Author: Admin

The ATL Airport Chamber is thrilled to announce the success of its 3rd Annual “Stuff the Plane: School Supply Drive and Distribution,” held at the iconic Delta Flight Museum. The event, which took place on August 7, 2024, provided over 250 students from the Metro-Atlanta area with essential school supplies and an unforgettable experience. 

The “Stuff the Plane” initiative is more than just a school supply drive; it is a testament to the Chamber’s unwavering commitment to empowering youth and fostering educational success within the community. By equipping students with the tools they need for the upcoming school year, the Chamber aims to set the stage for academic achievement and personal growth.

“We are incredibly proud of this year’s event,” said Carmenlita Scott, CEO and President of The ATL Airport Chamber. “Seeing the joy on the faces of these students as they received their book bags and toured the Delta Flight Museum was truly heartwarming. It is events like these that underscore our dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of young people.”

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Chamber’s exceptional leadership team, including Natasha Bowles, in partnership with the Delta leadership team and several government representatives. Special recognition is due to Representative Eric Bell II, who shared his wealth of knowledge on aviation careers with the students, leaving a lasting impact on their aspirations.

The ATL Airport Chamber extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated, volunteered, and supported this initiative. Your contributions are helping to pave the way for a brighter future for the youth in our community.

As we celebrate the success of “Stuff the Plane,” we look forward to continuing our impactful work through future initiatives that support education and community empowerment.

For more information about The ATL Airport Chamber and upcoming events, please visit airportchamber.com or follow us on social media.

Contact Information

• Address: 600 S. Central Avenue, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30354

• Phone: (404) 209-0910

• Email: cscott@airportchamber.com 

• Website: airportchamber.com

Social Media

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATLAirportChamber

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atl-airport-chamber

• Twitter: https://x.com/airport_chamber

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlairportchamber?igsh=ZjVqNXhuaDRzZDB2

Hashtags: #StuffThePlane #SchoolSupplyDrive #ATLAirportChamber #DeltaFlightMuseum #CommunitySupport #EducationMatters #BackToSchool

A newly published research report jointly completed by Incisiv, Verizon and Ericsson found supply chain disruptions and labor challenges are driving distribution operations to manage throughput more efficiently to remain competitive. The release of the 2024 State of Smart Distribution Study: The Age of Efficiency and Resilience reveals how retail, manufacturing and logistics companies plan to improve operational efficiency and employee productivity by leveraging innovative technologies.

Key findings include:

• Companies seek higher throughput at a lower incremental cost: The majority (78%) of companies surveyed rate managing operational costs as a top investment driver. Companies report lower satisfaction with complex, labor-intensive operational processes like order fulfillment (67%), and shipping and material handling (both 66%), which represent potential areas for process improvement and automation.
  
  
• Managing the workforce is a top priority: 86% of companies cite labor shortages and workforce management as significant challenges. Key issues include recruiting skilled workers (85%), competitive compensation (75%) and employee turnover (70%).
  
  
• Proven technologies earn strong demand: 81% of companies have or plan to deploy mobile devices by 2026 to improve productivity. Companies also plan to invest in RFID or Internet of Things inventory tracking (49%), robotics for picking and packing (45%) and camera vision for quality control, packing and returns (37%). While 84% of companies say AI will be a necessity to compete in the future, only 10% have a common understanding of AI across the enterprise.
  
  
• Enabling new operating capabilities requires upgrading the network infrastructure: 65% of companies say their current network cannot support their needs for the next 24 months. Also, 61% of companies are dissatisfied with the reliability of their in-facility network or connectivity.

“These results show how distribution operations have shifted toward increasing productivity to satisfy online shoppers’ evolving needs,” said Gaurav Pant, Chief Insights Officer, Incisiv. “Companies that empower their people with proven technologies and invest in infrastructure upgrades will gain a competitive advantage.”

