The event is the largest telecommunications

and Internet trade show in the southeastern United States. The influx

of an estimated 30,000 visitors will be a job-retention boost for the

county's hospitality and tourism industry, which employs 130,000 persons.

Seventy percent of the metro

area's top lodging and attractions are in Fulton County.

Fulton is the site of technology

firms such as Antec, Alltel, BellSouth, E* Trade, Earthlink, Equifax and

Turner Broadcasting, which includes CNN. In May, the Economic Development

Department co-hosted a conference on biotech firms as a growth sector.

The Development Authority issues

taxable and tax-exempt bonds to help businesses and community institutions

expand, renovate and relocate here. The Economic Development Department

retains and recruits quality retail, residential, commercial and industrial

projects in the county.