Across the Board

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

March 15, 2006

Know a Small Business Looking to Grow? 2006 Academy Program Begins Soon. Spread the word! The Board’s revised Small Business Academy, a six-month professional development program for entrepreneurs, is now accepting applications. Distinguished Board of Trade execs serve as professors for participants. Tuition fees for the program, which runs May 4 - Nov. 2, are $150 for member firms and $400 for non-members.  Download application (due April 14) Download class schedule

VA Legislators Go Home, but Must Return To Finish the Job. With Virginia’s legislature adjourning on March 11 without approving a biennial budget (July ‘06-June ’08), many critical issues remain unresolved. A special session beginning March 27 has been called to address outstanding issues, from transportation funding to the elimination of the estate tax to funding for both Northern VA Community College and George Mason University. How can you help? Questions?

Push for Transit Funding Continues in Maryland. With Maryland’s legislative session set to adjourn in mid-April, the push for dedicated transit funding is getting down to the wire. Last week, the Board testified with the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce in support of three bills that would dedicate portions of the existing state sales tax to a transit account within the MD Transportation Trust Fund.  Members are urged to express their support for these bills ASAP. See sample letter with addresses. Questions?

Play Ball: Stadium Deal is Finalized...at Last! Following last week’s final DC Council vote supporting baseball, the Board of Trade congratulated Councilmembers, Mayor Williams, the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission, and MLB officials for their efforts in finalizing the stadium lease agreement, and urged MLB to select a locally-controlled ownership group. Questions?

Join Fellow Members for the Nats 2006 Home Opener on April 11. Celebrate spring with a ball game! The Board of Trade has first-base and outfield seats for the Washington Nationals’ Home Opener and will provide networking time during a pre-game reception and lunch beginning at noon at RFK Stadium. Tickets are limited so register soon!

Mansion Mingling: Washington Club@six Features Networking in Historic Style. Network with 300 fellow members and guests April 6 at the elegant Washington Club (formerly The Patterson House) on Dupont Circle in DC. Meet and mingle in the parlor of the mansion, built in 1901 for Chicago Tribune editor Robert Patterson, which served as a hub of Washington social life into the 1950s. Register

Protecting Maryland’s Competitive Edge: Members Invited to April 26 Summit. Members interested in helping to secure Maryland’s future are invited to participate in a high-level summit on April 26 at the University of Maryland. Discussion will focus on effective ways to foster math and science education in K-12 and higher ed institutions and ways to enhance the competitiveness of MD’s economy through technology-led economic development. More info and to register

Meet our New Board of Trade and GWI Staff. Welcome to Natalie Landgraf, the Board of Trade’s new member services manager. She’ll help assure that members receive their tiered dues benefits. A recent transplant from New Jersey, Natalie was formerly with McKinsey & Company. Also, Michael Baughman has joined the Greater Washington Initiative team as business development director for North America. A native South Carolinian, Michael was previously a private banking manager for BB&T.