Chamber
Executive Virginia Digest
June,
2019
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber
Announces Community Conversations Series Kickoff - Powering Our Economy: The
Energy Grid and Renewable Energy
FREDERICKSBURG
– The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce will host Kent
Farmer, President and CEO of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, and a panel of
experts from sPower, Dominion Power and the Nuclear Economics Consulting Group
for a discussion about the impact that energy and energy policy has on our
regional economy as part of the Community Conversation series presented by
Virginia Partners Bank on May 29, 2019. The event will be held at the Fick
Conference Center at 8:30 a.m.
Energy
plays a significant role in our regional and state economy. Electricity,
gas and other fuels power up our industry, our vehicles and our
innovation. Join us for a comprehensive discussion on how this works,
discuss improvements needed and what we can do to build for the future.
Susan
Spears, president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber, stresses the
need for a strong energy grid saying, “To keep our economy moving forward, we
need a secure, sustainable and efficient energy grid that powers our home, our
businesses and our innovation. Without energy, our economy is in the dark.”
Get more
information about this series or other Chamber programs by visiting
fredericksburgchamber.org or by calling the Chamber office at 540-373-9400.
The Arlington Chamber Of Commerce
Presents Volunteer Arlington Day
For 20 years, the Arlington Chamber
of Commerce has been proud to host Volunteer Arlington Day, an annual tradition
that engages businesses and individuals in rewarding half-day service projects
throughout the community. This year, 270 volunteers are registered to volunteer
at 16 nonprofit locations throughout Arlington.
Volunteer Arlington Day
is produced by the Chamber's Community Action Committee and connects Arlington
businesses to Chamber member nonprofits. This is a great opportunity for
nonprofits to develop relationships with Arlington businesses.
Tuesday, April 23 from
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Event kickoff will be
held at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 1910 North Randolph Street, Arlington, VA
22207. Volunteer work will be at various project sites around Arlington.
Founded in 1924, the
Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary, nonprofit organization of
hundreds of businesses and thousands of professional people who are committed
to the economic prosperity and civic well being of the Arlington community. The
Chamber focuses on ways to make the community a better place to work, live and
visit, including recognizing the men and women who contribute to the well-being
of Arlington.
The Lynchburg Regional
Business Alliance and the Center for Advanced Engineering and Research to Join
Together to Promote Technology Based Economic Development for the Lynchburg
Region
The
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance (the Alliance) and the Center for Advanced
Engineering and Research (CAER) today announced an agreement to work together
in a joint effort to develop a technology based economic development plan for
the region. One of the goals in the LRBA’s 2019 strategic plan is to create and
implement an innovation and tech based economic development plan. Research on
successful technology clusters points to several elements that are critical to
building a technology-based economy. These elements include sources of
knowledge creation (R&D), spillovers of knowledge (technology
commercialization), physical infrastructure such as broadband, a technically
skilled workforce, access to capital and an entrepreneurial culture.
Under a Memorandum of
Understanding signed by the two organizations, the Alliance and the CAER will
work together to jointly develop and implement a plan that leads to increased
levels of innovation-based activities, an increase in the size and quality of
the support network providing technical solutions for science, engineering and
technology companies in the region and the state, and improvement in the
quality of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce in
the region and Virginia.
“This joint effort will
combine the technical resources of the CAER with the economic development
resources of the Alliance to drive the economic growth of existing and
prospective technology-based employers in the region and Virginia” states Megan
Lucas, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance. “This plan supports the
Alliance’s business expansion, retention and new job creation initiatives while
connecting people and businesses. Growing and sustaining a dynamic regional
economy is at our core.” she added.
The Agreement includes a
more detailed statement of work that addresses not only the development of the
work plan, but also specific projects and programs needed to support this plan,
fostering innovative partnerships and relationships in the region and the
Commonwealth among public institutions of higher education, private companies,
federal laboratories, and not-for-profit organizations, and assisting the
Commonwealth’s Economic Development programs to bring science, engineering and
technology businesses into the Lynchburg region.
Bill Guzek, President of
the CAER board states that “we are excited to team with the Alliance as part of
this agreement. We believe together we can enhance the value of both
organizations for supporting technology growth in this region.”
“The idea of building
out initiatives that lead to increased innovation such as new product
development, technology commercialization, technology transfer, technology
business start-ups and growth, along with the supporting applied research and
development is exciting” added Bob Bailey, Executive Director of the CAER. “The
potential for this region has always been high.”
Chamber of Commerce Serving
Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2019 Membership Directory and
Workforce Development Magazine
The new Chamber of Commerce 2018 magazine is available at the
Chamber today! Thanks to Tracy Lyons, Chrystal Lee and the chamber team for
their help and direction putting this together!
Town
Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's
gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the
chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call
(847)-427-4633.
