The Culpeper Business Blog

Leadership Development

2012-02-13T07:43:27-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, February 13, 2012

There is always a need for citizens to assume leadership roles in our community. The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce has developed a program that will introduce participants to the intricacies of our community and the region. The Lead Culpeper 2012 class is being developed. The group will be given access to leaders in business, government and education in order to gain a unique perspective on our community. Leadership is a skill that can be developed through practice, study, and insight.
If you have an interest in serving Culpeper, Lead Culpeper 2012 is your starting point.

The mission and goals of Lead Culpeper 2012 are: Identify potential leaders.
Provide participants a unique perspective on Culpeper County and the region.
Educate participants about the opportunities and challenges in Culpeper and the region.

Bring these potential leaders into contact with present leaders.
Develop a spirit of working together for the benefit of Culpeper and the region.
Establish an alumni association to continue leadership development in Culpeper and the region and to provide a forum for ongoing contact and discussion.

THE PARTICIPANTS Participants will include individuals with a sincere interest in serving the community and those who have demonstrated commitments to previous community activities. This includes individuals interested in seeking public office or having potential for advancement to leadership positions within their own organization. These individuals should show an occupational commitment to remain in the area and should represent a cross section of the community.

THE SELECTION A selection committee will review applications to select a cross section of interested, motivated, and concerned participants from all segments of the region.

TUITION The tuition for the entire program is $995 which includes course materials, lunches, snacks and limited transportation. Personal transportation to most sessions will be required.

LOCATION
The retreat sessions are mandatory and will be held at Verdun Adventure Bound in Rixeyville. The location of all other sessions will vary.

DATES Regular attendance and serious commitment are required for the entire program. One excused absence will be allowed. Attendance at the retreat sessions is mandatory.

Sessions will be held on the following dates:
April 26 & 27
September 19
May 10
October 9
June 14
November 14
July 11
December 5
August 8
January – General Assembly - Richmond

Registration Registration deadline is March 16, 2012. For an application or additional information contact the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce office located at 109 South Commerce Street, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Phone: (540) 825-8628 email: jimc@culpeperchamber.com.

Developing Local Talent

2012-02-06T06:47:38-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, February 6, 2012

A few highlights from the Chamber. As I mentioned in an earlier column, meetings at the Chamber can be good, sometimes great, and other times amazing.

Our Major Industry Council met last week and discussed what was on their mind as business leaders in Culpeper. Most of them are globally positioned and yet very focused on helping the local community. The message of their efforts is often unseen and yet there is a special quality about our business community leaders. They are very generous in time and resources to help Culpeper shine as a community.

The group opened with the question, how was 2011? We went around the room and each leader indicated positive results for 2011. More importantly the outlook for 2012 is also positive. We hear reports of economic challenges and yet, it seems that Culpeper has chosen not to participate in the negative news. This is great news on the job front as well. There seems to be stability in jobs for the larger employers and possibly new jobs in 2012 and 2013.

On the subject of jobs, there was a discussion about the need for vocational training for jobs that may not necessarily need a full college education. There is an opportunity for high school students to work with Germanna Community College in vocational training aimed at working for local manufacturers in maintenance, machine operators, and other technical manufacturing job fields. These are usually well paid positions with large companies.

The subject of vocational education seems to be coming up more and more in my travels. There is a return to the thinking that career paths do not all need to lead to a traditional four year educational degree. Rather, there are tools today that help identify skills and talents early in order to reveal options that may be more interesting and productive for this workforce of tomorrow. Our business leaders are interested in seeing local talent develop and find jobs locally. Germanna is a critical educational bridge from local High School to local employment.

On another note, we have been planning the Professional Development Conference. The program is set for this Thursday February 9th from 8:00 am – 4:15 pm @ Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center. Our Non-Profits and Small Businesses are in for a great conference. The sessions and tracks are lead by local and regional subject matter experts on some very unique topics. I hope that you will join us to take advantage of CEU’s offered by Germanna as well. Go to www.ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com to register.

Finally, there is a special FEMA Town Hall meeting hosted thru the Chamber of Commerce for Business and Community regarding Earth Quake Relief Resources. The program is free and will be held at the Depot at Noon today Monday February 6th. Please go to CulpeperChamber.com and click on FEMA for details and downloadable information.

Chamber News

2012-01-25T11:50:32-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, January 23, 2012

I could not be more excited about an upcoming event developed for Small Business and Non-Profits by the Culpeper Chamber. With the leadership of the Small Business Committee and the Non-Profit Council we will introduce our Second Annual Professional Development Conference held at Germanna on February 9th. The program is all day, includes lunch, a powerful keynote speaker, and 25 sessions to choose from. What is the price? Read on….

