Chamber NewsMonthly Newsletter: March 2016

Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

R e a s o n s t o J o i n :

NetworkingVisibility

CredibilityAdvertising Advocacy

Community Involvement

Miss ion:To be the voice of busi-ness for Clarke County, Frederick County, and the City of Winchester.

V i s i o n :Provide programs and services to meet the

business and professional needs of

our members.

C o n t a c t U s :407 S. Loudoun StreetWinchester, VA 22601

540-662-4118office@regionalchamber.bizwww.regionalchamber.bizFacebook.com/TVRCVA

@TVRCprez

Founded in 1917, the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber is comprised of approximately 800

business and communi-ty leaders from Clarke, Frederick, and the City

of Winchester.

A b o u t U s :

Recently, the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber completed our strategic plan for the next three years. One of our key initiatives is advocacy. We will advocate for a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy that supports and protects business-friendly climate.

AdvocacyPictured above: Senator Mark Warner during Public Policy Breakfast hosted by The Top of

Virginia Regional Chamber and Shenandoah University on February 17th.

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Who’s JoinedPlease welcome and

patronize these new Chamber members who recently joined February 1- February 25, 2016.

Sheila Parikh (Rodan + Fields Independent Consultants)Sheila ParikhWinchester, VA

TransForm DevelopmentRobert MacDougall1 Kidd LaneFront Royal, VA

Right at HomePete Lawrence110 N. Cameron St.Winchester, VA

Maricela Messner / The John Maxwell TeamMaricela MessnerWinchester, VA

Blue Ribbon Gift BasketsSharon Farinholt661 Millwood Ave.Winchester, VA

Department for the Blind and Vision ImpairedDiane McBride11150 Fairfax Blvd.Fairfax, VA

Winchester Area Society for Human Resource Management (WASHRM)Donna EagleWinchester, VA

Cruise Planners - Season of TravelCharolette Eriksson141 Inez LaneStephens City, VA

Clarke County HistoricalAssociationNathan Stalvey32 East Main St.Berryville, VA

The Greene Turtle Bar & GrilleAndy Gyurisin 185 Kernstown Commons Winchester, VA

The air is filled with anticipation and excitement as the snow is melt-ing, the days are longer, and spring is just around the corner. The same can be said to what lies ahead for our Chamber members. The Cham-ber has made a renewed commitment to helping businesses grow and succeed. It is a promise that we take seriously and we have created a strategic plan to make that goal a reality. Your needs are our priority. We intend to be an advocate for our members with our number one goal being your success.

We want to hear from you! We are working closely with our local legislators to ensure your voice is heard. Keep an eye out for a visit from your Chamber Board or staff. We are making the rounds and getting to know you!

As Walt Disney once said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” We look forward to “doing” for our members! How can the Chamber help with your success?

See The Voice of Business on page 5 to read more about the pieces of legislation we are supporting.

Letter from the Chairman

2016 Board of DirectorsExecutive Committee:Sharon Farinholt, Chairman Crown TrophyMitch Moore, Chair ElectShenandoah UniversityDr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy,Vice ChairLord Fairfax Community CollegeTracy Vosika, Treasurer United BankKevin Callanan, Past ChairmanValley Health

How to Join the ChamberJoining the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber is an investment in our community. The Cham-

ber serves as a vehicle for Clarke County, Frederick County, and the City of Winchester to create opportunities to network, educate and put together platforms to celebrate important aspects of our community offers occasions to celebrate important aspects of our community.

We are an investment in this region, and more than just a membership to be used. We are a service to our local businesses and play a very important role in an ever expanding communi-ty. We offer opportunities for advocating, networking, information, and education.

Visit regionalchamber.biz or call our office at 540-662-4118 to become a member TODAY!

