Georgia Leverages
G8 Summit to
Promote Opportunity

By Glenn Cornell

ach year, leaders from the world’s eight major industrial democracies come together during the Group of Eight, or G8, Summit to discuss issues of global importance, identify wide-reaching solutions and foster international cooperation. In June, this historic event will come to Georgia’s Sea Island. Thousands of visitors from around the world will travel to Georgia, and the world’s media spotlight will be focused on our state.

We in Georgia have a unique opportunity to use that exposure to create long-term economic growth throughout the state. The Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT) and our partners are leveraging the G8 Summit as a new opportunity to increase global awareness and preference for Georgia as a leading location for business development and a world-class tourism destination.

Tourism is the state’s second largest industry and has long been an important economic driver. The industry employs more than 207,100 Georgians and generates more than $680 million in revenue each year.

This is big business for Georgia, and I believe we can make it even bigger.

As host of the G8 Summit, we will showcase the best Georgia has to offer to tourists from around the world. Sea Island and Georgia’s Golden Isles have been popular destinations since they were established nearly a century ago, and today visitors can still enjoy some of the most pristine coastline in the country, luxury accommodations and resorts, and world-class cuisine. Beyond the coast, Georgia offers warm hospitality, a diverse landscape and a rich history that attracts more than 40 million visitors each year.

The G8 Summit also provides the opportunity to illustrate why Georgia is not only the right state to host an event of this caliber, but also the right state for business. Our pro-business attitude allows companies to find what they need when they move to Georgia. One of the most attractive attributes of the state is our quality workforce training programs that help provide the specific expertise and knowledge necessary in today’s marketplace. Quick Start’s internationally recognized programs give our state a competitive edge.

Georgia has the infrastructure and experience to support major corporate operations. Our two deepwater ports, interstate rail and highway accessibility and easy proximity to global markets through the world’s busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – give companies located here a transportation system that cannot be matched anywhere in the country.

This year’s G8 Summit is also going to leave a positive impact on the state through improvement in mobile communications, utilities and our environment. Already, improvements in cellular reliability are underway along the coast and local power and telecommunications capacities are being updated. With these upgrades, our coastal region will technologically surpass many other business and convention destinations in the Southeast. G8 Summit planners are also taking extra care to ensure that our state’s history of environmental preservation is continued by developing initiatives to protect the loggerhead turtle, expand recycling programs and certifying environmentally “green” hotels. After the Summit, these improvements will make Georgia an even better destination for business and leisure travel.

The G8 Summit is bringing the world to Georgia and we will be providing them an unforgettable experience. Business executives, tourists and foreign leaders alike will have the opportunity to experience all that we have to offer, opening the door to opportunities for our entire state for
years to come.

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