Twenty-three American and international business leaders are gathering in Gainesville today to talk about the possibility of setting up shop in Georgia.
Their visit is part of the Red Carpet Tour, a Georgia Chamber of Commerce initiative, now in its 52nd year, that aims to recruit new business to the state.
"This is about relationship building with business leaders," said Tim Evans, vice president of economic development at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
"We've had a history of companies that have been on the tour over many years that have located in Hall County. That's happened throughout Georgia, but we've benefited in particular."
The tour visits a different county each year, with the last stop in Hall County being in 2004. Since the program's inception, more than 15,000 jobs have been created by tour participant companies.
Wrigley, Elan Drug Technologies and KOS America each had representatives take part in the program before they settled in Hall County.
Getting to hear from other companies that have chosen to locate in Georgia will be a huge benefit for the tour participants, Evans said.
"These business leaders, they'll get to meet leadership from around Georgia and other companies that have been through the same thing that they're going through now in that location decision process," Evans said.
"And that's part of the value for them as guests. They're getting to see and hear from others that have been where they are."
The tour began Wednesday with a visit to the governor's mansion followed by a stay at the Masters Tournament in Augusta.
The participants headed to Hall County Thursday night and will gather this morning at Chattahoochee Country Club to meet with leaders of local companies like ZF Wind Power and King's Hawaiian.
Following the morning meetings, the attendees will experience the region's culture with lunch at Jaemor Farms and then a visit to either Road Atlanta, North Georgia Canopy Tours or the Legacy on Lanier golf course.
After their time in Gainesville, the group will end the trip by returning to the Masters in Augusta.
"They're certainly here to have fun and they do," Chamber President Kit Dunlap said. "But they're business people and are well aware of the business side of it."
Doug Carter, chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, is part of the local host committee and is traveling with the group for the entirety of the trip.
He said the draw of the Masters is certainly part of the program's success, but the Red Carpet Tour is recognized nationally because of its ability to show companies that Georgia is an ideal place to set up business.
"It shows the cooperative spirit between a number of different groups here in the state," Carter said. "... It really shows that effort of coming together in terms of trying to create an environment to foster relationships. And at the end of the day that's what it's all about."