ATLANTA-Local government and business leaders are promoting retail opportunities along the Peachtree Corridor this week at the International Council of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas.

Mayor Shirley Franklin attended the conference to participate in an investment forum sponsored by the US Conference of Mayors. Prior to the event, Franklin held a private reception for a select group of retailers and developers. "We understand this conference is the place to meet developers and retailers who have not invested in Atlanta yet. Our team is going to ICSC to learn about retail innovation and to invite new retailers and developers to Atlanta," says Franklin in a prepared statement.

Joining Franklin at the conference were A.J. Robinson and Tahmida Shamsuddin, of the Central Atlanta Progress; Susan Mendheim and Shannon Powell, of the Midtown Alliance; Scotty Greene, of the Buckhead Community Improvement District and Peggy McCormick, of the Atlanta Development Authority. "We want to let retailers know that Atlanta is open for business--particularly along the Peachtree Corridor," Robinson says. "We will also be educating ourselves on the retail market. We want to discover what is hot and new in the retail industry and also find out what other cities are doing."