" ... Excel as Greater Charlottesville's PREMIER BUSINESS AND CIVIC ALLIANCE ..."
"The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce will excel as Greater Charlottesville's premier business and civic alliance, serving to strengthen the vitality of our Chamber member enterprises and the economic vitality and quality of life of our communities."
This is our Chamber's vision -- our Chamber Board of Directors and professional staff affirm "member service is our Chamber's driving force" in our strategic direction and daily decision-making. All Chamber events, services, advocacy, assistance -- everything -- starts with the inquiry: "How does this serve our Chamber member enterprises?"
I. Chamber Networking -- " ... promoting business ... "
Our Chamber network is the largest, most regular, best available business development network in Greater Charlottesville. More than 4,400 people, including more than 1,700 at ticketed Chamber member events attend Chamber networking activities each year -- promoting their business and civic organizations -- and helping to enhance our community's vitality.
Chamber Events
Chamber Business After Hours are held throughout the year as networking events underwritten and hosted by a number of leading member enterprises. These popular free business events attracted more than 2,500 people conducting business in social settings.
During 2008, our Annual Chamber Business Luncheon, underwritten by Virginia National Bank, the Chamber Commonwealth Breakfast underwritten by Union Bank & Trust, the Annual Spring Luncheon, underwritten by BB&T and Ntelos, and the Chamber Community Governmental Luncheon, underwritten by Robbins Staffing Solutions and United Bank, attracted 900 people to participate in important business and community presentations.
The Annual Chamber Golf Outing, in June 2008, underwritten by BB&T and WCAV-WVAW-WAHU-My Cville TV -- at Old Trail Golf Course, was another success.
Charlottesville Business Expo -- held at the University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena and underwritten by State Farm Insurance Companies, the Charlottesville Radio Group (WINA) and The Daily Progress -- attracted approximately 1,000 business people and citizens visiting more than 85 business exhibits. The Chamber Non-Profit Business Council also held its 2008 Celebration of Community Fair at UVA's John Paul Jones Arena, attracting nearly 400 people visiting exhibits from dozens of area community organizations.
Our 95th Annual Chamber Dinner -- underwritten by EMBARQ, Hantzmon Wiebel LLP, Piedmont Virginia Companies and State Farm Insurance Companies -- drew 430 business and civic leaders. This crowd enjoyed a good meal; a festive business reception; and, greeted Mr. Daniel & Mrs. Lou Jordan as they received our Chamber's 2008 Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award.
Also as 2008 came to a close, a new affiliation between our Chamber and the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) took flight, adding opportunity for innovative, technology-based enterprises to participate in a broader range of business networking and services.
Chamber Awards
Each year our Chamber honors the dedicated work and service of four distinguished citizens with our recognition and gratitude.
In 2008, our Chamber honored:
* "Chamber Hovey S. Dabney Award for Corporate Citizenship" -- Better Living, Inc.
* "Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award" -- Gary F. Henry, GF Henry & Associates
* "Chamber Small Business Person of the Year Award" -- R. Grant Tate, The Bridge, Ltd.
* "Chamber Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award" -- Daniel and Lou Jordan
Chamber Communications
Our Chamber -- "the Charlottesville business portal" -- is the leading business communications link in Greater Charlottesville providing real-time business information to 1,200 member enterprises. The expansive Chamber communications network includes:
* ChamberBits, our Chamber's innovative weekly e-newsletter, now received by approximately 4,000 people.
* cvillechamber.com -- our Chamber website, which attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually.
* Chamber Quarterly Report, an issue-oriented report.
* Charlottesville Regional Business Directory -- published in cooperation with Atlantic Communications Group -- the region's most comprehensive business directory.
* Images of Charlottesville -- a feature magazine on Greater Charlottesville, published in cooperation with Journal Communications, provided to businesses, residents and visitors.
* Chamber Member Connections -- business information and offers.
More "Chamber Business Advantage" Member Services
* Chamber Member Connections: There is no better direct marketing medium targeted to the region's business community -- 2,000 Chamber member representatives.
* Chamber Value-Added Health Benefits: Chamber enterprises with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield are qualified to receive special benefits and programs.
* "Member-to-Member" Discounts: Our Chamber also has an array of "Member-to-Member" Discounts.
* Chamber Targeted Mailing Lists: Chamber member enterprises can purchase the Chamber membership representative list (2,000 contacts) or selected subsets of that list. The Chamber also makes our "newcomers" list (about 75 contacts/ month) available for purchase to Chamber members.
* Chamber Greater Charlottesville Regional Map: The Chamber's Greater Charlottesville Regional Map, published in cooperation with Atlantic Communications.
* Business Mediation Referral Program: An innovative discounted member service in partnership with Positive Solutions Group, by facilitating agreement, resolving conflict, and developing conflict prevention strategies.
Leadership Charlottesville, created by our Chamber in 1982, helps build our businesses and their employees into the leaders our community needs. More recently, the United Way -- Thomas Jefferson Area is an active program partner and underwriter, developing our community's volunteer corps and leadership. Bank of America and a dozen other Chamber member enterprises make up the corps of underwriting support so essential to Leadership Charlottesville's continuing success.
Over the course of its 25+ year run, this key Chamber initiative has produced more than 700 graduates -- Chamber citizens engaged actively throughout our area helping to build enterprises and our communities. Many are members of the Leadership Charlottesville Alumni Association, working to help better our community, our civic fabric, our Leadership program, their enterprises and themselves.
II. Chamber Business Academy
Through our growing "Chamber Business Academy," each year we hold more than 20 business workshops -- including a number of Chamber Non-Profit Business Council workshops -- attended annually by more than 375 Chamber people. In December 2008, a Chamber Business Academy pilot workshop -- "How to Start A Business" -- held in conjunction with and at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia, attracted 96 eager participants. Both the Chamber and Darden plan more such sessions.
Also, the regional Service Corps Of Retired Executives -- SCORE -- is located in our Chamber Center, providing valuable business start-up and maintenance assistance.
III. Chamber Advocacy
Our Chamber is recognized as the most effective business advocate within Greater Charlottesville and throughout the Commonwealth. Our Chamber encourages our diverse member enterprises to participate actively in public policy matters. Chamber advocacy is a central component of our Chamber's member service.
Chamber public policy is founded upon sound empirical facts. For example, The Chamber Jobs Report empirically describes a leading component of our region's economy -- JOBS. What are they, where are they located, which are growing and which are not? The Chamber Jobs Report -- 1994-2007, underwritten by Adams & Garth Staffing, Appraisal Group and the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development, illustrates total jobs in Greater Charlottesville grew from 80,901 jobs in 1995 to 104,658 jobs in 2007, an increase of +28.5% or 23,758 jobs. Since 1995, our region has added a net gain of 16,557 (+28.5%) jobs in private enterprise and 7,201 (+32.6%) government jobs.
