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...The concept is simple enough. Use the lure of the Masters golf tournament to bring top executives from around the world to Georgia, then charm them out of their economic developing minds.
This week, the Red Carpet Tour celebrates its golden anniversary. The tradition began in 1959 under the leadership of John Dent, then president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Harold Clotfelter, then president of Hardy Realty, was also instrumental in the tour’s origins, recalled businessman Frank Barron, who later attended several tours himself.
“With the lure of getting to see the Masters, we could entice business heads from all over the country to see Georgia. People came by invitation only,” Barron said.
“The idea was to get these industrialists into Atlanta and then the Masters, but they had to earn their way by visiting outlying cit
ies and get the flavor of what Georgia was all about.”
The tour usually includes dinner at the governor’s mansion, but Barron recalled that one year, when George Busbee was governor, a tornado ripped the roof off the stately home. Dinner was moved to the Swan House, a short drive away in Buckhead.
Barron’s legacy with the tour continues through his son-in-law, Joe Montgomery, who this year is a state host, a role in which he’ll interact with the guests and provide information about Georgia and Rome.
“I am proud to represent Rome and the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce on the Red Carpet Tour this year,” said Montgomery, chief advancement officer at Darlington School. “It is especially gratifying for me as this is the 50th anniversary of the Red Carpet Tour and my father-in-law, Frank Barron, was one of the early leaders in this statewide economic development program.”
Montgomery said guests this year hail from as far away as the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Ireland and South Africa.
“We hope to interest some of these companies in doing business in Georgia,” he said.
“Without question, the State Host Committee plays a tremendous role in the success of the Red Carpet Tour,” said George Israel, president and chief executive officer of the state chamber.
“They are able to share their real-life experience doing business in Georgia with our guests on a peer-to-peer basis. It’s one thing to hear from government leaders or economic development professionals,” Israel said. “Talking with a fellow executive provides a different perspective, one that is often important to their decision-making process later on.”
This year the tour takes in Atlanta and Augusta, Wednesday through Saturday. It will bypass Rome this year but has visited the city five times, most recently in 2005.
Sam Freeman, director of business and industry services for the Greater Rome chamber, recalled that the group of 40 toured industrial sites, heard local business leaders tout the community and spent the night.
Visitors always impressed
Barron said of the seven tours he accompanied, the visitors never ceased to be impressed by Georgia’s culture, hospitality and business environment.
“I never saw a guest who just wasn’t knocked off their feet,” he said.
One visitor in particular was impressed that the Georgia State Patrol escorted the tour buses. According to Barron, the man said, “You know, there’s no way you could get the State Patrol to escort a business development group in Minnesota.”
Barron continued, “The next night he said, ‘The problem you’ve got is Georgia’s so nice you’re going to spoil your own nest. Everybody’s going to want to move here.’”
Bekaert Corp. is one company that located to Rome because of the Red Carpet Tour, Barron said.
He has fond memories of how Suhner Manufacturing and Brugg Wire came to locate here. He and Otto Suhner got acquainted in Savannah during a tour.
“Otto was intrigued by my stories about a small Southern town that sounded like his in Switzerland,” Barron said. “I guess I was able to entice him to come to Rome. Otto remains a friend to this day.”
