October 19, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS View all 2021 events here
Young Professionals Forum: Networking Reception
October 28th | 4:30-6:30PM
partner event
Strategies for CEOs: How to Set Yourself Apart to Hire Top Talent
October 29th | 9-10:15AM
Greater Washington Apprentice Network – November Employer Briefing
November 2nd | 2-3PM
19th Annual GovCon Awards
November 3rd | 5:30-9PM
Distinguished Service Awards
November 9th | 8-9:30AM
partner event
Stay Competitive in Today’s Cutthroat Recruitment and Retention Market
November 10th | 9-10:30AM
Women in Business Signature Event: Leading Diversity
December 9th | 8:30-10AM
ADVOCACY UPDATE
Working for our Members toward a better Virginia
The Northern Virginia Chamber’s Policy Committee is wrapping up our annual Legislative Agenda drafting process next week. You will see many familiar principles included in the 2022 Agenda like urging leaders to focus on growing and improving Virginia’s workforce development ecosystem, expressing support for continued investment in major transportation projects like the American Legion Bridge replacement, and calling for a more competitive tax environment in the Commonwealth. You can tune in to the final meeting on October 26th to get a sneak peak of the final recommendations (email VP of Government Relations Clayton Medford for the information).

For the past several years, the Chamber has placed an emphasis on supporting public policy initiatives that lead to greater opportunity for all Virginians. With direction from our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board, the Chamber’s advocacy is newly energized around DEI initiatives throughout our Legislative Agenda. Additionally, DEI is a large part of the Chamber’s Strategic Plan. 

The Chamber’s advocacy priorities in education, workforce development, and transportation are all achieved through greater equity. In education, too many Virginians do not have the financial means to pursue a degree or even some training and certifications. This means that businesses lack the talent they need to grow. That’s why we were proud to support the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Program which provides financial support to individuals pursuing a degree in a high demand field. This kind of advocacy reduces the talent gap...
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS
Congratulations to our 2021 Distinguished Service Award Finalists!

Join us as we reveal this year's winners at the November 9th event. Register here.
2021 VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Maturing:
  • Aptive Resources
  • Building Momentum
  • David T Scott & Associates, LLC (DTS)
  • GCubed Enterprises, Inc.
  • Government Tactical Solutions

Established:
  • Intelligent Waves LLC
  • IT Veterans, LLC
  • ManTech International
  • Precise Systems, Inc.
  • Wendroff & Associates, CPA
2021 VETERAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
  • Charles Miles, PenFed Credit Union
  • David Huisenga, Klas Government
  • Tim Bayliss, Government Tactical Solutions

2021 VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
  • AUSA, GWC
  • Easterseals DC MD VA
  • National Veteran Small Business Coalition
  • Our Military Kids
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Policy Committee Takes Up Transportation This Friday
The Chamber’s Policy Committee’s annual drafting of the Legislative Agenda will finish the bulk of its work this week. On Friday at 9AM you can join us to help shape the Chamber’s priorities on Transportation. It’s not too late to join the process! Email Vice President of Government Relations Clayton Medford for more information. This is your chance to help prioritize the Chamber’s advocacy priorities for 2022. 

IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL
UPCOMING EVENTS
Vaccination Requirement: The safety of our members and guests is always of the utmost importance. The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce requires all staff, members and guests who attend our events to be fully vaccinated. All attendees will be asked to provide their physical COVID-19 vaccine card, a photo of vaccination card, or Health Pass by CLEAR. For additional details see our individual registration pages.
Young Professionals Forum: Networking Reception
October 28th | 4:30-6:30PM | Chamber Offices
We've spent all year in Zoom meetings, it's about time to meet in person and truly network! Join the Chamber and the Young Professionals members for an in-person networking reception.
partner event
Strategies for CEOs: How to Set Yourself Apart to Hire Top Talent
October 29th | 9-10:15AM | Virtual
In this continued competitive market for small and mid-size government contractors, we will discuss strategies for CEOs to entice and retain top talent. The recruiting process is enhanced and accelerated when CEOs leverage their brand and are engaged with candidates and employees. Join us as we share considerations in how to increase your success rate of employment offer acceptances when paying the top of the market may not be an option. Helios HR’s CEO Kathy Albarado will interview three prominent CEOs making remarkable developments with attracting and retaining top talent for their businesses. Discover how you can strategically and intentionally set yourself apart in this tight market to grow and scale.
Greater Washington Apprentice Network – November Employer Briefing
November 2nd | 2-3PM | Virtual
The Greater Washington Apprentice Network (GWAN) brings together employers, academic institutions, public and private sectors. Employers gain access to best practices from organizational peers, sources of prospective apprentice candidates, support services, academic institutions, and training resources.
 
November Featured Resource: Northern Virginia Community College.

Additionally, this meeting will feature a briefing by Jonathan Aberman, Dean of Marymount University’s School of Business, Innovation, Leadership & Technology and Terry Clower, Director of the Center of Regional Analysis at George Mason University with key learnings and takeaways from their workforce research about adult learning and apprenticeship programs.
19th Annual GovCon Awards
November 3rd | 5:30PM | Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner
Presented by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Services Council (PSC), the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards winners are announced at an evening gala, which has been dubbed the "Academy Awards of Government Contracting." This unique networking event draws the region's top industry and government leaders.
Distinguished Service Awards
November 9th | 8-9:30AM | Army Navy Country Club
Keynote: Alan Salisbury, Major General (Ret), Co-Founder and Chairman
Emeritus of the Code of Support Foundation

The Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals, companies, and non-profit organizations for their service to veterans in the Greater Washington business community. The Awards are presented in recognition of community stewardship and business leadership.

This event will be held at the Army Navy Country Club located at 1700 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 22202. 
partner event
Stay Competitive in Today’s Cutthroat Recruitment and Retention Market
November 10th | 9-10:30AM | Chamber Offices
Employee Benefits play a key role in every employer’s competitiveness in today’s cutthroat recruitment and retention market. Northern Virginia Chamber Member, USI Insurance Services, will roll out their 2021 Benefits Benchmarking Study results during this informational session. With a focus on middle market employers in the DC Metro region, you will receive insights about how your competitors are handling:
  • Medical plan design and contributionsPaid and family leave
  • Employee communications
  • Wellness initiative
  • Ancillary benefits including emerging trends such as student debt repayment and tuition reimbursement

This will be a great opportunity to inform your 2022 benefits strategy. Everyone is welcome!
Women in Business Signature Event: Leading Diversity
December 9th | 8:30-10AM | Hilton McLean
Keynote: Natalie Madeira Cofield, founder of Walker’s Legacy and current Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women's Business Ownership, at the U.S. Small Business Administration

The Women in Business signature event is the Chamber’s premier networking and educational event geared toward top woman executives.

This year’s event will focus on women executives who are leading diversity initiatives in their respective companies in a moderated panel discussion This event will provide timely and operational takeaways for executives looking to lead and impact diversity at their companies.

MEMBER NEWS
Join Employment Enterprises’ upcoming webinar: “The Future of Recruitment”. During this session, we’ll dive into (and predict the future of!) recruitment based on current data and neuroscience-driven human capital consulting. Register here.
Would you like to include your member organization's news in our next Doing Business issue? Sharing news is free for all members! All you have to do it complete the form on our website found here. The deadline to submit news is Friday at 12PM prior to our Tuesday newsletter.
Doing Business is the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's weekly e-newsletter focused on member-relevant news, Council Series updates, and upcoming events. Each month we will feature advocacy updates, a message from our President & CEO, and member-written blog posts. Subscription sign-up and past issues may be found on our website.
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
7900 Westpark Drive | Suite A550 | Tysons Corner | VA | 22102