Originally published April 1, 2004
Each year, the G-8 Summit brings together leaders of the world's major industrial democracies - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States - and others from around the world to discuss social, economic, political and security issues of global importance. This year, President George W. Bush will convene the world's leaders on Georgia 's Coast, creating an invaluable opportunity for the state to strengthen its reputation as a leading center for international affairs and trade, a world-class location for conducting business and a premier tourism destination.
The G-8 Summit will provide us with a unique opportunity to showcase our assets to a global audience, setting the stage for long-lasting economic development advantages for Georgia for years to come.
Not since the Centennial Olympic Games has Georgia had the opportunity to reach such an important international audience. In addition to the summit participants, a host of world leaders, dignitaries and international observers, plus nearly 3,000 credentialed media are expected on the coast.
The media will spend their days covering the summit events as well as meeting with CEOs of Georgia-based companies, visiting businesses, exploring Georgia's ports and sampling the tourism treasures of the entire coastal region. This exposure will pay dividends for years to come as businesspeople and tourists who might not have thought of us will most certainly have Georgia on their minds.
It is too early to predict the event's overall economic impact on Georgia. However, our neighbors in Canada, who hosted the G-8 in 2002 in Kananaskis, Calgary, experienced an immediate economic impact of over $200 million. If Georgia's experience even approaches that of Calgary, the benefits will be deep and far-reaching. The economic impact on Coastal Georgia, in particular, will be tremendous. By bringing the world's attention to Sea Island, one of the state's premier tourism offerings, as well as neighboring Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island and Savannah, we have the opportunity to once again demonstrate the state's selling points.
In addition to the immediate financial gain and the intangible legacies left by worldwide exposure, infrastructure upgrades are already being implemented by the G-8 Summit Planning Organization and state and local communities to meet the technological requirements of the summit, its delegations, attending media and coastal Georgia residents.
Improvements in mobile communications reliability are already underway in the Brunswick, Sea Island, St. Simons Island and Savannah communities. Upgrades will also be made in local power and telecommunications capacities, allowing the region to surpass many other business and convention destinations in the southeastern United States.
Planners are taking additional care to ensure that Georgia's long history of environmental preservation is continued throughout the summit by developing innovative preservation programs for the loggerhead sea turtle, expanding recycling programs, and certifying environment-friendly "green hotels."
Educational materials providing rich geography and political science learning opportunities for Georgia students will be rolled through the state's public school system. All of these advancements represent long-term assets for the state as we continue to attract new visitors, encourage business location and expansion and continue define Georgia as an international center for leadership, business and progress.
Finally, summit preparations will provide enhanced security for Georgians statewide. The summit security plan has been in development since the selection of coastal Georgia many months ago. The plan, spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service, is truly a collaborative effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Every member of this comprehensive security team, from the Brunswick Police Department to the Georgia National Guard, will be trained on the very latest law enforcement technology and techniques and will strengthen relationships with the federal officials who deal with these issues on a day-to-day basis. These activities will help maintain Georgia's security into the future.
The G8 Summit truly is a historic opportunity for the entire state. Working together, we will seize this occasion to showcase the very best of Georgia to the world.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
