Partnership Gwinnett Spotlights Past Success and Future Plans at Upcoming Summit

Annual community & economic development event features latest stats in jobs, unemployment, education and entrepreneurship

Media Contact: Adrienne Saputo

Marketing Manager | Economic Development & Partnership Gwinnett, Gwinnett Chamber

Adrienne@gwinnettchamber.org | 678.584.2261

(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA)–Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development invite you to this year’s annual Partnership Gwinnett community and economic development summit, to be held on August 26, presented by T-mobile.  This year’s event promises to highlight success in jobs, education and revitalization – and is themed around Gwinnett’s Camera Ready initiative; one that has put the county in the spotlight as the location of choice for numerous commercials, television shows, independent and feature films.

"T-Mobile is proud to be the presenting sponsor of Partnership Gwinnett for the third year in a row.  This re-confirms our commitment to economic development in the greater Atlanta area, and the belief that a robust wireless network and access to wireless services are crucial to the continued growth of businesses and quality of life in Gwinnett County." said Shawn Blassingill, Sr. Development Manager at T-Mobile.

This annual event provides a comprehensive review of the successes of the Partnership Gwinnett initiative achieved in the past year and unveils the initiatives’ Annual Report on job growth, education, quality of life and entrepreneurship. The 2011 Summit features local, regional and national business leaders, and will be held from 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26, at the Gwinnett Technical College Busbee Center (breakfast and lunch will be provided).

The 2011 PG Summit will feature the following speakers and topics:

Mark Vitner, Managing Director & Senior Economist, Wells Fargo;
Keynote Speaker

Mac Holladay, CEO, Market Street Services;
Creating the PG 2.0 Plot

Joseph Bankoff, CEO, Woodruff Art Center;
Constructing the Best Set & The Importance of the Arts to a Community

Christopher Hanks, Professor, University of Georgia:
Assembling a Supportive Crew & The Rise of Small Business

Mike Grundmann, Director, Georgia Quick Start
Ann Sechrist, Director-Economic Development, Gwinnett Technical College
Bo Morris, Director of Operations, Yes Video;
together presenting a panel on Building an Award Winning Cast & Getting a “Quick Start” to a Qualified Workforce

Keynote speaker, Mark Vitner, is a managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo, responsible for tracking U.S. and regional economic trends. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, he also writes for the company’s Monthly Economic Outlook report, the Weekly Economic & Financial Commentary, and provides regular updates on the housing markets, commercial real estate, regional economies, and inflation. Mark’s commentary has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and many other national publications.

J. Mac Holladay is the founder and CEO of Market Street.  Mr. Holladay has been in the community and economic development field since 1972.  He served three Chambers of Commerce over a 13 year period and is the only individual to head state level economic development organizations in three different states. Market Street serves as the consulting firm employed by Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development in the formation of the Partnership Gwinnett plan, and is a nationally recognized organization.

Joseph R. Bankoff joined the Woodruff Arts Center in September 2006 as president and CEO. He has been an active part of the Atlanta arts community for many years; working to raise funds for Atlanta Arts Alliance and the 1983 expansion of the High Museum. Mr. Bankoff is a charter member of the High and long-time subscriber to the Alliance Theatre. He joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors in 1996 after arranging for the ASO to perform at the Olympics Games Opening and Closing ceremonies.

Rush to the box office today (www.pgsummit.com) and reserve your seat to see the blockbuster hit of the summer. For more information, please contact Lindsay Myers at (678) 957-4944 or Lindsay@gwinnettchamber.org. To learn more about the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.