Thanks to Jeff Sprecher, Atlanta is the global home of exchanges
Jeff Sprecher, the mastermind of market exchanges around the world, traced how he ended up in Atlanta in a talk to the Rotary Club of Atlanta on Jan. 12.
“I heard about a company in Atlanta that was going bankrupt,” said Sprecher, founder and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange. “I bought it for a $1 a share.”
That was in 1997. At the time, Atlanta was the nexus of connectivity with a fiber infrastructure that could support the technology for exchanges.
Intercontinental Exchange was formed in 2000. Sprecher then set out to acquire exchanges around the world – the International Petroleum Exchange in London, the Chicago Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and eventually the iconic New York Stock Exchange.
“I acquired about 30 of the world’s exchanges,” Sprecher said as if he were talking about buying pieces of art.
Sprecher does not seek the limelight. In a conversation with Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic, Sprecher said that if he had to pick another career, he would have been a watchmaker, where he could be in a room by himself tinkering with small tools.
Sprecher, who is married to former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, said the secret to his success is being a curator of ideas. “Surround yourself with people with good ideas,” he said.
Today, Sprecher is a believer in the “Atlanta Way,” where everyone can contribute.
“It’s in the water,” he said. “It’s bipartisan. It’s ageless. We all come together for the betterment of this city.”
— Maria Saporta
Buckhead Coalition welcomes its third president
The Buckhead Coalition welcomed its new president, Katharine Kelley, at its annual meeting on Jan. 14 at the St. Regis Hotel.
Kelley is the third person to lead the business organization. Former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell was the founding president, beginning his position in 1988. Massell served until 2000. At that time, Jim Durrett was named president of the Buckhead Coalition.
Kelley, who has worked in the Atlanta real estate community for decades, officially assumed her new role a week before the 36th annual meeting of the organization. Her new position was announced last October.
Durrett was named president of the Buckhead Coalition in June 2020 following the retirement of Sam Massell, who died a couple of years later. Durrett had been running the Buckhead Community Improvement District for more than 10 years at the time.
The decision was made to combine both organizations and have Durrett be president of both. Kelley will also lead both the Coalition and the Buckhead CID.
“On my first day on the job, Jim actually handed me a golden baton,” Kelley said at her first annual meeting as president.
The Buckhead Coalition annual meeting is a one-of-a-kind affair in Atlanta because it’s an invitation-only event. The invite list includes business leaders, elected leaders from the city, top public officials, civic leaders and members of the media, who are treated as peers rather than put in the back of the room in a media section.
Jonathan Rodbell, chair of the Buckhead Coalition, thanked Durrett for his tenure of service to Buckhead. Rodbell told luncheon attendees that the organization will commission Durrett’s son, Ryan, an artist and welder, to design and build a metal sculpture that will be placed at a spot in Buckhead in his honor. Durrett was visibly moved when he heard that announcement.
— Maria Saporta
Trust for Public Land and WABE to host screening and panel on rails-to-trails documentary
Trust for Public Land and WABE will host a community event Jan. 29 featuring a screening of the PBS documentary “From Rails to Trails: The Origin Story of America’s Beloved Pathways” followed by a panel discussion at the Atlanta History Center.
The newly released film traces the 60-year evolution of the rail-to-trail movement and documents how disused railway corridors were converted into more than 26,000 miles of public pathways for walking, biking and outdoor recreation. Narrated by Edward Norton, the documentary highlights key moments, grassroots leadership and bipartisan collaboration that helped build the nation’s trail network. The film is based on the work of advocates including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy co-founder Peter Harnik, who served as executive producer.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the screening beginning at 6 p.m. The program runs through 8 p.m. at the Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW.
Panelists include Harnik, Chuck Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline Inc., and George Dusenbury, Georgia state director for Trust for Public Land. Jennifer Dorian, president and CEO of Public Broadcasting Atlanta, will moderate.
Organizers said the discussion will focus on trails as public assets that expand access to nature, promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen community connections, including challenges and opportunities for trail growth and the role of public-private partnerships. Media interviews and photo and video opportunities will be available, and Harnik is expected to sign his 2021 book during a networking session.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta Pride releases 2025 impact report highlighting milestone anniversary year
Atlanta Pride released its 2025 Impact Report, marking the organization’s 55th anniversary and detailing what it described as a milestone year for LGBTQ+ communities in Georgia and the Southeast. With the theme Rooted in Resistance, the report cites record festival participation, expanded media reach and increased reinvestment in local Pride organizations statewide.
Atlanta Pride hosted the nation’s largest free Pride festival in 2025, drawing more than 350,000 attendees over the weekend. Organizers reported more than 100,000 spectators for the Atlanta Pride Parade, which they said was the city’s largest parade. The weekend also included the Starlight Cabaret, which Atlanta Pride described as the largest outdoor drag event in the country.
