C O N N E C T I O N S • K N O W L E D G E • I N F L U E N C E ANNUAL REPORT: 2011/2012 INTRODUCTION As the largest chamber of commerce in Virginia and the DC metro area, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce serves as a premier resource for those conducting business in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Through the Chamber, nearly 2,100 organizations—representing 70,000+ employees—work together to cultivate a climate of economic opportunity in Prince William. Through these collective efforts, the region has gained acclaim as a national leader in job creation and prosperity, propelling us towards the Prince William Chamber vision of creating the preferred community to live and conduct business. Through the dedication of our volunteer leadership, members and staff, your Chamber is making great strides in meeting objectives laid out in the Five Year Strategic Plan (2011-2015). This includes organizational successes that enable the Prince William Chamber to operate efficiently and offer the highest level of support to area businesses. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Grew membership to nearly 2,100 member organizations; recognized by the Washington Business Journal as the largest chamber in the DC metro area and by the American Council of Chamber Executives as a national leader for recruitment of new members. n Opened the Gainesville Business Resource Center, increasing Chamber services in Western Prince William and offering a one-stop-shop for business resources. n Introduced new billing cycle that offers a more consistent cash flow. n Strengthened financial position, selling the unoccupied Ridgewood Center property and submitting a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2012/2013. n Saw a 30% increase in event attendance after streamlining events and marketing based on member feedback. n Met goals for Founding Trustee and Annual Partner programs. FOUNDATION: Chamber Milestones ANNUAL REPORT: 2011/2012 C O N N E C T I O N S • K N O W L E D G E • I N F L U E N C E Phone: 703.368.6600 www.pwchamber.org HEADQUARTERS: 9720 Capital Court, Suite 203 Manassas, VA 20110 BRANCH OFFICES: Gainesville Business Resource Center 7410 Heritage Village Plaza, Suite 101 Gainesville, VA 20155 Woodbridge Office at MEC 14059 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192 STAY UP-TO-DATE ONLINE: facebook.com/pwchamber twitter.com/pwbiznews
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INTR
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TION As the largest chamber of commerce in Virginia and the DC metro
area, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce serves as a premier resource for those conducting business in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Through the Chamber, nearly 2,100 organizations—representing 70,000+ employees—work together to cultivate a climate of economic opportunity in Prince William. Through these collective efforts, the region has gained acclaim as a national leader in job creation and prosperity, propelling us towards the Prince William Chamber vision of creating the preferred community to live and conduct business.
Through the dedication of our volunteer leadership, members and staff, your Chamber is making great strides in meeting objectives laid out in the Five Year Strategic Plan (2011-2015). This includes organizational successes that enable the Prince William Chamber to operate efficiently and offer the highest level of support to area businesses. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Grew membership to nearly 2,100 member organizations; recognized by the
Washington Business Journal as the largest chamber in the DC metro area and by the American Council of Chamber Executives as a national leader for recruitment of new members.
n Opened the Gainesville Business Resource Center, increasing Chamber services in Western Prince William and offering a one-stop-shop for business resources.
n Introduced new billing cycle that offers a more consistent cash flow. n Strengthened financial position, selling the unoccupied Ridgewood Center
property and submitting a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2012/2013.n Saw a 30% increase in event attendance after streamlining events and
marketing based on member feedback. n Met goals for Founding Trustee and Annual Partner programs.
FOUNDATION: Chamber Milestones
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Phone: 703.368.6600www.pwchamber.org
HEADQUARTERS: 9720 Capital Court, Suite 203 Manassas, VA 20110
BRANCH OFFICES: Gainesville Business Resource Center 7410 Heritage Village Plaza, Suite 101 Gainesville, VA 20155
Woodbridge Office at MEC14059 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192
The Community Outreach Committee of the Prince William Chamber fosters awareness of key elements of a thriving community —such as education, public health and the arts— and builds connections between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Demonstrated the commitment of our business community to those who serve our
community and nation, hosting the 26th Annual Valor Awards and introducing a Salute to the Armed Forces and a Veterans Council.
n Recognized two outstanding not-for-profits through the Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards, presenting each winning organization with $1,000.
n Provided community groups with organizational training and support through the Not-for-Profit Council.
n Kept membership informed of community issues through meetings of the Community Outreach Committee.
n Continued communications promoting the Prince William region as a preferred location in which to work, live, play and do business.
