Loading...Guests Visited Three Regions During 2006 Red Carpet Tour®
Participating Georgia communities rolled out the red carpet for 44 corporate decision makers from around the world April 5-8 on the 47th Annual Red Carpet Tour® of Georgia. This year, the Tour visited the Atlanta, Valdosta and Augusta regions.
Exemplifying Georgia’s strong public-private economic development partnerships, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Allies and the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce partner each year to host the Red Carpet Tour®, which allows business leaders to experience firsthand what differentiates Georgia from other states in both the Southeast and in the U.S. The Tour strives to strengthen relationships previously formed and build new relationships while showcasing Georgia as a great place to do business.
For the past 46 years, the Red Carpet Tour® has visited every corner of the state more than once, and benefits have been felt across Georgia. Just since 1988, guests on the Tour have announced more than $3.5 billion in new or expanded business investments in the state while creating approximately 30,000 new jobs for Georgians.
The Red Carpet Tour® began with a Welcome Reception at the Tour’s host hotel; The Four Seasons, Atlanta; followed by dinner with Governor and Mrs. Sonny Perdue at the Governor's Mansion in Atlanta.
The group traveled to Augusta aboard Red Carpet One, a chartered Delta Air Lines jet, on Thursday, April 6, and Saturday, April 8, to view the first and third rounds of The Masters®, golf’s most storied major championship. Guests were able to relax throughout both days at the Red Carpet Tour® hospitality tent on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
On Friday morning, April 7, Tour guests and hosts flew to Valdosta. Local volunteers and Moody Air Force Base officers greeted the group at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Convention and Conference Center. Mayor John Fretti welcomed guests at a reception, where they also heard a brief testimony from Mara Letica with the Letica Corporation.
Guests then visited Valdosta and enjoyed a luncheon and entertainment at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. After a warm, South Georgia send-off, the group flew back to Atlanta for the Atlanta Regional reception and dinner at Atlantic Station.
State Hosts from businesses across Georgia traveled with the contingent, serving as liaisons and teaching Tour participants about Georgia. Charlie Gatlin, chief of staff for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, served as the 2006 Red Carpet Tour® State Host Chair. Lisa Borders, Senior Vice President, Cousins Properties Incorporated, and Atlanta City Council President, served as chair of the Atlanta Regional program. Steven Kendrick with Augusta Blueprint/Creative Colors and Phil Wahl, Senior Vice President and Market President with Bank of America, were co-chairs of the Augusta Region. Marshall Conner, Assistant to South Region Vice President with Georgia Power Company, served as chair of the South Georgia-Valdosta Regional program.
Georgia Chamber President and CEO, George Israel, says “The Red Carpet Tour® highlights the best of what Georgia has to offer, and 2006 was no exception."
For more information, contact Sara Moss at (404) 223-2273 or e-mail smoss@gachamber.com.