The program is developed to strengthen business on several fronts. We have four session tracts including Marketing, Human Resources Management, Operations Management, and Board Development. This is of course a wide range of topics and yet all very interesting and relevant. As I have written in past columns – organizations are generally most vulnerable to what they do not know.

The professionals @ the Chamber of Commerce have identified areas that are unique to this year’s business environment. I use the term unique because the sessions offer rare access to interesting topics and great speakers. Here are the sessions as currently arranged.

8:00 Registration Opens

9-10:15 am: Session I 1) Employment Basics - Practices Every Employer Must Use
2) Tax Compliance Small Business & Non-Profits (990's)
3) Building and Leveraging Email Database – Constant Contact
4) Grant Writing
5) Disability Center - ADA Compliance for Business & Office
6) Roberts Rules for Organization Boards

10:30 - 11:45 am: Session II 1) Lessons from Penn State - Recruiting, Retaining, and Terminating Employees/Volunteers
2) Google Apps for the office
3) Mailings & List Management
4) Grant Writing - Foundation Center
5) Dispute Resolution
6) Board / CEO Relationship

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch with Keynote - The Performance Group, Inc
Pushing the Right Buttons, Keys to Inspiring Your Team

1:00—1:30: 2012 EXPO

1:30—2:45 pm Session III 1) Dispute Resolution Center
2) Quick Books - Tips, Short Cuts, and Reports
3) Social Media
4) Foundation Center Online Directory
5) Microsoft Cloud for Non-Profits and Small Business
6) Fiduciary Duties of Non-Profit Boards

3:00 - 4:15 pm Session IV 1) Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws for Events
2)

Fundraising for Board Members - Can it be Easy!
3) Employee Performance Tracking
4) Building and Leveraging Email Database – Constant Contact
5) Financial Tracking Made Easy - Dashboards
6) Customer Service
7) Myers-Briggs

Go to ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com or CulpeperChamber.com for more details. Register today for early pricing.

Navigating Social Media

2012-01-17T06:49:33-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, January 16, 2012

Normally a Chamber of Commerce meeting is interesting, sometimes very interesting, and occasionally they are inspired. The first Social Media Mastermind Group met last Monday morning at the Depot.
With a fresh pot of coffee and an open slate of discussion, we did not waste anytime diving into the reaches of social media. We navigated thru Facebook, Goggle Blogs, Email, Foursquare, Yelp, and a few others that are outliers. Within each of these, there were basic and advanced revelations for everyone. Whether you were a novice or an experienced Social Media Pro, there were new ideas in the constant stream of discussion.

So what is a “Mastermind Group"? The term is common in cyber circles. In fact, the term mastermind may apply to almost any area of interest. The concept is for a group of like minded talent to exchange ideas about a subject with the intent to sharpen everyone’s knowledge.

The rate of change in social media coupled with its exponential growth has continued implications for business. As a business community we are faced with decisions everyday in applying our time productively. Social media can consume time and leave you at the end of the day with more questions than answers. And yet, we cannot ignore the need for education in determining the strategic social media direction that is best for your business.

To further complicate the issue, especially for Digital Immigrants (those that did not grow up with computers), we are accelerating toward the mobile environment. Consumers and businesses alike are leveraging their mobile devices (now including tablets like the Ipad) for the best value in their immediate location. Where are the best places to eat, shop, and play…. Now!!! We are moving from waiting to have a celebrity endorse products to tuning into our friends online for immediate recommendations.

As a rural business community, we are attracting visitors from the urban areas that have adopted the mobile technologies in mass. They expect our community to be mass communication savvy. Granted there is an appeal of the rural setting and preserving this is essential. That does not conflict with the need to be digitally dynamic. In fact, it is my view that as we are collectively agile in digital media, the brighter our digital light shines for business opportunity.

Our “Wireless Ecosystem” is evolving and these are enterprising times. There is a great deal of opportunity. We are in a place and time to move our community forward thru digital intelligence.
We invite you to join the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and take advantage of the next Social Media Mastermind Group meet up on Monday, February 13th 8:30 AM @ the Depot.

REGISTER and let us know you are coming by CLICKING HERE

What is on the Chamber radar for 2012

2012-01-09T07:17:11-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, January 9, 2012

January 9th - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM @ The Depot - The Chamber Small Business Committee introduces a new Social Media Mastermind Group - Join us for an open discussion on the latest in social media. The group is open to Chamber Members and is led by Beverly Herdman of Wine Trail Homes. We plan to meet on the second Monday of each month - same time and place. No registration required.