“Recognizing the imperative to optimize operational efficiency, distribution organizations are accelerating the transition to next-generation distribution centers,” said Michael Weller, Practice Leader, Manufacturing, Energy and Utilities, Verizon Business. “The adoption of bandwidth-intensive, innovative technologies requires a reliable and secure connection that works across the entire enterprise facility.”

“This joint study reveals that operations and IT executives are facing challenges like unforeseen demands, labor shortages, and supply chain issues,” said Sandra Cutrona, Vice President and Head of Business Development for Customer Unit Verizon, Ericsson North America. “At Ericsson, we believe that connectivity is crucial. Our customers benefit from our solutions. We offer seamless, speedy and secure communication that high-performing neutral host 5G private networks can provide.”

To learn more, download the full results of the report 2024 State of Smart Distribution Study: The Age of Efficiency and Resilience. 

Dinova Inc., the authority in business dining, anticipates a continued surge in corporate dining activity after a recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) announcement that overall business travel spend is expected to reach a record $1.48 trillion in 2024. Business travelers are projected to spend $245 billion on food and beverage, the second-largest travel expense category.

Meanwhile, consumer dining spend has plateaued. Technomic, the leader in foodservice insights, reported negative average YOY growth for full-service (-1.5%) and limited-service (-1%) restaurants. In the Vericast 2024 Restaurant TrendWatch Survey, 68% of respondents said they are opting for grocery store food over restaurant meals to avoid rising costs.

“The record growth in business travel and dining spend is welcome news for restaurants when consumer sales and attitudes look bleak,” said Dinova CEO Alison Quinn. “As consumer traffic and spending continue to dampen, the business travel and dining boom offers a new avenue for growth.”

The spike in corporate travel spend is the latest in a string of promising business dining trends:

• Corporate catering has become the largest source of revenue for catering companies, with spend projected to soar to $103 billion by 2027.

• Catering purchases (over $250) now comprise over a third of business dining transactions, according to Dinova’s corporate cardholder data and analysis in Dinova’s latest State of Business Dining Report).

• U.S. corporate travelers spend an average of $700 out-of-pocket per trip, with 63% of that money used towards dining.

• Large events and conferences, a major business dining and catering driver, are back in full force, reaching 90% of pre-pandemic levels in major markets.

“Business dining needs are diverse, from quick fast food stops to sophisticated client dinners, meeting catering, and culture building,” said Quinn. “Millions of employees in our corporate dining program turn to our restaurant partners for all these occasions.”

“Restaurants in the Dinova dining program can tap into a dedicated and consistent base of business diners and gain a significant revenue opportunity in the face of weakening consumer sales.”

Dinova is the business dining solution that delivers spend visibility and savings for companies while also driving growth for restaurants. Learn more at www.Dinova.com.

CloudZero, the globally trusted leader in proactive cloud cost efficiency, today released the findings of its research report, “How Cloud Efficient Are Software Companies In 2024?” From interviewing hundreds of cloud operations and finance professionals, the survey found that most SaaS companies lack maturity when it comes to cloud cost management (CCM). That lack of maturity leads to increased costs and reduced profit margins. The report is available for download here. Additionally, CloudZero is launching the first-of-its-kind cloud cost benchmarking tool to help SaaS companies understand how efficient they are compared to their peers.

Cloud spending is expected to hit $675 billion this year, according to Gartner, and increased AI adoption will drive spending even higher. Although organizations continue to ramp up cloud spending, they’re not getting more cloud efficient. What’s missing is a solid understanding of how those costs tie back to business outcomes.

Key findings from CloudZero’s report include:

• Most companies don’t proactively manage cloud costs — just 39% of companies have implemented formalized CCM programs.

• 73% of companies report that cloud service provider costs represent at least 20% of their total cost of goods sold (COGS), and 28% report cloud costs accounting for more than half of their COGS.

• For nine out of 10 companies, at least 10% of their costs can’t be traced to the correct sources.

A lack of formalized CCM programs also means companies aren’t making the most of the advanced, powerful CCM approaches now available — including complete or near-complete cost allocation (just 9% say they’re using this), cloud cost chargeback (under half), and software code optimization (just 28%).

