In This Issue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Upcoming VMA Committee Meetings |
VMAPAC Industrial Strength Leadership Award
- 2017 Award Winners-
|
|
VOLUME 1 | Edition 8 | January 2018
|
| Letter from the President & CEO |
|
|
Dear Members:
The Virginia General Assembly session is in full swing. We began this year's 60 day session on January 10 and will adjourn on March 10. 2,867 bills have already been introduced and we expect 3,000 by the end of session. The VMA is monitoring 350 bills of interest and is aggressively working on 75 priority and defensive priority bills this week alone.
This year's legislative agenda will focus on the "big six" priorities:
- Close the skills and career planning gaps by 2020
- Keep energy affordable and reliable
- Stop taxing technology
- Expand MFG exports 50% by 2025 and restructure economic development
- Invest in and protect productive infrastructure
- Maintain regulatory balance
Our specific legislative initiatives will focus largely on electric utility regulation, carbon cap and trade regulation, workforce industry credential training, tax appeal reform and water quality regulation. Members can track every bill by
clicking here.
To help us with this year's legislative agenda, we have published "A Virginia Vision for a More
Competitive Manufacturing Future" and the "Virginia Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (VA MFG Competitiveness Index)." These publications were distributed to every member of the VA General Assembly. We also notified the legislature that every VMA Priority and Defensive Priority bill this session will be scored against the VA MFG Competitiveness Index's 52 metrics distributed across five areas of measurement: Business Climate, Workforce, Innovation, Infrastructure and Economic Strength.
Their votes will now be evaluated and published as improving or reducing Virginia's manufacturing competitiveness.
We will be sharing these new resources at this year's
VMA Day on the Hill. I cannot stress how important it is for VMA members to actively participate in educating the General Assembly and new Northam Administration about the priorities of Virginia's $43 billion manufacturing sector. It's going to be a great experience and I hope that all members will take advantage of the opportunity.
In closing, we are increasingly relying on political mobilization around key issues. Legislators want to hear from you, whether its a phone call or an email. Your involvement is critical to our overall success. We will be judicious with our "Bulletins & Alerts", but we need every member ready to take just 10 minutes out of their day to make their voices heard and assure that the General Assembly understands that MFG Makes Virginia!
I look forward to seeing you all on February 12 at the VMA Day on the Hill.
Best Wishes,
Brett
Brett A. Vassey
President & CEO
|
| VMA Monthly Webinar Series |
|
|
|
On the last Tuesday of every month, the VMA staff will host a monthly webinar from 11:30am - 12:15pm. Topics will include workforce solutions, new members benefits, training opportunities and guest speakers.
Mark your calendar!
Tuesday, January 30th
11:30am-12:15pm
The following topics will be covered this month:
VA Manufacturers Association Retirement Solution
After a comprehensive search and due diligence, VMA has partnered with well-known retirement industry providers to offer the VA Manufacturers Association Retirement Solution, powered by TAG Resources, LLC, the largest provider of combined 31(6), 3(38), and TPA Services in the United States to provide "end-to-end" oversight. Kappy Gross with Heron Creek Advisors will give an overview of the plan and answer questions.
Workforce Solutions: ISRT & MT1 Overview
Vanessa Rastberger, Director of Workforce Solutions, will provide an overview of the ISRT
&
MT1(c
)
training certifications to include safety and production testimonials from VMA members.
Save the Date! Next months webinar will be on February 27th! A complete list of m
onthly topics will be listed in upcoming newsletters.
|
| Announcing Two New VMA Member Benefits |
|
|
- Your Employee Benefits Just Got Better! -
|
|
A goal of the VMA for 2018 is to create a new portfolio of Member Benefits that will help our members be competitive, reduce operating costs, increase profitability, and enhance their existing employee benefits program. We are excited to introduce two of our new Exclusive Member Discount Programs that are available to every member of your organization as well as their family and friends.
