A17 ■ Prince William Chamber 703-368.6600 Spring 2015 pwchamber.org ■ facebook.com/pwchamber

Successful businesses start with acomprehensive business plan. You havea vision, a mission and set of objectives…a road map leading you in the right di-rection to achieve success. When a busi-ness joins the Chamber, the samestrategy applies. The companies that getthe most from their Chamber member-ship are companies that have a specificstrategic plan for their Chamber involve-

ment. First, define your expectations.There are many reasons that companiesjoin: community involvement, advocacy,consumer credit, business development,leadership development and many more.In most cases, it is a combination of a fewdifferent reasons, so it is important thatyou are clear about your expectations.Secondly, understand all the benefits in-cluded in your membership investment.

Attend a Chamber Orientation. They areoffered once a month and alternate be-tween Chamber Headquarters and theWoodbridge office. The seminar out-lines all the Chamber benefits andtools and how to use them. Requesta mentor. Our Ambassadors areChamber members that have beentrained on how to help new mem-bers get engaged. They will meet

with you, learn about yourbusiness and expectations andhelp you put together a gameplan for your involvement.

Using the Chamber as yourmarketing partner increases yourcredibility and profile. There aremany, many options for all budgets.Sponsoring events, advertising, an-nual Partnerships, exhibit tables, etc.Know your marketing objectives;face-to-face with your customers,public relations, increased credibility

with podium time or perhaps branding?One of those options is advertising in

our very popular Business Resource

Guide. The Business Resource Guide isfull of information about the area and thisyear will feature a dining guide and lodg-ing guide. It has a minimum of a one yearshelf life and is distributed to all Cham-ber members, economic developmentdepartments, banks and other hightraffic areas. We’ll be reaching out toChamber members regarding the ad-vertising opportunities available for itvery soon.

Once again, being strategic will en-sure return on investment. Part of our

job in the membership department ismaking sure you understand your bene-fits so that you are making the best useof your investments. Whether it’s know-ing what events to attend or commit-tees/councils in which to participate orhow to most effectively use the Chamberas your marketing partner, we are happyto meet with you to help you come upwith that strategic plan.

A MESSAGE FROM MEMBERSHIP

Develop a Strategic Plan for your Chamber Involvement

Chamber Developing 2016 Business Resource Guide

Visibility, advertising and credibility-The Chamber’s Business ResourceGuide is published once a year and is fullof valuable information about our commu-nity. Included in the Business ResourceGuide are demographics and informationon: • Education• Healthcare• Community outreach • Entertainment• NEW dining out guide and lodging guide

Distribution includes areas such as:• 1500 Chamber members• Economic Development Departments• Hospitals• Banks• Hotels

Members are listed 3 different ways:• Alphabetically by company or organiza-tion name• Category• Who’s Who contact listing

Become a member byApril 30 and have yourcompany or organizationincluded in this valuableresource. For more infocontact Kris Johnson at571.765.1881 or by email atkjohnson@pwchamber.org.

We invite you to belong!#pwchamber

A18 March 25-31, 2015 Gainesville/Prince William Times

Thank you to all that participated in ourannual Chamber Day on the Hill.Chamber members were introduced onthe House floor by the Majority Whip,

Delegate Jackson Miller and were able to meetwith our entire Senate delegation. Thank you toDelegate David Ramadan who was kind enoughto stop by and share his thoughts on this year’s

legislation and a bill he introduced aimed ateliminating double taxation on businesses.

One of the many highlights of our day on theHill was when the group was able to meet withSenator Toddy Puller to thank her for her manyyears of service to the Commonwealth.

She will be retiring this year after spendingnearly 25 years in the state legislature.

CHAMBER DAY ON THE HILL

Chamber members visit State Capital

On April 20, CongresswomanBarbara Comstock will be joiningPrince William Chamber of Com-merce members for lunch to dis-cuss the Northern VirginiaBusiness community and her roleas Chairwoman of the Scienceand Technology Subcommittee.

