Julie Coons, President and CEO, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Dear Members, When we held our last in-person event in March 2020. I don’t think any of us imagined it would be more than a year before we would gather together in person again. Over the past 15 months we have been closely monitoring guidance from the Governor, CDC, local …

This message was originally presented during our 2021 Good Business Awards Show. Watch the recording here. Chamber members: 2020 was the most challenging year in every respect possible. Unprecedented is almost an understatement. I am so pleased to report that your Chamber team demonstrated tremendous leadership over the past 12 months. During this stormy year when other groups lost large …

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 …

In these challenging times and virtual work environments, it is more important than ever that those in charge fully understand the fundamentals of becoming a successful leader. As many of us have learned in the last year, “leadership” must ever evolve alongside its workforce and business environment–or suffer the consequences of a stagnant style. The following are a few techniques …

If you completed a business degree in the 1980s or 1990s, you could confidently assume that the skills you learned would be relevant for your entire career. That’s just not true anymore. According to research by the World Economic Forum, many of today’s business school skills are out of date in less than five years.  Right now, machine learning is …

The NOVA Chamber’s Legislative Agenda included new goals this year which focus on supporting greater opportunity for all Virginians through a renewed focus on equity. This was done with the support and input from our leadership and the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board of Advisors because support for these areas is good for business and the right thing to do. …

As the General Assembly approached the midpoint of the 2021 session last week, the Chamber continued its hard work on our members’ behalf. True, the Assembly’s virtual platform has made for an unusual session, but it has not inhibited our work to defeat business mandates like paid sick leave, a prohibition on the use of polystyrene to-go containers, and a …

Every four years our Washington, D.C. Metropolitan region plays host to one of the most visible and impressive events in the world: our nation’s Presidential Inauguration. Traditionally this has been a peaceful, respectful day highlighted by a parade, tens of thousands of cheering people, and a series of celebrations. Tomorrow’s day promises to be a radically different event. Yes, there …