Movers and shakers to learn about ‘southern crescent’ growth
More than 600 movers and shakers are expected to attend the largest development conference in south metro Atlanta in February and share information on growth in the “southern crescent,” which includes Fayette, Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Henry, South Fulton and Spalding counties, as well as the city of Atlanta.
“It’s All About the South” is the theme of the 13th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference set for Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.
The conference serves as a conduit for the gathering of industry experts, corporate executives, government leaders and elected officials interested in smart growth of the region. With the location of Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville, conference planners recognize the film industry has put down serious roots in the south metro area and have set up a general conference session about the region’s booming film ties.
The panel discussion features discussion on how sites are selected, the kind of jobs created, and local economies boosted by the entertainment industry. Georgia ranks third in the United States for feature film production and the industry has created thousands of new jobs.
The panel will be moderated by Lee Thomas, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office. She will be joined by Barton Bond, director of the Clayton State University Film and Digital Media Center; Vince Williams, mayor of Union City; Brian Hooker, executive director of McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA); Scott Tigchelaar, president of Senoia Enterprises; and Jim Pace, principal of Group VI (Pinewood Studios).
A featured speaker at the conference will be nationally acclaimed economist Roger Tutterow, who will give his 2015 Economic Forecast. Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Executive Director Doug Hooker will present information on recent economic and development successes in the south metro area and other speakers will highlight growth in the warehouse and distribution sector, and the healthcare industry.
The possibility of new transportation legislation from the state will be discussed with an emphasis on how it may trickle down to the local level resulting in enhanced transportation for the region. The new MARTA/Clayton County partnership will be featured as well.
And the closing session will feature the south side’s economic engine, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Hartsfield-Jackson Aviation Manager Miguel Southwell will present discuss upcoming projects planned for the airport including Aerotropolis, the 24-Hour Airport City.
Southwell will be introduced by Joseph Folz, vice president, general counsel and secretary of Porsche Cars North America, who also serves as chairman of the Aerotropolis Airport Alliance. Admission is $65 for advance registration and $70 on the day of conference. To register, visit www.SMDOCONFERENCE.com or call 404-684-7031.
