By Katie Nord, Events Manager, Arlington Chamber of Commerce

Amy Major, CSI DMC

We all know the importance of ensuring every necessary question is answered before planning an event to allow for a smooth operation and execution. However, sometimes there are so many components to discuss that we forget the most critical questions that can help excel the planning process and allow things to move more efficiently for all team players.
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Aside from the basic, necessary questions that consist of size of the event, budget, location, date and timing etc., let’s discuss the questions that are not always asked, but that are equally important to ensure a successful event!

By David Remick, The Arlington Employment Center

 As a benefit of the Chamber membership, we offer all members the opportunity to get more involved by joining a committee. The Chamber’s committees are a great way to broaden your network while learning about issues that impact your business and the community. There are a number of open committees to choose from, allowing you to select the committee that best suits your goals and interests. 

The Education and Workforce Development Committee works to foster relationships between education and business to meet the 21st-century workforce development challenges. The committee meets to discuss strategies that will prepare Arlington students for a career, continued education, or citizenship, and then advises the Chamber on those strategies. The overall goal of this committee is to enhance Arlington’s ability to keep and attract talent and to help businesses grow and prosper.

​Morgan Mentzer, Communications Coordinator, Arlington Chamber of Commerce 

​This past March, I started my journey at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as the Events Associate, and within a few short months, I was promoted to the Communications Coordinator role. When I initially took the position at the Chamber, I had recently graduated with my Masters from George Mason University and was looking for an event marketing position at a nonprofit organization. Besides the opportunity fitting perfectly with my career objectives, I was drawn to the Chamber because its work to better the Arlington community through bolstering a thriving economic environment. I feel very fortunate to work for an organization that has such a tangible impact on the community. 

By Corey Shields, Ntiva

Consumer preferences for communication have come to affect both internal and external business communications. Simple desk phones and legacy telephony systems aren’t enough to maximize workforce productivity or sustain great customer experiences.

Today’s employees and customers expect seamless access to modern tools –advanced email clients, instant messaging, videoconferencing, messaging tools and more. As remote working and business travel become more and more accessible, desk phones just won’t cut it anymore. Rather than trying to force outdated phone systems to work for the modern, mobile workforce, businesses can benefit by taking advantage of cloud-based “unified communications.”

By Mike Beargie, MainSpring Inc.

As technology expands, so do the boundaries of the modern office. The tools of virtual meetings have changed the way modern business happens. Gone are the impersonal conference calls of old, as software today opens up screen sharing and video chatting for entire teams. Virtual meetings pay for themselves with time-saving convenience and the ability to quickly organize.
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To use these tools to their best efficiency, it’s important to understand what makes a good virtual meeting happen. With proper planning and simple guidelines, anyone can host effective virtual meetings as part of their technology toolkit.

By Indre Bauza, Supporting Strategies 

​Restaurant owners face unique bookkeeping challenges. Did you know, for instance, that if you include an automatic gratuity in the bill for larger parties, that's considered a service charge and not a tip — and thus has different IRS reporting requirements?
 
Combine potential regulatory banana peels with the long hours that restaurant owners typically work, and you have a compelling reason for outsourcing your bookkeeping responsibilities. But if you need additional convincing, here are a few more things to consider.

By Glenn Seth, F3 Wellness Connections, LLC

Do you ever find your mind drifting while you’re plugging away at your desk? Do you ever have those moments during the day when you suddenly realize you don’t remember a word of what you just read? Do you wish you could manage your time better to get more done?

​Mindfulness during the workday can help you find your focus, be more productive and stay on track to advance your career and land that next promotion. Here are some time-tested techniques to improve your mindfulness while putting in a long day at the office. 

By Olivia McKay, Operations Coordinator, Arlington Chamber of Commerce 

It’s hard to believe that my time at the Chamber has now exceeded a full year. Over the course of my first year, I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with our members, and have developed a vast understanding of the Arlington business community fabric. Whether that be attending an Arlington County Board meeting to pass out stickers to support the Amazon incentive package or holding a forum for our nonprofit members to learn from industry experts – I’ve seen the impact that the Chamber has on the community. 

By Tony Hill, Alphagraphics 

​Prior to the advent of the internet and online advertising as we know it, businesses and organizations relied heavily upon direct mail as their main marketing channel. It was a time-tested and reliable way of driving new leads and foot traffic through the front door.
 
Over the past few years, the costs of paid online advertising have gotten so competitive and cost-prohibitive that many companies are now once again turning to direct mail.
 
Unlike paid ads, of which someone can instantly delete with the click of a mouse button, direct mail is a physical, tangible connection to your business. Designed and executed properly, it can create an emotional connection and generate new leads and business.