The Chamber hosted The Annual Meeting of the Membership on Wednesday, December 5 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. This year's keynote speaker was U.S. Senator-elect Tim Kaine. This premier event for the membership was a luncheon with legislators, state government officials, and the most influential business people in Hampton Roads.
The Chamber hosted its annual Business After Hours Holiday Gala and Marketplace at The Founders Inn and Spa. This special Business After Hours offered an opportunity for exhibitors to display goods and services in a holiday setting.
HAMPTON ROADS, VA – The Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads (SBDC), is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Since 1990, the non-profit has provided counseling and training to small businesses in the region’s 18 cities and counties. By offering free, confidential one-on-one business counseling, low-cost training, research through SBDCNet and referrals to top-flight service providers, the SBDC assists in maintaining and growing this vitally important segment of the region’s economy.
On November 28, the Chamber hosted its annual CEO Welcome Breakfast to recognize and welcome those who have moved into leadership positions in the last year. More than 150 people attended the breakfast, held at The Founders Inn & Spa. Joe Flanagan, anchor/reporter with WVEC-TV 13 News, served as emcee.
The Chamber’s “Monster Mega Mixer & Business Showcase” held on October 30 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center was a great success. Despite Hurricane Sandy hitting Hampton Roads the day before the event, more than 400 people attended the networking event. More than 100 of the Chamber’s newest members set up exhibit booths showing off their products and services. Many donned on Halloween costumes and decorated their booths for the festivities. Guests enjoyed networking while listening to music provided by Astro DJ and dining on amazing food compliments of Distinctive Gourmet.
The Hampton Roads Chamber hosted a Senatorial Luncheon Forum on October 19 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Senatorial candidates George Allen and Tim Kaine spoke to more than 300 local business and community leaders, each using their unique experience and insight to explain how they want to solve Virginia’s most pressing issues. The candidates also answered questions on topics such as economic success, fiscal responsibility, and government transparency.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Senator Mark Warner spoke to more than 500 business professionals, community leaders, and elected officials from Hampton Roads at the Chamber’s State of the Military forum on October 19 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. The forum sought to explore defense strategy, current and future Department of Defense spending, and the economic impact of the Federal presence in Hampton Roads.
On September 28, nearly 150 golfers enjoyed a day at Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk at the annual Hampton Roads Golf Outing. This year’s event was hosted by the Chamber and the Hampton Roads Sports Commission. Guests enjoyed lunch in the renovated Obici House, followed by a sunny afternoon of golf and networking.
On September 21, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce held its fourth Professional Women’s Leadership Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center. The speaker was Sally Bedell Smith the best-selling author of six biographies including, “Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch. “
On September 14, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Hampton Roads Sports Commission hosted an inaugural Sand Kickball Tournament. The event was held on the beach in front of the Ocean View Fishing Pier in Norfolk from 2-8pm. This unique recreational kickball tournament was played on the beach and was the first ever of its kind in the region.
The Chamber's monthly Business After Hours was held on August 16, 2012 aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. Nearly 100 guests mingled and networked while enjoying food, drinks and amazing views.
On August 16, the Chamber held its Military Recognition Reception at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott from 3-5pm. This event, held twice each year, honors more than 100 military personnel from local commands. The service members were joined at the reception by their families, military leadership, elected officials, and businessmen and women from the region. Guest speaker Dr. Tony Atwater, President of Norfolk State University, provided a speech titled, “Lessons Learned as a Military Brat.”
On July 26, the Chamber hosted its monthly Business After Hours at the Holiday Inn Select Norfolk Airport. Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim was in attendance for the ribbon cutting.
The Chamber’s annual Beach Bash was held on June 13 at Neptune Park at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. More than 1,000 attendees network and visited more than 70 business exhibitors who shared their products and services. The Janitors provided live music and comedians from the Funny Bone Comedy Club entertained the crowd. The event was free and open to the public.
The 28th annual Hampton Roads Small Business of the Year (SBOY) Awards luncheon was held May 22 at the Founders Inn with more than 300 people in attendance. The event, held during National Small Business Week, featured guest speaker Joel Erb, President and CEO on INM United. The overall winner of the 2012 Hampton Roads Small Business of the Year was A-Active Termite and Pest Control Company of Virginia Beach. In addition, the Chamber recognized the "Top 10 to Watch" businesses, the Impressions in Print Leadership Award was presented to Ramon W. Breeden Jr., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Breeden Company and Joshua Tawes and Anthony Stile, owners of Accelerated Financial Solutions, accepted the Young Entrepreneur Award (YEA!).
On May 4, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott featuring Kimberly Dozier, an award-winning AP war correspondent and author of "Breathing the Fire: Fighting to survive and get back to the fight.” The book is a memoir detailing Dozier’s full recovery from a 2006 car bomb that hit her team while covering the war in Iraq.
Portsmouth Mayor Kenneth Wright spoke to over 450 business and community leaders and elected officials from Hampton Roads at the Chamber’s Portsmouth State of the City luncheon on April 4, at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center.
Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms spoke to 900 business and community leaders and elected officials from Hampton Roads at the Chamber’s Virginia Beach State of the City luncheon on March 14, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Former Virginia Governor George W. Allen introduced Mayor Sessoms, who then delivered an hour-long address.
Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff spoke to more than 600 business and community leaders and elected officials from Hampton Roads at the Chamber’s Chesapeake State of the City luncheon on February 23 at the Chesapeake Conference Center.
With 1,000 people in attendance, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City series kicked off with the Norfolk address on February 17 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim provide an update on the city’s recent accomplishments and agenda for the year to come.
On February 14, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce held its second Professional Women’s Leadership Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center. The speaker was Ann M. DeLaney, Founding Partner of DeLaney & DeLaney, LLC and author of “Politics for Dummies.”
Over 200 business and community leaders were in attendance to hear DeLaney discuss how the Republican Nomination process works and to hear her views and predictions for the Presidential race of 2012.
On January 18, nearly 200 business professionals, community leaders, and local healthcare representatives attended the Chamber’s annual Hampton Roads Business Brief: Healthcare Reform – Local Preparations and Economic Impact at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside. This year’s event included a panel of leaders from our healthcare delivery systems who discussed what their companies are doing to prepare for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and what the implications are to the local business community.
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