Additionally, organizations have struggled to calculate overall cloud cost efficiency, complicated by a lack of an industry-wide benchmark for this measure. CloudZero’s new Cloud Efficiency Rate (CER) is the industry’s first unifying benchmark for cloud efficiency for SaaS businesses. This report shows that top-quartile CER is 92% — meaning that only $0.08 of every dollar of revenue goes to cloud service provider(s). The finding underscores the positive financial impact CCM can have.

Phil Pergola, CEO of CloudZero, said, “For SaaS companies, the cloud is typically a top-three budget line item — yet most don’t have rigorous processes for managing their cloud efficiency or understanding the relationship to their unit economics at any level of granularity. Without it, they’re leaving a substantial amount of gross profit on the table. By better understanding and managing their Cloud Efficiency Rate, cloud-native organizations can improve their profitability — impacting both the top and bottom line.”

Trevelino/Keller, a nationally ranked Growth PR+Mkt agency, announced today its partnership with RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors (RAFTRx), a top-rated roofing and outdoor exterior solutions provider specializing in the insurance-claim sector. Trevelino/Keller supports RAFTRx with growth marketing, PR, web development and creative services. 

Every day, RAFTRx and its portfolio of highly regarded, multi-regional brands are improving neighborhoods and communities through a network of trained, certified craftsmen living and working in the communities they serve. They bring home and commercial owners peace of mind by guiding them through the fractured insurance process while providing quality roofing construction, replacement and repairs. Their platform enables local brands to operate at scale by providing them with the means to source resources at a national level.

“There’s no shortage of roofing companies out there,” explains Gyner Ozgul, CEO at RAFTRx. “But there is a shortage of quality roofing experiences. Our solution accounts for quality craftsmanship and exceptional service to give customers a superior roofing experience. We’ve partnered with Trevelino/Keller to help bring consistency across our portfolio of brands and spread awareness of our best-in-class offerings.” 

As a company, Trevelino/Keller brings more than 20 years of brand reputation, media strategy, growth marketing and creative services to its partnership with RAFTRx. 

“RAFTRx is a quickly emerging brand with a big strategy to build a national organization from the local market up, all designed to address a fragmented market that struggles to serve the residential and commercial markets,” says Dean Trevelino, Co-CEO at Trevelino/Keller. “It’s a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to be able to leverage our breadth of integrated capabilities and experience in home and commercial.”

At the close of the first half of 2024, the U.S. had 375.7 million square feet of industrial space under construction. Notably, the amount under construction nationally has dropped by almost 19% compared to the start of the year, when 463 million square feet were under construction, and by 45% compared to January 2023.

Using CommercialEdge data on industrial property completions and assets under construction, we looked at the markets with the largest industrial real estate pipelines as of July 2024, the largest properties scheduled for a completion in the second half of the year, and the largest properties built so far in 2024. 

Here are some local highlights:

• Atlanta’s industrial pipeline currently encompasses 10.9 million square feet of space, marking a 66.7% increase since January 2024.

• The current projects under development in Atlanta will expand the market’s inventory by 1.9%, recording the 20th-largest industrial expansion among the markets on the list.

• The largest industrial completion in the first half of 2024 in Atlanta was the Speedway Commerce Center – Building 6, at 1.4 million square feet.

At the national level:

• Topping the list of most new industrial supply nationally was Phoenix, with 39 million square feet of industrial space under construction.

• The Savannah market is set to register the largest industrial expansion, with a projected increase of 18.8% compared to the current inventory once completed. 

