The VACCE Board of Directors is pleased to announce our final Roundtable event of 2020.

The goal of these virtual Roundtables is to have lively discussion so we can learn from each other!

Topics for Discussion: Social Media (what platforms, frequency of posts, types of posts, etc.), Member Communications – pre and during covid (e-newsletters, etc.), Mailed Communications, and using your board, ambassadors, etc.

Please CLICK HERE to register for the roundtable!

Total Resource Campaigns - What Are They?

To register for the meeting, please click here.

Citslinc

With 40 years successfully managing experiences in the travel industry, Leo Liu is the owner and founder of Citslinc International Inc. located in California. He has worked with over 1,200 chambers in all 50 states and handles up to 20,000 chamber passengers annually. CLICK HERE for more information.

When you're ready to offer travel programs to your members again, please contact Leo at 949-637-6688 or citslinc@aol.com.

Organizational Performance Systems

Sponsored by Dr. Ben Carson and developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau, EnVision is a comprehensive, web-based application that matches those needing assistance with those who provide it. 

To learn more about what EnVision can do for your community and how you can participate, contact OPS at info@ops1.com or 650-968-7032.

Alleghany County, the City of Covington, and the towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate have jointly established a regional $1.6 million grant fund, known as the Alleghany Highlands Small Business Recovery Grant (AHSBRG), to support the region’s small and non-profit businesses recovery efforts following the COVID-19 outbreak. One-time grants of up to $15,000 based upon pre COVID-19 employment levels are being provided to businesses in the region to offset business impacts during the pandemic. The grant program is administered by the Chamber under the oversight of a regional management team. DHCD is the funding source for the grant. To date nearly $360,000 has been awarded to local small businesses.

The Chamber is hosting the 2020 The Bank of Fincastle Tinsel Trail and Museum Open House on December 3. This year the open house includes the unveiling of the Tinsel Trail, which features Christmas trees decorated by community businesses and organizations. This effort was led by our Lisa Otey, Member Services, with collateral by Jennifer Vance, Marketing & Events Coordinator.

ChamberRVA is excited to introduce the Shared Values Summit, a four-part series to connect across the region – and across sectors – for discussions about what matters to us as a community. Along with our community partners and investors, we’ve assembled more than 20 local and national leaders to ignite our shared thinking about Richmond’s history, our culture of philanthropy, opportunities to amplify minority business growth, and the power of economic mobility.

We hosted our first Blitzr, a virtual networking event. A huge success and definitely a keeper for 2021 programming. This was a program featured in Frank Kenney’s Chamber Professional Facebook page.

Joe Martin has been named the Interim President & CEO of the organization as John Boylan has announced his retirement.

The Chamber has named Anne Tyler Paulek as the organization's new Executive Director.

Frank Tamberrino, the Chamber’s President and CEO, has announced his retirement at the end of 2020. Frank has been with the Chamber since December 2009. During this time, the Chamber has played an increasingly active role in supporting the business community and establishing partnerships to support the economic vitality of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County and the surrounding region. In addition to his duties at the Chamber, Frank has served on many community boards and state association boards over the past eleven years. Frank Oncken, current Board Chair, has appointed a search committee for the next Chamber President.

The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and Young Professionals of Central Virginia invites other VACCE Chambers and your members to their Virtual Level Up Young Professionals Summit on November 18, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. As a virtual event, this year’s summit features keynote speakers, work sessions, and a panel segment. The event’s keynote speaker is Hubert Payne. The cost for the full day’s conference is $69. The event agenda, speaker bios, and registration links can be found at www.ypcv.org/level-up. 

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership has announced its Political Leaders Program (PLP). The Political Leaders Program is a leadership development program for residents of Virginia interested in developing skills, knowledge, experiences, and professional relationships to enable them to: participate more effectively in public service; have a greater impact on public policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia; work with people across the partisan aisle or from different regions of the Commonwealth; and better understand the interplay between their current positions and politics and government in Virginia. More information about the Political Leaders Program can be found on our website, including a direct link to apply. We will be accepting applications until midnight on Monday, November 9.

The Chamber has launched the 2020 Chambers of Commerce Election Center. The Chambers of Commerce Election Center is a nonpartisan, issue education and election information organization made up of representatives from the state, local and regional chambers from all areas of the Commonwealth. The purpose of this organization is to provide information to Virginia voters, to help them play a more active and informed role in government and the electoral process.  Should you have any questions regarding the Election Center, please reach out to Nicole Bunce at n.bunce@vachamber.com.

The Chamber is working harder and smarter to continue to bring value to our members and to the entire Peninsula business community. Over the next month, we are hosting two of our most impactful and informative annual events, albeit virtually this year. The Newport News State of the City event this year was held on October 29 in conjunction with the City of Newport News and was offered free to the general public. Over 500 people registered. The State of the City for Hampton is being held on November 19 and is also a free event. Series sponsor for these events is Old Point National Bank.

Click here for ACCE's Resource Guide on Mergers and Alliances

Click here for a Weekly Roundup of What We're Reading

Click here for an article on Membership Dues Grants

Click here for an article on Conducting Virtual Board Orientations

Click here for an article on Virtual Strategic Planning Process