In This Issue
Richmond BRAC Summit a Huge Success- IEDC Event Provides Valuable Opportunity to Reach Out to Chinese Companies
- Local Business Woman Honored by National Association of Women in Business (NAWBO)
- Business Council President Honored for Years of Outstanding Service
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October 9, 2007
Dear Reader:
The summer months which usually represent a quiet period in economic development have been anything but quiet here at Virginia’s Gateway Region, with our staff working hard to fulfill information requests, update marketing materials and facilitate prospect visits. In addition, Virginia’s Gateway Region has been present at several high profile events, spreading the word about the region and the many advantages of doing business here. We hope you enjoy this eNewsletter update and continue to support both our organization and the region in the exciting months to come.
Richmond BRAC Summit a Huge Success
Attendees lined the walls of the Richmond Convention Center ballroom on Friday, September 28th to learn all they could about the impact of BRAC at Fort Lee and how they might grow their respective businesses. With Renee Wyatt-Chapline, Executive Director and Christian Booty, Research / IT Manager in attendance as plenary speakers, VGR was given the opportunity to delineate the many advantages of doing business in the region, providing a wealth of economic data, including a detailed retail/commercial gap analysis.
The purpose of the summit was to reach out to small- and mid-sized business owners in the greater Richmond area to help them understand the BRAC process and how they might benefit from the $1.9 billion that is slated to be spent on the Fort Lee realignment process the over the next six years.
Following the plenary speakers in the morning session, four breakout sessions were available to attendees focusing on such issues as: retail and entrepreneurship opportunities, workforce development, Fort Lee’s RapidGate program and the essentials of joint ventures and partnerships. The event was deemed a huge success and a follow-up session is planned in the coming months.
Click here to read the Progress Index coverage of the summit.
IEDC Event Provides Valuable Opportunity to Reach Out to Chinese Companies
In the ongoing development of US/China economic relations, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) organized an evening event in Washington DC to bring together members of the US economic development community and key persons involved in US/Chinese trade. Virginia's Gateway Region, including Board President, Charles E. Townes, Executive Director, Renee Wyatt-Chapline and Research / IT Manager, Christian Booty were all in attendance taking full advantage of the opportunity to forge relationships with many persons linked to US-Chinese trade.
Chen Jian, the Assistant Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China gave the keynote address and answered questions pertaining to facilitation of trade between the two nations. Representatives from numerous organizations both Chinese and American were present and a follow-up event is planned by IEDC President and CEO, Jeff Finkle.
Local Business Woman Honored by National Association of Women in Business (NAWBO)
Mary Rudisill, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Capital Relocation Group and an ardent supporter of Virginia's Gateway Region has been named as a finalist in the annual Enterprising Women of Excellence Awards in the category of Entrepreneur of the Year 2007, sponsored by the National Association of Women in Business (NAWBO).
Mary is a local Petersburg resident, chairman-elect of the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, on the board of directors of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross – Southside Chapter, Crater Workforce Investment Board, Longwood’s Retail University, Virginia Treatment Center for Children and active in other organizations.
The Enterprising Women of Excellence Awards Dinner will be held on Wednesday, October 10 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Click here to visit the National Association of Women in Business website.
Fast Facts: Did you know?
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Since January 1st 2007, Virginia's Gateway Region website has experienced 698,694 hits, with over a million hits anticipated before the end of the year. Aside from strong domestic numbers, website usage statistics demonstrate continued interest from both Western Europe and Asia. Our website continues to grow as our number one marketing tool and the best method for us to reach beyond the Gateway Region.
VGR Business Council President Honored
Outgoing President of Virginia's Gateway Region Business Council, Paul Brown was honored on Thursday, October 4th, at the VGR Board meeting for his many years of outstanding leadership and service, not only to the VGR organization but to the Gateway Region as a whole. Long time Gateway Region resident and Bank of Southside Commercial Loan Officer Vice President, Paul Brown thanked the board for the opportunity given to him to serve the organization and wished newly elected Business Council President Bud Yerly best wishes in the years to come.
