DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Greater Perimeter Chamber, a new business advocacy group created from the merger of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody chambers, meets for the first time Feb. 20.
President and CEO Adam Forrand says the inaugural meeting will be about “defining what we’re for.”
By merging two organizations within one of Metro Atlanta’s largest business districts, the Greater Perimeter Chamber hopes to offer members an expanded network, one unified voice and enhanced access to the surrounding community and its resources.
“We will share our vision of this chamber and who we are for, and we will challenge and inspire attendees to clarify who and what they are known for,” said Forrand, who previously headed the Sandy Springs chamber. “We want to be sure that people understand that we are for this community, our members and growth.”
The merged chamber’s scale and capacity matches the growth of Central Perimeter over the past couple of decades.
“We’re excited about bringing people to coalesce,” Forrand said. “In a world of divisiveness and people saying what they’re against, we are just going to take a different tact.”
The Greater Perimeter Chamber offers memberships designed for local entrepreneurs and small business owners with fewer than five employees. It has a Chairman’s Circle for large corporations.
When both chambers announced the merger last summer, Forrand said, Georgia Power called them up to become the newest member.
Company is invested in region
Toni Hannah, area manager for Georgia Power in North DeKalb County, said the utility company serves Central Perimeter and is invested in the chamber’s success.
“The unification brings a remarkable opportunity to amplify our collective impact,” Hannah said. “By combining resources and vision, we are creating a level of scale that can truly shape the Perimeter business community and propel it toward a more prosperous future.”
Chamber CEO Forrand said the merger’s point is to deliver greater value to members.
“At that top tier, these companies are not only making investments in their business with a clear expectation of a return on their investment, but they’re also seeking to support fellow members and the business community at-large,” Forrand said.
Typically, the business community recognizes the chamber’s strengths as promotion and networking. Forrand said partnerships with larger employers in the region can provide small businesses with needed services.
Forrand also said he expects exponential growth in the chamber each year.
“We’re seeing new businesses come to our community, and we’re seeing new investments being made,” he said. “This is a place where people want to do business, and I expect our success to be concurrent with the communities we serve.”
Members, visitors invited
Other large employers with Chairman’s Circle memberships include Northside Hospital, WestRock, Inspire Brands, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Mercedes Benz and State Farm.
The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, a self-taxing commercial property owners group, is also a member. The Perimeter CID includes areas in Fulton and DeKalb counties.
Members and visitors are invited to the new chamber’s launch at 11:30 a.m., Feb. 20 at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Parkway.
Troy Franklin, president of the Wiregrass Foundation in Alabama, will give the keynote address, outlining fundamental questions, like what are you for, and how are you demonstrating it?
At the Sandy Springs City Council annual retreat Feb. 5-6, elected officials discussed the implications of a unified Perimeter chamber on the city.
Mayor Rusty Paul said there are questions about which side of the county line will benefit more from the merger.
Forrand said the Greater Perimeter Chamber’s logo says, “advancing Dunwoody & Sandy Springs,” and they are absolutely “for” both cities.
“We’re also for what makes them unique and different, and we want to celebrate those,” he said. “Doing business in Dunwoody is different than Sandy Springs, when it comes to codes, rules and regulations.”
Natalie DeLancey, executive director of the City Springs Theatre Company and 2025 co-chair of the chamber’s Board of Directors, said the unification creates new opportunities for businesses.
“The Greater Perimeter Chamber is focused on driving advancement, expanding networks and fueling economic growth,” DeLancey said.