The report highlights expanded programming, including Atlanta Pride’s largest Family Fun Zone and Artist Market to date, historical exhibits developed with local archives and events such as “A Chaka Moment… In the Park.”
Through its Pride Across the Peach State initiative, Atlanta Pride said it has awarded $90,000 in grants to 16 Pride organizations across Georgia, including support for 10 groups in 2025. The organization said the grants supported grassroots Pride efforts during a year when more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced nationwide.
Atlanta Pride reported growth in individual giving, saying it more than doubled its number of individual donors and added 10 new sponsors. The organization also announced the launch of the 70 CLUB monthly donor program and said it completed its 2024 financial audit.
“For 55 years, Atlanta Pride has existed because our community refuses to be erased,” Executive Director Chris McCain said. The full report is available here.
— Derek Prall
SCAD TVfest returns to Atlanta for 14th annual event
SCAD TVfest, Georgia’s only festival dedicated to television and digital media, returns to Atlanta Wednesday, Feb. 4 through Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.
Now in its 14th year, the festival spotlights design, creativity and innovation in television and media production. Organizers said the event brings together professionals across broadcast, cable, streaming, web, social media and advertising to discuss industry trends and highlight notable content airing and streaming.
The festival also supports students in SCAD degree programs including acting, animation, film and television, production design and sound design through invited guests and programming.
Last year’s honorees included Uzo Aduba, Noah Centineo, Laverne Cox and the Duffer Brothers. Featured shows in 2025 included “Stranger Things,” “Shōgun,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “Outlander” and “Cobra Kai,” among others.
SCAD TVfest programming will take place at SCADshow theater in Midtown Atlanta. The venue includes a 700-seat main stage and a 130-seat theater, both equipped with projection and sound technology designed for screenings and live events. Organizers said the festival draws producers, directors, writers and actors to SCAD’s Midtown campus for screenings and conversations about television and digital storytelling.
— Derek Prall
Wild Heaven Beer, Pine Street Market launch winter-long soup series at Avondale taproom
Wild Heaven Beer is teaming up with Pine Street Market for a winter soup series running January through March 1 at the brewery’s Avondale Estates taproom.
The program, billed as Chef Al’s Pine Street Market Soup Season, features a seven-week menu developed by Chef Alfred McClendon using Pine Street Market’s pasture-raised meats. Wild Heaven said the Avondale kitchen will pause its regular menu during the run and focus on soups designed to pair with the brewery’s beers and to work for both dine-in and takeout.
Two soups will be available throughout the series: Brunswick stew served with cornbread and tomato basil soup paired with grilled cheese. A rotating seasonal soup will be offered weekly for a limited time.
Weekly specials include:
Jan. 6-13: Clam chowder with sourdough
Jan. 14-20: Loaded potato soup with sourdough
Jan. 21-27: Butternut squash soup with grilled cheese
Jan. 28-Feb. 3: Beef and bean chili with oyster crackers
Feb. 4-10: French onion soup with crostini
Feb. 11-17: Creamy chicken Marsala soup with naan
Feb. 18-25: Matzo ball soup with challah
Feb. 26-March 1: Final week while supplies last
Wild Heaven Avondale is at 135B Maple St. in Decatur. Click here for updates.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta Dogwood Festival to return for 90th anniversary
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival will return this spring after a major fall fundraising effort and a new partnership, organizers announced. The 90th annual festival, presented by Associated Credit Union, is scheduled for April 10-12, 2026 in Piedmont Park.
“We are absolutely delighted that the hard work of our board and leadership team combined with support from the community, corporate and philanthropic organizations and the City of Atlanta has allowed the festival to continue in 2026 and hopefully, for years to come,” said Brian Hill, executive director of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.
Organizers also said the festival will require a nominal entrance fee beginning in 2026, an authorization granted by the City of Atlanta. Weekend passes and family packages will be offered, with tickets available in advance and at the gate.
Founded in 1936, the Dogwood Festival is billed as Atlanta’s largest and longest-running fine arts festival. The weekend is set to include a juried artist market featuring more than 250 artists, live music and international entertainment, a VIP “Party in the Park” area with tastings and a private bar and family programming in the Kids Village. The festival also plans to host the Mimosa 5K, an AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier and showcase student work through the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition.
— Derek Prall
Emory hosting community data workshop to train community members on data for good
The HERCULES Community Data Workshop is accepting applications through January 18.
The six-session workshop series, which was developed by the HERCULES Exposome Research Center out of Emory University; will teach participants on how to collect, access and use data for environmental health concerns, using tools and techniques like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), collecting environmental samples, conducting surveys, accessing public data and more.
The workshop will have the following sessions:
- Session 1: Understanding Data
- Session 2: Census Data
- Session 3: Environmental Health mapping
- Session 4: Environmental Laws/Agencies
- Session 4.5: Publicly Available Data (bonus session)
- Session 5: Data Plan Report
Participation of the workshop is free; applications request that two people from each community register together, with an additional youth member between the ages of 16 to 24 allowed to join on the application.
