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January 6, 2017
January 25, 2017
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Hilton Richmond Downtown
January 25, 2017
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hilton Richmond Downtown
SAVE THE DATE!
Virginia Chamber Energy Conference
March 15, 2017
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President's Message
 On December 2nd, we hosted over 700 business leaders in Williamsburg for the 2016 Virginia Economic Summit. At the Summit, we launched Blueprint Virginia 2025, an update to our long-term economic development plan. Over the next year, we will once again convene Virginia's regional leaders and industry experts to analyze state and regional economies and identify specific economic drivers. You can take part by visiting www.vachamber.com/blueprint-virginia and participating in our survey.
The 2017 General Assembly Session begins on January 11, 2017. More than 200 bills have already been introduced and our government affairs team is reviewing legislation every day. On Friday, Governor McAuliffe presented his budget proposals to the General Assembly's money committees, and we will continue to monitor developments with the budget as well. Look soon for the Chamber's "Bills We're Watching," which provides short, concise summaries of bills and budget items we are tracking along with the Chamber's "thumbs-up" or "thumbs-down" position. "Bills We're Watching" will be live on our website after the new year.
We also hope you'll mark your calendars for a couple of events in January. On January 6th, we'll co-host the Financial Forecast with the Virginia Bankers Association to discuss the economic future of our Commonwealth. On January 25th, we'll hold our annual Chamber Day at the Capitol and Old Dominion Assembly Legislative Reception. At Chamber Day, join Chambers of Commerce and business leaders to hear from Virginia's top elected officials on the 2017 General Assembly session. Then, join us that evening for our annual legislative reception. More details on all of these events can be found below!
On behalf of all of our staff, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and prosperous new year!
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2017 Chamber Day at the Capitol and
Old Dominion Assembly Legislative Reception
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Chamber Day at the Capitol
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Join Chambers of Commerce and other business leaders from around the Commonwealth at Chamber Day for briefings from Virginia's top government leaders!
Chamber Day Tickets - $75 (early bird rate through January 6)
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Old Dominion Assembly Legislative Reception
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Join more than 600 guests at one of the premier events on the legislative social calendar!
ODA Tickets - $125
NEW THIS YEAR--COMBINATION TICKET OFFER!
Chamber Day and Old Dominion Assembly ticket for $185
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Economic forecasting has become an essential component to remaining successful and profitable in today's economic environment. The Virginia Bankers Association and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce share a desire to help prepare Virginia's business community for what lies ahead for Virginia's economy and the national economy.
To that end, our organizations will host the
2017 Financial Forecast on
January 6 from noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, bringing industry leaders together to discuss the economic future of our Commonwealth.
2017 Financial Forecast Speakers
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Economic Forecast
Sean Snaith
Institute for Economic Competitiveness
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The Economic Impact of the Cybersecurity Landscape in Virginia
Rear Admiral Bob Day
United States Cost Guard (retired)
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Fantastic 50 Nomination Deadline Approaching!
 Virginia's FANTASTIC 50 award program is a signature event of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Now in its 22nd year, the FANTASTIC 50 program is the only annual statewide award recognizing Virginia's fastest growing business.
Nominations for the 2017 Fantastic 50 program are open and being solicited from local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and through the sponsors' networks; companies may also nominate themselves.
Program Requirements
Click here to submit a nomination.
Nominations close on January 8th.
Once nominated, you will receive back by email the formal application that must also be completed by the
January 8, 2017 deadline.
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2017 Session Legislative Roundtable Meetings
During the General Assembly Session, the Virginia Chamber holds weekly "Legislative Roundtable" meetings for our members and other stakeholders to gather to discuss issues of importance to the business community. These informal, discussion based meetings allow attendees to update one another on bills and other items of note during the fast-moving General Assembly session.
All meetings are from noon-1:00 pm. Please note that all meetings will be held in the Speaker's Conference Room on the 6th floor of the General Assembly Building.
This year's Legislative Roundtables will be held on the following dates:
- Monday, January 16, 2017
- Tuesday, January 24, 2017 (note: this is a change from our regular meeting day of Monday.)
- Monday, January 30, 2017
- Monday, February 6, 2017
- Monday, February 13, 2017
- Monday, February 20, 2017
- Monday, February 27, 2017
Please feel free to forward this information to the lobbyist who represents your organization in Richmond during session, or the person who may handle your government affairs or public policy duties.
For your convenience, a list of bills that we are tracking can always be found at http://vachamber.com/advocacy/bills-were-watching/.
Feel free to contact Ms. Ryan Fierst, Public Policy Director and Legislative Counsel, with any questions at 804-237-1459 or [email protected].
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Joint Commission on Administrative Rules Wants Your Input!
The Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (JCAR) is conducting a survey to help identify regulations negatively impacting Virginia's business climate. In addition, JCAR is also seeking information about the permitting process (most of which is regulatory) and whether or not an inability to obtain permits or the cost of obtaining permits is impacting your business.
Please click on the link below to participate in the survey.
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New Overtime Rule Blocked But Questions Remain
Blog post by Karen S. Elliott, Esq., Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
The day before Thanksgiving, a Texas federal judge temporarily blocked the December 1, 2016, implementation of the Department of Labor's (DOL's) new overtime rule. The new rule more than doubled the salary threshold requirement for exemption status as well as automatically adjusted the threshold every three years beginning in 2020.
The following Q&A attempts to answer some of the more common questions employers may have in the aftermath of the court's ruling.
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Interested in International Expansion? Take Advantage of VITAL!
The Virginia Chamber is proud to partner with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership on VITAL, the Virginia International Trade Alliance. As a VITAL partner, our member companies have access to steeply discounted rates for international market research as well as international trade shows and international trade missions facilitated through VEDP.
Click below for more information:
If you or a company that you work with is interested in learning more about VITAL, please contact Samantha Quig, Corporate Communications Manager, at [email protected] or 804-237-1457.
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Keep up with the Virginia Chamber on Twitter!
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