On March 17, LEAD Hampton Roads (LHR) hosted a breakfast panel discussion on the potential of the Navy relocating an aircraft carrier from Norfolk to Mayport, Florida.  More than 60 LHR graduates and guests gathered to hear Joe Frank, Mayor, City of Newport News; RADM Fred Metz, USN (Ret.); Greg Grootendorst, Chief Economist, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission; and Grig Scifres, board member of the Hampton Roads Military & Federal Facilities Alliance and past chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, weigh in on the topic.  The event was moderated by former TV talk show host Joel Rubin. 

On March 18, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms spoke to a sold out crowd of 800 at the Chamber’s Virginia Beach State of the City held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

The Chamber's Business After Hours, held monthly from 5:30-7:30pm, is a networking event for Chamber members to build relationships with people from businesses of all sizes.  The March Business After Hours was hosted by the Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

LEAD Hampton Roads, a program of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, presented the 11th annual State of the Region address on October 6 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.  More than 800 business and community leaders and elected officials attended the event to hear Dr. James Koch, Board of Visitors Professor of Economics and President Emeritus of Old Dominion University.

On March 30, the Chamber held a Legislative Forum with U.S. Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA-4th) at the Virginia Modeling and Simulation Center (VMASC) in Suffolk.  An audience of nearly 50 listened to Forbes provide updates from Washington, D.C. 

On March 31, a crowd of 575 attended the Chamber’s Chesapeake State of the City at the Chesapeake Conference Center.  Prior to the Mayor’s address, guests heard from Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA-4^th) and Chesapeake City Manager William Harrell.

The Chamber held its “Portsmouth State of Education Briefing” on Tuesday, March 2 at the new Tidewater Community College (TCC) Portsmouth Campus. Dr. David Stuckwisch, Superintendent of Portsmouth Public Schools, and Dr. Terry Jones, Provost of the TCC Portsmouth Campus, both spoke on the new school’s impact on the Hampton Roads community. They provided insight on how the local public education systems are working together to ensure that the students have the best opportunities to excel academically.

The Sustainable Resources Campaign (SRC), the Chamber’s annual fund drive, kicked off on April 7 at Waterman's in Virginia Beach.  The 2010 Campaign theme is "2Tickets2Paradise."

Nearly 350 attended the Chamber’s Portsmouth State of the City on April 8 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center.  The crowd heard from Mayor James W. Holley, III, and City Manager Ken Chandler, and watched a video highlighting the successes of the city. 

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce hosted a Military Recognition Reception on April 15 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.  More than 500 members from all branches of the armed services and the business community assembled to honor 170 members of the military who were selected by their commands for their leadership and positive influence on the community.  The service members were joined by their families, elected officials from the region.  The keynote speaker at the reception was suspense novelist and U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel John Fenzel.  

On April 27, more than 350 gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center for the Chamber’s Suffolk State of the City.  Attendees enjoyed lunch, watched a video highlighting the city’s accomplishments and heard from Mayor Linda T. Johnson.

Spring Fling is the first outdoor networking event of the year.  Held at North Landing in Olde Towne Portsmouth, the Spring Fling attracted nearly 250 attendees who enjoyed business exhibits, food, drinks and live entertainment by Nature's Child.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce held its 26^th Annual Hampton Roads Small Business of the Year Awards on May 25, 2010 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center.  Nearly 300 people attended the luncheon, which coincided with “National Small Business Week” held May 23–29 that recognizes the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of the United States.  The overall winner of the 2010 Hampton Roads Small Business of the Year was Classic Air’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Virginia Beach. 

The Chamber’s annual Beach Bash was held on June 10 at Neptune’s Park at the Virginia Beach oceanfront attracting more than 1,500 people.  It was a clear and sunny afternoon to mix with business with pleasure.  Seventy-five local businesses featured exhibits and guests networked while enjoying drinks and live music by The Janitors.

On June 18, more than 90 golfers enjoyed the sun and breezes off the water at Sleepy Hole Golf Course in Suffolk during the Chamber’s annual Hampton Roads Golf Outing.  Guests enjoyed lunch and then an afternoon of golf and reconnecting with colleagues and friends.   