“This will be her first eventwith the Chamber since beingelected last November and we arevery excited that she is able tojoin us.” said Brendon Shaw,Chamber Director of Govern-

ment Relations. NOVEC-Northern Virginia

Electric Cooperative is the Pre-senting Sponsor. Limited spon-sorship opportunities areavailable. Benefits include a pre-mium seat with CongresswomanComstock and a display table.

Please send an email toBShaw@pwchamber.org if youare interested in participating inthis event. To register, please call703.368.6600 or go online at pw-chamber.org.

CHAMBER ADVOCATE

ChamberLuncheon withBarbara Comstock

COURTESY PHOTO

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-10th)

Prince William Chamber of Commerce announces date for its Annual Legislative Wrap-Up

On Thursday, May 14, from 8:00-10:00a.m., the Chamber will host its Annual Leg-islative Wrap-Up at Old Hickory Golf Club.State elected officials of both the House ofDelegates and the State Senate will be in at-tendance to hear how the Chamber’s legisla-

tive priorities faired in the 2015 legislativesession. Elected officials will also be pre-sented with their annual Prince WilliamChamber Scorecard that measures how sup-portive they were of the Chamber’s 2015Public Policy priorities.

Prince William Chamber members areencouraged to register for the LegislativeWrap-Up through the Chamber’s website,www.PWChamber.org or call 703.368.6600.The Legislative Kick-Off was very crowdedin December so register early!

The Prince William Chamber of Com-merce and the City of Manassas invite thecommunity to mix and mingle with themembers of the Manassas City Council,featuring newly elected members: KenElston, Sheryl Bass and Marc Aveni. Thisis a great opportunity to meet the individ-uals who make policy decisions for thegreater good in the City of Manassas. Find

out what drives them to public serviceand help them understand the issues thatmatter to our business community. Notonly will attendees meet the members ofthe City Council, they’ll also sample horsd’oeuvres prepared by Okra’s Cajun Cre-ole’s new chef! This event is free to at-tend. Register online at pwchamber.orgor call 703.368.6600.

March 25-31, 2015 A19Gainesville/Prince William Times

The Prince William BusinessAcademy is a results-oriented,hands on series of workshops, fo-cused on providing informationon topics business owners facedaily that can be immediately ap-plied.

The sessions are ideal forsmall growing businesses, entre-preneurs, and employees seekingprofessional development.

Mike Hoover, President ofTML-A Xerox Company says ofthe program, “Each 2 hour ses-sion features topic experts whodelve into challenges we as busi-nesses face every day. You arebeing introduced to provenstrategies for business success.My staff and clients regularly par-ticipate and they leave energized

with actionable steps for growingtheir bottom line!”

Sponsored by TML-A XeroxCompany, Apple Federal CreditUnion and UMUC-University ofMaryland University College

For a quick preview, checkout these Spring Workshop top-ics:

• How to Make 6 $FiguresUsing Social Media

• Money Smarts for SmallBusiness

• Networking: It’s Not AboutYou and Creating Your ElevatorSpeech

• Be a Media Magnet v Help-ing Companies Do Business withthe Government

Reserve your seat today!

Prince William Chamber’s Business Academy Spring 2015 Term

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!Small Investment. Incredible Return.

All workshops take place from 8:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at Chamber Headquarters, 9720Capital Court, Suite 203, Manassas.

Detailed class descriptions can be found atPWChamber.org/business-resources/pw-business-academy.

For more information contact Suzanne Lewis,slewis@pwchamber.org or call 571-765-7753.

The cost per session is $25 for Chambermembers, $50 for non-members, which in-cludes breakfast and materials. Call703.368.6600 or go online at pwchamber.orgto reserve your seat today!

local talent.t.lentalocal

JOB FAIR 2015local jobs. local talent.

• FREE SPACE• WIFI ACCESS• INTERVIEW ROOMS• FREE BREAKFAST AND

LUNCH• LOCAL TALENT FEATURING

ALL AGE GROUPS AND SKILL SETS

VENDOR REGISTRATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Provided by the Prince William County

Development

IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE.