January 18th - 8:00 AM @ Peppers Grill - The Marketing Committee and the Membership Committee introduce our Monthly Networking Breakfast. Registration is required.

January 25th - Chamber Day at the Capitol - Join Chambers from across the Commonwealth to meet with our General Assembly representatives and hear from our leaders in Richmond. Registration required.

January 25th – Chamber Members Mixer and Ribbon Cutting - New Verizon Store - 5 PM Ribbon Cutting - 5:30 Mixer (members only).

January 28th - Drop it! The 2012 Healthy Living & Weight Loss Challenge. Culpeper Regional Health System and Germanna Community College invite you to join the FREE Challenge to improve your health and the overall health of our community. Kick-Off Health Fair: Saturday, January 28 from 10 am - 4 pm

February 1st - E Squared Kick Off - 9:45 - 11:00 AM @ Germanna. CCHS and EVHS students meet with their team for the first time and begin Entreprenurial project planning. The program culminates on May 10th with winners being selected for scholarship awards. Go to EsquaredCulpeper.com for full timeline and program descriptions.

February 9th - The Small Business Committee and Non-Profit Council present - The Second

Annual "Professional Development Conference and Expo for Small Business and Non-Profits" - Join other professionals to learn the latest in Marketing & Social Media, Business Operations, Board Development, and Human Resources. Details and registration at www.ProfessionalDevelopmentConference.com.

Lead Culpeper 2012 - Leadership Development beginning in April. Watch for details.

2012 Chamber Community Guide - Highlight Your Business - Contact The Culpeper Star Exponent.

2012 Annual Sponsorship Programs - Get in early for the best value. Go to CulpeperChamber.com to see why 26 businesses have signed up so far. Contact Martha at the Chamber office for more details.

Chamber Website Change - The new Website address is CulpeperChamber.com . Simple is good and so we shifted our hosting to a new domain name, formerly CulpeperVaChamber - Now CulpeperChamber. Our Email addresses have changed to reflect the new web address.

Free Membership - Virginia Chamber of Commerce - You may qualify for free membership in the Virginia Chamber of Commerce as a result of your membership in the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. This is an opt in program for Small Business w/ 10 or fewer employees. Contact the Culpeper Chamber office for details if you would like to opt in and begin gaining the benefits of membership in Virginia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Alliance.

Join us to get involved today.

Helping the homeless

2011-12-19T08:15:50-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, December 19, 2011

The article in the Star exponent on Friday about the homeless led me to think about solutions. I read with great sadness that there would be a mom with 3 children sleeping in her vehicle with no heat. I did some quick research with the help of the Small Business Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Here are a few opportunities to help:

“In this season of giving and tax planning, these two opportunities can combine to leverage our support for the organizations that support the people most in need. The Virginia Department of Social Services has a Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) that emphasizes partnerships between the private and public sector to assist the economically deprived. This program could multiply your contribution up to three times. A simple example would be that one donates $1,000 to a NAP eligible organization. You will receive a federal charitable deduction for the $1,000 resulting in a $300 tax benefit, depending on your effective tax rates. Virginia will provide you with $400 credit (40% of the donation) toward your tax. That potentially results in a $1,000 contribution with a net out-of-pocket investment of $300”, according to Chris Pearson, CPA at Yount, Hyde & Barbour , PC.

Culpeper Community Development Corporation, run by Sam Aiken, a homeless shelter in Culpeper is listed in the NAP program of approved organizations. The program details can be found at the following state website: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/community/nap.cgi”. Giving to the CCDC is an easy way to make a great impact this holiday season.

Later, Tripp Butler sent Jack Garber, Director of the Piedmont United Way to talk with me about the issue. Jack described the network of volunteer support that is in place in the community. The Culpeper Ministerial Association, Food Closet, Culpeper Department of Human Services, Salvation Army, Piedmont United Way, and many other partners work together to provide shelter to the homeless from the Sunday after Thanksgiving to the first Sunday in April.

The Culpeper Homeless Consortium (my name for the group) has found shelter for up to 28 per night with the capacity for a few more. They provide food and a warm place to sleep while being managed by a coordinated group of volunteers. Amazingly, the consortium has also opened it arms to those in Orange that need shelter as a result of the closing of the Orange homeless shelter.

An important part of the consortium is the Piedmont United Way. The PUW provides service in coordinating the needs among Non-Profits, Government Agencies, and Business to eliminate redundancy while optimizing the use of funds. They are also a very good resource to help ensure that the needs are valid. The Piedmont United Way is a critical part of keeping our safety net-work strong.

