TECHNOLOGY SQUARE GRAND OPENING

On October 23 and 24, 2003, Georgia Tech marked the grand opening of Technology Square with a two-day celebration showcasing the development's unique blend of academic, research and public space. On the first day, Georgia Tech held the Technology and Global Economy Forum, the first major event at the complex. The forum brought together experts from the fields of government, business, science, and technology to examine the impact of emerging technologies on our world.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, University System of Georgia Chancellor Thomas Meredith and Georgia Tech President G. Wayne Clough opened the forum. Following the welcoming address, Duane Ackerman, chairman and CEO of BellSouth spoke about the ability of technology to connect people. Deborah Wince-Smith, president of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, addressed the challenges and opportunities of technology, Mike Duke president and CEO of Wal-Mart and a Georgia Tech alumnus, detailed how technology has improved the standard of living, and Al West, chairman and CEO of SEI Investments, told the crowd that technology is the lifeblood of the financial services industry.

Following lunch, Bruce Mehlman, assistant secretary of commerce, Office of Technology Policy, spoke about how technological innovation and entrepreneurship is the key to future U.S. economic growth.

The forum continued with three concurrent panel sessions led by experts from Georgia Tech focusing on biosciences and biotechnology, enterprise systems and information systems and technology.

The celebration continued the next day with a block party and ribbon-cutting by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, President Clough, former Georgia governor and current member of the Board of Regents Joe Frank Harris, Susan Mendheim, president of the Midtown Alliance, and Student Government Association President Nate Watson.