Sharon FarinholtChairman, TVRC

Owner, Crown Trophy

Board Members:Bill North, Historic Rosemont ManorBryan Biddle, Bottom Line Marketing Chelsea Hester, TWG InsuranceChuck Peterson, iHeart Media Dave Reichert, Reichert Travel David Gum, White House Foods Dee Gibbs, Kraft Foods Glen Franklin Koontz, KOONTZ|PCJanie Shirley, Costco

Jenn Shea-Roop, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management John Fox, Greenwood Grocery & Deli John Lamanna, Timber Ridge School Nadine Pottinga, United Way of Northern Shenandoah ValleySuzi Smith, The George Washington Hotel

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z Barns of Rose Hill z Bone & Joint Specialists of

Winchester, PC z Bridging The Gaps, Inc. z Fair Ways for Youth, Inc. z Flavours by Sodexo z Five Alarm Fun z Grafton Integrated Health

Network z Interiors by Patricia Jackson,

LLC z Kraft Foods North America z Legal Shield - Aaron Orndorff z M. A. Rhinehart Real Estate

Appraisals z MedExpress Urgent Care z Northern Virginia Daily z Roy Rogers Restaurants z Smooth Path Coaching z Throckmorton Enterprises

Inc. z Transamerica Agency

Network z WECI, Inc.

*Membership renewals fromFebruary 1 - February 25, 2016.

The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber is partnering with Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center to host Small Biz Breakfast the 4th Friday of each month.

March’s topic: Grow Your Business Online with Google

Learn free tools for monitor-ing your business online and managing it on-the-go. Join us for this helpful presenta-tion for an overview on how to get found on Google, get unique insights, be more pro-ductive, and review available free and paid resources and tools for your business. Join us March 25 at the George Washington Hotel from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

AdvertisingThe Top of Virginia Re-

gional Chamber offers the 2016 marketing opportuni-ties and pricing package. We offer a plethora of mar-keting opportunities perfect for any budget, big or small to connect with potential buyers.

Opportunities include: website banner advertising, job board, hot deals, and ads in the monthly news-letter, MarketSpace email blast, sponsorship and more. View the TVRC marketing and advertising packages visit: www.regionalchamber.biz Contact Emily at ebuhl@regionalchamber.biz or 540-662-4118 to take advantage of advertising.

Renewals

Top of Virginia Regional ChamberAnnual Corporate Challenge

G LF TOURNAMENT

Do you think your company has what it takes to be this year’s champion? The Chamber is gearing up for the 2016 Corporate Challenge Golf Tournament! Put together your company’s best team to battle it out to compete for the Chamber Cup!

There are still opportunities to be a golf sponsor. Do you love golf? Join the golf tournament committee!

For more information visit: www.regionalchamber.biz/be-a-sponsor

Presented by:

Small Biz Breakfast- March 25

Save the Date: June 17th - 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Shenandoah Valley Golf Club

Register today!$25 for members

$30 non-members

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February Events

Contact Emily Buhl at ebuhl@regionalchamber.biz

or 540-662-4118

Want to see your ad here?

Steven and Carol Ann Shafran during Business After Hours at

Tri-State Nissan.

Elevator speeches performed during Business After Hours at

Tri-State Nissan.

Todd Thompson & Glen Koontz at Public Policy Breakfast with

Senator Warner

Rob Campbell and Wayne McEachern during Business After

Hours at Tri-State Nissan.

Community Leadership Program participant Jacob Meza enjoyed February’s health care session.

Shenandoah University students with Senator Mark Warner at

Public Policy Breakfast.

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Your Chamber is working hard to advocate for a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy that supports and protects a business-friendly climate. As a Chamber member, you have a Public Policy Committee working for you. This committee educates members about key public policy issues, provides opportunities for members to communicate di-rectly with legislators, and reviews all public policy issues. This committee makes recommendations to the board of directors on how the Chamber can best represent business interests before local, state and federal gov-ernment agencies.

