Unlike most major cities, Atlanta, Georgia is known more for its persona than its residents. Over the past decade, this destination city has become a treasure hunter’s playground and a businessman’s palace. From the worlds largest and most expensive ($290 million) aquarium to the most important runway in America, “The A” as it is called, is a little city with big ambition and lots of star power.

What cannot be done in a big city (usually because it has been done several times over elsewhere) is a must-do in, The A. What Atlanta lacks in size and location it makes up for in business, real estate, and entertainment (Forbes Magazine, June 2006). In addition to buzz from local celebrities, the city draws attention from the likes of New York City entertainment magnate, Sean “Diddy” Combs. Seven years ago, Combs opened a Justin’s restaurant in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead neighborhood. Native-born music mogul, Jermaine Dupri also opened a Buckhead establishment called, Café Dupri (June 2005). Earlier this summer, real estate tycoon, Donald Trump shared plans for leaving his imprint on Atlanta’s real estate market (Trump Towers Atlanta).

Many great talents either got their start or their inspiration in Atlanta. Producer, Tyler Perry and native Atlanta recording artist, T.I. brought Atlanta national recognition by using the city as the backdrop and theme (respectively) for three box office hits: Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, and ATL. Among its other traits, Atlanta is a major Southeastern hub for urban music. In recent years, the city has emerged as a prominent power giving birth to crunk music--a bassy rap style pioneered by Lil Jon--and trendy dance crazes such as Young Dro’s shoulder lean. Mega churches led by prominent pastors such as Dr. Creflo and Taffi Dollar and Bishop Eddie L. Long are a mainstay. Between them, the churches have close to 55,000 members. Publicity about the city would not be complete without Ludacris’ “Welcome to Atlanta” song and video--the latter of which profiled prominent Atlanta residents and mapmaking hot spots in College Park, Decatur, SWAT (Southwest Atlanta), and Buckhead.

Not surprisingly, music in Atlanta is a staple economic stimulant. Generating at least $1 billion in revenue and creating 11,000 jobs, the Georgia Department of Economic Development confirms the notion that music is a great source of revenue for the state. In addition to entertainment law, copyright and licensing firms, music schools, festivals, and concert venues abound. According to Michele Rhea Caplinger, the senior executive director of the National Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences’ Atlanta chapter, music-makers, producers, and engineers in Atlanta make the city a “legitimate music market.”

Among 40 U.S. cities, Atlanta ranks #1 for cost of living, #13 for online dating activity, and #14 for job growth. Atlanta is also the 16th “best [city] for singles (Forbes Magazine, July 2006). In order to maintain a competitive edge, Mayor Shirley Franklin says that championing “public-private partnerships [is] key to making [Atlanta] a magnet for talent and jobs” (Business Week, August 2006). Proof of Atlanta’s competitive edge is having the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation for a total of 15--among them, Home Depot founded by Arthur Blank (now owner & CEO of the Atlanta Falcons) and Bernie Marcus (Georgia Aquarium benefactor).

With such a versatile resume, it is no surprise that Atlanta’s population has mushroomed from approximately 3.5 to 4.8 million since the 1996 summer Olympics. Despite its growing metropolis, Atlanta still manages to maintain a country swagger. Beyond the city’s rich history and booming economic enterprise, The A is a welcoming place for aspiring entrepreneurs and of course, celebrities.