Across the Board

Fight for Metro-Dedicated Funding Continues. A bill including $1.5 billion in Metro-dedicated funding was blocked in the US Senate this week. With federal funding and a collective $1.5 billion match from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, the package would have helped secure $3 billion in dedicated funding desperately need for Metro. DC and Maryland have committed to these funds, but the Virginia General Assembly failed to secure its $50 million annual share during the special session on transportation. Because Metro-dedicated funding and transportation in general remain top priorities to the region’s business community, the Board of Trade Virginia PAC is not endorsing any candidates for Virginia General Assembly, and the Board of Trade will continue fighting to address this critical funding need for Metro. Questions?

Fall Business Classic is Sept. 24 - Save the Date!  The Fall Business Classic is the Greater Washington business community’s premiere event of the season.  After the traditional Washington summer break, the Fall Business Classic welcomes back business, civic and government leaders from across the region for an elegant evening of networking.  This year's Fall Business Classic will take place at the Newseum on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Save the date and stay tuned for more details. Register

How to Become a Great Place to Work. Creating emotionally engaged employees and a motivating work environment can be a company’s greatest return on investment said Ken Tucker, President of Ken Tucker Associates, at the Board of Trade’s Becoming a Great Place to Work Conference. Tucker emphasized the importance of finding a hiring manager who can pick the right people for the right positions. Sherri Dalphonse, Senior Editor for The Washingtonian, moderated a panel of executives and spoke about the criteria for the magazine’s Best Places to Work awards, including superior flexibility and compensation. Panelists from Hire Strategy, Booz Allen Hamilton and Fannie Mae addressed cultivating a collaborative company culture, consistently surveying employee satisfaction and establishing innovative elder care programs for the Baby Boomer population. View Photos More Info

Board of Trade DC PAC Backs Strong Field for City Council. The Greater Washington Board of Trade’s DC Political Action Committee (PAC) is endorsing six candidates for DC City Council. After extensive interviews with the candidates, the Board of Trade’s DC PAC endorsed: Yvette Alexander (D) in Ward 7; Marion Barry (D) in Ward 8; Muriel Bowser (D) in Ward 4; Kwame Brown (D) At-Large; Jack Evans (D) in Ward 2; and Patrick Mara (R) At-Large. The endorsed incumbents have records of business-friendly policies, and Patrick Mara, who is challenging incumbent Carol Schwartz, has a regional approach to business issues and opposes new business taxes. He also supports Mayor Fenty’s takeover of the DC Public School System and pledges to improve public safety. Read Press Release Questions?

GWI Targets International Markets. The Greater Washington Initiative’s 2008 Regional Report has been translated into Chinese and French. The report tells the story of Greater Washington, touting its highly educated workforce, green opportunities and excellent quality of life. Researchers from George Mason University compiled the statistics, which are used to attract new business from across the nation and around the world to Greater Washington. Download your copy at www.greaterwashington.org.

Executive Networks is Accepting Applications. Executive Networks, Greater Washington’s business boot camp, brings together business and civic leaders to discuss the region’s critical issues. Through Executive Networks, participants establish meaningful relationships and gain a broad knowledge of the challenges facing Greater Washington. The program meets six times over three months and includes briefings on Greater Washington’s economic outlook and industry sectors, as well as dinners with alumni and a regional bus tour. The program costs $1,500 for members and $1,750 for non-members. Applications are due August 8. Learn more and apply

The Board of Trade Launches Green Business Awards. The Greater Washington Board of Trade, in partnership with the Washington Business Journal, is pleased to announce the first annual Greater Washington Green Business Awards. The 2008 Green Business Awards recognize regional businesses that are leading the effort to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into their businesses and community work. Categories range from innovation to green giving and nominations are due August 18. Nominate a business that is leading this region in green.

Business Leaders Welcome New Post Publisher. Katherine Weymouth, the new publisher of The Washington Post, spoke to an intimate group of regional executives about her vision for the company during a Board of Trade-hosted dinner at The Source.