RBC News:

Cabinet nominations for the 2013 - 2016 term now open!

Nominate yourself or another individual for the Richmond Business Council Cabinet, a governing body of no more than 20 business leaders.

At their core, the Business Councils work closely with local businesses and public officials to advocate for a first-rate business climate and quality of life.
 
Chamber members seeking to build strong relationships, address community-specific issues and engage in advocacy efforts in their localities will find front line opportunities within the Business Council program.

The Richmond Business Council (RBC) presented two position statements at the November 12, 2012 Richmond City Council formal meeting.  One for the economic development package involving Bon Secours, the Washington Redskins, and the City, where the RBC spoke in favor of the deal.  The second position spoke in favor of the Richmond Riverfront Plan.  Read the two positions here.

Thank you to our local government and candidates!

In October, nearly all candidates for Richmond City Council participated in the Richmond Business Council's inaugural legislative reception.  We are proud to see this scale of engagement by the City Council candidates, which in recent history is unprecedented for our group.  We extend our sincere appreciation and thanks.  This legislative reception will be held annually, and feature "meet the canddiates" during election years.

READ: Richmond Business Council releases findings of parking survey.


Announcing the 2012 Richmond Business Council Business of the Year: Madison+Main.

Madison+Main, located in the heart of the City of Richmond on Main Street, is a full-service provider of advertising, marketing and public relations services for bold, forward-thinking companies and non-profits. The agency has extensive experience in Retail, Financial, Healthcare, Education and Sports marketing.

The Richmond Business Council will honor Madison+Main at the Chamber's IMPACT Awards Celebration Dinner on November 7, 2012 in front of a regional crowd of nearly 800 at the Richmond Marriott.


New Members of the Richmond Business Council Cabinet:

Jim Bailey, PCI of Virginia, LLC (Port of Richmond)
Ben English, Hirschler Fleischer
Mark Hickman, ConnectVirginia - Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence
Deanna Lorianni, Zuula Consulting
Catherine Mika, Capital One
Cal Whitehead, Whitehead Consulting, LLC
Katie Zacherle, Middleburg Trust Company

Read their bios.

The Mayor's Annual Report to the Chamber

We brought the business community to the East End, for the Mayor’s Annual Report to the Chamber, to familiarize our membership with the district.  Whether your business is in the area or not, the life of the neighborhood has expansive and lingering impact on our entire city.  Mayor Jones has blueprinted strategies that are potentially transformative, and we know vibrant communities are the linchpin to the success of all of our initiatives--education, workforce development, innovation.  To see through revitalization projects that pop, understanding, backing, and partnerships are imperative.  

Our Outreach Committee is working to connect with the local mom and pop shops in the Church Hill area, specifically the Nine Mile and 25th Street corridor, where there is an emerging plan in play.  We are looking for additional manpower in our outreach initiatives.  If you are interested to engage in this initiative by serving on the outreach committee contact us. 

Boardrooms to Classrooms

Nearly 50 business community partners turned out for the Richmond Business Council's signature education program: Boardrooms to Classrooms.

Check out the news coverage from NBC 12 as Kym Grinnage, Vice President, General Manager of WWBT takes part in the experience:

"This was my first time attending and I sincerely benefited from, and appreciate, the school visit. The school staff are highly dedicated and caring professionals.  The visit concept is outstanding and should be continued." - 2012 B2C survey respondent

The goals of this program are to:
-Educate business and civic leaders on the operations of a school;
-Develop partnerships that encourage enduring connections;
-Build advocacy groups for the school system; and
-Establish business role models for students.

While this year's business-education program is a wrap, the work continues.  If you didn't have a chance to join us but want to get engaged contact Danna Geisler at 804.783.9309 or danna.geisler@grcc.com.

Thank you to our 2012 Boardrooms to Classrooms partners:

Altria, Astyra, Averette University, Bon Secours Virginia Health System, Central Michigan University, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, City of Richmond, Communities in Schools of Richmond, Federal Reserve Bank, Genworth Financial, Office of the Governor, Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, Groovin' Gourmets, Hirschler Fleischer, Madison+Main, MetLife Mid-Atlantic Financial Group, Metropolitan Driving School, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, MWV, NBC 12/WWBT, PEAC Consulting, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond City Council, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Magazine, Sports Backers, The Monument Group, Inc., Timothy Project, United Way Greater Richmond & Petersburg, Ukrop's Dress Express, University of Richmond, UPS Mid-Atlantic, The Valentine Richmond History Center, Vanessa Womack Consulting, VCU School of Education, Virginia College, Virginia Credit Union, Williams Mullen.