SFCC Newsletter / August 2020
Chairman's
Note
Casey Whitmarsh
SFCC Chairman
Hard to believe we are in the last few weeks of the Summer of 2020! Its even harder to wrap our heads around the fact that we are entering our fifth month of the pandemic. Like most of you, your Chamber has had to adjust to a new normal and then re-adjust and re-adjust again! Yes, it seems like every other week, there is something new to consider whether its ever-changing updates on the virus or protocols to adopt for your clients and customers.
We’ve always touted ourselves as a ‘virtual’ Chamber and the last few months has forced us to step up our game to offer members the latest news, tips, and trends. Our informational panel discussions and webinars have been very well received both by our members and the local community. This coming week, our latest installment ‘Open for Business in Fairfax’ will feature several Chamber members discussing what has worked for them as they reopen their doors during Phase 3. I urge you to sign up and join the discussion. Exchanging ideas, tips, and suggestions with fellow business owners is a win-win for everyone! Find the registration link below, sign yourself up and share the link with your network on social media.
Also, this week Virginia became the first state in the nation to adopt new workplace safety standards. These standards apply to all businesses. For more info, check out our article in the link below.
As we wind down these last few weeks of summer, I hope you all can take a little time away from your business to enjoy with family and friends. The Chamber is looking forward to a robust fall season bringing local businesses together to promote balanced economic growth and to provide opportunities for our members to connect with each other and the local community.
Casey Whitmarsh
SFCC Chairman
casey.whitmarsh.yav9@statefarm.com
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OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN FAIRFAX
We've got a great panel of your fellow SFCC members ready to talk about some of the challenges they have faced in reopening and adjusting to the ‘new normal’.
Businesses have been impacted very differently. What has worked for some, hasn't worked for others. Careful planning and an understanding of an ever-evolving situation are paramount for success. The businesses that will survive and thrive are the ones that remain flexible and adaptable to consumers' concerns and changing buying habits.
Tom Repczynski of Offit Kurman Attorneys at Law moderates the panel featuring representatives from the Laurel Hill Golf Club, Clearfinity Eyecare and the Lorton Community Action Center. Join us to hear what has worked for them and what they envision to make the second half of 2020 a successful one for local business.
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You're Invited!
Groundbreaking for Lorton Community Center and Library
SFCC members are invited to attend the official celebration for the start of construction on the Lorton Community Center and Library. You may attend in-person or virtually.
Please RSVP here https://lortongroundbreaking.eventbrite.com.
The event will be televised on Government Channel 1016 (Cox), and Channel 16 (Verizon/Comcast) and will be streamed here. The groundbreaking will also be viewable on Facebook.
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SFCC Legacy Members are Opting into the New Sustaining Memberships
to Increase Brand Awareness!
More and more Lifetime/Legacy members are considering their options for a new level of membership. With the recently added Sustaining Membership you keep all the benefits of your current Lifetime/Legacy membership but have the added benefits that come with an annual Sustaining Membership.
A Sustaining Membership Offers Tools for Accomplishing Effective Online Promotion
In this time of quarantining and social distancing, communication with potential customers is vital to continuing business success. A Sustaining Membership provides a Virtual SFCC Member Assistant to help you use the internet to your advantage and assist you with increasing your social media presence for your business. A Sustaining Membership will help you to achieve improved online visibility with an updated, state-of-the-art landing page. Your business will be included on a community mobile app and you have the opportunity to have an increased presence within the local community at events, meetings, etc.
Social Media Assistance at a Fraction of the Cost!
Increase your visibility within the Chamber, the local community and on the internet through the enhanced marketing that comes with a Sustaining Membership. This is added assistance with Social Media marketing that you normally would have to hire from outside,
For more information on the new Sustaining Membership program, click here or contact SFCC Asst. Executive Director Carla Olivo colivo@southfairfaxchamber.org with any questions.
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Member KUDOS
Congrats!
Congrats to SFCC Immediate Past Chair Tom Repczynski and Offit Kurman for ranking in Construction Executive Magazine as one of the Top 50 Construction Law firms again in 2020. Offit Kurman sits at #37, recognized for their office locations, number of attorneys and staff, number of construction clients, areas of practice, and other categories to achieve its ranking. Read more here.
Has your business or one of your employees received an award? Let us know about it! Send your celebratory news to Asst. Executive Director Carla Olivo at colivo@southfairfaxchamber.org
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Would you like to get your name and business in front of thousands of potential customers?
Connect with us!
We are committed to using our social media to shine a spotlight on our members, but we need your help! Facebook is where the community connects with each other. Join your fellow SFCC members on this platform.
Help us to help you to market your business better. Please "Like and/or Follow" us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We will follow you back to help you improve your social media reach. Let's do this together!
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Great Opportunity to Promote your Business or upcoming Event
Submit Items to SFCC Calendar
Get more exposure for upcoming events sponsored by your business or organization by submitting them to the calendar on the SFCC website. It's easy. Click on NEWS & EVENTS in the navigation bar, click CALENDAR and then EVENT SUBMISSION. Here is the direct link to the calendar on the SFCC website.
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Special Thanks
to the Laurel Hill Golf Club and the Holiday Inn Express Lorton
Our continuing thanks to Laurel Hill Golf Club, General Manager Ryan Carmen and the Holiday Inn Express of Lorton, Director of Sales Erica Lee for offering meeting facilities free of charge to the Chamber for our monthly Board of Directors meetings and other events throughout the year.
Members considering venue options for upcoming events are encouraged to contact Ryan or Heidi to make arrangements.
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Upcoming Events
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Aug 7 -- Drive-In Movies at the Workhouse Arts Center, Fridays and Saturdays in August, 8:30p
- Aug 8 -- Workhouse Arts Center Community Market, Saturdays through the summer, 9a-1p
- Aug 22 – Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Lorton Community Center and Library 10am
- Aug 26 -- Year of the Woman Celebration - check the SFCC calendar for updates
- Sept 1 -- South County Site Specific Plan Amendment Virtual Meeting 6:30 pm
To submit a public comment, email MtVernon@FairfaxCounty.gov
Check out the calendar of events on our website www.southfairfaxchamber.org for more details.
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South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce | PO Box 68 | Lorton, VA 22199
