our vision

Economic Expansion Through Logistics Leadership

Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council

In 2004, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce established the Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council to attract, grow and retain high value logistics industry companies and jobs. The council and our members are working to leverage Atlanta’s unique advantages – its geographic location, interstate network, world’s busiest airport, rail and port connectivity, as well as our high concentration of logistics companies, intellectual talent and innovative research; to position Atlanta as the place the world turns to for logistics solutions.

Our Leadership

Jeff Cashman, Senior Vice President, Manhattan Associates

Jon Guyett, Global Logistics COE Leader, GE Energy

Mark Holifield, Senior Vice President Supply Chain, The Home Depot

Lee B. Torrence, Managing Director and Senior State Executive, IBM Corporation

Logistics is a core competency of our region and should be funded and exploited in a strategic manner to create a competitive advantage over rivals for the benefit of all Georgian’s. It should be used to strengthen our ability to sustain growth, retain existing industry and jobs, attracting talent and new companies.

Our weaknesses such as traffic congestion and competitors actions such as tax policies create a serious ongoing threat to our manufacturing and distribution base. If we do not address these weaknesses, companies looking to expand may consider our competitors. Some of our local success stories may also move to seek more logistics-friendly locations; threatening some of our statewide and regional target industries such as electronics, automotive, bioscience, etc. at a time when we can least afford major job losses.

Our Vision

Led by the membership of our Logistics Council and in collaboration with multiple transportation and logistics organizations, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce seeks to: 

• Increase logistics industry jobs in Metro Atlanta from 84,000 to 100,000 by 2010.
• Improve and enhance Atlanta’s image and position as a national and global leader in logistics (Increase awareness).
• Further establish Atlanta as a global center for logistics innovation - where the world comes for logistics solutions (comprehensive applied research).
• Become a top 5 cargo airport in U.S. (currently #10) by increasing air cargo volumes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Retain crucial existing manufacturing companies by working to improve our transportation infrastructure.

Becoming a Global Leader - Implementing the Vision 

Action Items 2007

Marketing & Business Attraction

• Continue to attract logistics companies to create high value jobs. 
• Build Atlanta’s image as a logistics city through trade shows and conferences, business recruitment trips, and trade media. 
• Recruit logistics innovator firms identified in logistics patent study
• Publish updated Logistics Directory
• Establish signature logistics event. Work to attract CSCMP annual meeting to Atlanta

Infrastructure Improvements

• Partner with ARC to support the “Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan” ($1million) by integrating needs of Atlanta’s business community.
• Engage ALIC membership in ARC study through steering committee, technical advisory committee and Freight Task Force membership.
• Develop a logistics industry legislative agenda. Create logistics industry primer for legislators and non-industry leaders
• Support the development of regional logistics solutions to improve Atlanta and Georgia’s competitiveness
• Provide specific input regarding freight bottlenecks to study, TIP and LTP.

Research and Innovation

• Support and facilitate logistics research projects and collaboration by GA Tech faculty, Transportation Research Center and others to improve the movement of freight
• Produce a web based map of the logistics industry in metro Atlanta

Air Cargo

• Partner with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to attract air cargo carriers and increase air cargo volumes with emphasis on Asia and Latin America.
• Work to secure TIACA 2012 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Atlanta (50th Anniversary)
• Support continued implementation of Air Cargo Master Plan recommendations