December 7, 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS
Capital Region Workforce Summit
December 9th | 10-11:15AM
Women in Business: Holiday Wine Time Reception
December 9th | 5-6PM Register Here - Free for Members
GovCon Council: Holiday Happy Hour / Networking Reception
December 11th | 4-5PM Register Here - Free for Members
Women In Business Signature Event: Evolution of Diversity and Inclusion - The New Frontier - Belonging
December 15th | 10-11AM
Chamber Holiday Party: Virtual Happy Hour
December 18th | 4-5PM Register Here - Free for Members
partner event
Virtual Rocket Pitch + Power Networking by CONNECTpreneur
December 22nd | 11AM - 1PM
29th Annual Regional Economic Outlook 2021
January 28th | 9-10:30AM
A BOARD MESSAGE
A Message From Our Board of Directors Chairman, Kathryn Falk
Dear Members,

While this has been a year full of challenges, there have been silver linings including a universal movement toward a more inclusive and equitable business community. Our Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce has long held a welcome approach toward those who wish to join our membership. We’ve prided ourselves on our values of promoting businesses of all sizes and types within our region. What we learned this year is that this has not been enough.

Today, I am proud to share that your Chamber Board of Directors has formed a Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Board of Advisors to shape and guide Chamber programming while promoting a membership fully reflective of our unique and diverse community. The Chamber has held a long-standing commitment to ensuring equitable access within which all Northern Virginia businesses may thrive. Our new DE&I’s goal is to seek out and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion within all Chamber activities...
Our Member Blog is open to all Northern Virginia Chamber members. If you would like to participate by writing a blog post, please visit here and submit your idea.
ADVOCACY UPDATES
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
In August 2020, the Chamber partnered with regional organizations to launch the Capital COVID-19 Snapshot that included an employer survey aimed at better understanding how organizations were planning to reopen worksites and what factors that prevented employers from returning to offices, including testing and transit. The Snapshot’s August survey had more than 430 employers participate covering more than 275,000 employees and showed a high level of uncertainty on physical return to worksites, with a gradual return expected to last well into 2021. 

Working with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC), Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and leading business organizations, we ask for your business’ help by completing and distributing the second iteration of the COVID Survey: Planning for the Return to Worksites (Powered By the Greater Washington Partnership and EY).

The intent of this effort is to enhance coordination and understanding of reopening strategies and perceptions across stakeholders and jurisdictional boundaries. Your organization’s participation will enable employers and public agencies in the Capital Region to make informed decisions about how to safely and sustainably plan their reopening and recovery efforts. Please complete the Capital COVID Survey: Planning to Return to Worksites by December 11, 2020.
Questions or concerns? Contact the Chamber's Clayton Medford, Vice President, Government Relations, at cmedford@novachamber.org.
COUNCIL SERIES & NETWORKING
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Registration is free for members
Capital Region Workforce Summit
December 9th | 10-11:15AM
The Chamber is hosting the Capital Region Workforce Summit – a conversation with regional leaders of the business community to address ongoing and systemic issues affecting the region’s workforce. This year, the event will focus on recruitment, retention and workplace culture, as well as leading strategies for addressing equity and inclusion, all in the time of COVID-19. Speakers for this event include:
Ethan Gill, President, Helios HR

Laurie Foglesong, Chief Human Resources Officer, Peraton

Chris Gros, Vice President, Talent, NT Concepts, Inc.

Michael Batt, Director, Talent Initiative
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA)
Registration is free for members
WIB Signature Event: Evolution of Diversity and Inclusion - The New Frontier - Belonging
December 15th | 10-11AM
Today's businesses are making tremendous strides in creating workplaces with a diverse employee profile, but even as that progress has been made, there is still much work to be done before we can work in an environment where ALL are valued and welcomed. Our next Women In Business Signature Event addresses this timely and necessary business goal. Speakers for this event:
Tara Rush, SVP, Chief Communications Officer Audi of America

Tamika Tremaglio, Managing Principal Greater Washington Area Deloitte

Monica Schmude, President-Mid-Atlantic Market Cigna

Rebecca Shambaugh, President SHAMBAUGH Leadership
partner event
Virtual Rocket Pitch + Power Networking by CONNECTpreneur Investor Network
December 22nd | 11AM - 1PM
“Rocket Pitch + Power Networking” by CONNECTpreneur features 2 virtual networking sessions and a Rocket Pitch segment with exciting early stage companies. CONNECTpreneur events are cited as "The Best Networking Events in the MidAtlantic" by independent media as well as over 70% of surveyed past attendees.
Registration is free for members
29th Annual Regional Economic Outlook 2021
January 28th | 9-10:30AM
This event will provide industry executives with insight into key market indicators economists are watching as signs of economic recovery continue to emerge. Unique to this year will be a deep dive into regional real estate indicators, and discussion on what the pandemic means for the commercial and residential markets. Don’t miss your opportunity to be in the know in the new year! Speakers for this event:
Luke Tilley, Chief Economist Wilmington Trust

Mark Looney, Partner Cooley LLP

Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist Virginia Realtors

William Collins, Executive Vice Chair Cushman & Wakefield
Celebrate the Holidays with the Chamber!
We're getting into the holiday spirit with the following virtual events. Networking and fun are encouraged! Registration is free for members.

Women in Business: Holiday Wine Time Reception
December 9th | 5-6PM | Virtual Event | Register here

GovCon Council: Holiday Happy Hour / Networking Reception
December 11th | 4-5PM | Virtual Event | Register here

Chamber Holiday Party: Virtual Happy Hour
December 18th | 4-5PM | Virtual Event | Register here

MEMBER BENEFIT
MEMBER NEWS
Cox Business Cloud Solutions presents: IT Impackt. Tue, December 15, 11AM-3:30PM. Join IT Impackt, a free networking and educational conference focusing on future ready workforces. Click here to view the agenda and register. Click here to view agenda and register. 

Hogan Lovells marked the International Day of People with Disabilities by announcing that it has become a member of The Valuable 500 – the largest network of global CEOs dedicated to diversity. As a member of The Valuable 500 the firm commits to drive change and embed disability inclusion throughout the business. Click here for more information.

Now is a great time to pursue a Virginia Tech mechanical engineering graduate degree or certificate, or take a class to enhance your knowledge and claim your competitive advantage! Visit our "Virtual Events" webpage to register for one of our monthly information sessions on mechanical and nuclear engineering. Our next session is December 16 at 4PM.  Click here for more information.
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