Sessions will be held in a mix of online and in-person format, with in-person sessions being held at Emory University.
— Mark Lannaman
SCoRE celebrates 10 years of sustainability education and implementation
The Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education (SCoRE) is celebrating a decade of sustainability empowerment, education and community engagement in the Atlanta area.
Launched under the name Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS) in 2015, the initiative sought to make sustainability and like-minded thinking a staple at Georgia Tech and undergraduate curriculum at large, no matter what major a student pursued.
Through the center, Georgia Tech has been able to build connections with dozens of community organizations in the Atlanta area, and help students foster their sustainability-oriented careers with programs like the Sustainable Communities Summer Internship Program.
It also serves as a key foundation for the United Nations University Regional Centre of Expertise Greater Atlanta of Education for Sustainable Development (RCE Greater Atlanta), which has united schools across the Metro Atlanta region to champion sustainability education and advocacy and served as a network for sustainability-orientated organizations across the region; it is one of over 170 such United Nations University networks around the world.
In April, SCoRE opened an outdoor classroom in conjunction with a Georgia Tech class and community partnerships with West Atlanta Watershed Alliance.
A celebration is scheduled for Jan. 20 at The Clubhouse in Tech Square. Interested participants can RSVP here.
— Mark Lannaman
JJLA named booking and creative production partner for LOOP, new cultural venue powered by Goat Farm
JJLA, the award-winning live event and experiential agency, announced that it will lead bookings and creative event production for LOOP, the new cultural and creative venue powered by Goat Farm in West Midtown Atlanta. Located just minutes from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and within Georgia Tech’s forthcoming Creative Quarter, LOOP is designed as a flexible, production-ready destination for brand activations, cultural programming and immersive live experiences.
“Atlanta is about to become one of the world’s biggest cultural focal points, and LOOP gives brands a rare opportunity to be in the heart of it all,” said Jeff Consoletti, founder and CEO of JJLA. “This venue is creatively inspiring, deeply rooted in Atlanta’s cultural fabric and built with the infrastructure brands need to deliver unforgettable experiences. Together with Goat Farm, we plan to bring bold activations and unforgettable experiential moments to life.”
Developed by Goat Farm and designed by MALL-Stayner Architects, the venue features:
- 15,000 sq. ft. of indoor warehouse and 5-acre outdoor space
- Access to an additional five acres for large-scale experiences
- Parking capacity for nearly 1,000 vehicles
- Zoned, permitted and fully production-ready infrastructure
- Flexible layouts designed for day-to-night programming
— Megan Anderson
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival unveils official selections for 26th edition
The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF), the flagship program of the year-round organization ATL Jewish Film, announced the official lineup for its 26th edition, taking place in theaters across metro Atlanta Feb. 18 to March 3, with selected films available for streaming at home in the Virtual Cinema, March 6 to 15. The full schedule and theater locations can be accessed at AJFF.org and through the AJFF mobile app.
This year’s lineup of 49 feature films and 16 short films includes three world premieres, three North American premieres and seven regional premieres, showcasing new work from filmmakers around the globe.
Opening Night on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center kicks things off with the Atlanta premiere of the irresistible French dramedy “Once Upon My Mother,” an exuberant crowd-pleaser that balances emotional depth with warmth and wit.
“The 26th annual festival marks a monumental moment as we both launch a full season of ATL Jewish Film programming, and begin our second quarter-century,” said Kenny Blank, executive and artistic director. “Our films invite reflection, conversation and connection long after the credits roll, and we’re proud to share them with audiences across Atlanta and throughout Georgia.”
Tickets and memberships are available at AJFF.org, with member presales beginning on Jan. 21 and public on-sale following on Feb. 4.
— Megan Anderson
Innovative hair restoration studio, Great Many, expands to the Southeast with new studio in Atlanta
Great Many, a first-of-its-kind hair growth studio known for its non-surgical approach to hair growth, will open its first location outside of New York City on Thursday, Jan. 15 in Atlanta. Situated in the heart of Buckhead Village, the new 1,800-square-foot studio brings the brand’s approachable and effective services to the Southeast.
“Launching in Atlanta represents an important step for Great Many,” said Michael Pollak, co-founder and co-CEO of Great Many. “We’ve created a warm, supportive setting where guests feel understood, not judged. Our goal is for every visitor to leave feeling confident, informed and empowered to restore their hair for the long term.”
The Buckhead studio will offer two signature in-house services including PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Hair Restoration, and Laser Hair Restoration. These treatments allow Great Many to address the root causes of thinning while supporting long-term hair vitality.
In just over a year of operation, the brand has performed more than 6,000 treatments across clients of all ages, genders, ethnicities, life stages, and hair growth goals, all while developing a reputation for consistent results.
Click here to learn more and book appointments.
— Megan Anderson