If you would like to donate, volunteer to help, or even provide a meal, contact the Piedmont United Way at 540-825-7569. In addition, an easy phone number to remember if you know of someone in need (non emergency) is “211” which reaches a phone center and coordinates services throughout Virginia.

Jim Charapich CEO/President
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Surving and thriving in this economy

2011-12-12T07:13:29-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, December 12, 2011

I attended the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit a few weeks ago. The subject of the conference was “The Role of the Federal Government in Virginia’s Economic Prosperity”. The speakers were impressive, former Governor’s Kaine and Allen (both candidates for the US Senate in 2012) Congressman Forbes (R-VA-4th District), US Secretary of Transportation LaHood, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Connaughton, and President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce – Barry Duvall, each very engaging regarding the Virginia Economy.

However, I was most struck by a presentation by Dr. Fuller, Director - Center for Regional Analysis, School of Public Policy, George Mason University. His presentation was direct and showed statistical analysis of the Federal Budget’s impact on Virginia. Dr. Fuller stated that Virginia gains the most benefit from federal procurement. We have recently surpassed California as the number one state for federal procurement dollars spent. This is not surprising considering our proximity to Washington DC. In addition, he showed that federal procurement in Virginia grew an average of 10.7% per year from 2000 – 2010, and from just over $20 Billion to almost $60 Billion during this time.

According to Dr. Fuller, Virginia is 4th in Federal Wages & Salaries after Texas, California, and DC with just over $20 Billion in Federal Wages & Salaries. Consider that for each federal job, there are a correlative number of private sector service and support jobs. Thus, for any federal job lost, there would be private sector jobs impacted as well.

As beneficiaries of federal procurement and federal jobs, Virginia is equally vulnerable to federal budget cuts. As we consider the potential budget reductions in Washington, hoping for fiscal responsibility, Virginia will potentially see a significant economic impact. This seems even truer for Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads MSA. The numbers are sobering and motivating.

The “Silver Lining” for Culpeper… As Federal Agencies and Government Contractors look for ways to cut costs, Culpeper is a strategic solution. One of the candidates in the recent election for the Virginia General Assembly alluded to the solution for transportation being high speed internet as well as roads, enabling business from virtual locations. Though he was not suggesting Culpeper, he described it well. Our robust internet infrastructure offers business and government an opportunity to locate and conduct business in a rural setting with a high quality of life, while reducing the cost of operations.

In addition, our proximity to Washington is close enough to take Amtrak into DC for a quick meeting while returning that same evening. Our 5000’ runway Jetport is perfect for most business and government small jet travel.

Culpeper as a “Micro Economy” has stood alone in many ways with regard to employment due to a healthy diversity of business. With Manufacturing, Professional Services, Hospitality, and Retail Industries, Culpeper has been able to weather the economic intervals with resiliency.

The time for “The Culpeper Solution” is now… current inventory of homes at very attractive values, infrastructure in place, strategic proximity to DC, healthy quality of life, and business friendly environment. Those who realize this sooner than later will secure the benefits.

Jim Charapich, CEO/President
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Comparing countries

2011-12-05T06:01:49-08:00

Explore China with the
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

I continue to hear discussion in many forums about China, some from federal representatives, some from state representatives, and some from local leaders. There is a constant comparison with the US and China on many fronts.
When we talk about education, we are asking, what is China doing? Some are intimidated by the statistics indicating China is producing students advanced in the STEM subjects. This is a matter of debate. Nevertheless, we as a community and as a country are challenged to be better than we are by such comparison.

When we talk about economic development, we are asking, what is China doing? We hear about their booming economy. They are consuming significant resources in the development of new bridges, high speed rail, and new airports. This reminds me of America circa the 1950’s.

When we talk about National Defense, we are asking, what is China doing? Last week, I heard a US Congressman describe the growth of the Chinese Naval fleet compared to our growth. We need to be mindful of our need for national security as we consider defense cuts.

There are many more issues to consider when we think of our relationships in the global economy. China is arguably, has a significant influence on American interests and yet I find it interesting that many have not taken time to visit this interesting country. One of the best ways to understand this very influential global force is to visit.

As most of you are aware, I had the opportunity to travel to China in March and my knowledge of our friends in China continues to grow with each book, article, and news story that I hear. The layers of history, social issues, business relationships, and global events seem to point to our emerging global partner. However, no amount of reading or research can replace an immersion into their culture.

Thus, The Culpeper Chamber has arranged a very attractive opportunity for those in our area to take advantage of a great deal. Travel to China, visit 4 major cities, and experience many of the bucket list sites that you have heard so much about (such as the Forbidden City & the Great Wall) next April. This is a great gift for your friends and family as you consider the a holiday gift or wish list.

