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ALX Chamber of Commerce Pivots Virtually During COVID Times

Like many organizations, The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is adjusting to the changing social and business environment due to Covid-19.

The INOVA Alexandria Hospital Team poses for a photo
(Photos: Jason Dixon for the Chamber ALX)

Alexandria, VA – Like many organizations, The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is adjusting to the changing social and business environment due to Covid-19. “A big part of what we do is provide networking opportunities for people to meet each other, so we adapted pretty quickly to virtual, holding a virtual event within two weeks of the shutdown in March,” explained Maria Ciarrocchi, COO and Vice President of Public Policy at the Chamber.

“Having to change and figuring out how to offer the same programs and what kind of content our members needed at that time was important, so we did a lot of webinars, I was sending out emails with information, and trying to pivot to how to be as helpful as possible to our members at a time when no one knew what was going on.”

August Highlights

But in the course of all-things virtual, the Chamber succeeded in person as well this past month, fulfilling mandatory social-distancing requirements in order to hold two of their main signature events.

The Chamber ALX 2020 Golf Classic

Players on the Par 3 Hole 11, sponsored by Kari Steinberg of Long & Foster.
(Photos: Jason Dixon for the Chamber ALX)

The Chamber ALX 2020 Golf Classic, presented by MGM National Harbor was held on August 17th and was a full day of golfing, networking, and social distanced fun at Springfield Country Club. The top three winners in the scramble were Patterson Real Estate (11-under), Wiygul Automotive Clinic (10-under) and East Cost Collision (9-under.) Closest to the Pin was Chamber ALX President Dave Millard (Avison Young), Straightest Drive was Kay Tyler (Tyler Printing & Mailing), and Long Drive was Ken Patterson (Patterson Real Estate).

The Chamber ALX’s 2020 Valor Awards

The Chamber ALX’s 2020 Valor Awards, presented by INOVA Alexandria Hospital was held on August 27th at the Old Town Hilton. This awards program is dedicated to honoring the public safety personnel of the Alexandria Fire Department, Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Emergency Communications for heroic acts of valor. Nominated by their peers, the selfless acts of many individuals throughout the year are recognized and this year, additional organizations were awarded medals for their commitment to protecting the community during the pandemic.

2020 Pandemic Honorees

Alexandria Health Department

INOVA Alexandria Hospital’s Inpatient Team

INOVA Alexandria Hospital’s Emergency Department and Critical Care Team

INOVA Alexandria’s Support Services Team

Neighborhood Health

Senior Services of Alexandria’s Meals on Wheels Team

2020 Police, Fire, Sheriff & Emergency Communications Honorees

Officer Wesley Vitale and Police Chief Michael Brown elbow-bump as Officer Vitale accepts his Life Saving Award.
(Photos: Jason Dixon for the Chamber ALX)

Firefighter John Ashby

Deputy Jason Bebow

Captain Andy Beckett

Firefighter Tara Blunt

PSCO II Valerie Bonsu

Lieutenant Henry Cook

Firefighter Tyler Degenhardt

Firefighter Sandy Godsey

Officer Lorenzo Hardy

Firefighter Peter Hunter

Firefighter Dylan Kempton

Firefighter/Medic Ryan Kilner

Captain Jason Kuehler

Officer Lisa Kolodzinski

Firefighter/Medic Lyndsay Loper

Captain Bryan Meckes

Deputy Devon Neckles

Deputy Julio Ocasio

Arlington Police Officer Nicole Pehrson

PSCO II Shavaughn Priestly-Smith

Officer Luis “Henry” Segura

Captain John Silverwood

Sergeant Zygmond Slevinski

Motor Officer Loren Smith-West

Firefighter James Swanick

Paramedic Lori Taylor

Officer Sara Thomas

Firefighter Rudy Thompson

Sergeant Michael Vaccaro

Firefighter Sokthear Van

Officer Wesley Vitale

Officer Shakita Warren

Captain Eric Whitmore

PSCO II Latoya Wilson

On the Calendar

The next event is the Chamber ALX’s Legislative Reception, presented by Virginia Tech on Thursday, September 10th from 6 – 7:00 PM. It will be held virtually on the Zoom Platform with a link being sent upon registration. “The Chamber is looking forward to welcoming elected leaders, members, and friends to the popular Legislative Reception, all who will be available to answer your questions,” said C Ciarrocchi.

The highlight of the event will be the release of their 2021 Legislative Agenda, which outlines their advocacy priorities for 2021 and beyond.

For business updates, resources, or to join visit www.thechamberalx.com today

ICYMI:Dr. Tammy Mann Named Business Leader of the Year by Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

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