The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) held its 166th Annual Meeting on November 13, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame. The event gathered close to 1,000 business, civic, and community leaders to discuss metro Atlanta’s economic progress and highlight the region’s role in sports business ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Speakers included Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of MAC; Andre Dickens, mayor of Atlanta; Ryan Marshall, president and CEO of PulteGroup and 2025 MAC Board Chair; and Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports + Entertainment and The Atlanta Falcons as well as incoming 2026 MAC Board Chair.
The meeting emphasized how sports act as both an economic driver and a cultural connector for the region. Several notable athletes attended or spoke at the event: three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Devers; Brad Guzan, goalkeeper for Atlanta United; MLB All-Star Ryan Klesko; former NFL player Ovie Mughelli; and NBA All-Star Kevin Willis.
MAC leadership discussed achievements in economic development over the past year. They cited company announcements from Duracell, Mercedes-Benz, TriNet, Shriners Children’s, Rivian, among others. During the program, Richard McPhail of The Home Depot was named as MAC’s Board Chair for 2027. Kim Greene of Georgia Power will serve as Board Chair in 2028.
Attendees received the organization’s annual Impact Report summarizing collaborative efforts to sustain regional growth. The report is available for download on MAC’s website at www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com.
Katie Kirkpatrick said: “Metro Atlanta continues to chart a steady course, even in a year marked by economic uncertainty and rapid change. Business leaders in Atlanta share a special ethos. They give back, support one another, and work together to keep our region competitive and growing.”
Kirkpatrick added: “As we prepare to host FIFA World Cup 2026, we see a catalytic opportunity. We say ‘sports is more than sports’ because we’re talking about far more than a month of soccer matches. We will use that global spotlight to show off our people, our companies, and our communities to attract talent and business, and to fuel our region’s momentum.”
Ryan Marshall stated: “Our region’s success has always been driven by people who believe in possibility. Growth is a shared responsibility, and when we align housing, jobs, and community, we build a stronger region and a brighter future for everyone.”
Rich McKay said: “Atlanta doesn’t just host major sporting events – we build community through them. These aren’t just games. They’re economic engines. They bring people together and help metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia draw talent and business from all over the world.”
The Metro Atlanta Chamber works across its 29-county area to promote economic growth by supporting businesses and advocating for a competitive climate throughout metro Atlanta.