Carefree Cruise (Janet Driggers) and Battlefield Travel (Cheryl Clear) are working with the Chamber to arrange bookings for the Trip. Payment for the trip is due mid December in order to secure the best pricing. Our local travel agents (Chamber Members) are very excited to offer this as this is one of the best values to explore China.

Contact Battlefield Travel or Carefree Cruise to book a reservation, or go to CulpeperChamber.com for more details. I am confident that you find this trip as enlightening as I did. Understanding our world influences, is critical to advancing our opportunities locally and globally.

Jim Charapich, CEO/President Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Thinking ahead to 2012 taxes

2011-11-29T07:16:20-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, November 28, 2011

What will next year look like when it comes to our taxes? This is a sensitive subject and yet one that we must face considering the challenges in our economy. Though there is good news for our local economy on many fronts. The revenue into our local governments will force us to make decisions about how to save money while growing our economy.

In essence, economic growth is a driving solution to the revenue challenges faced by local governments. The more meals eaten out, the more hotel rooms filled, the more our retailers sell, the more our professional services sell, the more our businesses produce and sell, the better our tax revenues. Buy Local!!! Simple right!

Let’s look a bit closer. There is one part of the equation that is not addressed in the list above, home values. Our tax revenues are based on the assessed values of homes. This is a significant factor in revenues for our local governments. The foreclosures have depressed values to a point that revenues are also depressed. Local governments often “equalize” the tax rate to offset the decrease in revenues from lower assessments.

So, if we are to see a broad base revenue increase from improved real estate assessments then the values need to increase. In order for the values to increase there must be demand, right? So how do we increase demand for local housing? Of course recruiting business to create jobs is one solution, and yet this takes time to impact the values.

So, what is another solution? My research suggests that home values in Northern Virginia are stable and increasing. We are typically subject to a timed ripple effect in Culpeper. Market improvements in NOVA usually work their way out to Culpeper... eventually? This is where we have opportunity. My theory is that we can bypass the ripple effect with strategic invitations to NOVA buyers by pooling our marketing efforts.

Today’s “strategic digital marketing” allows us to send targeted intuitive messages online, optimizing dollars for uniquely productive results. The new marketing efforts can find buyers ready to buy and deliver them to Local Real Estate Agents. A big issue for our local real estate agents is that buyers in NOVA initiate contact with NOVA agents and “drive until they qualify”. We need our agents to be the expert that these buyers find when searching for housing solutions and deliver them to Culpeper.

Local Agents are the ones that contribute to our local non-profits, charities, and youth sports teams. Supporting them and finding a way to deliver out of market buyers to them and to Culpeper can be a critical part of our economic success formula. Absorbing foreclosures, increasing demand for homes, and finding buyers for our area has potential to bring our community to a preferred level of prosperity.
Stimulating local real estate is not a “pro growth” message. It is a building block to economic improvements. We need our local real estate market to improve in order for our local economy to support local needs: funding for schools, funding for emergency services, revenues for local business….
The sooner we employ “Strategic Digital Marketing” the sooner we will see the potential results.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO
Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Giving Thanks

2011-11-21T07:48:19-08:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, November 21, 2011

Thanksgiving is the cornerstone of transformation. The holiday season is a time of reflection, hope, and change according to one of my favorite pastors. He goes on to say that he often takes inventory of the many blessings in his life, enabling him to be prepared for the opportunities that will present themselves.

It is too easy to focus on the negative. We are almost drawn to it, conditioned to do so, as we hear “The News”. But really, we have an opportunity to change what we hear…. after all the root of “News” is “NEW.” By paying attention, choosing what we hear, we can refocus on the real news…. opportunity for transformation.

“Thanks Giving” is a course to a new outlook, much like driving a car. Imagine seeing “Thanks Giving” written on the side of your vehicle. Let’s go for a ride. First, we need to put the key in the ignition, a good indication that we want to change where we are. Great, we are ready to go. Not so fast, first let’s make sure that we have our seat belt on, we plan to arrive safely, so no negatives…. Seatbelts protect us from the negatives…

Now let’s adjust the rear view mirror. We need to see what lies behind us. We are looking for the positives, the things to be thankful for. What were they this year? You know, time with family, a fitness program that worked, or a goal set and attained. Whatever they were, they are in the rear view mirror. Knowing the successes of the past (things to be thankful for) can set the stage for a confident positive future.

Now that the rear view mirror is set, we need to check out where we are. Is there anything blocking your way? OK, now you know the best path to get moving forward. Turn on the engine and put “Thanks Giving” into gear. Oh Wait – where are we going? Good question. We need to key in a GPS destination, right (aka, our goals to move forward)! Now we are ready to move.

