n 1959, John Dent, who was president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, started the unique Red Carpet tradition by taking company executives up in small planes and flying low over potential business sites. His efforts to showcase Georgia were based around the intemationally known Masters' Golf Tournament in Augusta — the perfect event to lure executives out of their offices and into Georgia culture.

John Dent had the vision to show these businessmen our state first-hand. He knew that by getting them here in person, letting them meet state, regional and local officials, as well as local chambers of commerce, Georgia would sell itself.

The Chamber learned early on, too, that letting established businesses speak for the state's business environment was a wise move. So in addition to elected officials and governmental staff, executives are placed in the company of fellow businessmen. Now, in addition to plane travel, executives share trips together across Georgia on buses, in cars, on trains, and even the occasional boat.

The business people speak the same language and can address the specific issues a prospective customer might have. By sharing their experiences, the executives establish a network among themselves, as well. This leads to long-term commitments to Georgia.

The annual Red Carpet Tour takes place every spring, still using the Masters Golf Tournament as an enticement. More than forty state hosts — from local volunteers to fellow company executives — present prospective companies with the best Georgia has to offer.

Since our goal is to make sure we market Georgia as a pro-business state, the success of the Red Carpet Tour lies in careful attention to detail. Two years in advance, locations are chosen for the tour and the long trail of Southern hospitality begins to form. People like Kimberly Goff and Sara Moss at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce see to every aspect of the tour.

Since 1988 there have been 3.5 billion dollars of announced investment invested in the state by new and expanded businesses. This translates into roughly 21,500 jobs.

We at the chamber know bringing new business to Georgia is a team effort, and companies are looking for deals. In Georgia, one of the most significant "deals" we offer is Quick Start. There's not really anything like it in most states. To have this resource available to a potential business is a huge plus.

REMITCO is a perfect example of a company that knew it had to expand and wanted to come somewhere in the Southeast. Joe Proto, the company's CEO, attended the Red Carpet Tour in 1999 and found a perfect location to set up shop by the following winter in Columbus. This kind of economic development is one in which the Georgia Chamber of Commerce takes tremendous pride, and it recognizes the many team players involved across the state at every level.