LEAD Hampton Roads, a program of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, held its Annual Meeting on July 1 at the top of the Wells Fargo Center in downtown Norfolk from 6-8pm.  Guests enjoyed a reception and program toasting LHR's leadership.  Aubrey Layne received the First Citizen of Hampton Roads Award, Mike Hughes received the Julian Hirst Leadership Award and Steve Romine passed the Chairman's gavel to Greg French.

The Chamber's 57th Annual Seafood Outing & Coast Guard Celebration  was held on August 5 from 5-8pm at North Landing in Olde Towne Portsmouth.  Nearly 750 attended to celebrate Portsmouth's designation as a "Coast Guard City" and enjoy a delicious seafood buffet, beverages, live music by More Cowbell, and business exhibits.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce hosted a Military Recognition Reception on Thursday, August 12, at 3 p.m. at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott to honor the hardworking men and women of the military.  More than 100 military personnel from local commands were honored at the event.   The service members were joined at the reception by their families, military leadership, elected officials, and businessmen and women from the region.  The guest speakers were RDML Walter E. Carter, Commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Enabling Capabilities Command, and Wendy Larry, head coach of the Old Dominion University women’s basketball program.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce held its 2010 Chesapeake Volunteer Recognition Awards Luncheon on September 8 at the SpringHill Suites in Chesapeake.  This annual event brought together nearly 150 business leaders and elected officials from the region to honor Chamber volunteers in Chesapeake.  The Honorable Faye W. Mitchell, Clerk of the Circuit Court, received the 2010 Marian P. Whitehurst Women in Leadership Award.  Marie Ringler of Dale Carnegie Training, was honored with the Chesapeake Division’s 2009 Chairman’s Award  and Kevin Cosgrove, Esq. of Hunton & Williams LLP, was presented with the Chesapeake Division’s 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award. 

The Chamber's monthly Business After Hours was held on September 16 at Brick House diner in downtown Norfolk from 5:30-7:30pm.  Attendees networked and enjoyed food and drinks.

On October 8 in Norfolk, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce recognized Mass Communications Specialist 1^st Class Bleu Moore as its 2010 Military Citizen of the Year. Moore is the Leading Petty Officer, in the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. More than 250 business, military and community leaders attended the annual luncheon.

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce held its Virginia Beach State of the Schools & Partners in Education Luncheon on October 13 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  Approximately 175 members of the business community heard from Dr. James Merrill, Superintendent of Virginia Beach Public Schools.

On October 20, more than 100 people attended the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce’s 7^th Annual Legislative Reception at the Town Center City Club in Virginia Beach.  Photos courtesy of Miwa Design and Graphics.

On November 16, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual CEO Welcome Breakfast to welcome and recognize those who have moved into leadership positions in the past year.  Forty-one new CEOs, business owners, district and regional managers, and military commanders were honored.  More than 150 people attended the event, which was held at The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach. 

The Chamber held its 26th Annual Meeting of the Membership on December 8 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  This event is Hampton Roads’ largest gathering of elected officials and business leaders. The crowd of 750 heard from keynote speaker Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.   

The Chamber honored its outgoing 2010 volunteer leadership and recognized its and incoming 2011 volunteer leaders.  Nelson Adcock (GeoEnvironmental Resources, Inc.), who served as the Chamber’s 2010 Chair, will continue in this role in 2011.  During the luncheon, Adcock presented the Chamber’s 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award to Marino Santarelli (Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company) for his hard work and dedication.  Santarelli served as Chair of the Chamber’s Sustainable Resources Campaign leading an all volunteer effort which raised 5% more than last year. 

Thank you to our sponsors: Bon Secours Virginia Health System (Presenting); Virginia Beach Convention Center & Distinctive Gourmet (Hospitality); Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company (Gold); Cox Communications (Media); and Ampa Events Tidewater, BB&T, and Signal 88 Security (Silver).

The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce held its Business After Hours Holiday Gala & Marketplace the evening of December 9 at the Granby Theatre in Norfolk.  More than 100 attended this networking event and enjoyed food, drinks and networking.  Several guests won door prizes.  More than 25 businesses exhibited products and services.  The Chamber hosts Business After Hours once a month for members to build relationships with people from businesses of all sizes and industries.