The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Board of Directors recently ap-proved supporting several pieces of legislation. The first was the “Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity in Each Region” or GO Virginia. GO Virginia is a business-led, bipartisan initiative to provide a new framework for strengthening Virginia’s economy by encouraging collaboration be-

tween business leaders, the education community, local government, and state government. Second, we surveyed our hospitality Chamber members who overwhelmingly indicated

they feel that the current ratio of required food sales to alcohol sales are too high, and result in the over-regulation of these members. Therefore, the Chamber has made it known to legis-lators that we endorse and support the revision of Virginia alcoholic beverage laws.

Third, the board of directors voted to support the Atlantic Coast Pipeline as being beneficial to the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole. The benefits are creating an attractive business climate for Virginia, and lowering energy costs.

We are keeping abreast of public policy issues, providing forums with legislators, educating members and surveying our members for input. We are the voice of business!

To stay up-to-date with public policy visit: www.regionalchamber.biz/policy-center

The Voice of Bus iness

Christine KrizTVRC, CEO

Young Professionals Group

The Young Professionals Group’s mission is creating opportunities for professional develop-ment to foster a new generation of community leaders and Chamber members. All chamber members in their 20’s and 30’s are invited to attend the event and be a part of a new fast paced and energizing program. We meet the 3rd Thursday of every month from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Mixers includes: networking, professional development programs, and community engagement.Like us on Facebook!

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March’s Topic: “The High Cost of Being Born Female” Guest Speaker: Elsie Rose

Since women graduate at higher rates, women also

graduate with more debt than men, and because women live longer we have a greater chance of falling into a lower standard of living at some point in our retirement. Some of us may face poverty.

Fortunately, women who plan and women who are open to being educated in finance can likely live a comfortable re-tirement lifestyle. Knowing where we are falling behind, what challenges we face and how we can compensate and make better financial decisions will ensure a better future for us and for our children.

Join us March 16 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. the Winchester Country Club. Register online at www.regionalchamber.biz or call 540-662-4118

What are you reading?By: Suzan D. HerskowitzAnyone that knows me knows I read all the time. In addi-

tion to fiction, I enjoy mind-expanding and thought provoking non-fiction. I tend to read non-fiction slower than fiction. It’s usually denser than a murder mystery page-turner, plus I tend to underline, mark-up and re-read various passages, not to mention re-copy them into my little note book I keep for those quotes and ideas that interest me. I’m sure I’m not the only one that does this.

Here’s a list of books in my pile that I plan on tackling over the next few months for enlightenment and empowerment (in no particular order).

Won’t you join me in the discussion of what we can do to better ourselves? What books are you reading? To join in on the discussion go to suzmind.wordpress.com

1. Womenomics -- Katy Kay and Claire Shipman 2. Confidence Code -- Katy Kay and Claire Shipman3. Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert4. I Moved Your Cheese: For Those Who Refuse to Live as Mice in

Someone Else’s Maze -- Deepak Malhotra5. The Gifts of Imperfection -- Brene Brown6. Wake Up Women -- Dorri C. Scott7. Rising Strong – Brene Brown

I am privileged to say that I have had the honor of working with many business own-ers and companies through my role as a Chamber Ambassador since 1996.

As an Ambassador, the opportunity has allowed me to build business and person-al relationships through my employment at the Bank of Clarke County and many personal relationships through community

outreach. In my experience as a Chamber Am-

bassador I would be glad to meet with any member to discuss the benefits of being involved in the Chamber.

Ambassador Spotlight

JoAnne LloydAmbassador, TVRC

Vice President/ Business

Development, Bank of Clarke County

Board of Director SpotlightBeing in the Chamber is more import-

ant to my business than I can probably describe. I have been involved with the Chamber for well over ten years and I’ve learned it’s all about the circle of influence we build through our relationships with other Chamber members.

Those relationships help me do more than just uncover opportunities for

my business. They help me understand challenges faced by all types of businesses in our community. They impact my interac-tions with other entrepreneurs and elected

local and state representatives. They help me understand what is best for our business community and how I can use my resources to make certain this remains a great place to build a business and a life.

