The Technology Association of Georgia’s International Business society selected Philip Bolton, President of Agio Press Inc. Publisher of Global Atlanta to receive the first annual IBS 2015 International Community Service Award for extraordinary lifetime achievement in the Georgia international community.
 
"After more than 20 years covering international business locally, it's refreshing to see how the growth of organizations like TAG is helping Atlanta make its mark on the global economy," said Bolton. "Technology not only boosts business efficiency and collaboration, but it also brings us together across borders, smoothing the flow of people and ideas," said Phil Bolton, publisher and president of Global Atlanta and the recipient of the inaugural International Community Partner Award. "This unexpected award is validation of Global Atlanta's longstanding efforts to tell the stories of personal and professional connectivity that make Atlanta an international city."
 
The TAG International Business Society awards committee voted on awardees for their selfless contributions and leadership in growing and coalescing the international business community across the state. The criteria considered included: exhibiting extraordinary service to the international community across the state, providing sustained leadership in international associations and groups, mentoring Georgians in pursuit of international trade & business opportunities, and championing intercultural relationships.
 
“Global Atlanta has been a leading international publication in this market for many years. Thanks to Phil Bolton and his team of professionals at Global Atlanta, Georgia and Atlanta continue to grow their international presence on the global scene,"said TAG President/CEO Tino Mantella.  “As the first recipient of TAG’s IBS annual International Community Service Award, we at TAG congratulate Phil on a continued job well done!”
 
“As Chair of TAG’s International Business Society, I met Phil five years ago. From the start or our interaction, he was a supportive international leader for the IBS board to know and work with," said Senour Reed, Director Jabian Consulting and IBS Chair. "If you know him, then you have been lucky enough to appreciate and experience his modesty, enthusiasm, and character. Whether bringing international minded people together, reporting on them, or offering sound international advice, he is always approachable and interested in helping others and importantly getting the story right. Thanks Phil for all you have contributed to helping Georgia become an international player on a global level.”
 
Having spent his early years in journalism on local newspapers in Macon and Milledgeville, Ga., Philip Bolton returned from a stint as a banking correspondent in France in the early 1990s with an idea for a publication that would reveal Atlanta's ties with the global economy. This was before the Olympics had put Atlanta on the world map — when “global” was a foreign concept rather than the buzzword it has become today.
 
Phil founded the Agio Press Inc. in 1991 and started publishing The Global Business Reporter, a bi-monthly newsletter. In February of 1993, he moved the print newsletter to fax, starting the GlobalFax news service, which was in operation until 2005. In 1995, Phil launched the Global Atlanta website and email newsletter, which has evolved into the full scale the news website of today.
 
Phil has played a formative role in many bi-national chambers of commerce, covering some from the outside and serving on many boards of directors. He is also the winner of many previous awards for his service to the international community, including the Governor’s International Award.
 
Last year, Global Atlanta won the President’s E Award for export service, only the second time in the 50-year history that the award has gone to a news publication.
 
Phil and his team continue to innovate in online publishing, launching new products, building targeted newsletters and both hosting and promoting events to help readers more easily access events and articles that help local and international readers navigate the complexities of international business.