Organizers of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's Red Carpet Tour said the event had a distinctly optimistic edge this year. The industry recruitment program has been around for more than half a century.
The four-day event brought 23 American and international business leaders to Georgia and Hall County this week, with the express goal of building relationships and drawing industries to the state. This is the first year since 2004 the tour has stopped in Hall.
"This year, what we're seeing are companies that are much more active and ready to make decisions with active projects," said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "Where traditionally we might have more relationship-building guests with us, this year is about jobs on the ground. And I feel very enthusiastic about the response we've been getting."
The tour started on Wednesday and continues through today. The attending companies represent Japan, South Korea, Germany and 11 states.
The event focuses on highlighting Georgia's business environment but also its culture.
Guests Friday were treated to lunch at Jaemor Farms in Alto and either a visit to Road Atlanta in Braselton, North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula or Legacy on Lanier golf course in Buford.
The program started Wednesday with dinner at the governor's mansion followed by a trip to the Masters Tournament in Augusta.
Friday morning focused heavily on Georgia's business-friendly initiatives, with a session hosted by news commentator Richard Warner. Leaders from Hall County businesses ZF Wind Power, King's Hawaiian and Elan Drug Technologies as well as a representative from the Georgia Ports Authority participated in the session.
The speakers discussed their own business relocation processes but also their personal feelings on moving to Hall County.
"We knew that we could get good employees. We knew that we had low turnover. We knew that we could train those employees successfully and that they would stay with us," ZF Wind Power President Elizabeth Umberson said in a prerecorded statement.
"When we looked at that experience factor, that weighed heavily into our decision."
That individualized attention on Hall County is a huge asset, said Tim Evans, vice president of economic development at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
Evans said while Georgia has benefited from the program, Hall County has had exceptional success recruiting businesses through the tour. Wrigley, Elan Drug Technologies and KOS America, among others, each had representatives take part in the program before they settled in Hall County.
Most of the tour participants asked not to be named for the protection of their companies. But Clark said they spanned several industries including manufacturing, technology and entertainment and could bring anywhere from 50 to 700 jobs to the state.
Tim Rash, a participant representing A-D Technologies in Sandersville, said the information presented on the state's Quick Start job training program as well as Georgia's transportation network will be valuable as his business attempts to expand.
"The access to decision-makers and people who can help put the right people in place to make things happen for you is phenomenal," he said.
Many of the businesses on the tour already had relationships with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Evans said those relationships will be nurtured after the program ends.
"Some of these companies, their effort to expand this business could take a year or two years or more and that's a lot of follow up for us, the state, our partners; and we'll continue to do what we can to serve their needs."
The event was attended by several Hall County leaders including Gainesville Mayor Ruth Bruner, Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver and Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce President Kit Dunlap. Denise Deal and R.K. Whitehead were co-chairs of the local Red Carpet Tour committee.