TicketsatWork
is the leading Corporate Entertainment Benefits provider, offering exclusive discounts, special offers and access to preferred seating and tickets to top attractions, theme parks, shows, sporting events, movie tickets, hotels and SO much more. Simply
log on to the website
and create an account using the VMA Company Code VMA2017 and begin to receive 20% to 60% off amazing venues.
CorporateShopping
employee discounts connects employees to over 250 top national retailers offering incredible employee discounts and private offers. A few popular retailers include: Target, Lands' End, Costco, Ralph Lauren, Orbitz, Hotels.com, J. Crew, TicketsNow, FragranceNet & SO many more!
Register online
from work or home and begin enjoying incredible savings!
You can download promotional flyers and view details regarding both programs on the
VMA website
.
|
| Shiver in the River 2018! |
|
|
|
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Benefiting KEEP VIRGINIA BEAUTIFUL INC.
|
Shiver in the River is the coolest winter festival in RVA! You can clean up, walk/run, or jump in the James River -- or do all three! You and your family can participate in as much or as little as you want, and you can form teams challenging your family, friends and co-workers.
10:00 a.m. Community Cleanup
Shiver in the River will start with a cleanup along the banks of the James River and in the RVA communities. Picking up litter and recyclables is at the very heart of Keep Virginia Beautiful. The cleanup is free, and you can earn incentives by creating a fundraising page.
12:00 Noon 5K Walk/Run
The 5K Walk/Run is a fun event for the whole family that will start and end at Historic Tredegar, and take in the beauty of the James River. Online registration ends on Thursday, February 22nd, but walk up registration will be available at packet pickup on Friday, February 23rd, and on the day of the event. When you create a fundraising page, your registration fee counts toward your incentive awards. Short sleeve T-shirts are included in the 5K registration. Please note, race registration fees are not refundable.
2:00 p.m. The James River Jump
The highlight of Shiver in the River is the James River Jump! This fundraising Jump will take place along the chilly banks of the James near Historic Tredegar. A minimum of $75 must be raised to participate in the Jump and to receive a commemorative long sleeve T-shirt. Online registration ends on Thursday, February 22nd, but walk up registration will be available at packet pickup on Friday, February 23rd, and on the day of the event.
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Winter Festival!
There will be music, beverages, food, and more!
The VMA is a proud partner of this event, so come join us for the Coolest Winter Festival in Richmond!
|
| 34th Annual Employment Law Update - March 22nd |
|
|
|
Kaufman & Canoles will be hosting the 34th Annual Employment Law Update on March 22nd at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
An office party can be a great way for a company to build morale and show appreciation to their employees. However, office celebrations can also be a breeding ground for inappropriate behavior when alcohol is involved and/or someone decides to become the "life of the party." The 34th Annual Employment Law Update will highlight these and other employment law risks and provide practical suggestions on risk avoidance.
Attendees can also earn up to 6 credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and 5 PDCs toward the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. The party won't end there!
One lucky winner will be chosen to host his/her own "office party" at the area's hottest new party venue, Hilton Norfolk The Main!
Attendees may select two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions (materials with essential information on all topics will be provided to attendees in electronic or printed format).
Click here to view the program outline and speaker list.
|
| Certified Energy Manager (CEM®) Training |
|
|
|
GENEDGE is p
artnering with Danville Community College and the Association of Energy Engineers Danville Chapter to host a Certified Energy Manager Training scheduled for 2/26 - 3/2 at the Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (RCATT). Scholarships are available for manufacturers and engineering firms with qualifying NAICS codes.
Training consists of a comprehensive, five-day program that covers the technical, economic, and regulatory components of effective energy management and aims to maximize efficiency as an energy manager, operations manager, or facilities manager. This certification is well-known as the highest standard in personnel certification accreditation within the industry and is a key opportunity to set oneself apart as an industry leader.
Click here to view the training website and register.
|
|
