The Marietta Business Association brings the community together.
By Cory Sekine-Pettite
While you may not directly be familiar with the Marietta Business Association (MBA), you certainly know about many of its community-oriented events, which not only bring us together for family fun but also raise funds for worthy causes. Like most business associations, the MBA’s primary goal is to “promote civic, social, and business goals through providing a forum to exchange business policies and create good customer relationships, all in good faith and integrity.” This cadre of local business owners meets regularly to remain knowledgeable about the community, its drivers, and its resources, so the group can create and leverage relationships that drive business collectively, says current MBA President, Michael Lindsey.
Lindsey, president of Freedom Payment Solutions, says that as the association grows, so does its belief in its members, creating a culture where they exist to support one another. Members shop at each other’s businesses and restaurants, he says. They hire services from members, they connect each other with members, and they exist to support!
That support extends into the community at large as well. The MBA has created multiple special events over the years with which you likely are familiar and perhaps have attended, including SPLASH, its Annual Golf Tournament, and the annual Marietta Egg Hunt. “Our Board of 12 Brand Ambassadors work hard to provide an environment that will help your business grow and will help you engage with other businesses, the city of Marietta, and with each other,” Lindsey says. Let’s take a closer look at these signature MBA events:
SPLASH
Known as the annual event presented each year by the MBA, the SPLASH event’s purpose is to raise money for a good cause while networking and having fun. Six Flags White Water Park plays host to this year’s SPLASH on Thursday, May 19. Enjoy food tastings from local restaurants, products from Red Hare Brewing Company, meet local business owners, and try your luck with the duck race while celebrating the upcoming opening of White Water and the beginning of summer. Held at the pavilion inside the lazy river with the backdrop of the wave pool, expect a relaxing atmosphere to network and meet new friends.
Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Communities in Schools, a nonprofit dedicated to reaching at-risk youths and helping them succeed with their education and beyond. Last year, the SPLASH event raised more than $3,600 for MUST Ministries. You can download a sponsorship application for this event and buy tickets at mariettabusiness.org.
MBA Annual Golf Tournament
Attendees of this annual event are guaranteed to have a good time, regardless of how well they hit the ball. Tee up with your business partners or make new friends at the City Club Marietta course where attendees are treated to great, local food and beverages; vendor tables; and chances to win prizes. City Club Marietta presents challenging shot selections and new Tif-Eagle Bermuda greens while providing an incredible golfing experience. The course has presented golfers with 10 decades of the finest playing experience among rolling hills, towering pines, and spectacular Southern vistas.
The dates for this year’s golf tournament have yet to be finalized, so keep an eye on the events tab of the MBA’s website at mariettabusiness.org. You don’t want to miss this!
Marietta Egg Hunt
Those of you with young children or grandchildren likely have participated in the annual Marietta Egg Hunt, which is presented in partnership with Superior Plumbing, Life University, and JRM Management. This family-focused holiday event takes place on the athletic fields located off of Barclay Circle. Attendees are sure to find fun, food, games, music, entertainment, a kids’ zone, and of course egg hunts for all ages. There are more than 40,000 eggs to be found each year! Can you imagine?
For details on sponsorships, event history, and attending the 5th annual Marietta Egg Hunt next year, be sure to visit the MBA’s website at mariettabusiness.org.
The members of the Marietta Business Association no doubt struggled over the last two years in not only managing their own affairs but also in working to maintain and run their organization and provide some sense of normalcy to the community at large through its events. As the group has persevered, Marietta has benefited. “I am proud to represent the MBA in 2022 and am thankful for the board members who have chosen to accept the challenge of serving the community in 2022 and beyond,” Lindsey says. “To steal a quote from our 2020 MBA President, Dave Young, ‘Let us lead from the front!’ And let us spend the great new year of 2022 engaging with each other, our businesses, and all other aspects of the Marietta Business Association!”
2022 MBA Board of Directors
Michael Lindsey (President), Freedom Payment Solutions
Michelle Faucher (2022 President-Elect), Biltmore Insurance
Greg Fuller (Past President 2021), White Water/Six Flags
Dave Young (Past President 2020), Command Wealth Management
Kathy Winiarcyzk (Secretary/Treasurer), Credit Union of Georgia
Dr. Tricia Patterson, Marietta City Schools
Bobby Lindsey, Atlanta Braves
Sean Rayborn, Money Pages
Brent Rittersdorf, High Caliber Realty
Tim Rogers, All State Insurance
Chase Sanger, Office of Congressman Barry Loudermilk