The windshield is clear and we can see the road. Though we have set the GPS to tell us how to get to our destination, we are still in the driver’s seat. We need to keep our eyes on the road, thankful for each successful milestone in our journey.

Where will your thanksgiving inventory take you this holiday season? The possibilities are yours to explore. Will it bring the freedom of forgiveness? Will your search set you free to achieve a new level of fitness (physical and mental)? Could it possibly bring a new way of doing business that sets the table for financial freedom? Thanksgiving can be a cornerstone, a transformation, and a freedom to succeed. Travel safely… to the NEW thankful you.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.

Shopping in the heart of Virginia

2011-11-14T08:26:37-08:00

Picture courtesy
of Culpeper.com

As a community, we have a lot to be thankful for this Holiday Season. However, as I look at the calendar of events for November and December, we are not resting on our proverbial laurels. We have exciting holiday activities going on!!! Here are just a few to put on your calendar….
Sunday, November 20 - Noon to 5 PM, Holiday Open House in Downtown Culpeper (organized by Culpeper Renissance). Plus - Have Your Little One’s Picture Taken With Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus At The Depot on East Davis Street, 1pm to 4pm Downtown Culpeper $5.00 Donation Per Picture All proceeds benefit Services to Abused Families, Inc. (SAFE). And, the Blue Ridge Chorale will be performing Christmas Carols outside the Depot for the Community Tree Lighting @ 5:30 PM.

If you miss Santa at the Holiday Open House, He will be returning again to the Depot: The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group will host Santa Claus on Saturday, December 3rd from 10 AM – 1PM at the Visitors’ Center located in the Depot at 109 S Commerce Street, Culpeper. Bring your own camera to capture this special moment. Donations of canned foods are being accepted for the community food closet.

Want to hear more!! The Blue Ridge Chorale presents "Destination: Christmas": 7 PM; Prince Michel Winery; 154 Winery Lane Leon, VA 540 948-4573 This holiday season, the Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper, directed by Virginia Erwin, will present a choral journey of seasonal music, from Medieval to contemporary, highlighted with selections from Karl Jenkins acclaimed work The Armed Man, a Mass For Peace. Holiday hors d'oeuvres buffet; with wine available separately. Tickets $25 for adults and $15 for children in advance only.

Finally, If you are in town for some final shopping and would like to treat yourself to something very unique to Culpeper… make a reservation a the Library of Congress for special showings of classic holiday movies such as MIRACLE ON 34th STREET on Dec 22 @ 7:30 or IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE on Dec 23 @ 7:30.

Shopping in Culpeper is like hot chocolate on Christmas morning with a big marshmallow on top. Join us to savor your shopping experience….

A "howling" good time at Chamber Banquet

2011-10-31T06:34:49-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, October 31, 2011

We have shortened the program by eliminating the announced descriptions of the silent auction & winners by our emcee. We will be showing the winning auctions at the item tables and at the end of the program on the overhead in combination with a picture collage of the years’ activities. We have a very photogenic membership. You will want to see this. We are also promoting the silent auction donations thru our very visited Chamber website prior to the program. Get a preview and be ready to bid for your favorite items. I understand that we have some great items again this year…. Check it out. Get your silent auction items in early for the best visibility.

The annual awards are always a highlight of the evening. You will want to be there to hear our “very cool” emcee announce the recipients for the Young Professional of the Year, Business of the Year, Most Improved Business Location, Small Business Person of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, and the most prestigious of the awards, The L.B. Henretty Outstanding Citizen of Culpeper Award. I am always impressed with the nominations. The selections are very challenging and we are extremely proud to honor excellence in business at all levels.

Our speakers this year will deliver an entertaining discussion about something near and dear to all businesses. Yes, Speakers, plural. We have a speaking team that will keep our attention. I will not let the surprise out too early. However, just know that you will enjoy our speakers…. and their message.
Wow – sounds pretty good so far…plus, Kitchen Gourmet will cater the event. You know them for their quality and creativity. This year will be no exception! Are you ready to try their delightful selections!
Ok, so far we have great food, super entertainment, and exciting, drum roll please, awards for excellence in business, and fantastic silent auction items. What else could you ask for….

