Golf draws businesses to Augusta

Global commerce expert will speak as part of officials' Masters Week sales pitch to industries

Web posted March 18, 2000

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By Damon Cline
Staff Writer

Local economic development officials courting corporate VIPs during Masters Week are again stepping up their sales pitch.

Officials have booked a global commerce expert to speak after a steak-and-seafood dinner at the Augusta Country Club as part of the 41st annual Red Carpet Tour.

Ian Elliot, chairman of George Patterson Bates, the largest advertising agency in Australia, will be the guest speaker during a dinner presentation for the three-dozen VIPs after the end of first-round tournament play April 6.

Mr. Elliot, 46, whose Sydney-based firm developed the ``Think Globally, Act Locally'' slogan and handled marketing of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, will have a multimedia presentation on global business strategies.

The statewide marketing event, designed to lure new business and industry to Georgia, always stops in Augusta, where visiting business execs are treated to the Masters Tournament.

``Most of them come to get the tickets, but while they are here, we can show them Augusta is a great place for them to do business,'' said local businessman Woody Merry, who heads marketing of the local Red Carpet Tour.

The cost of the Augusta portion of events, held April 6 and 8, could go as high as $100,000, with most of the cost being covered through cash and in-kind contributions by dozens of corporate sponsors, officials with the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce said.

Additionally, the Development Authorities of Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties have kicked in $10,000, $3,000 and $2,500, respectively.

Companies who located in the Augusta area after attending the Red Carpet Tour include International Flavors & Fragrances, Helmac Products Co., Kwikset-Black & Decker and, most recently, Sitel Corp., which opened a 500-employee call center in Augusta during the fall.

Local officials introduced the dinner presentation last year so economic developers could spend ``quality time'' with VIPs. Previously, guests left Augusta immediately after the course closed for the day.

``During the day, (the guests) are really focused on one thing -- golf,'' said Kevin Shea, the chamber's executive vice president of economic development. ``The dinner gives us a chance to talk about something other than golf and hopefully build some relationships.''

Reach Damon Cline at (706) 823-3486.