Atlanta City Hall hosted the Annual Council & State Delegation Reception this evening, bringing together more than 130 local, state, federal, and civic leaders for a bipartisan conversation on Atlanta’s legislative priorities. The event was led by City Council President Doug Shipman, Representative Inga Willis, Chair of the Atlanta House Delegation, and Senator Nan Orrock, Chair of the Atlanta Senate Delegation.
Mayor Andre Dickens joined the program to offer greetings and underscore the importance of coordinated action between city and state partners as Atlanta prepares for the 2026 legislative session.
An Evening of Collaboration
The reception opened with networking and dinner before guests heard from Antwan Lang, President & CEO of Atlantic South Group, which helped envision and establish this annual gathering. A special presentation was made to President Shipman before the program transitioned to remarks from the Atlanta State House and Senate Delegation chairs.
Mayor Dickens highlighted recent progress—including reductions in crime, advances in affordable housing, and improvements in student outcomes—while emphasizing that Atlanta’s success is rooted in cooperation between local and state leaders.
“Atlanta is a group project. Nothing gets done in silos,” he said. “We don’t all share the same party, but we share the same mission: to serve the people of Atlanta and Georgia.”
Shared Priorities Ahead of 2026
City and state leaders engaged in open dialogue about the issues shaping the year ahead, including:
- Strengthening public safety partnerships
- Expanding affordable housing and development tools
- Improving access to healthcare
- Reducing traffic congestion
- Addressing homelessness through coordinated regional action
Mayor Dickens also pointed to ongoing economic momentum, including Atlanta’s continued recognition as a top city for career growth and small business success, and the third consecutive year Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was named North America’s best airport with over 40 million passengers.
Fitch Ratings’ upgrade of Atlanta’s credit rating to AAA—the highest possible—was also noted as a benchmark of effective and responsible city governance.
A Forum Built for Partnership
Established by Antwan Lang in partnership with the Atlanta City Council President’s Office, the reception is designed to foster transparency, communication, and cross-government alignment. It serves as an annual opportunity for leaders across government levels to meet ahead of the legislative session and ensure Atlanta’s priorities are clearly understood and jointly supported.
With the 2026 General Assembly approaching, tonight’s gathering set the stage for a collaborative year focused on strengthening neighborhoods, supporting families, and ensuring Atlanta continues to move forward—together.