There is more and we have a few additional surprises. I wish that I could tell you about them. However, they cannot be described adequately with words… You will need to be there to see them / experience them first hand… yes, can you feel the suspense building…

Join the fun and network with the best. Tickets are on sale at CulpeperChamber.com or come by the Chamber Office at 109 S. Commerce St. in Downtown Culpeper @ the Depot.http://www.culpepervachamber.com/chamber/AnnualAwardsBanquet.asp

Ribbon Cuttings at the Chamber

2011-10-17T08:52:17-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, October 17, 2011

Ribbon cuttings have been a long standing tradition for Chambers of Commerce. This is a way to celebrate grand openings, milestones, and new improvements for our members. Considering the economic environment and the “News Normal” about the sluggish economy, we have seen a healthy pace of new and improved businesses, Culpeper’s “New Normal”. Our schedule for ribbon cuttings over the past few months has been impressive.

In addition to celebrating the new and improved business, another benefit is being introduced to other chamber members and to the general public. Our ribbon cutting at Croftburn Farm Market last week was a good example of such an event. Their concept of “farm to table” locally is not new, it is however, a welcome addition to our businesses in Culpeper. It is a reflection of the agricultural heritage in Culpeper with an extension to a retail storefront.

I was impressed with the unique, farm fresh, and affordable meats. The owner, whose family has run Croftburn Farms for decades, has created a place that is inviting and exciting. As I spoke to the management of the store, I was also excited to learn about the plans to integrate other local farm products to their offerings. An interesting aspect of agribusiness is that there can be limited supplies of certain special products and thus, the adventure of shopping has an element surprise in addition to the consistent Croftburn Farm products. One of my favorite samplings was the Croftburn Farm Pepperoni, the best that I have ever tasted and it is made in Culpeper. Want to dress up a pizza. This was a wow ribbon cutting. Croftburn Market is located next to Bruster’s just off of Route 29 on Route 666. Check it out.

Our schedule for ribbon cuttings for the past few months has included PhyHealth Sleep Care, Union First Market Bank, JC Penney, Blue Ridge Produce, Ed’s Awards & Engraving, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Shear Secrets, Wine Trail Homes, LLC, Omega Partnership, Wells Fargo, Koller Financial Services, Library of Congress – Gateway to Knowledge, Applied Science Fitness Studio, Mullins Investment Services, LLC and Croftburn Market. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success to these Chamber members.

Upcoming ribbon cuttings include Spring Leaf Financial Services, KK’s Printing & Stationary, and Carter’s Accounting & Consulting, LLC. Go to CulpeperChamber.com for times and locations.
Considering that our “New Normal” in Culpeper is very positive, we need to beware of the “News Normal” which is sometimes not as positive. Plug into the benefits of the local business network, there is always something exciting going on at the Culpeper Chamber.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at jcharapich@culpepervachamber.com.

Getting fit is good business

2011-09-19T06:37:40-07:00

As many of you know my hobby is fitness. I teach a fitness class twice a week at 5:45 AM. Why? It forces me to stay in the habit of early morning work outs. More importantly, it allows me to live out what I believe is one of the best solutions to our healthcare crisis in the US, personal responsibility for a healthy lifestyle. I gain a great deal of satisfaction watching the class achieve their progressive fitness goals. I have heard it said “the early morning indoor cycling class is better than a cup of coffee and more addicting”….. we have some 3+ year veterans….

I listened to regional candidates for the Virginia General Assembly answer questions about a range of subjects in a candidates’ forum last week. One of the questions related to reducing health care costs. I was pleasantly surprised by one of the candidates’ answer. He suggested that we need to encourage fitness and healthy lifestyles. As business, this is one of the best examples of a powerful win-win concept. Potentially lower costs combined with higher productivity and creativity.

John Barrett at the Culpeper Department of Parks and Recreation is leading the way for our community. He has a slate of programs this fall that are very cool. Literally, as the weather turns from summer to our famous autumn temperatures in the Northern Piedmont of Virginia, there are some “must try” outdoor events to sign up for. Plus they are family friendly for appropriate age groups. Here are a couple of John’s picks:
Saturday, October 1 – the 4th Culpeper Cycling Century is fast becoming a premier event for the county. Last year 207 riders took to the roads of Culpeper to enjoy the excitement of the county’s beautiful vistas and camaraderie. This year the department is expecting over 300 riders. There are three distances offered, 33, 65 and 100 miles. The ride starts and finishes at the Bike Stop (rentals available), 120 W. Culpeper Street. All funds raised go to the Culpeper Recreation Foundation, Inc. a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization to help with park capital improvement projects. The ride begins at 8:30 AM.

Sunday, October 2 – 2nd Annual Culpeper Fall 5K – the event will be held at the Culpeper Sports Complex and Eastern View High School. All profit goes to support the UVA Division of Neuroradiology. This will be a cross country course event and begin at 8 AM.”

