More than 900 business and community leaders from across the region gathered in Downtown Atlanta for the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s 165th Annual Meeting. Reflecting on the collaboration that drives metro Atlanta forward, the program and the films shared on the stage underscored MAC’s three strategic priorities of Economy, Talent and Community.
With its focus on Community, in 2024 MAC launched Downtown Reimagined. This initiative coordinates Downtown Atlanta’s transformation into a neighborhood that supports a world-class entertainment scene, a vibrant living environment and a bustling business community.
Recent investments in Downtown Atlanta total $1.1 billion. More than 15 new projects are expected to be supported by $7.3 billion in public and private funding, contributing to a total of $8.4 billion in investment anticipated for Downtown Atlanta.
Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, also addressed the challenges facing the neighborhood. “Downtown Atlanta will see $8.4 billion of investment in the coming years: we have entered an incredible period of positive change. But in order to secure a vibrant future for the community, addressing our unsheltered population needs to be a priority for all of us,” she said. “This is an incredibly complex issue that requires empathy, coordination, persistence – and change – to drive sustainable impact.”
The organization’s 2023’s focus on Talent is paying dividends for the metro Atlanta business community, with new programs coming online including the Georgia Intern App, Connect to Work–GA, and Georgia Credential Library. The ATL Talent Collaborative convenes 34 companies employing 4 million people worldwide working alongside education and community partners to coordinate five talent pipelines: software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, frontline warehousing, and skilled trades.
In 2025, under the leadership of incoming Board Chair Ryan Marshall, President & CEO of PulteGroup, the Chamber will adopt Economy as a top priority. “Metro Atlanta is built for business. It’s one of the reasons PulteGroup relocated here a decade ago. As a long-time board member, I can say that the Chamber has made incredible strides as we’ve continued to execute on our three strategic imperatives of Economy, Talent, and Community,” said Ryan Marshall. “In 2025, we’re sharpening our focus on Economy as we work to continue fueling our region’s growth.”
During the event, Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company Chris Womack completed his service as 2024 MAC Board Chair, handing over the leadership role to Ryan Marshall. MAC also announced that Rich McKay, CEO of Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment and CEO of Atlanta Falcons, will serve as 2026 Board Chair.