Press Releases

2010

DULLES REGIONAL CHAMBER ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP

 
Bill Lauer, Principal of TETRA Partners, Inc. in Reston, has been named Chairman of the Dulles Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors for 2010-2011.  He was elected at the Chamber’s annual meeting on July 7th before an audience of 150 attendees. Mr. Lauer urged the membership to build upon diversity in their business dealings, citing the wonderful opportunities that are available through a multicultural approach. He also urged the membership to embrace the new technologies coming forth and the social media that multiplies one’s messaging. Finally, he was optimistic that with chamber members helping each other, they could win business success, even in this uneven economy.

Mr. Lauer, a native Washingtonian, has a long history of community service, including having served as President of NVBIA, NAIOP, The Lions Club, and as Director of Reston Interfaith and NVTA.  He founded his firm, TETRA Parters, in 1981 and develops commercial properties in all arenas; today TETRA is the premier developer and broker for office condos in the Washington Metro area.

Mr. Lauer was the founder and Chairman of the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee. On his agenda is to explore opportunities with the Town of Herndon regarding a Kiss ‘n Ride for the Herndon Monroe Rail Station and redevelopment of the downtown.  The new Chairman and his wife both serve on the Chamber’s Asian Business Committee.   He is a major sponsor of the Annual Asian Festival that occurs at Lake Newport in Reston each year. His commitment to economic development and collaboration with the area’s business community will be a great assets for chamber members as we face the challenges of the coming fiscal year.

Also elected at the Chamber’s annual meeting were Vice Chairman: Kirk Forman of Fairway Independent Mortgage; Secretary: Debra Biely of Monticello Capital; Treasurer: Eileen Kennedy of Middleburg Bank; and Friday Night Live!: Doug Downer of HRI Associates.

 
The membership also elected the following for three year terms to the Board of Directors:  Wanda Alexander, Horizon Consulting; Debra Biely, Monticello Capital; Amy Brandts, Symphony Financial; Robert Cramp, Sandy Spring Bank; Kristina Bouweiri, Reston Limousine Service; Dave Cordingley, G&G, Ltd.; Georgia Graves, Bridgman Communications; Richard Holzheimer, Reed Smith ; Paul Karstetter, Stitely & Karstetter, CPAs; Regan Linke, Westfields Marriott; Teddy Riche, Inova Hospital Fair Oaks; Robbin Shefski, InSphere Insurance Solutions; Pat Williams, GraceFul Care;  and Ed Zigo, Clarke-Hook Corporation.

The Chamber held a BIG IDEAS exchange at the luncheon, with members exchanging tips for business success. Two thirds of those in attendance stated they plan to hire more staff by fall; most stated they wanted to get more involved with social media; and about a third of the room was looking at moving to a cloud-computing environment for their servers.

DULLES REGIONAL CHAMBER HOSTS
VIP LUNCHEON AT ASIAN FESTIVAL

The 7th Annual Asian Festival opened on July 31st at Lake Newport in Reston.  Opening ceremonies on the dais included local and state officials, the leadership of the U.S. Tennis Association and the Minister of the Philippines and his wife.  Chamber Chairman Bill Lauer of TETRA Partners welcomed the crowd and Greta Kreuz of Channel 7 served as emcee.  The ceremonial beating of the gong signaled the official opening of the two day festival.  Guests from Embassy Row joined business leaders, tennis officials and legislators at the VIP tent for a celebratory luncheon catered by the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport.  Exotic fruits and flowers were flown in from Asia for the event.

 
The Asian Committee of the Chamber, co-chaired by Jenet Ahn of Annalee’s Formalwear, and Lana Bian of China Telecom, joined Festival Producer Peter Ahmed in arranging the luncheon.  The Dulles Regional Chamber is the only Virginia chamber with an Asian Committee.

Sponsors for the day included Host Sponsor TETRA Partners; Title Sponsor the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport; Silver Sponsor Northrop Grumman; Shuttle Sponsor the Sheraton Reston.

