The Ritz Group
Our last Ritz meeting for the 2009-2010 season was June 3rd, 2010. We will not meet during the months of July
and August. A new season will start early September 2010. Please check our website regularly for more information about the
dates.
We are receiving invitation requests from new investors and entrepreneurs almost every
day, and 'thank you' for continually asking us to invite new entrepreneurs and investors. If you have been
unable to attend previous monthly meetings, we have typically hosted angel investors, CEOs or Managing Principals representing
the investor, business and consulting community in Atlanta.
The Purpose of The Ritz Group
The
purpose of The Ritz Group is to facilitate introductions of business executives and owners to members of capital formation
companies in the Southeast. The invitees will include angel investors, private equity firms, investment banking and merchant
banking firms with individuals focused on acquisitions, startups and refinancing.
We work hard to invite
only those individuals directly related to the mission and purpose of the Ritz Group. Therefore, we invite only those related
directly to the purpose of The Ritz Group attend.
Our Sponsors
The
Ritz Group is pleased to receive sponsorship from Marshall Jones, Littler Mendelson, FlexHR, Alphagraphics, Corporate
Connections and Munson International. It is our valuable sponsors who make it possible to invite attendees
to these events for no charge. As we continue to celebrate our 25th year meeting at The
Ritz Buckhead, the group format will continue to be informal from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Wine Bar Room off the main
lounge on the first floor. Simply ask the Concierge in the Lobby for directions.
Funding/Investment
Results to date...
We have been been notified that ten companies
attending the Ritz Group received funding in 2009 making it one of the better years for entrepreneurs. Investment results ranged
from $250,000 to $41,000,000. We also know that so far this year several companies attending have received term sheets
or are very close to being funded as a result of their attendance at Ritz Group meetings. We also announced at the
January meeting that we have finalized details on making foreign investment available to attendees of the Ritz Group. Please
contact Whit Blakeley or Jim Munson for details. In the meantime, please let us know if you have received funding or know
someone who has so that it can serve as encouragement to other Ritz Group attendees.
A Special
Thanks..
We want to thank and acknowledge a special relationship. We want to thank
Susan
Knox of
Corporate Connections for her interest in the Ritz group and referral of investors and entrepreneurs seeking capital. Also, we would like to recognize
the
World Chamber of Commerce for their valuable work in attracting foreign investors to the Ritz Group and to Alpha Vista Capital Advisors for their assisting
entrepreneurs and investors alike with foreign funding.
Foreign Investors..
Jim
Munson and Whit Blakeley along with the help of Toni Casteel, an attorney, and Monty Bruell of Alpha Vista Capital Advisors
have completed plans to invite foreign investors and sources for foreign investment capital to the Ritz Group. Despite the
global recession, we are finding more foreign investors wanting to attend the Ritz Group, particularly from South Africa and
China. We are pleased with the participation of the World Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta International Business Association, The
International Business Incubator and the World Trade Club in encouraging and promoting the efforts of the Ritz Group
with their members and contacts.
A Break from Tradition.......
As many of
you know, we have never allowed speakers or presentations to be at a Ritz Group meeting. However, this year we have made a
break from that tradition. Because of the importance of the economy to attendees, and the economic climate in Georgia we have
been pleased to have invited and allowed to speak several of the candidates for the Gubernatorial nomination in Georgia from
both parties. We have been pleased to welcome Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and
General David Poythress to date. In addition, we will be announcing additional gubernatorial candidates and our support through
separate fundraising efforts for those candidates who clearly support the business and investor community in Georgia.
RSVPAlso, if you know of individuals or companies requiring capital for acquisitions or startup purposes who would add to or
benefit the group, or interested investors, please email Laurine Erends (
laurine@cmresources.net) and we will be happy to extend an invitation to them.
In the meantime, we hope to continue to receive the tremendous
positive feedback and testimonials from participants who have benefited from these business introductions for the past 25
years, and look forward to a rewarding year for the many new business leaders who will benefit from The Ritz Group in 2009-2010.
Thank you for your continued support and interest.
P.S. - Space is limited and invitations will only
be extended to individual participants on a month-to-month basis. Thank you.
