Georgia Trend magazine makes it to a quarter century

By Maria Saporta

Congratulations to Georgia Trend for making it 25 years.

Many monthly magazines don’t even survive their first decade. But Georgia Trend has defied gravity, surviving through several ownership changes and countless economic downturns.

As a way to mark the moment, Georgia Trend through itself a birthday party at the Commerce Club last week.

Publisher Neely Young invited some of Georgia Trend’s closest friends to the lunch, including former political columnist Bill Shipp, former owner Millard Grimes as well as the current staff members.

Even developer Tom Cousins, who is the majority owner of the magazine, came — sitting at a table towards the back of the room.

Part of the occasion also was to celebrate the donation of Georgia Trend’s archives to the University of Georgia Library.

Georgia Trend’s latest issue commemorates this milestone with a big 25 on the cover.

But the issue doesn’t just look back over the past 25 years. It also includes interviews with some of Georgia’s top leaders, who share their views of the future. It also includes a forward-looking interview with House Speaker David Ralston.

Meanwhile, Neely Young also was looking to the future. His son, Ben Young, is the associate publisher. And the younger Young brought his young son to the lunch. Throughout the lunch, Neely Young held on to his grandson with the special joy and pride reserved for grandparents.

So Neely, thanks for inviting me to come to your special birthday party. Here’s to another 25 years — at the very least.