HISPANIC RECEPTION TANGOS WITH BUSINESS
DULLES REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PRESS RELEASE
Run thru Sept. 23rd
Contact:  Eileen Curtis, 571-323-5301; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Let’s Tango into Success!!!: Hispanic Business Reception, September 23rd
Title Sponsor: BB&T Dulles

The Hispanic Business Reception has become one of the major events at the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.  It is hosted at Cox Communications each year by the Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council and this year by our title sponsor, BB&T Dulles. The event offers a different theme each year, and this one celebrates the Tango.  We are joined by members of the Diplomatic Corps from several Latin American countries. Food is provided by area Hispanic restaurants and caterers. This year’s Reception takes place on Thursday, September 23rd starting at 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm.  Cox Communications is located at 3080 Centreville Road in Herndon. Tickets are $20 Members, $30 Non-Members. Register online at www.dullesregionalchamber.org.

3RD ANNUAL SKEET, SCOTCH AND CIGARS
DULLES REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PRESS RELEASE
Run thru Sept. 29th
Contact:  Peter Ryus, 703-577-3930; pryus1@earthlink.
 
SKEET, SCOTCH AND CIGARS: AN EXECUTIVE OUTING, September 29th
Transportation Sponsor:  Reston Limousine

Back by popular demand!  RestonLimousine is rolling out to the Virginia countryside once again to the Bull Run Shooting Facility in Manassas. This event is a real crowd pleaser with skilled instructors on hand to assist all skill levels from novice to expert. On the return to the Blue Water Grill, a succulent array of hors d’oeuvres await, complemented by scotch tastings or choice of beverage, and options for cigars. This is a great way to entertain clients and to meet other Chamber members and their guests in a very unusual and relaxed setting.

Attendees are asked to gather at the Blue Water Grill, 5127 Westfields Boulevard in Centreville, on September 29th at 2:00 pm.  Reston Limousine’s busses will escort the group from there. Tickets are $165 Members, $185 Non-Members. Register online at www.dullesregionalchamber.org.

2009

HERNDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY IN 2009

The Herndon Chamber of Commerce announces a series of special programs for 2009 to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. The Chamber turns fifty years old in January. Launching the celebrations will be the Birthday Party Mixer, taking place at the Herndon Municipal Center on January 15.

The Chamber will stage its premiere celebration with an Anniversary Gala titled Hour Story: Eat, Drink and Dance Your Way Through Five Decades. This will be among the biggest events ever staged by the Chamber and will include silent and live auction, a scrolling visual history of the Chamber events and leaders interspersed with major events of those decades. Surprises abound at every turn for the hundreds who are expected to attend. The event is being held on Saturday, Feb. 21^st, 7 pm to midnight, at Westfields Marriott in Chantilly.

Other special events planned during the Anniversary Year are the Fifty and Fabulous Expo that will bring together life transitions experts from a variety of sectors, including housing, financial retirement, health, leisure and government services; and a series of monthly mixers will be held at signature sites around the Town. They include the new ArtsSpace, Worldgate Marriott Suites, the Hyatt Dulles, HRI Associates in their new building in the old stone church on Pine Street; Worldgate Sport & Health Club; Friday Night Live; the Hispanic Reception at Cox; Frying Pan Park; the Herndon Seniors Center; and the Herndon Depot & Visitors Center.

The Herndon Chamber of Commerce, begun in January 1959 with three members and with Town Attorney Marshall Martin serving as its President, has grown steadily in these fifty years and now represents the largest chamber in Fairfax County. It has garnered numerous awards and recognitions, including Fairfax County Public Schools Partner of the Year. It worked with the Obama and McCain campaigns to produce a brilliant debate on Environment and Energy, represented by presidential surrogates Governor Kaine and former Governor Allen.

Among its contributions have been the launch of the Herndon Dulles Visitors Center, the Friday Night Live concert series (with over $100,000 being given to Herndon schools), leadership in the dramatic fight to retain Rail to Dulles, ESOL classes and trainers’ training for the community, its long partnership with Herndon High School, the founding of the Dulles Corporate College for workforce (re)training,  our recent expansions in the area of social responsibility with formation of its Hispanic Business Council and Asian Business Committee, along with its Environmental Committee and our Dulles Wellness Initiative.

Renowned local artist Patricia MacIntyre is producing an anniversary poster for the Chamber that will reflect its impacts. A special 50th anniversary logo has been created for the Herndon Chamber and an Anniversary Edition Membership Directory is forthcoming.

The Herndon Chamber, also known as the Dulles Regional Chamber, offers hundreds of events each year, including the Herndon Golf Tournament, the Herndon Festival Business EXPO, and the fabulous Friday Night Live! concert series each summer on the Town Green.