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Atlanta, GA to Host 2008 Southern Regional Meeting

Opening Reception at the Carter Presidential Center on August 6

by Deborah Whang, NCIV Staff

Mark your calendars! The NCIV 2008 Southern Regional Meeting, hosted by the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV), will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, from August 6-8, 2008. It is funded in large part by NCIV’s cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State, Office of International Visitors. Known as the Capital of the New South, Atlanta is home to the Atlanta Braves, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Historically Atlanta has played an important role in the civil rights movement. It is also a center for public health and research, and home to many prominent universities, such as Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, and Emory,” said Ashley Mastin, Deputy Director of GCIV.

If you are interested in your organization’s growth, strengthening your IVLP programming skills, and networking with other citizen diplomats, the Southern Regional Meeting will provide you with exceptional workshops, inspiring plenaries, and opportunities for professional development. In addition, you will gain a deeper understanding of U.S. public diplomacy, and the operation of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The Professional Resource Tour, exclusively for U.S. Department of State and National Program Agency representatives, will introduce the broad range of Atlanta’s resources, including the home of CNN, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and The Coca-Cola Company world headquarters.

The Regional Meeting will be launched at an opening reception at the Carter Presidential Center, located a few miles from downtown Atlanta. Tucked into a rolling hillside with a skyline view of the city, the Carter Presidential Center is a 37 acre retreat and contains not only the Jimmy Carter Library & Museum, but also beautiful gardens. Known for its promotion of peace, conflict resolution, and international health programs, the Carter Presidential Center is also famous for hosting international and national leaders who come to discuss global issues, and has served as a valuable resource for programmers.

On the evening of Thursday, August 7, participants will get a taste of Southern hospitality as Atlanta area volunteers will open their homes for dinner. Spread across the Atlanta metro area, each home will provide a unique and different experience for participants.

Other activities include a Friday evening reception at the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute (JBC). The JBC Institute is known for its promotion of global diversity in the workplace as well as the world. It has been a strong supporter of citizen diplomacy and will be an appropriate way to conclude the Southern Regional Meeting.

For those staying until Saturday, GCIV staff and volunteers will guide them through a tour of Dr. King’s birth home, his church, and final resting place. The MLK National Historic Site offers a comprehensive set of exhibits detailing Dr. King’s life and Atlanta’s significance in the civil rights movement. Afterwards, they will visit the Georgia Aquarium, one of the world’s largest, containing both freshwater and marine life. With more than 500 species represented, it is no surprise that this is a resource International Visitors thoroughly enjoy! “We encourage participants to stay through Saturday so that they can experience all that Atlanta has to offer. The King historic site and Georgia Aquarium represent the legacy and future of this great city,” said Shell Stuart, GCIV Executive Director.

The Westin Peachtree Plaza will serve as the site for the Regional Meeting. Built in a cylindrical shape and cast in reflective glass, the hotel will provide participants with a beautiful view of the city. On the top floor is the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar, a revolving restaurant with arguably the best view in the entire city.

The DEADLINE to register is JUNE 27, 2008, so register TODAY here.

PHOTOS (top to bottom) A compilation of Atlanta's public structures; Atlanta skyline; A bronze sculpture, Phoenix Rising from the Ashes, depicts a woman releasing a phoenix, a symbol of Atlanta because of the city's rise from the ashes after being burnt to the ground by William T. Sherman's Union armies during the Civil War.

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