Upcoming Development Conference To Highlight South Metro's Current Boom, Opportunities and Promising Future!

Economic Development, Transportation, Thriving Film Industry, Airport Enhancements and more!

“SMDO always features top corporate and industry leaders providing invaluable information. Speakers such as Keith Parker, CEO of MARTA; Paul Morris, CEO of Atlanta BeltLine; Joseph Folz, General Counsel & Secretary of Porsche Cars North America; and Miguel Southwell, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s Aviation Manager.”

-Michael Hightower, Managing Partner, The Collaborative Firm

Atlanta, GA – “It’s All About the South,” is the theme for this year’s South Metro Development Outlook (SMDO) Conference to be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) in College Park, Georgia. More than 600 conference goers are expected at attend SMDO 2015, which is recognized as the largest development conference in south metropolitan Atlanta. Now in its 13th year, SMDO serves as a platform to convene industry experts, corporate executives, government leaders and elected officials interested in fostering smart growth in Atlanta’s southern crescent. It features Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Henry, South Fulton and Spalding counties, and the city of Atlanta.

According to Forbes Magazine, Atlanta ranks tenth as the fastest growing city in the nation with a projected economic growth rate of 3.5% between 2011- 2016. “For the past several years, South Metro has emerged as a key catalyst and contributor to this growth,” says former Fulton County Commissioner, Michael Hightower, who is the founder of South Metro Development Outlook and managing partner of The Collaborative Firm, LLC, an Atlanta based land use planning, program management and real estate development company.

South Metro Development Outlook is expected to attract over 600 conference goers interested in learning about opportunities in South Metro including the projects planned around the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The conference will kick off with bantering between the Georgia Gang’s own Phil Kent and Jeff Dickerson who will preside over the Opening Session and General Sessions I, II and III.

One of the featured speakers at SMDO is nationally acclaimed economist, Roger Tutterow, who will give a 2015 Economic Forecast during the Opening Session. Also slated for this session is Doug Hooker, Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), who will present invaluable information regarding the successes of South Metro, clearly dispelling myths about the Region and proudly showcasing the facts. Other participants in this session include Jack Longino, Mayor of College Park; John Eaves, Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners; and Michael Hightower, Managing Partner of The Collaborative Firm.

Economic Development will be the focus of General Session I. There are visible signs of economic growth throughout South Metro, home of the world’s busiest airport. With major warehouses and distribution, rapid growth in healthcare, a strong college presence and the ever growing film industry, it is clear that economic development is not dead in South Metro. During this session, Mary Ellen McClanahan, Director of the Georgia Department of Economic Development will lead a panel discussion providing an analysis of South Metro’s urban and suburban economic development trends as well as highlight new development projects. Featured panelists include Paul Morris, President and CEO of the Atlanta BeltlLine, Inc.; Craig Richard, the new President and CEO of Invest Atlanta; Al Nash, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Fulton County; Chris Pumphrey, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Douglas County; and Larry Vincent, Chairman of the Development Authority of Clayton County.

Georgia ranks third in the U.S. for feature film production ahead of New York. Since the current version of the Film Tax Credit HB1100 went into effect in 2008, it has grown to become a billion dollar industry creating thousands of jobs for Georgians. The movie industry has put down serious roots in South Metro. General Session II will feature a panel discussion about the Region’s Thriving Film Industry including how sites are selected, jobs created and local economies boosted by the entertainment industry. This session will be moderated by Lee Thomas, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office. She will be joined by Barton Bond, Director of the, Clayton State University Film and Digital Media Center; Vince Williams, Mayor of Union City; Brian Hooker, Executive Director of McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA); Scott Tigchelaar, President of Senoia Enterprises; and Jim Pace, Principal of Group VI (Pinewood Studios).

The morning sessions will end with General Session III entitled “Transportation: South Metro On The Move.” The Georgia General Assembly is slated to tackle some of Georgia’s most pressing issues, and transportation funding is one of them. During this session, presenters will take a 10,000 foot view of how the impending legislation may trickle down to the local level, resulting in enhanced transportation in the South Metro area. In addition, the new MARTA/Clayton County partnership will be featured as well.

Former Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the City of Atlanta will moderate this session featuring presenters David Gill, President of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce; Todd Long, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation; Jeff Turner, Chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners; and Keith Parker, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of MARTA.

South Metro Development Outlook will culminate with the Lunch and Closing Session. During the Lunch Session, Michael Hightower, the Conference Host, will acknowledge South Metro Chamber of Commerce Presidents for their contributions to South Metro. Other featured speakers at lunch include Kerry Armstrong, Chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC); and Hal Clemmer, the new President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank.

South Metro’s Economic Engine, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will be the topic at the Closing Session in which Miguel Southwell, Hartsfield-Jacksons Aviation Manager, will present insights on new projects planned for the airport and its surrounding area including Aerotropolis, the 24-Hour Airport City and more. Southwell will be introduced by Joseph Folz, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Porsche Cars North America. Folz is also the Chairman of the Aerotropolis Airport Alliance.

Key sponsors of the 13th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference include The Collaborative Firm, LLC, Georgia Power, Development Authority of Clayton County, City of College Park, Douglas County Economic Development Authority, Development Authority of Fulton County, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Fifth Third Bank, Porsche Cars of North America and more.

Admission to South Metro Development Outlook is $65 advance registration and $70 day of conference. To register for SMDO 2015 and/or for more information please visit www.SMDOCONFERENCE.com or call (404) 684-7031.