The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) held its 166th Annual Meeting on November 13, 2025, gathering nearly 1,000 business, civic, and community leaders. The event took place at the College Football Hall of Fame and focused on metro Atlanta’s economic achievements and the region’s role in the sports industry.
Speakers included Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of MAC; Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta; Ryan Marshall, president & CEO of PulteGroup and 2025 MAC Board Chair; and Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports + Entertainment and The Atlanta Falcons as well as the incoming 2026 MAC Board Chair.
The program emphasized how sports contribute to both the economy and culture in metro Atlanta. Attendees interacted with several notable athletes such as 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.
During the meeting, MAC announced new board leadership appointments: Richard McPhail of The Home Depot will serve as 2027 Board Chair, while Kim Greene of Georgia Power will take on the role in 2028.
Economic development milestones were highlighted through recent announcements from companies including Duracell, Mercedes-Benz, TriNet, Shriners Children’s, Rivian, among others. Attendees also received the 2025 MAC Impact Report detailing regional economic momentum.
“Metro Atlanta continues to chart a steady course, even in a year marked by economic uncertainty and rapid change,” said Katie Kirkpatrick. “Business leaders in Atlanta share a special ethos. They give back, support one another, and work together to keep our region competitive and growing.”
“As we prepare to host FIFA World Cup 2026, we see a catalytic opportunity,” Kirkpatrick added. “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.”
“Our region’s success has always been driven by people who believe in possibility,” said Ryan Marshall. “Growth is a shared responsibility, and when we align housing, jobs, and community, we build a stronger region and a brighter future for everyone.”
“Atlanta doesn’t just host major sporting events – we build community through them,” said Rich McKay. “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.”
More information about MAC can be found at www.MetroAtlantaChamber.com.