Virginia Peninsula Chamber 2019
Military Job Fair
The Military Affairs Council of the VIRGINIA PENINSULA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
presents the 2019 Military Job Fair in Collaboration with the
Military Family Support Center Employment Programs
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Newport News Marriott at City Center
740 Town Center Drive | Newport News, VA
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM- (Vendor Check-in and Set-up)
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM- (Open to Active-Duty/Retired Military,
Reservist, DOD Civilians, Dependents, and Veterans)
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM- (Open to the Public)
Prince William Chamber Stands Against Doubling of “Tech Tax” Rate
“TECH TAX” DEFEATED
PW Chamber and Business Community Defeat
Massive Tax Increase
Manassas, VA – Tonight at a special Board of County
Supervisors Meeting, Supervisors Nohe, Lawson, Angry and Anderson voted against
a measure that would have led to a massive tax increase on over 4,000
businesses in Prince William County.
The measure would have increased operating
costs, potentially limited a business’ ability to invest in new technology and
would have devastated economic development in the region.
“This is not just a victory for the Prince
William Chamber, the Technology Industry and the over 4,000 businesses that
would have been impacted by this massive tax hike. This is a win for the entire
region and says that despite political pressure we have leaders who understand
and want a stable and predictable business environment," said Ross Snare,
Director of Communications and Government Affairs for the Prince William
Chamber of Commerce.
Snare went on to say, "We need to work
together to make the Prince William Region the best place for businesses to
want to come and grow. Supervisors Nohe, Lawson, Angry and Anderson showed us
tonight that we have the leadership to accomplish that. We at the Chamber look
forward to collaborating with ALL the Supervisors to make the Prince William
Region the best place to live, work, play and do business!"
Contact: Ross Snare
email: rsnare@pwchamber.org
phone: 571-247-2156
Mark Ingrao Departure Announcement:
Note from Charlene Wheeless: Chairman of the Board, Greater Reston Chamber
It is with mixed emotions that I
share with you the resignation of Chamber President and CEO Mark S. Ingrao,
CCP, CAE. Mark has accepted a new position as the Chief Executive of the
Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA). He will remain
with the Chamber until June 27, 2019 before taking on his new role, giving us
enough time to identify a successor.
Mark joined the Chamber in July
2009, taking the helm at a challenging time for the Chamber. Business and
government were still reeling from the sharp decline in economic activity of
the late 2000's—the most significant downturn since the Great
Depression.
Under Mark’s leadership, despite
the business and economic forces, the Chamber’s financial position stabilized,
membership increased, and a new sponsorship strategy began positioning the
Chamber as a collaborative organization and community steward. Mark led
the association to historic milestones, including growing the Chamber from the
13th largest in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area to the 7th largest.
Other notable accomplishments
include:
· Retired $150K in debt within his
first year;
· Reorganized the staff structure
more focused on new members and membership benefits;
· Positioned the Chamber as a
founding member of the Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership, successfully
advocating for our members at the Virginia General Assembly;
· Led the Chamber’s Taste of Reston
festival to being named the “Best Food Festival in Northern Virginia” by
Virginia Living Magazine;
· Launched the B2G Matchmaking and
Expo which has become the largest event of its kind for government contractors
outside the beltway; and
· Created Northern Virginia
Restaurant Week as a collaboration with other chambers in Northern Virginia;
Please join me in thanking Mark for
his stellar leadership, commitment, and contributions to the Chamber and Reston
for the past nine and half years, and in wishing him continued success.
A Search Committee has been formed
to source candidates to succeed Mark and further the Chamber’s success.
Sincerely,
Charlene Wheeless
GRCC Chairman of the Board
Fredericksburg Regional
Chamber Announces Senator Mark Warner to Deliver Keynote at Third Annual
Cybersecurity Conference: Cyber Never Sleeps
FREDERICKSBURG – The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to
announce that Senator Mark Warner will deliver the keynote at the Third Annual
Cybersecurity Conference: Cyber Never Sleeps. This year’s conference will be
held on Friday, May 3 from 8-3p.m. at the University of Mary Washington Stafford
Campus located at 121 University Boulevard, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406.
Speakers include Senator Mark Warner, Vice-Chair of the Senate
Intelligence Committee; State Senator Bryce Reeves; Dr. Ray Letteer, Marine
Corps Senior Information Security Official (SISO) and the Chief of the
Cybersecurity Division of the Command, Control, Communications, and Computer
(C4) Department at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and Col. Douglas Lemott,
the commanding officer of Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group (MCCOG),
Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command.
The conference brings together leaders on the frontlines of the
“cyber battle.” Attendees will hear perspectives from state, DoD and
operational-level experts on the latest challenges in cybersecurity. Guest
speakers and panelists will highlight the urgency of current cyber threats,
provide useful information to identify them, and offer practical tips for
protecting the data and physical assets.
Topics include:
- Cybersecurity 101: A comprehensive understanding
of cybersecurity.
- Securing Infrastructure: Defending against
cybersecurity threats.
- Shared Responsibility: Working together across
industries and government agencies to prevent cyber-attacks.
Registration is open on the Chamber’s website. Chamber members
receive a member rate of $35, non-members $50 and government employees are able
to attend for free thanks to the signature sponsor for the event – RPI Group,
Inc.
