VALDOSTA — Approximately 43 national and international investors were welcomed with applause and handshakes by hundreds of community members as they made their way into the James H. Rainwater Conference Center for the opening ceremonies of their one-day tour of Valdosta Friday morning for the 2006 Red Carpet Tour.

Valdosta was chosen as this year’s feature city to host the investors who may be looking to expand or relocate their businesses in Georgia. The three-day event began with a dinner at the Governor’s mansion in Atlanta Wednesday, followed by a day at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta and finally a visit to Valdosta for an in-depth look at this region’s economic possibilities. The tour allows business leaders to experience first hand what differentiates Georgia from other states around the country.

Craig Lesser, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development noted that Red Carpet is about selling Georgia as a whole in addition to the Valdosta region. The key to making that happen is to allow the guests to see a consistent message and a consistent quality of life wherever they go throughout the state, which he feels has been delivered during this year’s event.

“Competition is fierce, so we have only a few moments to make that impression,” Lesser said.

A number of community organizations assisted the conference center in putting Valdosta’s best foot forward. St. John’s Evangelistic Catholic Church Youth Choir performed as the guests made their way into the conference center. The Lowndes High School Junior ROTC Honor Guard escorted them into the building. International students from Valdosta State University served the guests snacks on the patio, and members of the Valdosta Asian Cultural Association performed a lion dance in the lobby. Additionally, men and women from Moody Air Force Base and a number of community members were present to meet and greet investors.

During the opening ceremonies, Mara Letica, executive vice president of the Letica Corporation, and Kent Buescher, chairman and CEO of Wild Adventures Theme Parks, gave testimonials about the benefits of doing business in the South Georgia area.

Letica commented that her national business looked throughout South Georgia and a number of surrounding states before committing to expand in Valdosta. Letica attributes the decision to move her corporation to Valdosta to the work force and the low cost of doing business in the area.

She described the work force as dedicated, available, steady and hard working. She described her experience working in Valdosta as a pleasant one and added that her business has grownby over 30 percent since the move. The Valdosta location is No. 1 in the Letica Corporation’s corporate structure.

Buescher, who deemed himself a “homegrown entrepreneur,” commented on the support he has seen from the citizens of the area. He attributes the success of Wild Adventures and Cypress Gardens to the unbelievable enthusiasm the people of this community have for all things in the Valdosta area. Buescher also brought entertainment from Wild Adventures. A Wild West skit was performed during the opening ceremonies, and characters from the park roamed the conference center taking pictures with guests and volunteers.

Following the reception at the conference center, guests and volunteers loaded four tour buses to take a driving tour around the downtown district of Valdosta. Lining the street in front of Valdosta State University were members of a number of university sororities and fraternities who waved to the guests as they drove past. Crowds could also be seen at the Valdosta Middle School Track and the Lowndes Courthouse lawn, all in an effort to make the investors feel welcome and to give them a taste of true Southern hospitality.

The tour ended at Kinderlou Golf and Country Club, where investors enjoyed a luncheon followed by professional golf lessons, a putting contest, a tour of Davis Love III Signature Golf Course, chauffeured home and wine-tasting tour, masseurs and a cigar and martini patio bar.

“Every community has resources whether it be good location, good university systems or something else. We have all of those things in Georgia, but what puts us over the top in attracting businesses are the people, hospitality, relationships and personalities of our communities,” Lesser said. “That is what Red Carpet is about, building relationships now that can continue into the future.”

Several months of planning and preparation went into the successful outcome of Friday’s event.

“The mere fact they chose us shows us the state department of economic development trusts us to put on the event,” Marshall Conner, event coordinator and representative of Georgia Power Company, said in a March 25 article.

George Israel, president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, noted that the leadership in the Valdosta area and the cooperation between the city and the counties involved and the ability of that leadership to make an event of such caliber happen are what drew the Red Carpet event back to Valdosta.

Conner said planning began in September, and more than 30 volunteers worked diligently during the past eight weeks to finalize details of the event.