The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) today hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting, bringing together nearly 1,000 business, civic, and community leaders to celebrate metro Atlanta’s continued economic success, collaborative strength, and global visibility. The program highlighted the region’s leadership in the business of sports, with a forward look toward the FIFA World Cup 2026 and metro Atlanta’s expanding roster of world-class companies.

Speakers included Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber; The Honorable Andre Dickens, newly reelected Mayor of Atlanta; Ryan Marshall, president & CEO of PulteGroup and 2025 MAC Board Chair; and Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports + Entertainment and The Atlanta Falcons and 2026 MAC Board Chair.

Held at the College Football Hall of Fame, the event underscored how sports serve as an economic engine and cultural connector in metro Atlanta. Attendees mingled with Atlanta sports legends whose stories illustrated the community-building power of sports. 

Athletes in attendance and on stage included:

• Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Devers

• Atlanta United goalkeeper, MLS Cup Champion, and U.S. Men’s National Team veteran Brad Guzan

• MLB All-Star and Braves World Series Champion Ryan Klesko

• Two-time All-Pro NFL veteran and former Atlanta Falcon Ovie Mughelli

• Atlanta Hawks icon and NBA All-Star Kevin Willis 

MAC leadership highlighted the organization’s strength in promoting business growth, talent development, and community impact in metro Atlanta throughout its 166-year history. Economic development successes highlighted include announcements from companies like Duracell, Mercedes-Benz, TriNet, Shriners Children’s, Rivian, and more.

During the program, MAC announced Richard McPhail, executive vice president and CFO of The Home Depot, as its 2027 Board Chair, and Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, as its 2028 Board Chair. 

Attendees received the 2025 MAC Impact Report highlighting collaborative efforts to fuel economic momentum across the region. The full report is available for download here.

Leadership Quotes

“Metro Atlanta continues to chart a steady course, even in a year marked by economic uncertainty and rapid change,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “Business leaders in Atlanta share a special ethos. They give back, support one another, and work together to keep our region competitive and growing.”

“As we prepare to host FIFA World Cup 2026, we see a catalytic opportunity,” Kirkpatrick added. “We say ‘sports is more than sports’ because we’re talking about far more than a month of soccer matches. We will use that global spotlight to show off our people, our companies, and our communities to attract talent and business, and to fuel our region’s momentum.”

Our region’s success has always been driven by people who believe in possibility,” said Ryan Marshall, president and CEO of PulteGroup and 2025 board chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “Growth is a shared responsibility, and when we align housing, jobs, and community, we build a stronger region and a brighter future for everyone.

“Atlanta doesn’t just host major sporting events – we build community through them,” said Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports + Entertainment and The Atlanta Falcons and 2026 board chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “These aren’t just games. They’re economic engines. They bring people together and help metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia draw talent and business from all over the world.”