Across the Board

Our biweekly Across the Board newsletter keeps you informed of Board of Trade activities. Members and non-members can subscribe.

January 18, 2006

January 18, 2006
 
 Moving Forward on 2006 Priorities. The Board of Directors yesterday approved the organization’s 2006 priorities at their first meeting of the year. In addition to staying focused on the Board’s ongoing priorities, such as transportation and growing members’ business, the organization will take an active role in regional emergency preparedness, elections in DC and Maryland, and baseball stadium funding. A complete list of short and long term priorities is at www.bot.org.

Register Now for Mid-Winter Dinner: Meet Colleagues, Political Candidates. With elections scheduled in DC and Maryland this year, and with new leadership in Virginia, connecting with colleagues and community leaders is critically important for area businesses. The Board of Trade’s Mid-Winter Dinner on March 2 at the Hilton Washington, with more than 1,000 regional business execs, elected officials and political candidates, will continue its “classy networking, no speeches” tradition.  Register
 
Mingle with Modern Art at Corcoran Gallery on Feb. 8. Join the Board of Trade for the first @Six Networking Reception of 2006 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The evening reception will include networking with 200+ professionals and an exclusive opportunity to view an Andy Warhol exhibit presented by PNC Bank. Register
 
Gallup Survey Reveals Perceptions of Area Residents. The Gallup Organization’s survey of 650 DC and metro area residents, released yesterday by the Greater Washington Initiative, revealed that a majority of area residents are very satisfied with job opportunities and cultural offerings in the region. Read Washington Post story

Advocacy Update

Tracking Legislation: Board of Trade Staff Covering Richmond, Annapolis. For the first time in recent history, the Board of Trade has a full-time presence in Richmond for the legislative session. Nancy Reed, who oversees the Board of Trade’s government relations in Virginia, is keeping a bunk in Richmond to advocate on behalf of the membership. Her Maryland counterpart, Andy Scott, is in Annapolis. Both have hand-delivered the Board’s legislative agendas to delegations from Greater Washington. MD Legislative Agenda  VA Legislative Agenda  Read latest Advocacy Matters

ICC Clears Major Hurdle; Your Support Requested. Following an announcement by federal officials that the Intercounty Connector (ICC) is an environmentally sound highway project, the Board of Trade--a long-time supporter of the ICC--congratulated local and state officials in Maryland for their leadership on the project. Your Support is Still Needed: Please voice your support this week to comply with the open public comment period by contacting the MD State Highway Administration / Federal Highway Administration’s. Type in your views at http://www.iccstudy.org/feis_form.php. More Info

Board of Trade Supports VA Legislation to Secure Dedicated Funding for Metro. At a meeting of the Northern Virginia legislative delegation on Monday, the Board of Trade expressed support for new bills introduced in the VA Assembly that call for a ¼ cent increase in sales tax in five Northern Virginia jurisdictions to provide dedicated funding for Metro. As these bills and other transportation funding initiatives progress through the legislative process, member support will be requested. More Info

Other News

Vote for Your Favorite Place to Eat. The Washington Business Journal has launched a new reader poll of "Best Places to Eat." Click here to share your favorites.

Nominate a Top Communicator for “Pinnacle Award.” The Washington chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is seeking nominees for the Pinnacle Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in organizational communications. Senior-level business communicators in the Greater Washington- Baltimore area are eligible. Award criteria and nomination forms, due Feb. 10, are at www.iabcdc.org.

In the News