Across the Board

Be the First in Nationals Park! Just announced, the Greater Washington Board of Trade is offering members the opportunity to be the first in Nationals Park. Five days before opening day, members are invited to celebrate the Nationals’ new stadium, spring in DC and baseball in our Nation’s Capital! Enjoy food, drinks and fun in the Nationals Park on March 25. Register

Mid-Winter Dinner: An Event Like No Other. Business deals and a spirit of community combined to make the 89th Annual Mid-Winter Dinner a wonderful evening. More than 1,000 business, civic and government leaders gathered at the Board of Trade’s dinner at the Washington Hilton on March 6. View Photos

Special Conference 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 Hosts Legislators Dinner. On March 4, the Board of Trade hosted its annual legislative dinner in Richmond, Virginia. Delegates from both the House and the Senate were present to share an evening with Board of Trade members and executives. This event provided an opportunity for the attendees to get to know one another and learn about regional issues affecting the Commonwealth.

US PIRG Highlights Public Transit Benefits. On March 7, US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) held a press conference announcing the findings of a new report on the benefits of public transit. Board of Trade President & CEO Jim Dinegar participated in the press conference, speaking about public transit’s benefits to business and the critical need for the Dulles rail. Dinegar underscored that public transit increases property values, stimulates the economy and improves mobility. Mayor Adrian Fenty, DC Councilman Tommy Wells and others joined the briefing.

Lyles Carr Awarded 2008 Leader of the Years. The Board of Trade is pleased to announce that Lyles Carr has been named the 2008 Leader of the Years for his outstanding service to the business and community of Greater Washington. Carr, a lifetime resident of the region, serves on the board of directors of numerous civic organizations and has been recognized for his leadership and community contributions. Members are invited to the Board of Trade Recognition Dinner on May 14 to celebrate Carr and others who contribute so generously to our region’s vibrancy. Register

Greater Returns...You Asked; We Listened. The Board of Trade has enhanced its member benefits – for no additional cost! Members can now look to the Board of Trade for more ways to connect with other members, more opportunities to gain visibility for their businesses and more relevant and valuable programs to grow their professional skills. The Board of Trade keeps members informed with updates on the critical issues affecting the region’s business community. Throughout 2008, the Board of Trade will provide members with more value their dollar. For information about becoming a member, contact Kevin O’Neill at 202-857-5960.

Small Business Academy Now Accepting Applications. For six years, the Board of Trade has been offering courses that teach 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

Potomac Conference Report Released. “Key Findings & Green Benchmarks: A Report from the 2007 Potomac Conference” identifies takeaways from the Potomac Conference and reports on how Greater Washington’s green business and environmental sustainability rank among other major metropolitan areas. The Board of Trade is using these findings to make Greater Washington greener, better and more competitive. Download the report