Building Momentum for RFK Stadium Redevelopment Project

Category: Newsletters & Publications

Building Momentum for RFK Stadium Redevelopment Project

Posted on by Board of Trade

The future of RFK Stadium is moving closer to reality after September 17, when D.C. Council voted again in favor of the RFK stadium redevelopment legislation. Redeveloping RFK is not just about building a stadium; it’s about creating a 21st-century destination that reflects the values and ambitions of the District and its residents. The Board of Trade is proud to be a leading voice in shaping that future, and we will remain engaged as the process advances.  (Statement: D.C. Council final vote for redevelopment funding on Sept. 17)

This project represents more than bricks and mortar; it is a chance to reshape an iconic site into a destination that drives economic growth, improves connectivity, and enhances the quality of life across the District and region. The project will create 14,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, generating $4 billion in tax revenue and more than $15.6 billion in direct spending over 30 years. Spanning about 180 acres of the former RFK Stadium site, the campus will transform today’s underused riverfront parcel into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.

 

This RFK Stadium stie redesign rendering is provided by KATO. See more here: https://www.rfknewstadium.com/

 

Earlier this year, the Board of Trade, city officials, and other local and regional groups testified before the D.C. Council in support of legislation that would unlock the potential of the RFK site and allow the city to move forward with a transformative vision, including: 

  • Letters of support were submitted to the D.C. Council outlining the opportunity to transform the District through a 65,000-seat roofed stadium for the Washington Commanders, designed to host not only football but also up to 200 annual events, including concerts and cultural gatherings.
  • In initial testimony before the D.C. Council, the case was made for legislation to unlock the potential of the RFK site and advance a broader vision for redevelopment. The testimony highlighted priorities such as strong transit connections, economic competitiveness, and community benefits. Specific elements included 6,000 new housing units (with at least 30% affordable), hotel rooms, new restaurants and retail, parking, an $89 million youth sportsplex, activation of the Fields at RFK, expanded green space, riverfront access, and walkable parks. (read our testimony here)  
  • Subsequent testimony supported the RFK Stadium funding bill and underscored the importance of timely action to prioritize infrastructure, affordable housing, and adherence to construction timelines. (read our second testimony here) 
  • In addition, Mayor Bowser and community leaders convened engagement events, including a rally at the Wilson Building and a stakeholder event hosted by the Mayor, to highlight the redevelopment’s potential business opportunities. These gatherings drew attention to the broad community and economic impacts of this once-in-a-generation project.

Throughout the entire process, we have been in ongoing dialogue with the Washington Commanders to ensure that the project balances economic competitiveness with community needs — from workforce opportunities to improved transit access and mixed-use development that serves residents and businesses alike. With upgraded utilities, new roadways, improved transit access, and vibrant hospitality districts like the Riverfront and Plaza, the project will revitalize the site and surrounding neighborhoods. It will serve as a community anchor by blending housing, commerce, recreation, and entertainment into a powerful driver of growth for the District.

The Board of Trade will continue to champion this redevelopment as an engine of growth, connectivity, and opportunity for the entire region. We look forward to continuing conversations with the Commanders, community leaders, and stakeholders to unlock all that the RFK site has to offer.  

Learn more about how we engage with leaders at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure that the voices of Greater Washington’s business community are heard: https://www.bot.org/business-policy-greater-washington-dc/

Connect This Fall: Upcoming Board of Trade Events for Our Members

Posted on by Board of Trade

Fall at the Greater Washington Board of Trade is when the energy of our region truly comes alive. Our calendar is brimming with gatherings that spark ideas, deepen relationships, and put business leaders at the center of conversations shaping what’s next for Greater Washington.

This season blends time-honored traditions with fresh opportunities—signature celebrations, exclusive executive forums, and policy discussions that set the tone for the months ahead. Many of these are member-only, designed to give our community unparalleled access to peers and decision-makers in trusted, candid settings.

Momentum is building, and you’ll want to be part of it. Explore the full calendar at www.bot.org/events or reach out at [email protected] to secure your place before these high-demand opportunities fill.

***These events below are for members of the Board of Trade and not open to the general public***

🍂Upcoming Fall Programs & Events🍂

Professional Development: Leadership Through Storytelling & Connection

The third session of the TD Bank Morning Star Series takes leadership learning out of the boardroom and into the O Museum. Through a guided scavenger hunt, participants will explore new ways to spark conversations, share stories, and build authentic connections.

Learn More & Register

Policy Briefing: Federal Priorities & Regional Impact

Executive Level, Members Only

Join fellow executives for a tactical briefing on the federal policies shaping the Capital Region. John Hallmark, EY’s U.S. Political & Legislative Leader, will share timely updates on looming deadlines and what they mean for our economy, workforce, and operations.

