It’s great to be back in Hampton Roads!  As most of you know the Chamber recently led a successful, fact-finding mission to New Orleans.  After learning from subject matter experts from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, we now better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the development of offshore energy in the Commonwealth.  Members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Trustees, academic and workforce development experts and other regional business leaders were a part of the Chamber’s unique Inter-Regional Visit. Congressman Scott Rigell, an advocate for offshore energy, also attended as a guest.

While we have all been wrapped up in layers, trying to beat the cold, the Chamber has been hot at work, advancing on a number of initiatives.

One month into 2015 – how are those New Year’s resolutions coming?  Many of us make annual pledges to hit the gym, to eat better or to spend less time in front of the TV. Yet by the time the Super Bowl rolls around (congratulations to you New England Patriots fans), many of us have already gotten off track. Chamber membership is very similar – by being an active member, taking part in all that we have to offer, your business can thrive.  Sitting on the bench gives you far less of a return on your investment.

Jim Collins said in his book Good To Great that it is imperative to “face the brutal facts.”  During 2014, we as a region have repeatedly illuminated the economic challenges we face.  In my mind, it’s time to get to work, which is exactly what the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is planning to do in 2015 and beyond.  This Chamber (YOUR Chamber) is the region’s premier business organization; helping our members succeed, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of our community’s residents.  In short, we set the conditions which allow businesses to succeed.

Following a frenetic October, November was filled with events with pro-business legislation in mind.  We followed the elections closely then hosted a couple of events featuring the participation of regional elected leaders.  In fact the day after his re-election, Rep. Scott Rigell briefed members of the Virginia Beach board of directors about his plans for Congress and calls for reforms to Federal programs.  And State Del. Chris Jones met with the Suffolk board of directors at a special meeting to discuss his priorities and the Commonwealth’s finances. 

A membership in the Chamber is one of the best investments you will ever make for your business. The chamber staff working with our strategic partners serves the region with programs, services and initiatives that address every aspect of your business. We literally set the conditions which allow your business to succeed.

As we continue to push into 2014, many may wonder if the year will bring with it continued economic growth. The good news: small business owners seem to think the answer is YES.

At a January Chamber of Commerce event on cyber security, I asked if anyone in the audience had been a victim of a data breach and several hands went up.  Then I asked who in the audience had shopped at Target in November or December and almost every hand went up.  Just about everyone has heard that Target Point-of-Sale systems were breached, and many of us were affected as consumers.  What many business owners don't know is that Target's initial network breach happened through a small HVAC vendor who had limited remote access to Target's network to remotely manage refrigeration and cooling.

The term ‘Gladiator’ has become a widely publicized and trending word primarily due to one woman who just happens to be a fictitious character, Olivia Pope. Her name is synonymous with passion, strength and of course, scandal.

If you are like the vast majority of small local businesses, you have a website. Until very recently, desktops and laptops were used exclusively to research local businesses and assist potential customers in making purchasing decisions. However, over the last 3 years there has been a mobile explosion! Therefore, it has quickly become important to have a mobile website. Here are the top five reasons why: