On Monday, business and civic leaders from across the region gathered at The Battery Atlanta for the Cobb Chamber’s Marquee Monday luncheon, where Mayor Andre Dickens returned as the featured speaker—this time at the start of his second term.
Marquee Monday is the Cobb Chamber’s signature monthly event, designed to keep members informed on business and regional issues while creating space for meaningful dialogue. Hosted at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre near Truist Park, the setting underscored the regional focus of the conversation.
A second-term moment, with a regional lens
The Mayor opened by reflecting on how much has changed since his last appearance at Marquee Monday, which came just months into his first term. Returning to a familiar theme, he emphasized that Atlanta’s progress and the region’s success are deeply connected.
“When Atlanta succeeds, the whole region gains,” he said. “And when the region gains, Georgia wins.”
Speaking both as Mayor and as Chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Dickens framed the work ahead as a shared responsibility that spans city and county lines.
Progress across public safety, jobs, and housing
Mayor Dickens pointed to several areas where Atlanta made measurable progress over the past year. Overall crime dropped in 2025, reflecting continued investments in public safety and stronger relationships between communities and law enforcement. He also noted that Atlanta’s unemployment rate remains slightly lower than both the state of Georgia and the national average.
Housing remained a central focus of his remarks. More than 13,000 affordable housing units have been delivered, are under construction, or are funded—projects that address housing needs while also creating opportunities for contractors and business owners throughout metro Atlanta.
“This is progress for Atlanta,” the Mayor said, “and it’s progress for the entire region.”
Preparing the region for the world stage
Looking ahead, Mayor Dickens turned to a year that will put metro Atlanta back on the global stage: the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He described the moment as comparable to the 1996 Olympics, but with a stronger emphasis on long-term economic impact.
Through the City’s Showcase Atlanta initiative, small and legacy businesses are being positioned to benefit from global events. From creatives and caterers to service providers, the program is designed to ensure that economic opportunities extend beyond downtown and into communities across the region.
The Mayor emphasized that visitors drawn to major events explore far beyond stadiums, benefiting destinations throughout Cobb County and the broader metro area known for culture, entertainment, and hospitality.
Housing and transportation as shared challenges
The conversation also addressed challenges that reach well beyond Atlanta’s borders. Affordable housing, Mayor Dickens noted, is a regional issue affecting teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and others who are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve.
Transportation followed closely behind. With continued population growth across metro Atlanta, the Mayor emphasized the urgency of regional solutions and reiterated his support for expanded transit options, including future discussions around MARTA expansion.
“We can’t keep saying we want a better quality of life while rejecting the tools that help us get there,” he said.
Collaboration as a competitive advantage
In a fireside chat following his remarks, Mayor Dickens returned to the idea that public safety, economic opportunity, housing, and mobility are not confined by city limits. They are regional priorities that require alignment, partnership, and shared commitment.
“I often say Atlanta is a group project,” he told the audience. “So is this region. And our opportunity is to make collaboration our competitive advantage.”
As the luncheon concluded, conversations continued among business leaders, elected officials, and community partners—reflecting the spirit of connection and cooperation that Marquee Monday is designed to foster.
