Featured Events
The Chamber hosts between 120 - 150 events each year and we promote these events on our calendar alongside the 100's of Community events hosted by various businesses, non profits and others.
Although each and every event is important and brings value with it, there a few that we like to ask you to pay a bit more attention to.
Our Featured Events are those that are designed to bring value to the entire business community by addressing issues that affect us all. These monthly events are also known as Lunch & Learns and you can read more about them below.
If there are topics not directly addressed but you feel they should, please don't hesitate to contact staff with your suggestions.
Starting a Business 101
Tuesday Jun 20th
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Have you always dreamed of opening your own small business but you’re not sure where to start? Join us to learn:- How to figure out if it’s a valid business idea
- Common business structures
- What licenses you may need
- Financial steps to start a business
As the director of the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center Christine leads a team of experienced business advisors and educators to help small businesses thrive and grow. We help people start, manage, grow, and sell their small businesses. We exist because we love to see people succeed and achieve their dreams!
Christine has over 25 years of business and industry experience. Christine grew up in a family of small business owners. She has a Masters degree in Human Resources and worked in Human Resources Management with Kraft Foods. Christine is a nationally recognized and certified trainer and public speaker. She has served as the Director of the Laurel Ridge SBDC for seven years. She was named top business consultant/director for the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network 2019.
Women's Business Council Presents The Power of Escalating Your Business
Wednesday, June 21st
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
When Jackie Krick founded ecucomm, Virginia based marketing agency in 2004, her goal was to make an impact on the marketing world and her community. She did both. Fast forward to today, and we're a full-service digital marketing communications agency that has developed award-winning campaigns for dozens of local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as leading non-profits, and private sector brands.
In the process, Jackie has used her platform to advocate for other area entrepreneurs and helped to advance underserved charitable interests, both locally and nationally, through her IMPACTO Youth Foundation. As a minority and woman-owned small business, ecucomm celebrates diversity and is committed to fostering a work environment where everyone feels respected and heard.
Writing a Useful Business Plan
Tuesday July 18th
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Why investors/bankers want a business plan
- What investors/bankers are looking for in the business plan
- Why the business plan is important to your business success
- How to create a plan you can use to start or grow your business
As the director of the Laurel Ridge Small Business Development Center Christine leads a team of experienced business advisors and educators to help small businesses thrive and grow. We help people start, manage, grow, and sell their small businesses. We exist because we love to see people succeed and achieve their dreams!
Christine has over 25 years of business and industry experience. Christine grew up in a family of small business owners. She has a Masters degree in Human Resources and worked in Human Resources Management with Kraft Foods. Christine is a nationally recognized and certified trainer and public speaker. She has served as the Director of the Laurel Ridge SBDC for seven years. She was named top business consultant/director for the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network 2019.
The Importance of the Customer Experience
Tuesday August 15th
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
THIS PROGRAM AND PRESENTER IS CURRENTLY PENDING
Women's Business Council Event
Tuesday September 21st
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
The Power of Branding
Tuesday September 19th
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Alisha Hathaway advises business-to-business clients on go-to-market leadership roles, specializing in Chief Marketing and Revenue Officers. She is a member of the Customer Activation and Growth Practice and partners closely with clients to identify and recruit leadership roles including CEO, CMO, COO and CRO across industries. With over 20 years of advising Fortune 500 executives, Alisha helps leaders build high-functioning teams and advises clients on leadership strategies such as succession and executive assessment. Alisha joined Russell Reynolds Associates after serving as Vice President of Integrated Media Programs at CNBC, where she focused on building the firm’s thought leadership powerhouse anchored in marquis events and councils, partnering with executives across some of the world’s most impactful companies and organizations. Earlier, at The Wall Street Journal she was an integral part of building and growing the hallmark leadership councils such as the CEO Council, CMO Network, and CFO Network. Alisha also founded the Hathaway Group, a strategic business and marketing consulting firm that specializes in thought leadership, strategic marketing and communications, go-to-market strategies and business development. She is based in Washington, DC