Representatives from Georgia's medium-sized metropolitan statistical areas had many opportunities to learn about common opportunities and challenges, as well as network with each other, during the first Urban Congress and Summit, sponsored by the Vinson Institute December 4-5 in Athens.

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Keynote speaker David Crockett encourages Urban Congress attendees to take advantage of technology linkages to enhance the future prosperity of their regions. Crockett is an associate with the CitiStates Group and president of the Chattanooga Institute.

Myles Caggins, right, associate superintendent for business services, Muscogee County Schools; discusses education issues with Dennis Epps, left, and Danny Bivins, center, of the Vinson Institute.

Janice Jackson, manager, City of Albany, speaks during the transportation forum session. Other panel members, left to right: Sonny Deriso, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority; E.H. Culpepper, Georgia Passenger Rail Authority; Lynn Cass, Macon-Bibb Transit Authority; and Michael Brown, manager, City of Savannah.