bruce Newman at Bruce@ExpansionSolutionsMagazine.com or 800-663-8791, ext. 104.

Workforce Marketing Associates is a full service marketing firm, providing all the support you need from a fully designed and implemented strategic marketing plan to simple project-by-project support. In addition to strategic marketing planning, we provide graphic design, branding, e-communications, web site design and maintenance, event planning, and more. We specialize in providing these services to national, state, and local organizations; associations; non-profit, and community-based organizations; and others involved in workforce investment, education, and economic development.

Other Sponsors

IBM PLI-Global Location Strategies is the leading business location, site selection, and economic development practice of IBM Global Business Services, the world's largest management consulting organization. Consultants in multiple hubs throughout the world collaborate to provide innovation based strategy, analysis, global resourcing and implementation services across all industries to clients making expansion or relocation decisions involving headquarters, R&D, operations/customer contact/shared services centers, manufacturing, and other functions. The practice also advises economic development agencies on innovation-based strategic change, effectiveness, competitive positioning, business trends, benchmarking and marketing. Through IBM Global Location Strategies and IBM Workforce Development Solutions, IBM offers some of the most comprehensive transformational economic development services available. IBM’s Global Government organization is dedicated to providing innovative solutions to help solve government and society’s greatest challenges. With a broad portfolio of capabilities and products, IBM brings cutting-edge solutions and industry expertise, leveraging IBM Research and an extensive global reach.