A thriving city is built by people who work together: business owners who create jobs, volunteers who support local causes, and leaders in education, government, and the nonprofit community who share their knowledge and resources.
For years, the Marietta Business Association has brought leaders together. In the season of giving thanks, it’s fitting to recognize the people who invest their time, talent and care in Marietta. MBA’s mission extends beyond networking to business development, education, tourism, government and community service. The connections members make can lead to partnerships, investment and new opportunities throughout the city and beyond.
MBA brings together entrepreneurs, small-business owners, corporate professionals and civic leaders who recognize that businesses and communities succeed together.
Its weekly N.O.W. (Networking Opportunity Weekly) program, monthly luncheons, Connections After Hours, ribbon cuttings and First Fridays give members regular chances to meet. A conversation might lead to a client referral, a new collaboration or a fresh approach to a business challenge.
Just as valuable is the exchange of perspective. Established leaders share what they have learned. New entrepreneurs bring ideas and energy. Elected officials hear from people creating jobs locally, while nonprofit leaders meet those who can offer expertise and support. These relationships help Marietta welcome change while preserving the character people value.
In 2026, MBA designated a “Year of Service,” expanding opportunities for members to give back through partnerships with the Kiwanis Club of Marietta and local nonprofit organizations.
Service takes many forms. Members may mentor a young person, volunteer, serve on a board or apply their professional skills to a community need. Those contributions are especially meaningful in November, a season centered on gratitude.
The initiative also reflects the range of people within MBA. When professionals from different industries work alongside educators, nonprofit leaders and public officials, they develop a deeper understanding of the community and what they can accomplish together.
MBA has always looked for ways to do outreach in the community and support individuals and organizations that are making a difference. "We’ve partnered with organizations like Kiwanis Club of Marietta, Marietta Schools Foundation, Marietta Police Foundation, and Marietta Firefighter Support Fund to further their impact on the children of Marietta and our First Responders," said MBA President Charles "Chase" Sanger.
Marietta’s collaborative spirit comes to life on its historic Square, where MBA supports festivals, arts programs, concerts and events that make downtown a regional destination. Among them is Marietta Art in the Park, celebrating 40 years as a treasured Labor Day weekend tradition. Presented by MBA with support from community partners, the award-winning festival draws an estimated 55,000 visitors annually.
Events like these depend on businesses, nonprofits, sponsors and volunteers working together. They also bring visitors into local restaurants and shops, introduce people to community organizations and give them another reason to return.
That investment in Marietta reaches beyond downtown. Strong schools, from early learning through higher education, help young people thrive and prepare a future workforce. Business leaders can contribute through mentorship, partnerships and volunteer service. Together, with the city’s cultural life and neighborhoods, those schools help make Marietta and Cobb County desirable places to live, work, and raise a family.
"The MBA will continue to be a gathering point for community leaders and the business community to meet, collaborate, and strengthen networks which make Marietta such a great place", adds Sanger.
"The value of a business association is rationalized in more than attendance numbers. It shows up in businesses that find new opportunities, residents who benefit from local investment, and organizations that gain committed partners," says association member and East Cobb City Lifestyle Publisher Kevin Kaseta.
Healthy businesses create jobs and support families. They also sponsor events, support schools and nonprofits, and step forward when help is needed. In turn, a vibrant community helps businesses attract employees and customers.
MBA creates space for those connections to happen. Its members bring different experiences and ambitions to the table, sharing a stake in Marietta’s future. When they invest in one another and the place they call home, the result is a stronger community.
mariettabusiness.org