Info-Packed Annual Meeting Highlights Region’s Growing Media Sector; New Regional Report, Reorganized Website Unveiled.
GWI’s Annual Meeting on May 27, which drew nearly 150 regional business and government leaders, featured a VIP panel discussion on the area’s burgeoning number of media firms. Moderated by Don Baer, Discovery Communications, panelists described local companies that are successfully creating and distributing diverse content. The Greater Washington Regional Report 2004, a useful resource detailing the region’s vibrant economy, was released and GWI’s website was launched with new navigation, updated statistics and a contemporary look. Visit us online at www.greaterwashington.org for an audio transcript of the Annual Meeting’s keynote presentation, as well as PDF versions of all GWI publications. For a hard copy of the Regional Report, please call 202.857.5999.
West Coast Success: Government Contracting Conference Draws 130 Firms.
Although GWI has hosted similar international conferences, last week, the Initiative hosted its first domestic workshop to attract companies to the region to sell to the U.S. government. The event in Palo Alto, CA, entitled “Winning Government Contracts: Identifying Opportunities and Maximizing Resources,” attracted a larger-than-anticipated group of 130 executives. Conference speakers included reps from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, GSA, INPUT, BearingPoint, A.L. Ross Associates and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP. GWI’s new “Business of Government” publication, now appearing in Washington Flyer, served as a leave-behind. To promote the conference, GWI conducted on-site PR in the market prior to the event. These proactive PR efforts paid off with articles in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. For more info, contact Danielle Misko or call 202.857.5982.
Greater Washington Ranks Third on "Hispanic 500" List.
The Greater Washington region has the nation’s third-highest number of Hispanic-owned firms (after Miami and LA), according to Hispanic Business magazine’s recently released “Hispanic 500” list. According to GWI’s analysis, 29 local companies ranked on the 2004 list – up from 27 last year. These area businesses, which are mostly in the professional services sector, employ 10,916 residents and collectively have revenues of more than $1.1 billion. For an email copy of GWI
’s analysis, contact Tia Malloy.
Promoting the Region Down Under. Thanks to Cal Simmons, New Vantage Partners, and Stephen White, Aronson & Co. who represented GWI by promoting the region’s business opportunities during a Business 2004 conference in Canberra, Australia. The May 31st event was sponsored by the local Australian government and the Canberra Business Council. More info
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Alexandria, VA:: The Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), Inc. recently hosted the Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors for a real estate market overview and a tour of the new U.S. Patent & Trademark Office campus. AEDP and Mayor William Euille also hosted an event for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to provide a look at retail opportunities. Details
Anne Arundel County, MD: County Executive Janet Owens led an economic development mission to Europe earlier this month accompanied by private sector leaders and reps from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and GWI. The delegation visited Nokia’s headquarters in Finland, met with government leaders in Russia and participated in a meeting, hosted by the U.S. Ambassador in Copenhagen, with senior leaders from all of Denmark’s major business organizations. Contact
Arlington, VA: Crystal City, one of Arlington's largest downtown areas, will take on new luster this summer as it unveils big changes in transit, organization and entertainment offerings. The area will sport improved building addresses, two-way streets; hot new restaurants are planned. Officials expect to attract new businesses, visitors and residents with the improvements. More about Crystal City
Charles County, MD: Minor League Baseball could become a reality in Southern Maryland, thanks to a recent agreement between the Charles County Board of Commissioners and Maryland Baseball, LLC. In May, the county and Maryland Baseball -- who would own and operate a club at the site --executed a simple agreement to move forward with the design phase of the 4,500-seat stadium. Project construction could start as early as 2005. Contact
District of Columbia: The Washington, DC Marketing Center recently released its newest publication, Starting Your Business in Washington, DC: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing Business in the District of Columbia. The guide is an invaluable tool for entrepreneurs looking to open a new business or for established firms seeking to expand in DC. Additionally, the guide provides location, permits and tax info, as well as other essential resources. To obtain a copy, call 202-638-6733.
Fairfax, VA: Seven Fairfax County-based companies are among the 100 largest African American-owned service/industrial firms in the country, according to the June issue of Black Enterprise magazine. View companies Also, the City of Fairfax has signed an agreement to redevelop three parcels. The projects include replacement of a post office building with 135,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and condominium space; construction of a regional 45,000 square feet library; and development of 60 residential condominiums. Details
Loudoun County, VA: In May, Moody’s Investors Service assigned Loudoun County a bond rating of Aaa, its highest rating. In upgrading Loudoun’s bond rating from Aa1 to Aaa, Moody’s cited the county’s strong and diverse tax base, high wealth levels and consistently solid financial performance. Loudoun will now receive the most favorable interest rates on its outstanding debt. Learn about rating
Montgomery County, MD: Montgomery County opened its second technology business incubator, the Silver Spring Innovation Center. The center is a 20,000 square foot facility located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic’s new arts/ entertainment and communications center. Fully wired, the building offers start-up tech companies low-cost, high quality office space. Contact
St. Mary’s County, MD: The River Concert Series is in its sixth year of providing free concerts under the stars. Underwritten by business sponsorships, the weekly outdoor event provides professional performances every Friday night through July. The concerts, drawing crowds of more than 30,000, have stimulated spin-off events and have become an integral part of the region's economic development. Info on concert series
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