The south metro area of Atlanta continues to grow and be a great location of economic development. I am excited to have the SMDO conference highlight many of the key projects and companies that continue to flourish here on the south side,” said Michael Hightower Founder of SMDO and Managing Partner of the Collaborative Firm. The general session panel topics for the 17th Annual conference are 2019 Economic Forecast (Dr. Roger Tutterow, Director of Econometric Center, Kennesaw State University), South Metro Economic Development Highlights (moderator Kerry Armstrong, Chairman, Atlanta Regional Commission), Transit (moderator Maria Saporta, Editor, Sapora Report), Smart Cities (moderator Gerald McDowell, Executive Director Aerotropolis CIDs), SBA Small Business (moderator Cassius Butts, Former SBA Regional Representative), and Workforce Development (moderator Sanquinetta Dover, Founder & CEO Dover Staffing).85 for onsite registration.

 

This year’s conference has a great cross section of expert speakers. Some of the guest speakers and panelists include: Joh Seldon, Airport General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Jeff Parker CEO, MARTA; Christopher Tomlinson, Executive Director of the State Road Toll Authority (SRTA), and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), and the interim Executive Director of Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (the ATL); Ashley D. Bell, Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Small Business Administration; Steven Koonin, CEO Atlanta Hawks; Phil Kent, President, Phil Kent Consulting; Jeffrey E. Turner, Chairman, Clayton County Board of Commissioners; Andre Dickens, Councilmember Post 3 At-Large, Atlanta City Council; Dr. Victoria Seals, President, Atlanta Technical College; Jack Longino, Mayor, City of College Park; Bill Edwards, Mayor, City of South Fulton; Marci Collier Overstreet, Councilmember District 11, Atlanta City Council; Chris Pumphrey, Executive Director, Development Authority of Douglass County; Al Nash, Executive Director, Development Authority of Fulton County; Shannon James, President & CEO, Aerotropolis Alliance; Mike Alexander, Assistant Executive Director, Atlanta Regional Commission; Cinda Hernon-King, Director, Atlanta CareerRise; Leonard Sledge, Executive Director, Henry County Development Authority; Debra Lam, Managing Director, Smart Cities & Inclusive Innovation Georgia Institute of Technology; Khaffani Stephens, Executive Director, Clayton County Development Authority; Raeha Kim, President, Millennial Chamber of Commerce; Denise Quarles, Chief City Executive, Siemens.

 

Since 2003, SMDO has convened South Atlanta’s most reputable experts and illustrious government and business leaders as well as introduced and highlighted some of the most prominent economic initiatives. The SMDO is the one place where everyone in the South Metro Atlanta economic development ecosystem gathers annually to talk about South Metro Atlanta area development. If you are interested in learning more about South Metro Atlanta development, networking with the key stakeholders, or investing, the SMDO is a must attend event on your business calendar.