From the desk of Jack Hornbeck, President & CEO of Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
With the approach of the midterm elections, it is doubly important for the Hampton Roads business community to remain actively engaged with our elected leadership.
We at the Chamber will help you do so.
The Chamber provides opportunities for members of the business community to interact with the men and women who want to serve our region in Congress, as well as those who represent us in the General Assembly and here at home on City Council, School Boards and in constitutional offices.
We are presenting several forums in the coming weeks, some in conjunction with our Hampton Roads Business Political Action Committee. I encourage our members and other business leaders to hear what the candidates and elected officials have to say and take advantage of one-on-one opportunities to ask questions.
Demonstrating our commitment to working with our leaders and the leaders of tomorrow on issues that shape our economy, business environment, and communities, a forum is scheduled for Sept. 27, and it focuses on the Second Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, the incumbent Democrat, and challengers Scott Rigell, a Republican, and Kenny Golden, an independent, are scheduled to address our membership and take questions. The forum is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, 235 E. Main St., downtown Norfolk. Please call Candace Reid at (757) 664-2572 to register.
Additionally, we will bring our local congressmen together on Oct. 25 to discuss issues regarding business and other critical matters facing the U.S.
On Oct. 20, we will present our 7th Annual Legislative Reception, which brings our local legislators and businesspeople together before the General Assembly Session starts. This has traditionally brought out more than 250 members from the business community and attracts elected officials from all five city councils and school boards as well as our General Assembly delegation.
Other important candidate forums presented by the Chamber in October include the Portsmouth Mayoral Candidates Forum on Oct. 14 and a forum with the huge field of candidates for Suffolk City Council. For more information on these and other events, visit www.HamptonRoadsChamber.com.
We hope we will see you at these events, either bearing questions or simply listen. It is vital that our business community remains in communication with elected officials as we work our way through this challenging economy.
Again, this is part of the Chamber’s longstanding commitment to working with our current and future government leaders, at all levels while providing the local business community access to these decision makers.
We hope you will also consider joining the most powerful voice for business in our region, and make the strength of that voice grow.
Your support helps us ensure that the voice of businesses continues to be heard.
Jack Hornbeck
**Be sure to visit the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce booth #6 at LMX!
