2008-09-04 23:54:01 -

www.ventureatlanta.org - Media Contact: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Tanya Dunne, 404-586-8471 tdunne@macoc.com or Event Contact: Venture Atlanta Allyson Eman, 770-298-4202 aeman@ventureatlanta.org Venture Atlanta, the premier investor showcase for emerging technology companies in Georgia, today announced that Bernard Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, Inc. and chairman of the Marcus Foundation, will deliver the keynote address on October 16, 2008.

With 2,141 stores, The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer. Under Marcus's guidance, the company helped to revolutionize the home improvement business with its warehouse concept. Marcus served as chairman of the board until his retirement in 2002. He remains director emeritus.

"We are excited to have someone of Bernard Marcus's caliber deliver the keynote

for this inaugural event," said David Hartnett, vice president of economic development at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "As a true entrepreneur, he is someone who has taken his business from an idea to a world-renowned retailer. He will be an inspiration to both entrepreneurs participating in the conference and member executives alike."

Marcus's keynote address will take place the afternoon of October 16, 2008 during Venture Atlanta. As one of Georgia's most famous and influential entrepreneurs, Mr. Marcus will share his insight on and experience with building the Home Depot, as well as the many lessons learned during that time. In addition, Marcus will discuss today's entrepreneur and why he chose Georgia as the home base for the Home Depot empire.

In addition to showcasing the insight of well-known entrepreneur, Marcus, Venture Atlanta is attracting top-tier venture capitalists from around the country, including: Arcapita Venture Partners, Chrysalis Ventures, Council Ventures, Flybridge Capital Partners, Frontier Capital, Grotech Capital Group, Harbert Venture Partners, H.I.G. Ventures, Imlay Investments, Intersouth Partners, Noro-Moseley Partners, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, Total Technology Ventures and Updata Partners.

Venture Atlanta is the collaboration of three leading business organizations: The Atlanta CEO Council, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Technology Association of Georgia. The event will be Georgia's most prestigious conference, bringing top-tier venture capitalists together with Georgia's most innovative emerging technology companies.

For more information on Venture Atlanta 2008, please visit www.ventureatlanta.org.

Groundbreaking entrepreneur will share insight with conference
attendees