Board of Trade hosts annual Regional Chambers Dinner

Category: Policy & Legislative Updates

Board of Trade hosts annual Regional Chambers Dinner

Posted on by Board of Trade

 

The Board of Trade enjoyed connecting and convening with the region’s business community at our annual Regional Chambers Dinner on Tuesday, June 4, in Bethesda, for chambers of commerce located in suburban Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia.

Discussions between chambers included addressing the need to invest further as a region in transportation and infrastructure to drive mutual ambitions that will lead to economic and workforce growth across Greater Washington.

The chambers demonstrated their resilience and adaptability by discussing how to address business vacancies in downtown areas still felt after the COVID pandemic. They agreed that furthering engagement with local businesses is key to creating vibrant community involvement that can lead to success in our region.

The chambers also discussed enhancing their organizations by focusing on their strengths without spreading themselves too thin. This is important in today’s business culture and climate, which can sometimes create a feeling of having to do everything and be everywhere at once.

The Board of Trade’s new Senior Vice President of Policy, Shayla Moon, addressed policy and legislative efforts across the region that impact our region and our members and how we strategically address these critical issues. This includes further commitments to our priorities of focus surrounding regional transportation, work and talent, economic sustainability, technology, and health and wellness.

The chambers that joined included the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, DC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Prince George’s County.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the regional chambers that joined us for our Regional Chambers Dinner. Your presence and contributions are truly valued and appreciated.

Did you know? According to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, there are more than 7,500 chambers of commerce in the United States.

Sean Drake joins Board of Trade’s growing policy team

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Sean Drake was recently named Vice President for Policy at the Greater Washington Board of Trade to continue our organization’s efforts to positively impact our members and the region’s business community.

With over a decade of government affairs and policy experience, Sean previously worked as Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy for the International Hearing Society. In this role, he led all government affairs, advocacy, payer advocacy, and policy efforts for the association in the wake of the FDA’s over-the-counter hearing aid policy, which succeeded in expanding access to critical healthcare services for veterans at VA medical centers, including issues related to Medicare and Medicaid Policies.

Sean’s additional professional experience has also allowed him to engage in policy efforts at the city, state, and federal levels, which will be invaluable to the Board of Trade as we push forward on our organization’s goals and initiatives.

Sean’s hiring further expands the work of our growing policy department at the Board of Trade after our organization recently hired Shayla Moon as our Senior Vice President of Policy to lead the department.

Sean is originally from Sarasota, Florida, and is a proud graduate of Florida State University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs. He also has a Master’s in Public Administration from Penn State University.

Shayla Moon named Board of Trade’s new Senior Vice President of Policy

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Shayla Moon was recently named Senior Vice President for Policy of the Greater Washington Board of Trade to continue our organization’s efforts to engage regional leaders regarding policies and legislation that impact our members and the region’s business community.

Shayla brings an extensive background in public policy, having served in various roles, including Senior Director of Economic and Housing Policy for the National Urban League, Senior Legislative Affairs Specialist for the Department of Commerce, and several trade associations and nonprofit organizations. Her public policy career has included efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina with City Year Inc., issue advocacy on Nuclear Arms Reduction (New START Treaty), ratification of the U.N. CEDAW Treaty, as well as content theft and diversity policy for the Motion Picture Association of America/Creative Future.

Shayla is also an honorably discharged United States Air Force veteran who is actively involved with several civil rights and women’s organizations. She serves on the board of Friends of the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son and dog, gaming, skiing, collecting sneakers, and listening to classic jazz and hip-hop records.

The Board of Trade looks forward to the great work that lies ahead for Shayla and our policy department. And to continue the work we have done that creates value for our region’s business community and for our members.

Testimony: Support for DC’s ‘BEST Act’, advancing economic equity and fostering entrepreneurship

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About this Testimony:

Board of Trade President & CEO Jack McDougle submitted testimony on May 9, 2024, in favor of fully supporting the BEST Act, which was before the D.C. Council’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Oversight Hearing before the Committee on Public Works and Operations. This piece of legislation would help spark economic equity and allow for a community that fosters entrepreneurship, which is much needed to help spark economic growth in the Greater Washington region.

Submitted Testimony: 

On behalf of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, we submit testimony in full support to the BEST Act and underscore its critical importance in advancing economic equity and fostering entrepreneurship in the District of Columbia.  

In Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal, the inclusion of funding for the BEST Act reflects a strategic investment in our city’s economic vitality and the well-being of our communities. By reducing licensing fees, streamlining business license categories, alleviating late fees, and exempting micro-businesses earning less than $10,000 in annual revenue from licensing fees, the BEST Act addresses longstanding barriers to entrepreneurship, particularly for those from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The Board of Trade recognizes the transformative potential of the BEST Act in promoting economic inclusivity and opportunity. Its provisions align with our commitment to fostering a business environment that empowers entrepreneurs from all walks of life to thrive and succeed. By leveling the playing field and removing obstacles to entry, the BEST Act paves the way for greater economic participation and prosperity for all residents of our District. 

