Re: The Ritz Group – September 3, 2009 - First
Meeting of the New Season
Thursday afternoon
We are pleased to announce the first meeting of the
new season, 2009 - 2010, for The Ritz Group. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 at
the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead from 2:00 to 5:00 PM in the Wine Bar.
Our monthly meetings so far this
year have averaged over 160-180 participants.
We are continually 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 make targeted
introductions of business executives and owners to members of capital formation companies in Atlanta. The invitees will include
angel investors, private equity firms, investment banking and merchant banking firms with individuals focused on acquisitions,
startups and refinancing.
We do request that only those individuals and organizations related directly
to the purpose of The Ritz Group attend. We try to prevent attendance from individuals who are not entrepreneurs or investors
at the request of our sponsors.
Our Sponsors
The Ritz Group is pleased
to receive sponsorship from Marshall Jones, Adams Capital, Littler Mendelson, Bernstein, md2g, UBS, FlexHR,
Alphagraphics and the Munson Global Logistics Group. 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 (June, 2009) that several attendees of the Ritz
Group have received funding in the last 45 days. We just heard of a real estate investment firm receiving $5MM, another startup
distiller and distributor receiving $2MM, an energy company $22MM. Prior to May of this year, a medical company received $50MM
in funding to acquire other medical companies. Another attendee received a second injection of funding of $1MM. A third attendee received
a commitment of $2.2MM for their first round of funding, and a fourth has received 'angel' money of $250,000. Also,
3 other attendees are very close to funding as a direct result of contacts made at The Ritz Group. Last year, 9 companies received
funding but think this year will be even more productive for attendees of the Ritz Group. We are also starting to
reach out to investors who have attended to try to find out the results of their investments in companies attending the Ritz
Group. One investor also notified us of a 400% return on investment after 4 years. 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 are making a special effort 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. We are pleased with the participation of the World Chamber of Commerce, the Atlanta International
Business Association and the World Trade Club in encouraging and promoting the efforts of the Ritz Group with their members
and contacts.
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 24
years, and look forward to a rewarding year for the many new business leaders who will benefit from The Ritz Group in 2009.
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.