Find more details and our complete methodology visit www.commercialsearch.com

From left: Doug Hooker, Ramsey Cohen, Tobias Peter, Maribeth Feke, Mayor Knox White, Ann Hanlon,
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Michael Paris

On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Council for Quality Growth hosted more than 400 attendees at City Springs for its 4^th annualThe INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference. This event is product of the Quality Growth Institute, the education arm of the Council. The INTERSECTION convened public policy and private business leaders from across the region to discuss critical issues facing metro Atlanta. The theme of the 2024 event was “Building a Strong Foundation: Where Housing & Infrastructure Meet,” which continued much of the conversation on increased housing options and affordability from the 2023 event. The Council positioned housing as a form of critical infrastructure to the region. 15 expert speakers filled a four-part program with in-depth discussions around these two topics, bringing both national ideas and local perspectives to the table. Doug Hooker, former Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, served as the master of ceremonies. 

Attendees were Council for Quality Growth members and businesses representing various sectors of development, including real estate, infrastructure, economic development, government, and community organizations. Over 100 elected officials from the region’s 89 local governments were in the crowd at City Springs. The Council works at the intersection of public policy and private investment, and The INTERSECTION Conference brings these two sides together to discuss common challenges and uncover new solutions. In the effort to advance the mission of the Council for Quality Growth and the Quality Growth Institute, this event provides an educational platform for private business and local governments to learn from one another, share ideas, and foster strategic partnerships that move our region forward.

Mayor Knox White of the City of Greenville, South Carolina delivered the keynote address to begin the day. He shared the success story of Greenville, and how intentional planning and deliberate partnerships made it the city that it is today. In his 29 years as Mayor of Greenville, White says he prioritized residential development in the core of his downtown, walkability, and greenspace. This, along with capitalizing on the city’s natural landmark, shows firsthand how proper public sector investment in infrastructure leads to private investment and transformational economic growth.

A local mayoral panel followed the keynote, featuring Mayor Beverly Burks of the City of Clarkston, Mayor Rusty Paul of the City of Sandy Springs, and Mayor Vince Williams of Union City. Despite being very different in geography, demographics, size, and resources, all three of these metro Atlanta communities endure similar pain points growth. Kyle Wingfield, President & CEO of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation moderated this discussion on building cities for capacity.

Part two explored innovation in housing, both policy and products. Tobias Peter, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute and national housing policy expert, delivered a data driven presentation on adding market rate housing. With statistics and case studies across the U.S., Peter outlined the “Housing Abundance Success Sequence” of ways local communities can increase their housing supply.  Ramsey Cohen, VP of National Sales at Clayton and national manufactured housing expert, then presented an innovative housing product that’s right here in the City of Atlanta. The CrossMod® home is 70% factory-built and is delivered to and finished on a foundation. It is a cheaper and faster way to build single-family housing, and it is completely indistinguishable from a traditional site-build. Clayton focuses on housing products that increase attainability and home ownership in communities. Two Clayton CrossMod® homes exist in the City of Atlanta, one of which is currently on the market.

Part three focused on this intersection between housing and infrastructure with a case study on the 2 Peachtree office conversion project downtown. Egbert Perry, Chairman & CEO of The Integral Group, gave an overview of the ambitious development, the infrastructure challenges that come with office-to-residential conversion, and the impact it will have on the community it will serve. He shared renderings of what he plans to build where the 41-story office tower sits vacant today, and he encouraged the audience to consider the underutilized office space in their own community. “Everyone has their own 2 Peachtree,” Perry said. 

The Atlanta Regional Commission also gave an update on regional initiatives around housing and infrastructure. Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell, who currently serves as Vice Chair of the ARC, spoke on the concept of regionalism before inviting Anna Roach, Executive Director, to join him on stage. “Think about the biggest issues facing our region today,” said Caldwell. “Transportation, climate and resilience, economic development, water resources…These challenges aren’t isolated to any one city or county. They affect all of us. As such, they require a collaborative, regional approach.”  Roach discussed the specific ways that ARC is facilitating these collaborations to secure funding for major housing and infrastructure projects across the Atlanta region. 

