Author: Admin

Each year, Rainbow Village hosts a black-tie optional affair at Atlanta Athletic Club that includes a champagne reception and seated dinner with complimentary wine, silent and live auctions, its famed wine wall, and a raffle. Well-known among its supporters as the “We Are Family” Benefit Gala, this year’s event will take place Saturday, September 7, with festivities to kick off at 6 p.m. So much more than a fundraiser for the nonprofit that brings Help, Hope, Housing, and Healing to families experiencing homelessness, the Gala serves as a celebration of the strides made over the previous year and the promise of what’s to come. Presented by Northside Hospital, as the 2024 event nears, Rainbow Village has issued a last call for corporate and individual sponsors. It has also opened sales for individual tickets and tables of ten. In the weeks leading up to the Gala, the nonprofit will also open sales for its yearly raffle – the lucky winner of which will enjoy a 4 Day/3 Night stay for up to four guests in a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom suite at the Millennium Resort and Spa in the Dominican Republic.

“At the heart of the Gala, we will share the mission of Rainbow Village and the impact it has had on families experiencing homelessness for the last 33 years,” said Melanie Conner, the nonprofit’s CEO. “It is deeply meaningful and absolutely imperative to bring help, hope, housing, and healing to families who need it most. In return, we get front-row seats to watch their rise. While the Gala is a celebration, it’s also an opportunity for our supporters – both tried-and-true and brand-new – to gain a deeper understanding of what we do, why we do it, and why so many have come forward to champion our cause – whether as a volunteer, donor, sponsor, corporate partner, faith partner, or prayer warrior. The
whole evening will be a mix of shared laughter and tears – all in the spirit of unity, which is why the name ‘We Are Family’ rings so true.”

Tickets, tables, raffle tickets, silent auction items, and both ticketed and non-ticketed sponsorships for the 2024 Rainbow Village “We Are Family” Benefit Gala can be purchased online through the Rainbow Village website at www.RainbowVillage.org.

Building on this momentum, 2024 is poised to set new records, with Americans traveling abroad in unprecedented numbers: in the first half of 2024, international travel saw a 10% increase over 2023 levels. This consistent growth underscores the strong rebound in international travel as travelers regain confidence.

Methodology:

Using the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Survey of International Air Travelers Program, researchers calculated outbound air travel conducted by U.S. residents to overseas destinations (not including Mexico or Canada), then ranked states accordingly.

Results:

• In 2023, U.S. travelers showed a strong preference for destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. The United Kingdom emerged as the top-visited destination, attracting over 5.1 million American tourists.

• In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were the leading destinations, drawing 3.5 million and 2.0 million American tourists, respectively. These destinations are particularly popular among residents from Florida, New York, and the Southeastern U.S.

• Nationally, there were 146 overseas trips per 1,000 Americans in 2023, translating to an average of one international trip every six to seven years for each American. However, residents of certain locations travel abroad far more frequently.

Georgia:

• Residents of Georgia took a total of 1,861,000 overseas trips in 2023.

• Compared to pre-pandemic levels, this represents an increase of 43.3%.

• Per 1,000 residents, Georgia recorded 170.5 overseas trips last year—the 9th most of any U.S. state.

For the full report: www.dailydrop.com

New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half reveals a complex picture when it comes to worker productivity. While most managers report that their teams have become more productive, employees are logging more hours than they did a year ago. This trend raises potential concerns about employee burnout, morale and turnover.

The survey of more than 2,500 U.S. hiring managers and more than 2,500 U.S. workers highlights four key trends shaping employee output:

1. Worker productivity is up. Nearly 7 in 10 hiring managers (68%) report an increase in employee productivity compared to one year ago. They say improved management practices (33%), enhanced staff training (31%), and the adoption of new technologies (29%) are contributing to greater output from their teams.

2. AI plays a part.  More than one-third of workers (36%) report improved efficiency due to emerging technologies such as generative AI. These tools help with laborious tasks and free up time for other projects.

3. Flexibility fuels focus. When asked about incentives that would boost engagement and productivity, workers identified hybrid work options (54%), windowed work options (46%) and a compressed weekly work schedule (20%).

4. Workers are putting in more hours. More than one-third of workers (36%) said they are logging more hours compared to the previous year. View a breakdown by generation, city, and specialization.

“The correlation between increased productivity and longer work hours is a complex issue that requires careful attention,” said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. “While advances in technology and enhanced processes have allowed for improved efficiencies, it’s critical to monitor employee well-being and burnout. Flexibility goes beyond work schedules. Hiring contract professionals to help with projects during busy seasons offers a flexible staffing solution that can help optimize productivity, boost employee morale and support retention.”

Georgia District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration Terri Denison talks about the new 7(a) Working Capital Pilot program and how it will help small businesses in Georgia.

Welcome to Cities Connect, where we discuss issues that matter. In this episode, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and Ron Holmes of Arglass discuss a recent statewide glass recycling contest for schools that they sponsored.

Teaming up with his colleague Commissioner Jason Shaw, Commissioner Echols raised funds for cash prizes, secured recycling bins, and arranged transportation from each school to a holding location and then to Valdosta to the Arglass glass furnace for recycling. Commissioner Echols will share insights and lessons learned from the initiative and discuss how it might be scaled up across the state in collaboration with Georgia’s cities. Ron Holmes, the recipient of the glass, will provide an overview of Arglass’s history, the importance of glass recycling, and Arglass sustainability concentrating on glass recycling.