June 9, 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVABIZPAC Policy Lunch
June 10th | 12-1PM
Former Governor Terry McAuliffe
Workforce Series
June 18th | 10-11AM
Working In the New Normal: Returning to Work After COVID-19
GovCon Awards
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
June 26th
Annual State of Economic Growth
July 9th | 10-11AM
Greater Washington Innovation Celebration
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
July 15th
Veterans and Military Business Council
July 28th | 10-11:30AM
A Practical Workshop to Help Attract Veterans to Your Organization
With the Governor’s recent lifting of his “stay at home” order, many companies rushing to reopen facilities are facing a collective challenge: ensuring employee safety while the nation is still dealing with a pandemic. It’s a challenge made all the more difficult by the uncertainty surrounding the next few months and what will happen once they open the doors again. One thing is certain: employee wellness and maintaining a safe work environment should be a priority for every company right now.

Developing a COVID-19 Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan includes more than requiring employees to use hand sanitizer. To assist in the preparation of our return to work plan, my own company referenced business-specific guidance and best practices from the  CDC   and  OSHA . We overlaid these recommendations with state and local guidance in each of the states where our employees work. The result is a return to the workplace plan that addresses the following... Read more.
SUPPORTING EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
NATIONAL INITIATIVE
The Chamber is proud to join the US Chamber's National Initiative to Address Inequality of Opportunity. More info on this initiative can be found here.
THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
MEMBER PSA
The Commonwealth of Virginia is conducting a disparity study to assess procurement opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses and needs your help. The Department will hold webinars on June 16th and 18th. Learn More
COUNCIL SERIES & NETWORKING
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
2 020 Policy Lunches
Virtual Roundtable Discussions

Join the NOVABIZPAC and Cox Communications for an up close and personal conversation with state and regional leaders. This is your opportunity to ask questions and get to know key leaders of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
Policy Lunch with Former Governor Terry McAuliffe
June 10th | 12-1PM
Register here
Policy Lunch with Senator Amanda Chase
July 8th | 12-1PM
Register here  
The Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards Apply by June 26th here

Held November 4th, the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards honors the leaders and legends of the government contracting community! 
The Chamber's Annual State of Economic Growth
July 9th | 3-4:30PM | Virtual

Join the Chamber for a unique conversation with business leaders and policymakers hailing from across the Commonwealth of Virginia as we discuss Virginia's current economy and how it can position itself in an increasingly competitive-and complicated-marketplace.
Greater Washington Innovation Celebration
Apply by July 15th here
Who will be named the 2020 Innovator of the Year? Submit your application and join us as we celebrate innovation. We'll all find out at our Greater Washington Innovation Celebration on October 8th.
A Practical Workshop to Help Attract Veterans to Your Organization
July 28th | 10-11:30AM | Virtual

Join the Chamber’s Veteran and Military Business Council and our expert panel for this virtual workshop focused on improving veteran hiring strategies and increasing Military Hiring Program ROI.
MEMBER BENEFIT
Through our partnership with the Chamber, Cox Business can offer Chamber members dedicated resources, support, and the best price and mix of services on a a customized solution that includes voice, internet, video, security and cloud solutions. Please contact the Chamber's Carmen Sevilla to learn more csevilla@novachamber.org.
MEMBER NEWS
While many may not realize it, COVID-19 has had an extreme impact on Special Olympics Virginia-Area 26. In addition to not being able to host critical in person athletic and social programs for our athletes, we are also not able to host any fundraisers which will impact our ability for our athletes to train and compete locally. We NEED to keep our doors open so we can continue to serve the over 3,000 athletes in our program, many of which are more vulnerable to Covid-19 and are also essential works working in grocery stores and in senior facilities. We hope you will join us in participating in the Virtual Torch Run! Please consider supporting or us by making a donation to our online fundraising page here .

The Children’s Science Center Lab is welcoming visitors to explore and create by offering all of their programs virtually! Guests can now register for virtual summer camps, virtual birthday parties, virtual field trips and virtual animal encounters. The small hands-on science center, located in Fair Oaks Mall, closed its doors on March 13 to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus and will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. Unlike retailers, they are not allowed to open under the Governor’s Phase I order which does not include museums. Learn more here .

Womble Bond Dickinson is spotlighting its Northern Virginia-based client Sestra Systems who has innovated and deployed "TapWise Touchless Pouring Technology" in response to businesses, particularly restaurants and food & beverage venues, seeking ways to limit human-to-human interaction amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and beyond. The system combines smart dispensing with the added safety and hygiene of touchless pouring and contactless payment. Please contact anju.olson@sestrasystems.com or cameron.hunt@wbd-us.com for more information.

AWS Educate is Amazon’s program to help students, of all ages and backgrounds, learn real-world cloud technology skills. It provides students and educators with the resources needed to accelerate cloud-related learning. There is an active and growing collaboration with NOVA. In addition, AWS Educate has a focus on assisting veterans, both those with prior service and those who are pending transitioning from active duty, to gain cloud skills so they can pursue active employment with companies who are using cloud services and platforms. Learn more 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