- Salute to the Consular Corps Tradition Continues -
May 27, 2011
Funding for the organization has always been primarily from the local community. Mills B. Lane, president of Citizens & Southern Bank, was an early supporter encouraging the Trust Company and First National Bank to donate funds also. He convinced the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce to provide seed money for many years as well. Other early corporate supporters were The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia International Life Insurance Co., Pan American Airways, Retail Credit (now Equifax) and Scientific Atlanta.
In 1981 Elaine Hayes chaired the first of a series of fundraising dinner 
dances. These developed into an annual Salute honoring a different country each year with the Ambassador of that country invited from Washington and most of the Atlanta international community in attendance. GCIV worked with local consuls of the honored countries and there were often trades shows, cultural exhibits and educational programs as well as the formal event. These fundraising galas evolved into an annual Salute to the Consular Corps, the first of which was held in 1998.
From 1988-1998, the U.S. Information Agency, which took over the International Visitor Program from the State Department, made funds available on an annual grant basis to local community organizations. GCIV applied for and received about 10% of its yearly budget from this source during that time. For many years GCIV received funding from the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, now discontinued due to budget cuts. In 1972 the State of Georgia began providing funds through the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism and in 1998 GCIV received about 15% of its budget from that source, working closely with that department to send visitors around the state, meeting with community leaders, business people and local media. Smaller towns and communities around Georgia, less used to international visitors than Atlanta, really rolled out the red carpet for these visitors and gladly showed them a different point of view of life in the South.
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Our Mission & Vision
GCIV builds understanding and cooperation between the people of our state and the world. Our vision is that every Georgia citizen has the opportunity to become more globally engaged.
Upcoming Events & Delegations
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/26/2012: Libyan Delegation
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/26/2012: South African Delegation
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/25/2012: Greek Delegation
- Fri 2/24/2012: International Dining Experience