Leadership Initiatives of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce

The recent announcement that Mercedes-Benz is relocating its U.S. Division headquarters to Sandy Springs is just the latest in a long list of companies discovering the many benefits of doing business in this thriving metro Atlanta city. Decision makers cite numerous factors for choosing Sandy Springs, including the community’s variety of housing options, proximity to regional interstates and the City of Atlanta, strong public and private schools and direct access to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport via MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid rail system. But, perhaps the number one reason businesses prosper in Sandy Springs is because of the support and leadership of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce (www.sandyspringsperimeterchamber.com). “The Chamber exists to attract, promote and sustain companies of all sizes doing business in our city,” says Chris Burnett, market president of Bank of Sandy Springs and chairman of the board of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber’s board members and committee chairs work very hard to develop and implement outstanding programs to support workforce and economic development, business education, community service and networking opportunities for members. We offer numerous programs throughout the year, including luncheons featuring prominent speakers, business after hours and coffee & chat networking events, a fall golf tournament and an annual awards gala. We also enjoy what I believe is an unusually cooperative relationship with city government, which enables us to work together to strengthen the competitiveness of the Sandy Springs business community and enhance economic prosperity of the area.” Tom Mahaffey, president of the Chamber, credits the leadership and passion of the organization’s board and members for the growth and success the Chamber enjoys. “We have an active and involved membership with an over 81 percent retention rate. Our members work together to provide opportunities for the business community as a whole to prosper, and we have forged strong public-private partnerships to address issues of interest to everyone, including developing transportation alternatives, enhancing public safety and maintaining our city’s exceptional quality of life. Many of our city’s premier corporations sponsor the Chamber’s initiatives and events, while business executives give their time and expertise as members of our board and committee chairs. I think one reason so many companies are moving to Sandy Springs is because their relocation teams are favorably impressed by our business community’s level of involvement and commitment to the city,” says Mahaffey. Sandy Springs became an incorporated city in 2005. “Since the city is new, the business community has had an unprecedented opportunity to offer input into the economic policies of the municipality,” says Jim Comerford, managing director of Proscenium Capital and chairman of the Chamber’s Economic Development committee. “Mayor Rusty Paul is a former Chairman of the Board of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, which not only means he is pro-business, but also he has made sure city and Chamber leadership work together in close cooperation.” With over 9,000 business licenses domiciled in Sandy Springs, workforce development is a key issue. “Since the Chamber opened its doors in 2008, we’ve looked at what we, as leaders, can do to help students prepare for and succeed in today’s business world,” says Carolyn Axt, executive director of Leadership Sandy Springs and chairman of the Chamber’s Workforce Development committee. “We work closely with our members to determine what they need in terms of workforce education and training. Then, we work with our local public and private schools to encourage educational offerings to meet that need. We created the ‘Principal for a Day’ program to bring executives into the schools, and this year we are launching ‘Executive for a Day’ so principals can spend time in some of our local companies. These programs, along with mentoring, Junior Achievement and supporting in-school Career Exploration programs, greatly strengthen the corporate-education partnership.” To provide value to all of its members, the Chamber’s leadership works hard to create programs of benefit to various constituencies within the membership. For example, Karen Trylovich, CEO of A Classical Affair, heads both the Women’s Business Network and the Restaurant Council. “The Women’s Business Network provides a forum for women to network and grow professionally,” says Trylovich. “We put on a variety of events including programs with speakers. We also support The Drake House, a local non-profit that provides interim housing for homeless women and children, through an annual fashion show. The Restaurant Council promotes Sandy Springs as a dining destination and produces city-wide events that encourage people from all over metro Atlanta to visit one or more of our wonderful local restaurants.” Chamber leadership also pays special attention to the needs of small businesses. Susan Riley-Hayes, private wealth advisor with Highpointe Wealth Advisors, is re-energizing the Chamber’s Small Business Council to capture feedback from local small businesses to learn what they need and want. “Our committee is dedicated to finding creative ways for small companies to connect with one another and with the area’s larger businesses,” says Riley-Hayes, committee chair. “We put together CEO Roundtables where ideas and issues can be shared and discussed, educational workshops for professionals of all experience levels and networking opportunities to help spark the synergy that comes from large and small businesses working together. We’re also building awareness of the resources that are already in place to support the small business community.” Kathryn Seabolt, attorney, Kathryn Seabolt P.C., and chair of the Membership committee, believes a strong membership base is key to successfully implementing the various Chamber initiatives. “Any membership-based organization must have an ongoing, deliberate recruitment program to infuse the organization with new ideas and energy. Our members join the Chamber to foster personalized business connections and referrals and to be recognized and valued for their contributions to our city. Members are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and take advantage of leadership opportunities. We want to invite new business participation and provide all of our members with the tools they need for business success and personal growth.” “At the end of the day, it’s all about supporting the businesses of Sandy Springs,” says Burnett. “The programs of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce are targeted to facilitate the success of businesses of all sizes, to educate and develop a skilled workforce, to protect and enhance the wonderful quality of life we enjoy here and support city initiatives like public safety and transportation alternatives. We believe that a strong business community is the catalyst for a strong city, to the benefit of us all.”