Part four concluded the half-day agenda with content focused on transit expansion. First, Maribeth Feke, Director of Programming & Planning for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, shared her own bus rapid transit (BRT) success story. Cleveland’s HealthLine BRT has been operational for nearly 15 years and has seen more than $9.5 billion in investment as a result. An entertainment district and business incubator have appeared on the BRT route, along with revived education and healthcare campuses. The bus looks and rides like heavy rail but was much cheaper and faster to implement. Feke says one of the greatest advantages to BRT is its adaptability.

Feke’s story was presented as a pretext to the final piece of content. Gwinnett and Cobb counties both have transit expansion programs on the ballot this November that include a major element of BRT. Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Gwinnett Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson sat down with Ann Hanlon, Executive Director of the Perimeter CIDs and 2019 Chair of the Council for Quality Growth, to discuss their transit plans and the significance of connecting the region in this way. Both Cobb and Gwinnett have proposed a mix of BRT, increased county ride bus service, county-wide micro-transit, added transit and transfer facilities, and technological advancements to improve the existing routes. The Council strives to educate our region to better understand these programs and the importance of regional connectivity. More information about the Cobb Mobility SPLOST and Gwinnett Transit SPLOST can be found at CouncilforQualityGrowth.org/TRANSPORTATION. 

This is the 4^th year the Council has hosted The INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference to educate the region on critical development issues. “The INTERSECTION is a perfect example of the Council’s commitment to fostering collaboration among private and public sectors in the Atlanta region,” said Sally Riker, 2024 Char of the Council for Quality Growth. “By convening these experts and sharing ideas, we find tangible solutions to the unique challenges in our communities and set our future generations up for success.”

A full recording of the event will be made available for re-watch in the coming days at www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org/INTERSECTION.

The Georgia gas price average dropped at the pumps compared to a week ago. Georgians are paying an average price of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline (subject to change overnight). Monday’s state average is 5 cents less than a week ago,16 cents less than a month ago, and 41 cents less than this time last year. It costs drivers an average price of $48.45 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. Georgians are paying almost $3.00 less to fill up at the pump compared to a month ago.

“Students have returned to schools across Georgia, and parents find themselves constantly on the move, with their gas tanks depleting faster than normal, so it was a welcome relief over the weekend when fuel prices dipped at the pumps as if to celebrate the season of back-to-school,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Modest crude oil prices and minimal demand keep the cost of gas at an idyllic low.”

AAA continues to encourage drivers to take advantage of the money-saving gas tips listed below.

Nationally:

Gas Prices Fall as Summer Vacations Wind Down

Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline decreased by 3 cents to $3.44 (subject to change overnight). 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand fell from 9.25 million barrels a day to 8.96 last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 223.8 to 225.1 million barrels. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10.0 million barrels per day. Crude oil production hit an all-time high of 13.4 million barrels per day. Lower gasoline demand, rising supply, and stable oil costs may lead to additional sliding pump prices.

Regional Prices:

The most expensive Georgia metro markets – are Savannah ($3.33), Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($3.26), and Atlanta ($3.25).

The least expensive Georgia metro markets – are Augusta-Aiken ($3.12), Dalton ($3.07), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($3.03).

Current and Past Price Averages (Regular Unleaded Gasoline) 

Money-Saving Tips for Drivers

• Shop around for gas prices. Drivers can check area gas prices on the Fuel Price Finder.
• Consider paying in cash vs. a credit card. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
• Enroll in fuel savings programs.

Fuel-Saving Tips for Drivers

• Maintain your vehicle to ensure the best fuel economy. Find a trusted automotive facility at AAA.com/Auto Repair.
• Combine errands to limit driving time.
• Slow down. Fuel economy diminishes significantly at highway speeds above 50 mph. Drive conservatively and avoid aggressive driving. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduce fuel economy.

Traffic Safety Tip: AAA-The Auto Club Group “Move Over For Me” Campaign

“Drivers, if you see a disabled vehicle on the roadside while traveling, be courteous and Move Over,” said Waiters. “Remember the person who broke down could be you, a friend, a family member, a coworker, or a neighbor. Move Over for the safety of others and because it is the right thing to do!”