Across the Board

Remembering Bud Doggett. Greater Washington’s business community gathered on Aug. 19 to celebrate the life of Leonard “Bud” Doggett, Jr., who passed away at his home last week. At his service, held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, one block from his downtown Washington, DC office, numerous employees, elected leaders and friends gathered to remember Mr. Doggett. He was memorialized by his wife Cherrie for loving his country, his city and his friends. In a procession that exceeded any civilian ceremony in recent memory, the streets of DC came to a standstill as honor guards of police officers and firefighters paid tribute to this favorite son of the city.

Bud Doggett will be long remembered as an effective and committed leader of the Board of Trade, and by extension the Greater Washington community. In addition to his enormous contributions to the Board of Trade, including serving as chairman in 1967, Mr. Doggett founded Heroes Inc., an organization that provides emotional and financial support to families of area law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Heroes has provided millions in financial support to area families in need since 1964. Rather than flowers, the family asks that contributions be directed to: Heroes Inc.; 666 11th Street, NW, Suite 300; Washington DC 20001. Washington Post Article Washington Business Journal Article

Don’t Miss the Premier Event of the Fall Season! The annual Fall Business Classic, an elegant reception welcoming more than 800 business and elected leaders, will be on Sept 24 at the newest space on Pennsylvania Ave – the Newseum. The Board of Trade has reserved the entire Newseum for members and their invited guests to enjoy spectacular food and drink while viewing Washington, DC's skyline from the newest jewel on Pennsylvania Ave. The 2008 Fall Business Classic is sponsored by HSBC, Pepco, The Washington Post, Clark Construction, Ernst & Young, Hickok Cole, Rand, SmartBrief and the Washington Business Journal. Register

On Sept. 9, Vote Mara for a Business-Friendly DC. The Greater Washington Board of Trade’s DC Political Action Committee (PAC) is endorsing six candidates for DC City Council, including Patrick Mara, who is challenging incumbent Carol Schwartz for the at-large Republican seat. Mara has a regional approach to business issues, promotes a business-friendly climate and opposes new business taxes. He is committed to reforming the DC Public School system and supports Mayor Fenty’s takeover of the DC Public School System, which Councilmember Schwartz adamantly opposed. Mara also pledges to improve public safety by providing law enforcement with the cutting edge tools and technology that they need. Show your support for Mara in the DC City Council primary elections on Sept 9. To find out where to vote, click here. Questions?

Across the Board E-Newsletter Enhanced. To keep you better informed about the region’s critical issues, the Board of Trade is replacing the Across the Board e-newsletter (that you are reading now) with the Board of Trade SmartBrief. Each week you will receive an e-newsletter with summaries of articles about regional business issues and links to the full stories. The articles are handpicked from thousands of newspapers and will address the regional economy, green as a competitive advantage, economic development, Board of Trade news and more. As a Board of Trade member, the subscription is free. Look for SmartBrief in your inbox this October! See a sample of a SmartBrief.

Regional CEOs Market Greater Washington. The Greater Washington Initiative has new advertising and marketing initiatives underway, using local CEOs as testimonials to the region’s business strength and assets. Four Power Profiles appeared in The Washington Flyer in July, and new ads featuring Barbara Krumsiek of Calvert and Stefan Jacoby of Volkswagen Group of America will appear in Site Selection and Expansion Solutions magazines this fall. Video spots are also in production and will run on the CNN gate monitors at Reagan National and Dulles International airports this fall and throughout 2009. Each testimonial focuses on a different asset of the region, from its best educated and diverse workforce, to its stable and resilient economy, to its unmatched quality of life.

Help Recognize the Region’s Leading Entrepreneurs. You are invited to nominate Greater Washington’s leading entrepreneurs and the large firms committed to small business development for the Board of Trade’s annual Entrepreneurship Awards. Awards will be given in three categories: Entrepreneur of the Year, Most Engaged Small Business and Guiding Small Business Growth (large firm). Winners will be recognized on November 13 at the Entrepreneurship Awards Luncheon. Nominations are due on Wednesday, October 1. Download the Nomination Form