Moreover, the Council’s Office of Racial Equity has affirmed that the BEST Act is poised to improve economic outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other residents of color who seek to establish or grow their businesses. In a budgetary climate marked by heightened challenges for marginalized communities, it is imperative that the Council supports initiatives like the BEST Act, which serve as critical lifelines to entrepreneurship and economic advancement. 

Furthermore, the Board of Trade firmly believes that the BEST Act will contribute to the District’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic and promote small business growth. By fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation, the BEST Act will drive job creation, stimulate economic activity, and fortify our city’s resilience in the face of adversity. 

In conclusion, I urge you to support and prioritize the full funding of the BEST Act. By doing so, we reaffirm our collective commitment to building a more inclusive, vibrant, and prosperous economy for the benefit of all residents of our District. 

Thank you for your attention and dedication to this matter. 

Letter of Support: Virginia’s budget funding of WMATA and vital regional transportation

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About this Letter of Support:

Board of Trade President Jack McDougle wrote a Letter of Support to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, encouraging and praising the efforts of Virginia lawmakers addressing the short-term funding gap that WMATA was facing that could have impacted vital regional transportation in Downtown D.C., Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.

Submitted Letter: 

Dear Governor Youngkin, 

The Greater Washington Board of Trade continues to support Virginia by providing FY25 and FY26 funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). 

The importance of Metro to Virginia’s economic development cannot be overstated. Proximity to frequent, safe, and reliable Metro service is instrumental in attracting major investments, corporate relocations, the expansion of our regional workforce, and our overall quality of life. The economic activity supported by Metrorail contributes an estimated $1 billion annually in state tax revenues, benefiting not only Northern Virginia but the entire Commonwealth. 

We commend your efforts to work with lawmakers to reach a consensus on the biennium budget and urge you and the General Assembly to prioritize funding for Metro. The General Assembly had allocated $65 million for FY25 and $87 million for FY26, both to be matched by Northern Virginia jurisdictions. These funds constitute the essential minimum required to address Metro’s operating funding shortfall and meet formula commitments made by DC and Maryland.  

Metro is making progress as it rebuilds from the fallout caused by the pandemic, leading the nation in recovering passengers. Still, there are long-term governance, operating, and financial deficiencies that must be addressed. We are prepared to play a significant role in the recently announced effort between WMATA and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to address these issues to ensure the system remains viable for the long-term.  

I urge you and the General Assembly to work towards a budget that includes adequate support for this essential transportation system. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your dedication to the prosperity of Virginia. 

How our policy team and partners are making an impact in the Greater Washington region

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Our policy team and policy partners have helped our members address critical issues in various legislative and advocacy forums. This includes G.S. Proctor & Associates in Maryland, McGuireWoods Consulting in Virginia, and Holland & Knight and Georgetown Public Affairs in Washington D.C. With the Greater Washington region being so vast, our policy partners allow us to get more work done across the region, especially as 2024 legislative sessions have continued in Annapolis and Richmond.

In Maryland, focused attention was given to transportation and workforce development matters. Testimonies were presented supporting legislative measures such as HB0198, which is part of the Metro Funding Act, aimed at enhancing funding for the Metro system facing a funding gap that could impact transit services across the region. Additionally, our team and partners have helped the Board of Trade voice our endorsement components of the Growing Apprenticeships in Public Safety Act, recognizing the imperative of apprenticeships in bolstering public safety initiatives.

Simultaneously, in Virginia, the Board of Trade has also been engaging legislators about the funding of WMATA in the region. Discourse has also centered on the pivotal role of data centers in the state’s economic landscape. The Board of Trade has emphasized the importance of supporting and nurturing this industry through oral testimonies, citing its contribution to economic growth and innovation.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Board of Trade actively advocated for the passage of the Secure DC Omnibus, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address escalating crime rates. Additionally, a compelling op-ed authored by our President & CEO, Jack McDougle, published in the Washington Business Journal, delineated actionable steps to tackle public safety challenges within the district.

Across these jurisdictions, our policy team and partners demonstrated unified commitment to advancing legislative agendas and addressing pressing concerns on behalf of the Board of Trade’s membership, underscoring the importance of collaborative advocacy efforts in effecting positive change.

The Board of Trade is looking forward to this March, where we can engage appointed and elected officials at our 104th Mid-Winter Dinner, presented by PNC Bank. This black-tie event at the Washington National Cathedral gathers 600 key leaders from across the region, including state attorneys general, state cabinet secretaries, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC councilmembers, officials from Maryland and Virginia, university presidents, and other business leaders.

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