Mayor Urges Involvement for Suwanee

Burnette, with help from a video, makes the annual State Of The City address for 2013.

Several people spoke during the Suwanee State Of The City address on Wednesday. The mayor was actually one of them. In his second such address, Mayor Jimmy Burnette issued a call for involvement, and an overhead video played during a break in his speech had testimonials from people who already had done so. The video highlighted people who participated in the 20/20 Vision strategic plan. Burnette urged those in attendance at City Hall, which included members of the Suwanee Business Alliance, to "find something in the 20/20 Vision (strategic plan) that you are passionate about." -- What do you foresee for Suwanee in 2013? Share your thoughts in the comments below. "Take a leadership role, and make it happen." Among the speakers in the video …

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International Businesses Looking to Georgia for Activity

The Georgia Department of Economic Development has distributed a list of overseas areas of opportunity.

Businesses in Suwanee and Gwinnett may be able to hook up with overseas firms looking to grow their activity in the area, thanks to a state agency. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has developed information on international companies that are seeking to purchase, distribute or represent Georgia companies and products, according to a news release. The Suwanee Business Alliance is among the local agencies that also has this information. Overseas opportunities currently are in the following areas: AIRPLANE INTERIORS—CHINA HARD PLASTIC FOR RECYCLING—CHINA PACKAGE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS—MEXICO OXYGEN TECHNOLOGIES & EQUIPMENT—MEXICO MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPERS—MEXICO SALAD PROCESSING TECHOLOGIES/UTENSILS—MEXICO RETAIL OR…

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Suwanee Business Alliance Ventures Into New Turf

The business networking group will hold a joint meeting in Johns Creek.

The Suwanee Business Alliance, the city's leading networking group, will hold its first joint meeting Tuesday. The SBA will hold a networking event with the Johns Creek Business Association at St. Marlo Country Club. Ed Szczesniak, president of the SBA, notes that the SBA discussed the idea in a couple of board meetings and it "just evolved over several months." It helps that McGinnis Ferry Road is easier to navigate from recent construction. The idea, of course, is to help members grow their businesses and contacts. The Suwanee group has more than 200 members and holds monthly networking events at member businesses. The SBA also puts on an annual golf tournament to raise funds for charity. It's also common for Suwanee City Hall elected …

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Suwanee Business Scene

Business With a Personal Touch in Suwanee

The Suwanee Business Alliance networking group is popular for many reasons, and has influence outside the city.

You won't find any three-piece suits and briefcases. But you might come away with some actual business and a smile at a Suwanee Business Alliance gathering. The city's leading business networking organization now has over 200 members and prides itself on its friendly yet determined atmosphere. "The atmosphere is what we are trying to promote," said Barry Calano, one of the group's leaders. "It's unique. A lot of folks actually do business with each other. It's not an all talk, no action type of group." -- Have you attended a Suwanee Business Alliance event? Tell us in the comments below. Ed Szczesniak, the current president, sets the tone at each meeting and with postings on the group's Facebook site. He's constantly touting the group's …

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Steve Burns

1:43 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012

Thanks, Natasha. The informal nature is one of the SBA's strong points.   more ›

Suwanee Business Alliance Preparing for Golf Tournament

Participants and sponsors are being sought for the charity event.

Updated 6:59 p.m., March 19 The Suwanee Business Alliance, the city's leading business networking group, is seeking sponsors, donors and participants for its annual golf tournament. The event is scheduled for April 24 at Hamilton Mill Golf Club in Dacula. Ed Szczesniak, president of the SBA, notes that all the funds raised will be donated to charities. About 80 participants are expected. Tickets are $125. Sponsorship packages start at $100 and go to $2,000. The business group has over 240 members. Among its activities are monthly networking events at member businesses. It also regularly hosts the State Of The City speech by the Suwanee mayor. For more information on the SBA or the golf tournament, visit the website. Disclosure: Suwanee …

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Steve Burns

6:58 pm on Monday, March 19, 2012

Welcome, Ed. A good group indeed.   more ›

Mayor Burnette: 'This Is Going To Be Interesting'

New Suwanee mayor talks of then, now and beyond in first State Of The City speech.

It was appropriate for a good ol' Suwanee boy gone straight. "This is going to be interesting," Jimmy Burnette, wearing an open-necked shirt, said as he stepped to the podium Wednesday at City Hall. Then he introduced himself and went ahead with a speech. It was as Suwanee's new mayor had advertised -- a description of the Suwanee of his youth, a tribute to the present achievements, and an outline of what everyone can expect to see in the near future. "The Suwanee of my early childhood didn't have a City Hall. They used to meet in the back of (a store in Old Town). "For teens in the 1960s, Buford was the place to hang out," Burnette, a North Gwinnett High grad, told the gathering. But this is not a leader who is hung up on the past. "There…

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