The Ritz Group – February 4th, 2010
The Ritz Group is now '25' .....25
years of service to Investors and Entrepreneurs.
We are pleased to announce the next meeting of The Ritz Group.
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, February 4th, 2010, at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead from 2:00 to 5:00 PM in
the Wine Bar.
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 Ethos 360, Marshall Jones, Littler Mendelson, FlexHR,
Alphagraphics, Ethos 360, 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 24th 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 recently been notified (December, 2009) that ten companies
attending the Ritz Group have received funding in 2009. Investment results ranged from $250,000 to $41,000,000. We
also know that 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 are optimistic that 2010 will be even more productive for attendees of the
Ritz Group. We also announced at the January meeting that we have finalized details on making foreign investment available
to attendees of the Ritz Group. This will be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and investors both. 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.
Foreign
Investors..
Jim Munson and Whit Blakeley along with the help of Toni Casteel, an attorney, 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 allow 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.
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.
