Across the Board

Learn to Attract and Retain a Talented Workforce. Because hiring a qualified workforce is a critical issue to employers in the Greater Washington region, the Board of Trade is offering a half-day conference about recruiting and retaining talented employees. The Board of Trade's Workforce Conference: Recruiting and Retaining Across Generations features keynote speaker Neil Howe, best-selling author and renowned authority on generations in America. Howe will focus on the implications of managing across four generations in today’s workforce, and a panel of experts will discuss decoding generational differences. Panelists include Stan Smith, National Director of Next Generation Initiatives at Deloitte, Ryan Coleman, Chief Executive Optimist at Nextforce, and Mary Abbajay, President of Careerstone Group. Participants receive Smith’s book, Decoding Generational Differences, and the Howe’s article, “The Next 20 Years: How Customer and Workforce Attitudes Will Evolve.” Register

Board of Trade Convenes Regional Transportation Officials. Today more than 100 business leaders attended the Board of Trade's first Regional Policy Forum on transportation featuring the region's top transportation officials. Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer, Maryland Secretary of Transportation John Porcari, Director of the District Department of Transportation Emeka Moneme and General Manager of Metro John Catoe addressed the region's critical transportation needs and opportunities for collaboration. Bruce DePuyt, host of NewsChannel 8’s NewsTalk, moderated the program, which discussed issues ranging from HOT lanes to Metro dedicated funds and from emergency evacuation to the Dulles rail project. The program was followed by a press briefing.

Small Business Academy Now Accepting Applications. Learn everything you need to know about starting a business. The Small Business Academy, a six-month program for entrepreneurs, launches this spring. The Academy offers executive management training, peer-level discussion and guidance from Academy alumni. Each month, courses focus on a key aspect of business development, such as marketing and social networking, business planning and partnering to expand capacity. Applications are due Wednesday, March 26.  Download application

An Inside Look at SAIC. The Board of Trade brought business leaders inside SAIC during its first of this year's Boardrooms Around the Beltway luncheons. Larry Prior, Chief Operating Officer of SAIC, hosted the program in SAIC's boardroom in Tysons Corner. He provided an overview of the corporate structure and a detailed look at SAIC's priorities, challenges and successes. Prior described how the company’s reorganization dramatically improved the bottom line and highlighted the need for affordable housing and public transportation to attract and retain a qualified workforce. 

Welcome New Members! The Board of Trade is growing stronger. Some of our newest members include: Turner Construction; MacFarlane Properties; Noblis; Hudson; Mercer; Kane Real Estate; Kane Printing and Wal*Mart. With more ways to connect with other members, more opportunities to gain visibility for businesses and more relevant and valuable programs to grow professional skills, we look forward to welcoming even more new members! To recommend a new member, contact Kevin O’Neill at 202-857-5960.