Supporting the success of every member is at the heart of everything the Prince William Chamber does. One way that we achieve this is by promoting the contributions that businesses make to the community and offering heightened visibility to our members. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Provided member companies with visibility through online, mobile and print directory
listings and targeted, cost-effective marketing opportunities:u Distributed 7,000 copies of Spotlight on Prince William, a community guide
and member directory, and winner of the ACCE 2012 Gold ACE (Award in Communications Excellence).
u Online business directory drew 7,300 page views in FY 2011/2012.u Introduced MyChamberApp, a GPS-enabled smart phone directory.
n Offered two large events that allowed members to showcase their goods and services to the public: Connections tradeshow and Grand Slam Fest.
n Highlighted business success, hosting the Prince William Business Awards and holding more than 50 Ribbon Cuttings celebrating member achievements.
n Enabled members to promote their business on the Chamber website and Twitter feed through MyMediaRoom.
n Encouraged consumers to patron area businesses through ongoing “Shop Local, Shop Chamber” campaign.
To meet the needs of a diverse membership, the Prince William Chamber offers comprehensive programming. Members can select from a variety of resources for building connections, knowledge and influence, customizing their Chamber experience to meet their individual business goals. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Connected hundreds of small businesses with resources for growth through programs such as the
Business Growth Committee, roundtables and seminars. n Presented the inaugural Women’s Leadership Conference, the first event in Prince William to specifically celebrate and cultivate the success of
women in business.n Increased participation in “Young Professionals-Northern Virginia” to 275 members. Innovative programs such as “Learn from a Leader” and
“Leadership Prince William YP Scholarship” have made YPNOVA a model for other chambers of commerce.n Provided government contractors with dozens of opportunities to gain industry knowledge and network, including Prince William Government
Contracting Industry Day.n Introduced a one-on-one consultation program in partnership with Virginia Department of Business Assistance. n Highlighted areas of economic opportunity through events such as the Commercial Real Estate Showcase and State of Prince William.n Hosted more than 150 networking events, enabling members to build connections and learn from one another.
Your Chamber is dedicated to advocating for commonsense policies that foster prosperity and economic opportunity in Northern Virginia. Our comprehensive public policy program encourages pro-business legislation at all levels of government, connects business leaders with policymakers and empowers our members to affect the way business is done in Prince William. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Strengthened the Chamber voice by bringing in a fulltime director of public policy. n Introduced Prince William Chamber Day in Richmond, independent of the state
chamber, bringing members to meet representatives of the Prince William delegation to the General Assembly.
n Presented legislators with legislative priorities. 80 percent of these received action in the General Assembly.
n Directed initiative that led to VDOT study of economic impact of North-South Corridor of Statewide Significance/ Bi-County Parkway route.
n Successfully advocated for continued BPOL reform, with Prince William County raising the threshold and the City of Manassas Park adopting development incentives that include BPOL exemptions.
n Brought policymakers such as US Senator Mark Warner, US Congressman Gerry Connolly and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to Prince William through Chamber Leadership series.
n Hosted US Congressmen Rob Wittman and Frank Wolf on site visits to local businesses.
n Kept members engaged and informed with more than a dozen action alerts on issues affecting the business climate in greater Prince William.
The Prince William Chamber is actively engaged in providing our membership with ongoing access to one of the most essential elements of business success: a ready workforce. Through our Education Committee, the Chamber builds partnerships that enhance the educational experience for students in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Notable accomplishments in this area include: n Signed resolution of support with SySTEMic Solutions, committing to further increase business
engagement in science, technology, engineering and math education.n Added eight additional schools to the National Young Readers Day program, organizing 500 volunteers to
read to 21,000 students in 42 schools.n Provided insight on higher education developments at the Education Summit, with presentations by
Dr. Robert Templin, President, Northern Virginia Community College and Dr. Michelle Marks, Associate Provost for Graduate Education, George Mason University.
n Supported higher education by awarding three (3) scholarships of $2,500 each to graduating seniors demonstrating academic excellence, community involvement and clear career goals.
n Reached more than 1,000 area students through the Winter Warm-UP and Tools for School drives.