Bryan BiddleBoard Member,

TVRCPrincipal, Bottom

Line Marketing, LLC

Ribbon CuttingsDid you know the Chamber offers free ribbon cuttings to

our members? Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies welcome and publicize your business to the community.

Congrats to Walter’s Bistro in the SportsPlex, The Black Rose in Old Town Winchester, and Subway at Lord Fairfax Community College on your new locations!

Valley Business Women

Presented by:

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Entrepreneur CaféThe Entrepreneur Café will be on April 19 at the Corron Cen-

ter at Lord Fairfax Community College. Presenters have up to 5 minutes to present and up to 5 minutes of Q&A from judges and audience. The presentation will be similar to “Shark Tank”. The Peoples’ Choice Award, will be determined by audience ballot. There is a $10 entry fee at the door for all audience members. At the completion of the presentations, the audi-ence will vote on their favorite finalist, and that winner will be awarded all of the fees collected at the door.For more information visit: www.entrecafe.org

Business & Education SummitRegister now for the INAUGURAL BUSINESS & EDUCATION

SUMMIT on April 20, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.The Summit vision: A forum to bring business leaders and ed-

ucators together to share curriculum and business needs in an effort to ensure effective education that will successfully fulfill local workforce needs.

Contact Sally Michaels at the EDA at 540.665.0973 or visitwww.YesFrederickVA.com

SU Business Symposium

The theme of the 2016 Business Symposium is “The New Reality – Meeting The Challenge”. The event is designed to inspire and educate attendees from for-profit and non-profit organizations.

To register visit: subusiness.org

Inspire and Educate - What’s happening in our communityBusiness at the Bloom

Valley Health and the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber are proud to partner with the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival® to host Valley Health Business at the Bloom from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, in the Tolley Dental Tent on the campus of Winchester Medical Center.

This dynamic business luncheon, presented by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, is designed to motivate, entertain, and inspire. Offering a terrific speaker and the opportunity to network with others in the business community.

Register at www.thebloom.com

Disney Leadership InstituteLFCC Workforce Solutions hosts Disney Leadership Institute

on March 10, 2016. Attention to detail can be the difference between mediocre customer service and world-class mem-orable experiences that drive repeat business. In this course, you will examine time-tested Disney strategies that help cre-ate world-class service. Spend one day with Disney Institute and you’ll benefit from our insights on quality service and learn to think differently. Are you ready to D’Think your customer experience? For more information: lfccworkforce.com/disney-institute/

Page 8 - Chamber News, March 2016

Chamber CalendarUpcoming Events:

Business After HoursMarch 8

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Omps Funeral Home

Amherst Street

Business and BreakfastMarch 15

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Throx Brew Market and Grille

Valley Business WomenMarch 16

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Winchester Country Club

Young Professionals GroupMarch 17

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.The Greene Turtle

Small Biz BreakfastMarch 25

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.The George Washington Hotel

Save the Date:Business After Hours

April 125:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

BB&T - Cameron Street

Business and BreakfastApril 19

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.The Willows at

Meadow Branch

Young Professionals GroupApril 21

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.0-60 Energy Cafe

Small Biz BreakfastApril 22

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.The George Washington Hotel

Corporate Golf ChallengeJune 17

11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Shenandoah Valley Golf Club

office@regionalchamber.bizwww.regionalchamber.bizFacebook.com/TVRCVA

@TVRCprez

C o n t a c t U s :

Disney Leadership InstituteMarch 10

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.The Corron Center, LFCC

SU Business SymposiumApril 1

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of

Business, SU

Entrepreneur CaféApril 19

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.The Corron Center, LFCC

Business & Education SummitApril 20

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.The Corron Center, LFCC

Business at the BloomApril 27

12 p.m. - 2 p.m.Tolley Dental Tent

Community Events

Mixers

Business and BreakfastTuesday, March 15

View the full event calendar at: www.regionalchamber.biz

Business After HoursTuesday, March 8

Young Professionals GroupThursday, March 17

Office:407 S. Loudoun StreetWinchester, VA 22601

540-662-4118