Georgia Business Radio – Alpharetta, First Georgia City to Receive Accreditation from AEDO

Georgia Business Radio - Alpharetta, First Georgia City to Receive Accreditation from AEDO
Peter Tokar
Economic Development Director
City of Alpharetta
Seasoned Economic Development executive with over 15 years of blended experience in technology, marketing, sales, graphic design and public/government relations. Well versed in communications, networking, graphical/visual/industrial design, strategic and business planning. Strong personal, communication and business skills as well as customer relationship management for all levels of civilian and government agencies, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small business.
Interested in opportunities to challenge and develop skills and abilities, particularly working in a community or business development role and establishing long term business relationships.
Specialties: Economic Development, Technology, Development Authority, Tax Incentives, Strategic Planning, Marketing and Communications, Business Development and Assistance, Television Production, Management, Teaching - Adjunct Professor, Web Design, Graphic Design, International Business
Leadership Broward Graduate - Class 27 (Florida)
Leadership North Fulton Graduate - 2013 (Georgia)
Atlanta Regional Commission - Regional Leadership Institute - Class of 2015
Young Gamechangers 2016 - Georgia Forward Leadership Program
Speaker - 2012 IEDC Annual Conference - "Managing the Generation Gap"
Speaker - 2014 IEDC Annual Conference - "Recruiting YP's to Economic Development"
Moderator - 2015 IEDC Annual Conference - "Because were worth it"
Speaker - 2016 IEDC Annual Conference - "Kicking your Advertising Strategy into High Gear"
Topics to Discuss
Alpharetta is First Georgia City to Receive Accreditation from AEDO
Alpharetta was recently recognized by the n with an AEDO qualification. This endorsement lends credibility to the city’s efforts towards growth and economic expansion. As a respected AEDO organization, Alpharetta becomes part of a group of distinguished, nationally known leadership municipalities.
Alpharetta Mayor, David Belle Isle, states, “Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our city leadership, economic development initiatives and programming, as well as partners in the community, The City of Alpharetta has built upon its culture of innovation and high-tech heritage by broadening our technology and community landscape. The AEDO certification is a testament that we have built an Alpharetta for all. Balancing business with community.”
While other establishments have been endorsed by the AEDO, Alpharetta is the first city to be approved in Georgia. To acquire the accreditation, officials created a strategic plan focusing on the main components that have contributed to progress in Alpharetta including enhancing the downtown space with the new City Center, the financial incentives offered that attract new businesses, and the area’s more than 20 million square feet of constructed office space. Alpharetta’s image also was a key component, with developments like Avalon and the proposed Alpha Loop enhancing the overall representation of the region. By bringing these successful companies, events, and new residents to the area, the city continues to advance with both tech-focused and commercial growth.
To determine approval, AEDO starts with a detailed organizational assessment examining internal and external operations including procedures and structures. Next, the certification process is conducted in two phases, the documentation review and a site team visit.
Peter Tokar, Economic Development Director for the City of Alpharetta, explains, “We are very excited to be recognized as an Accredited Economic Development Organization. The accreditation is not only a badge of honor, it communicated both internally and externally that our economic development programming is headed in the right direction.”
Communities that are recognized by the AEDO are known as leading authorities on business progression and e...