Space is Limited – Reserve Your Seat Today

Signature Event: Fall Business Classic

One of Greater Washington’s most beloved traditions returns—this year at Signal House, a stunning rooftop venue in Union Market. Join hundreds of business, government, and civic leaders for an evening of networking, connection, and celebration in one of D.C.’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Register Today

Regional Insights: 2025 Hunger Report

Fresh insights from the 2025 Hunger Report reveal powerful connections between food security, workforce readiness, and regional competitiveness. Join Radha Muthiah, President & CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank, for a dialogue on what the data means for business leaders and how collaboration can drive resilience.

Join the Conversation

Executive Insights: Economic Trends & Regional Competitiveness

Executive Level, Members Only 

As Greater Washington faces budget uncertainty, housing challenges, and workforce shifts, business leaders need clear perspective on the economic forces shaping our region. In this private, conversational roundtable, Tom Barkin, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, will share the Fed’s outlook and engage members in candid dialogue on competitiveness.

Space is Limited – Reserve Your Seat Today

Leadership Insights: Adapting to Policy Change

Federal policymaking is moving fast, with ripple effects on budgets, workforce priorities, and the region’s competitiveness. Guided by experts from K&L Gates, this session will cut through the noise and connect national decisions to practical strategies for Greater Washington’s business leaders.

Join the Conversation

Signature Event: 136th Annual Meeting

Since 1889, the Board of Trade’s Annual Meeting has brought members together to celebrate progress and set priorities for the year ahead. This cornerstone gathering is a must-attend for industry leaders, offering unmatched networking and a shared vision for Greater Washington’s future.

Register Today

Executive Networking: Virginia Mae Center Salon

Executive Level, Members Only 
Experience the beauty of the newly renovated Virginia Mae Center while connecting with fellow executives in an intimate, year-end gathering. Enjoy seasonal flavors and candid conversation as we close the year with perspective and shared connections.

Secure Your Spot

Both man and machine are causing big changes in the Washington, D.C. region | WTOP

Posted on by Board of Trade

This content is sponsored by EagleBank and was originally published on WTOP. 

“Our region is undergoing a fairly significant transformation,” said Jack McDougle, the President and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, “probably the greatest transformation it’s ever seen.”

The reasons: major shifts in the federal government and the rise of artificial intelligence.

However, McDougle believes government restructuring actually presents an opportunity.

“For the longest time, our region has aspired to develop an economy that wasn’t quite as reliant on the federal government… this is accelerating it.”

“Our region comes to this with a significant resource base,” he said. That includes a highly skilled workforce, a significant university network and other types of research and development activities.

McDougle adds that this region boasts “the third most productive biotech corridor in the country.”

“We’re the fifth largest recipient of venture capital money in the country,” he said.

Further, he states the region will still have a strong presence in the hospitality and tourism area. “If you think about our cultural assets in this region, and our monuments and our parks, that still is a significant draw for a global audience,” he said. “It still will be a pretty broad-based economy.”

Finally, some federal employees are leaving their jobs and starting their own businesses, “which is pretty interesting,” he said.

While those changes are the largely end result of political actions, there are also concerns that A.I. could affect the local economy.

Artificial intelligence itself may not be coming for your job, McDougle said, “but somebody who is equipped with artificial intelligence will be.”

“So it’s in everyone’s interest to figure out how it is that they will work with, use and learn to coexist with artificial intelligence.”

The region’s many small businesses could stand to benefit from A.I.

For businesses grappling with talent issues, “utilizing artificial intelligence now can make them more effective, quicker, (and) more productive with their current staff,” McDougle said.

“The challenge, though, is how do they really adopt those tools? How do they use those tools, and how do they invest in them?”

Despite all the upheaval, McDougle describes himself as optimistic about the region, long-term, because of the resources we have.

“And when you think about…deploying those resources more effectively, we’d be untouchable.”

Those resources include not only access to the federal government, but also “something that’s different about our workforce.”

“Our workforce is a little different because it’s mission driven,” McDougle said. “It’s civic-oriented.”

“And so if we can get out in front on the policy side, the regulatory side, the technology side, the capital and investment side, that’s a really unique combination that no one else has.”

GWBOT August 2025 Newsletter

Posted on by Board of Trade

The Board of Trade remains focused on advancing the priorities that matter most to Greater Washington. This August newsletter shows a variety of engagements we have had across Greater Washington with members and public officials, while also showcasing meaningful updates on priorities we are following in the region. We also have a variety of member news updates that showcase regional collaboration!

Read our August 2025 Newsletter here

GWBOT July 2025 Newsletter

Posted on by Board of Trade

The Board of Trade remains focused on advancing the priorities that matter most to Greater Washington. This July newsletter shows a variety of engagements we have had across Greater Washington with members and public officials, while also showcasing meaningful updates on priorities we are following in the region. We also have a variety of member news updates that showcase regional collaboration!

