May 11, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS View all 2021 events here
Member Advantage: Awards Applications - Why it's a Good Business Strategy Plus Insiders Reveal Tips for Success
May 12th | 2-3PM
Navigating Government Contracting in 2021...And Beyond
May 20th | 9:30-10:30AM
Young Professionals Forum: Everything You Thought You Knew About Teams is Probably Wrong (at Least Incomplete)
May 27th | 2-3PM
Greater Washington Apprentice Network - June Employer Briefing
June 1st | 2-3PM
NOVA Chamber Advocacy 101 Roundtable
June 7th | 10-11AM
2021 Greater Washington Good Business Awards
June 11th | 9-10:30AM
MEMBER BLOG POST
May Is Older Americans’ Month
and a Great Time to Engage This Savvy and Vibrant Demographic
by Rachel McLean, Community Relations, The Mather
This May marks the 58th anniversary of Older American’s Month and the launch of this year’s theme: Communities of Strength. Those age 60 and better are a vibrant, engaged demographic that has built strength and resilience through successes, failures, joys, and challenges. They are active, valued leaders and mentors within our business community and a force within society. And even as COVID-19 impacted this generation most adversely, the group’s important connections within their communities have played a vital role in their health and well-being. This older demographic commands attention and is changing the status quo.

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President Kennedy, only 17 million Americans were 65 years and older. Today, there are an estimated 73 million baby boomers. And while many businesses mistakenly discount the economic impact of this group, they command purchasing power of more than $2 trillion, according to market research, and a net worth that’s nearly twice the national average, according to SuddenlySenior.com.

How can you include, encourage, and celebrate this savvy demographic in your business? Here are a few strategies to consider...
Congratulations to our 2021 Innovation Award Winners!
On May 6th, the Chamber was proud to host the Mid-Atlantic Innovation Awards with our partner, Big Idea Connectpreneur. This fun-filled event resulted in the crowning of our 2021 Innovator of the Year, American Gene Technologies. Members can view this event here.
Innovator of the Year
American Gene Technologies

People’s Choice Winner
HumanTouch
Cyber Tech: iDirect Government
Clean Tech: Micronic Technologies
Life Sciences: American Gene Technologies
TeleHealth: VideoKall
Media Tech: Kyndoo
MEMBER ADVOCACY
In Case You Missed It
Right-to-work eroded by language slipped into cannabis legalization
Did you see Chamber President and CEO, Julie Coons’s column in Inside Nova last week? Our legislators have. We are reaching out individually over the coming days to be sure our Northern Virginia delegation at the General Assembly understands the importance of Right-to-Work to Virginia’s economy, and how the language in the cannabis bill represents a serious erosion of that policy. Chamber President and CEO wrote the column so that legislators, members and the public are aware of the threat to our economic growth.
COUNCIL SERIES & NETWORKING
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Registration is free for members
Member Advantage: Awards Applications - Why It's a Good Business Strategy and Insiders Tips For Success
May 12th | 2-3PM
Learn about two of the Washington DC Metropolitan Region's most prestigious awards, the Greater Washington GovCon Awards™ and the Northern Virginia Chamber’s Distinguished Service Awards. Specifically, we'll cover:
  • How to leverage these Awards to enhance and expand your business
  • Tips and Tricks for improved submission outcomes, including application Dos and Don’ts
  • Get insider information about what judges and evaluators look for when determining finalists and winners. 
Registration is free for members
Navigating Government Contracting in 2021...And Beyond
May 20th | 9:30-10:30AM
Join us for this year’s compelling Women at the Top of GovCon event featuring our keynote speaker, Stacy A. Cummings, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Ms. Cummings will be joined by a stellar panel of visionary leaders from top government contracting companies, who will impart their wisdom on successfully navigating the government contracting world today and through the near future.
Those in the government contracting world won’t want to miss this timely discussion! Topics to include:
  • The future of government contracting under the Biden Administration (Keynote)
  • Successfully leading through significant change
  • How our speakers have found resilience during a challenging year
  • Charting a path forward

Other speakers on our panel include:
  • Judy Bjornaas, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, ManTech Int'l
  • Michele Bolos, Chief Executive Officer, NT Concepts
  • Dee Dee Helfenstein, Chief Strategic Growth Officer & Chief Innovation Officer, SAIC
  • Kristie Grinnell, Vice President, Global Chief Information Officer & Chief Supply Chain Officer, GDIT
Registration is free for members
Young Professionals Forum: Everything You Thought You Knew About Teams is Probably Wrong (at Least Incomplete)
May 27th | 2-3PM
Only 25% of all business teams can be described as highly effective; most are mediocre to poor. Why do most fail and how can you ensure your teams are successful?

In our next Young Professionals Forum, discussion facilitator and thought leader, Steve Gladis, PhD, will share the 6 conditions that determine the success or failure of teams.
Registration is free for members
NOVA Chamber's Advocacy 101
June 7th | 10AM
Have you ever wondered why the Chamber is considered The Voice of Business in Northern Virginia®? Do you want to become more involved in our advocacy efforts but do not know where to begin? Join your fellow members for Advocacy 101, a quick and comprehensive new webinar for Chamber members. You will learn how the annual Legislative Agenda is created, how the Policy Committee works, what the NOVABIZPAC does, and how that all ties together to create our unique and robust advocacy program. Register now and learn why we’ve been called “arguably the most important business group in the state.”
Registration is free for members
2021 Greater Washington Good Business Awards
June 11th | 9-10:30AM
The Greater Washington Good Business Awards honors and celebrates the leadership of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits that serve as powerful champions for good in our community. From corporate social responsibility champions to nonprofit organizations that help solve the region’s greatest challenges, the Greater Washington Good Business Awards honors purposeful community leadership, efforts that make a positive impact, and those that do good. This year's awards will honor Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
MEMBER NEWS
The Tysons Partnership is conducting a survey of local area employers and workers about attitudes that are helping to shape the quality and pace of economic recovery/reopen. Survey responses are due by May 14th. Take the Living & Working During a Pandemic survey here.

Preferred Systems Solutions (PSS) is now Solerity! Effective May 4th, PSS and its subsidiaries are now Solerity. The company is comprised of several very successful Information Technology (IT) companies that have been operating as individual entities since 1998. The time is right to bring these entities together as one highly focused entity. Learn more here.

The Novo Nordisk Interface Webcast, "Obesity: Why it Matters to your Organization and How You Can Take Action," will take place May 13th,12-1PM. No registration is required, simply log into the webcast here.    

The newspaper, InsideNoVa/Prince William, on May 6th was named the winner of the VPA’s Award for Journalistic Integrity and Community Service for its coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on Northern Virginia. Learn more here. 

TIME named Volkswagen to its inaugural “TIME 100 Most Influential Companies” list highlighting the 100 companies making an extraordinary impact around the world. The inclusion cites Volkswagen leading the automotive sector worldwide in committing to a global goal of a carbon-neutral business by 2050. 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 is 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