The Arlington Chamber of Commerce encourages all of our members to get involved in our organization. Committee participation is one of many ways to do this. Participation in one of our committees is a great way to broaden your network of contacts and learn about issues that impact your business. Time commitments vary by committee and the extent of your involvement. Most meet once a month and participation is free.
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Chair: Donna Rowe Hamaker, KDH Real Estate
The Ambassador Committee encourages participation in the Chamber by contacting new and renewing members. The goal of the committee is to strengthen the Chamber membership by making every member feel welcome at Chamber events and encouraging them to get involved. The Ambassador Committee is by application only after one year of membership, if interested please contact Erica Pristas.
Communications Council
Co-Chair: Joey Tackett, Clear Sky Creative
Co-Chair: Shannon Swahn, Select Printing and Copying
The Communications Council connects communications professionals in Arlington and serves as a source of knowledge. The communications field is huge; so to bridge the gap, the council serves as an idea and knowledge-sharing forum. Knowledge is key in our ever-changing technological environment. We can all bring information and an understanding to our proficiencies to the "communications' table" and learn from one another.
Community Action
Chair: Maria Pugliese, TeamLogicIT
The Community Action Committee works to strengthen the non-profit voice in the Chamber and utilize their relationship with businesses. It is responsible for planning and executing the annual Volunteer Arlington event that takes place in early May. Their goal is to increase participation in the event from both businesses and Arlington non-profits and to increase the level of visibility of the event. The Community Action Committee is also the host of the annual September Breakfast Connection, which spotlights non-profit/business partnerships.
Education and Workforce Development
Chair: Kim Durand, Partnership for Children, Youth & Families
The Education and Workforce Development Committee coordinates "Changing Places", a program of one-on-one interaction between school administrators and top management of local businesses. Additionally, the committee supports the PRIME internship program and the Chamber's Scholarship Fund. Find out more about the Chamber's Scholarship Fund. They are also striving to create better ways to integrate the Chamber’s member institutions of higher education into the committee with a meaningful and directed agenda.
Government Affairs & Economic Development
Co-Chair: Bob Bushkoff, Dittmar Co.
Co-Chair: Tad Lunger, Bean, Kinney, & Korman, P.C.
The Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee serves as a forum for business executives, industry professionals, and, sometimes, government officials to exchange information and ideas on legislative issues and to become more aware of what is happening at the local and state levels. Representatives of the committee present the Chamber’s legislative positions to the Arlington County Board and the Arlington delegation to the Virginia General Assembly. The committee also produces the annual “State of the County” event. View the most recent Public Policy Position.
Green Business Committee
Chair: Kevin Shooshan, The Shooshan Companies
The committee serves as a forum for Chamber members to explore ways to increase their involvement in economic and environmentally important practices and to learn about how these practices will affect their organizations. The committee is a recognition by the Chamber that green issues and green technology are an important part of the economy globally and Arlington County, particularly.
Hotel General Managers Committee
Chair: Greg Raines, CHA, GM, Holiday Inn Rosslyn
The Hotel General Managers Committee works with Arlington County Visitor Services to provide support and input on the best use of marketing dollars to promote Arlington to the travel industry. The members of the committee represent the hotel community on the various issues that may arise from time to time within the County and the region. They also seize marketing opportunities that promote Arlington as a hospitality destination. Membership is limited to hotel general managers.
Membership Development Committee
Chair: Arianna Gleckel, Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C.
The Membership Development Committee encourages participation in the Chamber by reaching out to prospective Chamber members. The committee members have attended many Chamber events and committee meetings; therefore making them a great resource in navigating the benefits of membership. The Membership Development Committee was awarded Committee of the year in 2010, after only one year of re-establishing itself at the Chamber.