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Session Overview

Georgia’s low cost of doing business, experienced talent pool, and proximity and accessibility to the global marketplace attract diverse industries. Highly reliable infrastructure and tax credits have made our state a beacon for innovation and collaboration.

For instance,....

• Did you know that Georgia is considered the eSports capital of the country and that the state's film tax incentives include e-gaming?
• Did you know that in 2021 Georgia awarded six medical marijuana cultivation licenses?
• Did you know that Atlanta is a hotspot for data centers and more than 50 leading companies from around the world have established major data centers in Georgia?

This program will explore emerging markets in Georgia from a real estate, development, and construction perspective. We will discuss the market key drivers, upcoming projects, and how to get involved in the design and construction process. Hear from thought leaders in e-Gaming, Cannabis, and Data Centers as they discuss economic development within these expanding industry sectors.   

Event Agenda

11:30 – 11:50 AM – Registration & Networking
11:50 – 12:30 PM – Luncheon & Networking
12:30 – 1:30 PM – Panel Discussion   

CPSM CEUs: 1.0 hours
Domains: 1 - Marketing Research, 3 - Business Development

covid safety Precautions

Your safety is important!   Masks are strongly recommended during the pre-event networking, and should be worn unless you are eating or drinking at your seat.   There will be reduced seating at the luncheon tables to maximize social distancing from other attendees.   Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the venue, and increased housekeeping procedures have been implemented to improve cleanliness. 

featured speakers

Moderator:

Jay Bailey
President/CEO
H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

Committed to living by his personal motto, “Build As We Climb”, change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur and emerging philanthropist, James M. Bailey has dedicated his life to serving others.

James was recently named President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). A $40 million dollar project honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., he will lead the development of the largest center in America, dedicated to empowering African American entrepreneurs and small business owners; over 54,000 square feet designed to inspire ideas, create jobs, grow companies, and increase wealth in the community.

An Atlanta native and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a proven track record of success, recognized by 3 U.S. Presidents for his leadership and community efforts. In 2012, James was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

A National Point of Light Award recipient, James was also recognized as one of the 10 most Outstanding Young People of Atlanta, honored with a Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award from the Obama Administration and officially named an “Amazing Atlantan” by the city of Atlanta.

A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, James was also named to both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Best and Brightest Leaders of the Future”. He is a recipient of the coveted Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, a New Leaders Council Fellow, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

James, his wife, NBC news correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their beautiful daughter, Sage, currently live in East Atlanta, Georgia.

Panelists:

E-Gaming

Grant Wainscott
Co-Founder & Vice Chairman
Atlanta Esports Alliance

Grant Wainscott is the Vice President of Ecosystems for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, in Atlanta, Georgia. He leads a team of technology cluster experts to retain, expand and attract jobs and investment to the metro Atlanta region, while shining the light globally on the assets and brands that have made metro Atlanta an international hub. He specifically works with the clusters of FinTech, Cyber Security and Creative Industries (Film/TV/Gaming & Esports/Music/SportsTech/VR&AR/Animation/Fine & Performing Arts) to support and grow the ecosystem.

He is the Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of the Atlanta Esports Alliance, sits on the boards of FinTech Atlanta and Tech Alpharetta, and is a member of the Technology Association of Georgia FinTech Society.

Grant has also been a regional film commissioner, started several small tech companies and a West African trading company, run a tech incubator, and owned a rare book shop. He has led or participated in dozens of business and cultural missions throughout the world, visiting more than 50 countries.

He holds a B.A. in International Business from Florida Southern College, and attended university in Quebec, Canada and Augsburg, Germany. Originally from Seattle, he has studied and lived in five countries and speaks French and German.

Data Centers

Bobby Little
Director, Asset Management, Digital Infrastructure
Landmark Dividend

Bobby Little has extensive experience within the institutional investment sphere of the data center infrastructure space. Currently, as Director of Asset Management across the digital infrastructure investment platform at Landmark Dividend he leads US domestic team efforts for the portfolio management, execution of portfolio strategy, and leasing and disposition transactions. Coupled with prior roles in data center infrastructure investment at Mapletree Investments and Carter Validus REIT/Sila Realty Trust, Bobby has had direct experience in the investment management of over $8 billion in real assets.

Prior to focusing on data center infrastructure investment Bobby held prior roles in corporate real estate and real estate capital markets across commercial and multi-family asset classes. Bobby earned an MBA, concentrated in corporate finance from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis and a B.S. in Business and Education from Florida A&M University.

Cannabis

Sam Andras
Executive Vice President of Professional Services
Urban-Gro, Inc.

Sam’s career began through work in his family’s construction company. In his ten years in construction Sam gained valuable experience working a vast majority of trades including; electrical, concrete, masonry, rough and finish carpentry, and roofing. He progressed to a superintendent position before moving into the office where he spent his last two years developing design-build documents and cost estimating.

Sam’s experience provides an understanding of construction means and methods well beyond that of a typical architect. His ability to coordinate, plan, cost and discuss alternative ideas to project development and delivery is exceptional. These characteristics are KEY to the high level of success of the firm’s projects, while providing added value to the project team.

Sam’s experience in the cannabis industry began in 2014 when 2WR was retained to take over a failing project in Colorado. The success of that project lead to others, and the development of MJ12. Spring-boarding off the firm’s national hospitality work, projects in the cannabis industry have expanded nationwide. Sam, along with Geoff McKinney, provide MJ12’s leadership in the cannabis industry. 2WR and MJ12 was acquired by Urban Gro group in 2021, where Sam is the Executive Vice President of Professional Services.

Thank you to our Event sponsors

Event champions

Nate Hammond
Hammond & Associates, Inc.

Tonya Jackson
Gilbane