PWCGOV.ORG/JOBFAIR

A20 March 25-31, 2015 Gainesville/Prince William Times

On April 14, the Prince William Cham-ber’s Education & Innovation Committeewill hold its annual, “Future of Education”Luncheon, which focuses on education asit relates to workforce development,STEM, elementary, secondary andhigher education in our community.

Each year the luncheon features thepresentation of scholarships to three out-standing high school seniors whodemonstrate academic excellence, clearcareer goals and community involve-ment.

To qualify, applicants must be the de-pendent of a Chamber member, or be amember themselves-just one more ben-efit the Chamber offers its membership.

Additionally, the City of ManassasPark will highlight some of their out-standing educators.

We give credit to Apple FederalCredit Union, Minnieland Academy,Lockheed Martin MTCI, Managementand Training Consultants, Inc., and The

Virginia Lottery, for their sponsorshipand support in making this event a suc-cess.

Anne Holton, the Virginia State Sec-retary of Education, will be the keynotespeaker of the luncheon addressing theaudience on the topic of “Developing ourFuture Workforce.”

Secretary Holton is a lifelong advo-cate of children and families.

Over the years, her commitment hasfocused on providing legal aid to low in-come families and securing educationalopportunities for children at risk.

Holton championed successful ini-tiatives on behalf of Virginia’s fosteryouth focusing on foster care systemsreform.

She has equally devoted time to im-proving access to and success in highereducation for foster youth and alumni.

She is the wife of U.S. Senator TimKaine.

The Prince William Chamber Educa-

tion & Innovation Committee provides itsmembers with ongoing access to one ofthe most essential elements of businesssuccess: a ready workforce.

Members of the media and businesscommunity are invited to learn more

about how the work force of the future isbeing educated and how they can partic-ipate.

The luncheon is will be held at theManassas Park Community Center (99Adams Street, Manassas Park, 20111)

from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday,April 14.

To register contact the PrinceWilliam Chamber of Commerce at 703-368-6600. Registration is also availableonline through PWchamber.org.

PRINCE WILLIAM CHAMBER : EDUCATION AND TOURISM

Va. Education SecretaryHolton to keynote Education& Innovation luncheon

The Prince William Chamber ofCommerce and Discover PrinceWilliam & Manassas will co-host aluncheon on Friday April 10 from 11:30a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to highlight the impactof tourism on the local community aswell as Virginia as a whole. The paneldiscussion will feature four guestspeakers and cover tax revenue in-creases, job statistics, as well as addi-tional contributing factors directlyrelated to our state and local govern-ment.

“As chair of the Prince WilliamChamber of Commerce, it is our pleas-ure to partner with Discover PrinceWilliam & Manassas to present a newluncheon this spring focused ontourism,” commented Debbie Bennettof Bennett, Atkinson & Associates P.C.“We will learn how the ‘impact oftourism’ affects our businesses andour community. We are looking for-ward to hearing from the tourism ex-perts on how our Chambermembership can help spread the mes-

sage, as well as, how they can incorpo-rate tourism initiatives into their busi-nesses.”

Panelists include:• Rita McClenny, President & CEO

of Virginia Tourism Corporation• Eric Terry, President, Virginia

Hospitality and Tourism Association• Ann Marie Maher, President &

CEO of Discover Prince William &Manassas

• Dr. Maggie Daniels, AcademicProgram Coordinator for the Tourismand Events Management program atGeorge Mason University

The Prince William Chamber andDiscover PW and Manassas invite youto attend the “Impact on TourismLuncheon” on Friday, April 10 from11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at StonewallGolf Club. Sponsored by AAA Mid At-lantic Car Care, Insurance and Travel.To learn more about each panelist orto register, visit our website at pw-chamber.org or call 703.368.6600.

‘Impact of Tourism’ Luncheon