For more information or to register, please visit www.fxbgchamber.org
or contact Community Advancement Manager Kyle Allwine at kyle@fxbgchamber.org
or 540-373-9400.
#FamousChamber Of
Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
Be around those who
inspire you and motivate you to reach your dreams. Joel Osteen
Hampton Roads Chamber: 2019
Suffolk State of the City
“The knowledge that inspiration and growth
only come from adversity and from challenge, from stepping away from what’s
comfortable and familiar, and stepping out into the unknown,” said Suffolk
Mayor Linda T. Johnson. The Hampton Roads Chamber wrapped up its signature 2019
State of the City Series with Suffolk on Tuesday, May 21 at the Hilton Garden
Inn-Suffolk Riverfront Hotel and Conference Center. “We know that the
overarching success and vitality of the entire city and the boundless potential
that lies ahead for all of us lies in the fact that we work together.”
Hampton Roads Chamber President and CEO Bryan
K. Stephens said, “There are over 500 of us in this room to showcase Suffolk’s
excellence in leading economic, workforce development and quality of life.”
May being Military Appreciation Month, Mayor
Johnson recognized how important military personnel is to the region. “We are
privileged that more than 3,000 military and civilian personnel not only work
in Suffolk at the Naval Information Forces and the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff,
among others but that thousands also call Suffolk home.”
Major areas of growth are in store for Suffolk
including educational and economic development projects, and outdoor recreational
programs. Each of these aspects of life directly contributes to the economy and
quality of life not only for the city but also the region. “It is evident that
when it comes to opportunities to enjoy leisure and culture within our
community, we truly offer something for everyone. There is no better time to
explore, make memories, and share your adventures with family and friends,”
said Mayor Johnson.
A few major businesses contributing to the
economic prosperity of Suffolk are Sentara Obici Hospital, Bon Secours
Healthcare, Blue Bell Creameries, and BECO. Obici continues to expand its
campus and provide residents with high-quality health care by integrating
advanced technologies. Bon Secours will develop a short-stay,
surgically-focused hospital in North Suffolk. Blue Bell Creameries has
committed to returning to the region by building a 14,000 square-foot
distribution facility in the Northgate Commerce Park. The Bridgeport area by
BECO known as “The Silos” are making significant headway in the housing and
residence department of the city. The area will offer 288 luxury apartments
surrounded by a walkable waterfront community that will also feature retail
shopping and dining, showcasing all that Coastal Virginia has to offer.
Johnson encapsulated the overall theme and
purpose of the State of the City Series by noting business and economic
developments from the past year propelling the city into the next year. Most
notably, a reported steady increase in the population of the city from the U.S.
Census Bureau since 2012, positive financial success from abundant farmlands,
and securing AAA Bond ratings with Standard & POOR’s and Fitch rating
agencies. Each of these accomplishments positively factors into the growth of
Suffolk in the coming years.
An exciting development for the Downtown area
is SPARC, the Suffolk’s Prime Arts Retail and Culinary Initiative. This
initiative includes the work of over 40 artists to be displayed at the newly
opened SPARC Shoppe on Main Street, which received a grant of $15,000 from
Suffolk Economic Development Authority to open an even larger community space.
“The energy of entrepreneurs is palpable Downtown. If you haven’t joined us
lately, come experience, see, and taste what so many people are talking about,”
said Mayor Johnson.
With Sentara and Bon Secours leading the way
in innovations and campus expansions throughout Suffolk, the availability of
medical care has increased and made readily available for the residents of the
city. The public safety of Suffolk continues to be a point of success for the
city by using the best equipment technology to keep citizens safe. “A city can
only move forward when it has a strong foundation to build upon,” said Mayor
Johnson.
With the mentioned projects and growth of
Suffolk, the city has a lot to look forward to in the coming years. In closing,
Mayor Johnson said, “We can be proud of how we are growing, and in particular
be proud of how we are doing it together.”
The Hampton Roads Chamber means business and
works as a powerful economic partner, inspiring ignitor, impactful advocate,
and regional brand collaborator for our diverse and inclusive business
community.
The Top of Virginia Regional
Chamber 2019 Voice of Business
The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 2019 Voice of
Business is available at the Chamber today! Thanks
to Richard Kennedy and the chamber team for their help and
direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com)
can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile
or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman
at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Job Openings in Virginia #ChamberWorld this month
Greater
Reston Chamber – see article about Mark Ingrao accepting another position above.
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps and
Community Profiles: The best in Virginia.
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Top Five Daily Postings
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Posts
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Last Issue’s Highlights
Arlington Chamber of
Commerce Applauds Approval of Amazon Headquarters Performance Agreement
#BestChamber Practices: Charlottesville Regional Chamber launches
new leadership program
Virginia Peninsula
Chamber partnership: Youth Career Expo Contact Suzy Johnson at sjohnson@vpcc.org or (757) 325-8160
Prince William Chamber
Hosts 2019 Valor Awards Contact:
Ross Snare email: rsnare@pwchamber.org
Job Openings
in Virginia #ChamberWorld last month
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