PGi, a global leader in virtual meetings for over 20 years, today announced its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA). Through financial, volunteer and in-kind contributions, PGi is proud to support JA's efforts to enhance American students' financial literacy and skills for personal and professional success.  PGi will sponsor a storefront and integrate its award-winning iMeet® web conferencing solution within the educational experience at the new JA BizTown, one of two interactive venues within Junior Achievement's Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center in Atlanta, located in building C of the Georgia World Congress Center.  

Set to open in September 2013, JA BizTown will serve 15,000 Atlanta-area students annually. The experience begins in the classroom with four weeks of JA-provided curriculum that culminates with a day at JA BizTown. During the visit to JA BizTown, students will receive unique job assignments and work in teams at their assigned business. By the end of the simulation each student will have completed a day's work, developed a budget and made educated purchasing decisions.

"True learning comes from doing and experiencing. PGi is passionate about fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders, and the new PGi storefront at JA BizTown will help students develop skills that equip them for future innovation and success," says Ted Schrafft, PGi President and member of the Junior Achievement of Georgia Board of Directors. "Corporate social responsibility is one of PGi's core values, and we are very proud and honored to be a part of JA's important efforts across the U.S." 

The interactive JA BizTown simulations provide sixth grade students with the opportunity to not only learn about finances and careers, but to one day transform into adults who are the sole decision-makers and owners of their personal financial success. Alongside positioning PGi's virtual meeting solutions within the simulated JA BizTown Business-to-Business market, PGi developers created a custom app for students to learn the value of selling software in a Business-to-Consumer environment. 

"Now more than ever, for students to be successful they must remain engaged in school, equipped with the skills for the professional world and prepared to navigate the financial complexities of today's economy," says Jack Harris, president of Junior Achievement of Georgia. "Thanks to partnerships with companies like PGi and with our local school systems, Junior Achievement is primed to provide the curriculum, tools and experiential facility to prepare more students to excel at the business of life."

Metro Atlanta is joining communities across the nation in the movement to incorporate financial literacy education and 21st century skills development as components of the core curriculum.  Currently, JA BizTown facilities exist in more than 20 cities across the United States. JA of Georgia has developed the next generation of these simulation centers, with the ultimate vision to take the centers statewide.

JA BizTown is offering a sneak peek to media and area business leaders at a private Grand Opening event August 20 from 10 a.m.–noon at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building C.

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