March 2, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS View all 2021 events here
Member Engagement Roundtable: COVID-19 Lease Negotiations
March 2nd | 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Get Connected / Speed Networking
March 9th | 3-4PM
partner event
Community Foundation Annual Shape of the Region
March 11th | 12:30-2PM
Mid-Atlantic Innovation Celebration Application Deadline
March 19th
Women in Business Forum - Resilient Women: The Science of Resiliency
March 24th | 10-11AM
Annual State of Healthcare
April 15th | 9-10:30AM
MEMBER ADVOCACY
Highlighting Business Wins at the 2021 VA General Assembly
by Clayton Medford, Vice President for Government Relations
The Virginia General Assembly formally ended its 2021 session on Monday and the Chamber was (virtually) front and center for the entire process that began on January 13th. Each year the General Assembly gathers in Richmond and makes decisions that impact how we do business in Virginia. The Northern Virginia Chamber is one of the most influential, pro-business voices engaged in this process.

In this highly unusual year, the Chamber remained an effective advocate for our members and the Northern Virginia business community as a whole. As the Chamber’s full time Vice President for Government Relations, I spent my days talking directly with key House and Senate members from the Region and around the Commonwealth, testifying before committees, and working with other business groups to implement the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda. 

This Legislative Agenda is developed each year by the Chamber’s Policy Committee and we are always looking for new members. You only need to be a Chamber member to join and see up close how the Chamber has earned the reputation as The Voice of Business in Northern Virginia®. Here are a few highlights of our work during this year’s General Assembly session:

Paycheck Protection Program Expense Deductibility: the Chamber advocated on this issue throughout the... 
For details about the Chamber's Advocacy work, Contact the Chamber's Clayton Medford, Vice President for Government Relations at cmedford@novachamber.org.
COUNCIL SERIES & NETWORKING
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Registration is free for this members-only event
Member Engagement Roundtable: COVID-19 Lease Negotiations
March 2nd | 11:30AM-12:30PM
The effects of COVID-19 have been felt everywhere, but especially in commercial leasing. Our next Member Engagement Roundtable will be a conversation with NOVA Business Law Group, LLP’s Associates Joe Kirkwood and Zainab Chaudhri, and Antonis Alexandris, Senior Associate, Scheer Partners to discuss issues related to commercial leasing post-COVID.
Registration is free for this members-only event
Member Get Connected / Speed Networking
March 9th | 3-4PM
This event holds the power to increase your business circle within a short period of time. During each session, participants will meet face-to-face (virtually) while exchanging contact information and valuable information about their respective businesses.  
partner event
2021 Shape of the Region Conference Co-Creating a New Northern Virginia:
An Emerging Vision of a More Inclusive, Sustainable, and Equitable Region
March 11th | 12:30-2PM
All we see is an opportunity. Our region is more awake and alive, more committed to inclusion, sustainability, and equity than ever. Government, social, and private sector actors are leaning in together to address entrenched and complex local issues. We are coming together as a region to institute real change. 
Join us for the most interactive and participatory Shape of the Region Conference to date.
Submit Your Application for the Mid-Atlantic Innovation Celebration
March 19th
Applications are open for 2021’s Mid-Atlantic Innovation Celebration! Submit your video application by March 19th to be eligible for the Region’s zaniest event showcasing great minds and business creativity. Northern Virginia Chamber membership is not required to apply or win.
Registration is free for members
Women in Business Forum - Resilient Women: The Science of Resiliency
March 24th | 10-11AM
Are you resilient? Did you know that developing resilience can help you better deal with stress and its accompanying strain on your life?

In our next Women in Business Council form, Dr. Jennifer Smith, Director of Research, Mather Institute will walk through the Science of Resiliency, highlighting factors associated with resilience and strategies for developing resilience in our personal and professional lives.
Registration is free for members
Annual State of Healthcare
April 15th | 9-10:30AM
Please join the Northern Virginia Chamber on April 15 as we present our Annual State of Healthcare in the Region! Top officials from the region's largest and most influential health care companies will discuss equity in health care delivery, an issue that has taken on a renewed critical importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will also talk about the state of vaccine delivery in Virginia, value-based care, and more. Our stellar speakers include:
  • Brian Pieninck, President and CEO CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
  • Lawrence Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer Kaiser Foundation Health Plan for Kaiser Permanente Mid Atlantic
  • Maria Harris Tildon, Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
  • Christina Stasiuk, Market Medical Executive – Mid-Atlantic Region Cigna
  • Jen Siciliano, Chief External Affairs Officer Inova Health System
The Chamber has long been known as the Voice of Business in Northern Virginia® and we encourage all members to join the collective conversation through our ongoing events, programs, and communication opportunities.
Promote your expertise in our Member Blog Share your name and expertise with 20,000 business leaders within our Northern Virginia Region. Details and to submit your own Blog topic can be found here.

Network and exchange ideas with peers in our Business Councils Engage with other members through our focused Business Councils: GovCon | Women In Business | Veteran & Military Business | Nonprofit & Association Management | Young Professionals

Reach government leaders and officials through our Advocacy Work Details about our Advocacy work can be found here.
MEMBER BENEFIT
MEMBER NEWS
Matthews, Carter & Boyce Adds Sage Intacct Cloud ERP Software to its Portfolio. MCB will sell, implement, support, and develop enhancements for Sage Intacct's award-winning cloud financial applications. MCB is aligning with Sage Intacct in response to increased demand for these business solutions from clients and prospects. Learn more here. 

The COVID-19 vaccine breakthroughs brought hope of the pandemic’s end but raises many questions for employers. Littler’s latest survey asked more than 1,800 in-house counsel, HR professionals, and C-suite executives how they plan to handle vaccinations for their employees and explores vaccine mandates, additional COVID-19 safety protocols and more. Learn more here. 

Join ArtsFairfax Thursday, March 11th, 12-1PM, for a conversation with Karla Bruce, Fairfax County's Chief Equity Officer. Learn more about One Fairfax and discuss how you can start or continue the conversation on social and racial equity within your organization. The event is free. Register here.

The growth in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing is unquestioned. On Wednesday, March 24th from 12-1PM, the George Mason University Business for a Better World Center will host a panel discussion with three finance leaders who will examine this important trend, and how it's changing their business. 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