The Atlanta Regional Commission’s annual State of the Region brought 1,500 public, private, and nonprofit leaders to the Georgia World Congress Center for a focused look at where metro Atlanta is headed—and how innovation is shaping the path forward. Mayor Andre Dickens, who also serves as ARC Board Chair, opened the program and set the tone for the morning’s theme: “Innovation Unleashed.”
From the outset, the charge was clear: the big issues facing the region—housing, transportation, workforce, quality of life—don’t stop at city or county lines, and neither should the solutions. The program blended new data, real-world examples, and regional recognition, highlighting how collaboration moves ideas from concept to impact.
Metro Atlanta Speaks: what residents are telling us
During his welcome, Mayor Dickens introduced highlights from ARC’s annual Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey. This year’s top concern was housing affordability, followed by traffic, with respondents underscoring how rising costs strain household budgets and limit mobility within neighborhoods. The survey also explored attitudes toward artificial intelligence—cautious optimism about productivity and everyday convenience balanced with concerns about job impacts. On transportation, respondents favored expanding public transit as a long-term approach to congestion, alongside strategic road improvements and growth focused along existing corridors.
Innovation in practice
Executive Director and CEO Anna Roach delivered a two-part State of the Region address, connecting the survey’s findings to programs and partnerships in communities across the 11-county region. Videos throughout the program showcased Regional Excellence Award winners, lifting up efforts that demonstrate measurable progress on housing, mobility, and economic opportunity.
A conversation on leadership at scale
The morning’s keynote conversation brought together Mayor Dickens, Anna Roach, and Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian to discuss the role of innovation in sustaining growth, delivering great customer experiences, and strengthening the regional economy. From modernizing airport operations and passenger flow to developing workforce pipelines with local institutions, the discussion emphasized innovation that serves people—through better design, smarter systems, and strong partnerships.
Recognizing visionary leadership
The program concluded with the presentation of the Harry West Visionary Leadership Award, honoring a leader whose career and civic impact exemplify long-view stewardship of the region. The moment capped a morning focused on what it takes to deliver results: data-driven decisions, cross-sector collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusive growth.
Why it matters
State of the Region 2025 underscored the Atlanta story today: a growing, globally connected region tackling complex challenges with practical innovation. With housing affordability top of mind, continued investment in transit and infrastructure, and a deep bench of public and private partners, metro Atlanta is working together to translate big ideas into tangible benefits for residents across the region.
