FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2020
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MEDIA CONTACT: Morgan Cooper
Communications Coordinator
(703) 525-2400 ext. 205
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ARLINGTON, Va. - Today, The Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted its 96th Annual Meeting virtually. A key event for the Arlington business community, the 96th Annual Meeting celebrated the Chamber's accomplishments of 2020, while looking ahead to what's to come in 2021. 2020 Chair R. Scott Ritter presented the prestigious Committee of the Year Award and Chair's Award. Kate Bates, President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, presented the President's Award. Following the award presentations, Stephen Moret, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) presented a keynote speech.
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Kate Bates, President & CEO, Arlington Chamber of Commerce |
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Kate Bates highlighted some of the Chamber's top achievements this year, including its efforts to serve as a leading advocate for Arlington's businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, strong membership, and successful transition of in-person events to virtual. Among the Chamber's accomplishments in 2020, its advocacy efforts have made a real and lasting impact that strengthens and supports the business community in Arlington. This year, the Chamber achieved a number of key advocacy victories, including the support of Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas for restaurants and securing the defeat of an ordinance that targeted people waiting for tables at those restaurants. The Chamber served as a primary resource for its membership, providing essential information on funding resources such as the PPP lender list and grant information in breaking news e-blasts.
"The Chamber is thankful to our members and our 2020 award winners, whose support and involvement has been key to our work over the course of 2020, a year during which our mission has been of utmost importance to our local businesses," said Arlington Chamber President & CEO Kate Bates. "The many accomplishments we celebrated this year were a product of the hard work and dedication from our Board of Directors, Executive Committee, members, and Chamber staff. Our Chamber looks forward to building on all of these accomplishments as we move into a new year and prepare for a successful 2021."
The exciting updates continued as incoming 2021 Chair Todd Ihrig of Avantax Investment Services introduced the 2021 Executive Committee and announced that Beth Borowski of CNA will serve as the 2022 Chair of the Board of Directors.
The 96th Annual Meeting award winners are:
2020 Chair's Award
The Chair's Award recognizes a member organization and its representative(s) who have made an outstanding contribution of resources to the Chamber and the business community in Arlington.
2020 President's Award
The President's Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution of volunteer assistance to the Chamber.
2020 Committee of the Year
The Committee of the Year Award recognizes a committee that has done an exceptional job of executing the mission of the Chamber membership and Arlington business community.
Community Action Committee
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Stephen Moret, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) |
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Following the presentation of the awards, Stephen Moret delivered the keynote speech. He noted many of Virginia's successes in 2020 and the highly encouraging future initiatives for 2021. Virginia and Arlington are well positioned to be leaders in many industries such as education, data science, and human capital development.
"I believe that all of us working together from the administration, general assembly, Arlington County Board, and to the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, we are going to continue to work together to position Virginia as America's best state for business, workers, and families," said Stephen Moret, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
The 96th Annual Meeting is made possible thanks to our sponsors, including our Grand Sponsor:
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ABOUT THE CHAMBER
Founded in 1924, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization of more than 700 businesses committed to strengthening businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live, and do business in Arlington. The Chamber supports our members through networking, advocacy, professional development, and community engagement. For more information or to become a member, visit www.arlingtonchamber.org.
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