On October 12, 2023, the Council for Quality Growth will honor Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Air Lines, with its 34^th annual Four Pillar Tribute. The 2023 reception and dinner are presented by American Express, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Chick-fil-A, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, the New York Stock Exchange – An ICE Exchange, and UPS. Over 1,500 guests, including Council for Quality Growth members, business executives, elected officials, corporate companies, philanthropic organizations, industry partners, and other local leaders from across the region and state, are expected in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center to honor Bastian.

In its 34^th year, the Council’s Four Pillar Tribute honors an extraordinary leader for their economic and philanthropic contributions to our region and state. Ed Bastian recognizes Delta’s critical role in driving economic value to the City of Atlanta, being the anchor of the world’s busiest airport. He sees the airport as the “front door” to the city and strives to create customer experiences that continue to elevate Atlanta as a global business leader and travel destination. “Ed’s contributions to this region go far beyond the airport,” said Rob Ross, 2023 Chairman of the Council for Quality Growth and Senior Vice President of Kimley-Horn. “In addition to ensuring people enjoy travelling to Atlanta, Ed continues to pour investment into our city, our communities, and our people, ensuring they also have a reason to stay.”

Ed Bastian has displayed a career-long commitment to people and community. His chosen theme of his Four Pillar Tribute is Leading with Purpose, which, for the CEO of Delta Air Lines, refers to the Delta team of 100,000. His purpose, however, is clear. Since becoming CEO in 2016, Bastian has been a champion of true servant leadership, continually putting Delta people and their customers first. Even while navigating an airline through a global pandemic, he prioritized health and well-being, job preservation, community service, and championing equity. Through his commitment to people, Bastian has led the airline, led the hospitality industry, and led our region to find a greater purpose of our own. “Taking care of the 100,000 people of Delta Air Lines is the greatest calling of my lifetime. It’s an honor to serve them,” said Bastian. “I’m both grateful and humbled to accept this extraordinary award on their behalf.” 

“Ed perfectly embodies the Council’s ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership,” said Council for Quality Growth President & CEO, Michael Paris. “He’s a leader who has built a sense of community and purpose among the 100,000 people of Delta worldwide, and he’s done so while making ongoing contributions to the quality of life here in the Atlanta region, the state of Georgia, and beyond.” A special group of Tribute Speakers have been selected to speak on the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership in Bastian’s life. Speaking on Quality is Ginni Rometty, Former Chairman, President & CEO of IBM, onResponsibility, John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Operation HOPE, on Vision, Ambassador Andrew Young, Founder & Chairman of the Andrew Young Foundation, and on Integrity, Daniel H. Bastian, Vice-President & Co-Founder of Progressive O&P, Inc.

Georgia’s 83^rd Governor, Brian Kemp, and Atlanta’s 61^st Mayor, Andre Dickens, will deliver remarks ahead of Bastian’s Four Pillar Tribute. Frank Blake, Former Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, and Pastor Kevin Myers of 12Stone Church will provide the invocation. The evening will also feature special musical tributes by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Tenor Timothy Miller. An esteemed group of Tribute Chairs have been selected to pay tribute to Ed Bastian for his impactful leadership among Atlanta and beyond, including: 

Each year, the prestigious Four Pillar Award recognizes an outstanding individual who demonstrates the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity – and exemplifies the Council’s mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth. The Council for Quality Growth commends the work Ed Bastian and Delta are doing each day to making Atlanta a better place to live, to work, and to visit. The Council is incredibly proud to continue its annual tradition of recognizing extraordinary leaders in our region and state by adding Bastian to the prestigious list of Four Pillar Award honorees. Find out more about Ed’s Tribute by visiting www.FourPillarTribute.com.

What: Council for Quality Growth’s 34^th Annual Four Pillar Tribute Honoring Ed Bastian

• Special Remarks

  • Governor Brian Kemp, State of Georgia

• Welcome

  • Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta

• Master of Ceremonies

  • Frank Blake, Former Chairman & CEO, The Home Depot

• Invocation

  • Kevin Myers, Founding Senior Pastor, 12Stone Church

• Tribute Speakers 

  • Ginni Rometty, Former Chairman, President & CEO, IBM

  • John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Operation HOPE

  • Ambassador Andrew Young, Founder & Chairman, Andrew Young Foundation

  • Daniel H. Bastian, Vice-President and Co-Founder, Progressive O&P, Inc.

• Musical Tributes

  • Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

  • Timothy Miller, Tenor

• Other Featured Speakers

  • Rob Ross, Chairman, Council for Quality Growth

  • Michael Paris, President & CEO, Council for Quality Growth

When: Thursday, October 12, 2023

• 6:00 p.m. – Cocktail reception

• 7:15 p.m. – Dinner and Tribute presentation

Where: Georgia World Congress Center’s Georgia Ballroom

Attire: Black-tie Optional

Tickets are required for guests and are available at www.FourPillarTribute.com.

Press are invited to attend with prior registration. Please RSVP to Kathryn Jones at [email protected].

Download the full 2023 Four Pillar Invitation Here.