Read our July 2025 Newsletter here

So Much Power, No Platform: Executive Leaders Discuss Fixing the Disconnect in Regional Progress

Posted on by Board of Trade

The Capital Region stands at a pivotal crossroads. We have all the assets we need to be one of the world’s most competitive, inclusive, and resilient economic hubs — yet we lack the collective operating system to truly activate them.

At the Board of Trade’s recent Executive Leadership Roundtable in partnership with Comcast, leaders across business, education, and civic sectors agreed: Our region is not short on resources. We are rich in capital, talent, innovation, and infrastructure, but these elements operate in silos.

We heard a striking metaphor: “Our region is an app store without an operating system.” We have incredible individual capabilities, but they are not plugged into a cohesive system that drives shared outcomes.

Participants emphasized that to transform, we must:

  • Move from a zero-sum mindset to shared growth.
  • Align educational and workforce systems with the region’s evolving economic identity.
  • Streamline regulatory frameworks to support speed and innovation.
  • Shift from process-driven philanthropy to outcome-focused investment.


Inclusion remains a central imperative. With deep disparities in literacy, income, and access to opportunity — for example, 47% of adults in Ward 7 read at a first-grade level — we cannot build a prosperous region without confronting these foundational issues.

As one participant noted, “We have the assets of a Silicon Valley, but not the mindset.” Changing this requires collective vision and action across public and private sectors, underpinned by bold leadership.

Participants explored forward-looking strategies to ensure the Capital Region remains competitive, resilient, and inclusive. Insights from this session will help shape ongoing regional dialogues and inform the collaborative work of the Potomac Conference — a platform designed to synthesize diverse perspectives and surface shared priorities across jurisdictions and sectors.

The time to act is now. We can no longer afford to admire our challenges — we must design, build, and sustain the systems that will define our shared future.

Thank you to Comcast and its government affairs executive, Misty Allen, for partnering and helping us facilitate this discussion. Learn more about the work of Comcast’s Project UP and how this initiative is helping expand internet access around Greater Washington and the United States: https://bit.ly/4lOoMQU

Elevating Leadership Through Human Connection: Strategic Decision-Making in the Kitchen

Posted on by Board of Trade

As today’s leaders navigate increasingly complex environments, the 2025 TD Bank Morning Star Speaker Series offers a refreshing reminder: some of the most powerful leadership lessons happen not in the boardroom, but in dynamic, human-centered experiences.

On June 26, the Board of Trade, in partnership with TD Bank and MGM National Harbor, hosted the second installment of this year’s Morning Star Speaker Series—Strategic Leadership Through Culinary Teamwork. Set in the warm, vibrant space of Osteria Costa, the event brought together senior executives and rising leaders for an interactive experience centered on collaboration, trust, and shared ownership.

From the Kitchen to the Leadership Table

The session featured MGM Executive Chef Anthony Cieplinski, who guided attendees through a hands-on culinary challenge—crafting custom pizzas in pairs—while delivering thoughtful insights on leadership dynamics. As teams worked side-by-side, they reflected on the parallels between kitchen collaboration and business decision-making: adapting in real time, listening actively, and trusting others to lead.

Key Takeaways on Collaborative Leadership

Throughout the session, themes of trust-building, flexibility, and mentorship came to life in unexpectedly resonant ways:

  • Strategic Communication – Whether deciding on toppings or navigating high-stakes meetings, clear communication and active listening are essential.
  • Adaptability Under Pressure – As in any kitchen, unexpected changes require composure and creativity—skills equally vital in today’s fast-paced business world.
  • Shared Ownership – From crust to concept, attendees were reminded that strong teams thrive when responsibility and recognition are shared.

Following the culinary session, attendees enjoyed a seated lunch featuring their handmade pizzas. Table discussions encouraged reflection on leadership styles, mentorship, and how trust and adaptability are cultivated within teams.

The format fostered thoughtful dialogue and meaningful peer exchange, creating a warm, relaxed environment where laughter, storytelling, and real connection took center stage. With just about 30 participants, the setting allowed for deep conversations and strong takeaways that will stay with attendees long after the final slice was served.

Looking Ahead

This was the second session in the 2025 Morning Star Speaker Series. The final session, NextGen Leadership Storytelling, will take place in the fall and focus on helping executives communicate with authenticity, confidence, and clarity.

Special Thanks

The Greater Washington Board of Trade extends its deep appreciation to TD Bank for 18 years of partnership and continued investment in human-centered leadership development, and to MGM National Harbor for their generous hospitality and commitment to cultivating inclusive, people-first experiences.

GWBOT June 2025 Newsletter

Posted on by Board of Trade

The Board of Trade remains focused on advancing the priorities that matter most to Greater Washington. This June newsletter shows a variety of engagements we have had across Greater Washington with members and public officials, while also showcasing meaningful updates on priorities we are following in the region. We also have a variety of member news updates that showcase regional collaboration!

Read our June 2025 Newsletter here

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