Northern Virginia is home to an estimated 128,000 minority-owned businesses—42 percent of all businesses in the region—that represent a diverse cross-section of residents; 56,000 (44 percent) are Asian-owned, 40,000 (31 percent) are Hispanic-owned, and 27,000 (21 percent) are Black-owned. Racial-Ethnic Composition of Northern Virginia Businesses Racial-Ethnic Composition of Northern Virginia Businesses | Source: Hughes, E. 2021. Supporting Northern Virginia’s Minority-Owned …
A Message from the Chamber’s Board Chairman
This message is from Luanne Gutermuth, Chamber Board of Directors Chairman, 2021-2022 The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce continued its 30-year tradition last week in hosting a debate between the major party candidates for Governor of Virginia. It was a great event – and great television! We appreciate our partners who helped make the debate happen: NBC4 and Telemundo 44, …
WORKFORCE UPDATE: The results are in on our Northern Virginia Workforce Index study
Workforce. It’s what drives our business community and can be a make or break factor in supply chains and corporate growth. Workforce is so vital to business that it is used as a barometer to determine a community’s health and potential, which is what first inspired us to conduct our Northern Virginia Workforce Index. After an intensive few months, we’re …
Message from our Board Chairman and Chamber CEO
A joint message from our 2021-2022 Board of Directors Chairman, Luanne Gutermuth, LSG Solutions LLC, and Julie Coons, President and CEO, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Coronavirus vaccination concept. Top view of vaccination record card, syringes, and two vials of the COVID-19 vaccine, which are used in two stages. Pastel green background With summer wrapping up and our attention now …
8(a) certification and the Potential for Success
The SBA developed the 8(a) program to level the playing field in federal contracting to offer minority and disadvantaged business owners access to contract opportunities formerly only available to bigger entities. But given this knowledge, did you know that there is a stipulation within the 8(a) certification process that requires you to prove your potential for success in order …
A Message From Our Board Chairman: Strength Stems From Community, Community From Support
A message from our 2021-2022 Board of Directors Chairman, Luanne Gutermuth, LSG Solutions LLC As I embark upon my tenure as the Chairman of the 2021-2022 Board of Directors, I am struck by the power our organization brings to the Northern Virginia business community. A power that stems from our Chamber’s government relations work, as it advocates for business interests, …
A Message From Our CEO: The Chamber Returns to In-Person Events This Summer
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 …
A Message From Our Outgoing Chairman of the Board, Kathryn Falk
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 …
May Is Older Americans’ Month and a Great Time to Engage This Savvy and Vibrant Demographic
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 …
Facing Today’s Leadership Challenges: Do You Have the Skills Needed?
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 …
