ENGAGING REGIONAL LEADERS AHEAD OF 2024 ELECTION

In August, the Board of Trade's policy and leadership teams actively engaged public officials and candidates across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to address key regional policy priorities on behalf of our members and the Greater Washington business community. A highlight of the month was hosting former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan at MGM National Harbor, where members participated in a discussion led by Rick Limardo, Melonie Johnson of MGM National Harbor, and Board of Trade President & CEO Jack McDougle. Governor Hogan provided valuable insights into business opportunities in Maryland, as well as broader concerns regarding the nation’s economy, public safety, education funding, and workforce development.


Additionally, we strengthened our relationships with regional leaders at a recent event featuring Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, giving our policy team the opportunity to engage key stakeholders. Beyond our region, Shayla Moon, Senior Vice President of Policy, represented the Board of Trade at the DNC convention in Chicago, where she connected with regional leaders and members to further advance our mission. Looking ahead, we are excited about upcoming policy discussions this fall, including a broader conversation with County Executive Alsobrooks in October and our 2024 Election Watch Series, which will provide deeper insights into the political landscape.

Small businesses are the backbone of our region's economy, playing a critical role in shaping the future of Greater Washington’s workforce. As we work to build a more resilient and dynamic economy, these enterprises are at the heart of job creation, innovation, and community development. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, which the Board of Trade has diligently studied, sheds light on the profound impact that small businesses have across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. These insights will guide our efforts to support and empower local entrepreneurs, ensuring that they continue to drive growth and opportunity in our region.

In August, MARC and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) announced that the two regional rail services will bring back a ticket-sharing agreement that will help passengers travel between Maryland and Virginia easier, connecting the region for more efficient travel. The Board of Trade is excited to see that these transit systems are working to help all communities connect. This allows businesses, working professionals, and students who need to get to and from classes across the region. The announcement comes after the Metropolitan Council of Governments and WMATA launched DMVMoves earlier this year to integrate the region’s various transit options.

A FEW MORE THINGS TO KNOW

We're excited to welcome our new member, the Washington Spirit! The Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) impacts its community on and off the field, and we're excited to add another pro sports team in the Greater Washington region to our membership! We were also happy to hear that the club has added superstar athlete and entrepreneur Magic Johnson to its membership group in hopes of bringing in more business opportunities for the team!

Military veterans add immense value to workforces and communities in Greater Washington and across the U.S. We're excited to attend the Hope For The Warriors 'Got Heart Give Hope' Awards on Oct. 16 at MGM National Harbor. This event is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to honor the resilience and achievements of veterans and service members in the DMV area.

Technology advancing transportation projects in our region is of critical importance to members at the Board of Trade, and is worth celebrating when a member is helping lead the project! A shoutout to our member Virginia Tech and its Transportation Institute's Division for Technology Implementation, which is assisting the City of Falls Church, Va., on using new traffic control boxes to help adjust traffic light timing better to create efficient transportation routes during peak travel times. This is one of the first steps in an initiative by the city to help turn this Northern Virginia jurisdiction into a "smart city."

Goodwill of Greater Washington has leased the former Nike Store space in the Hecht Warehouse District. The new location is two miles away from Goodwill’s current retail store, which will be relocating to this new address in D.C.’s Ivy City neighborhood.


The new store will be situated in a prime location along the busy commuter route of New York Avenue, which is expected to increase sales and donations. Customers will have direct access to the store from New York Avenue, while a designated donation area will be located separately on-site. Additionally, convenient on-street parking will be available nearby.

Monumental Sports has unveiled the Washington Capitals’ 50th-anniversary installation at Palmer Alley, a historic moment for the team and its fans. This marks the first time Palmer Alley has featured a sports-themed display, a significant milestone that underscores Monumental’s commitment to the team and celebrates the Capitals, the District, and its sports fans throughout the entire 2025 season.

DC is a world-class city deserving of world-class entertainment, sports, and art. We can’t wait to see fans from across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia immerse themselves here, take photos, and celebrate five decades of Caps hockey.

Are you ready for tomorrow? Join an engaging discussion on protecting profits, cultivating workforce vitality, and mitigating risk on Sept. 25 at the Center for Education at Wolf Trap with this free event from Hub International geared toward helping people across the Greater Washington community.


The keynote address will be delivered by HUB International’s David Schneier, Director of Customer Protection, Fidelity Investments, who will dive into the trends, challenges, and opportunities when navigating the AI frontier in cybersecurity.