In addition, Culpeper is a great location to launch your fitness interests regionally. I will be at the Giant Acorn Triathlon at Lake Anna on October 2nd for the Sprint Triathlon by Setup Events. I marvel at the athletes that are woven thru the business community in Culpeper. One of my favorites just completed a ½ Ironman Triathlon last weekend, braving the current and tides of the James River near Williamsburg. The race is a raw 6 hour workout encompassing a mile+ river current swim, 72 mile bike ride, and a ½ marathon run. Congratulations Ed.

Culpeper - where fitness is smart business.

Seasons to come hold excitement

2011-09-12T08:37:59-07:00

The Fall and Holiday seasons in Culpeper are shaping up to be pretty exciting. As I look at the calendar for the next few months our community will be visited by thousands of guests. Our warm hospitality, amazing events , and country lifestyle are a certain attraction for those in the cities within car, train, and plane distance to Culpeper.

The first event on the radar is the Chamber Pepper Open Golf Tournament. Our local business leaders often invite business guests to Culpeper to play in the tournament. The scenic Country Club of Culpeper is known for hosting a great tournament. We have a few surprises for the tournament guests this year. Players will be treated to a very special, one of a kind, first release, Chamber golf shirt produced locally by Cintas. Sign up soon, spaces are going fast for the September 26th tournament PepperOpen.com.

Next, One of the most popular events drawing Culpeper Fans from far and wide is the Farm Tour - the weekend of October 1st and 2nd. The tour is a refuge from major east coast cities displaying farm life at its best. Agribusiness in Culpeper is a proud part of our heritage and one that we plan to support and preserve. Horses, Llamas, and Cows oh my…. Yes I had to say it…. Between organic farms, flowers grown for international markets, and animals of all shapes and sizes – the Farm Tour grows in popularity. This is a great event to invite family and friends. The action is all weekend with opportunities to discover some of the coolest parts of Culpeper and meet some of the finest people.

The following weekend is another full weekend for Culpeper. The Culpeper Air Show is on Saturday followed by the Taste of Culpeper (A CRI event) on Sunday. Another weekend to invite family and friends for a full “Out of the House” weekend… For example, start with dinner in town on Friday evening followed by a free movie at the Library of Congress. Get up early on Saturday morning for a stroll thru the farmers market at the corner of Commerce and Davis Streets. Retreat to one of our restaurants for a big country breakfast and gear up for the Air Show in the afternoon at Culpeper County Airport. I hear that there may be transportation to and from the airport from Town. The Air Show is one of the finest in the world and it is “FREE”. This is aviation at its best – bi planes, WWII fighters, formation flying, simulated aerial combat (so I hear), and jets – it is all here in Culpeper. Grab the shuttle back to town for some dinner and shopping. Save some energy …. Sunday is the ‘Taste of Culpeper” held in downtown Historic Culpeper!!! Whew what a weekend. Now consider that the leaves will be starting to change and the apple orchards will be selling their latest crop of apples.

That takes care of just some of the fall events in Culpeper. I will have to save the Holidays for another Monday write up. Go to CulpeperChamber.com and StarExponent.com for links and other local events.

Secret to success lies in workforce

2011-09-06T06:26:02-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 9/5/2011

I have the rare privilege of working closely with our local companies and as the Chamber President I am driven in support of our businesses. My personal experience working inside multi-national, domestic, mid-sized, and small businesses has allowed me to understand business from a unique perspective.

Regardless of the size of the company, every successful manager will tell you that their success is dependent on those doing the work. As we observe Labor Day, we can take a moment and consider how much we benefit from our great local work force. A favorite song from Alabama - Forty Hour Week lyrics say it well “There are people in this country who work hard every day. Not for fame or fortune do they strive. But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay. And it's time a few of them were recognized.”

From the Chamber of Commerce I would like to say THANK YOU to our work force for your outstanding performance. The results have been evident in our local economy. Because you are smart, flexible, and have a resilient “can do” attitude, many of our companies have been able to preserve jobs in our area. It is because of your talent and teamwork that our local economy has successfully weathered economic downturns.

We are also fortunate to have an educational base to provide training and retraining in preparation for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Because of the vision of our community leaders, we are fortunate to have Germanna Community College as a strong partner in workforce development. The Germanna’s Daniel Technology Center has fostered workforce training and development for dozens of companies with broad and tailored programs. Our workforce needs change quickly sometimes. Having a strong workforce training facility with a close relationship with the business community has made Culpeper and the region much stronger economically.

In addition, in support of our workforce, the Career & Technical Department of the Culpeper County School System is well focused on job preparation before graduation. The department is very aware of our local workforce needs and works closely with our businesses and community college to prepare our high school students for real jobs. When a business sees the future changing and thus the job needs changing – the schools are prepared to adapt.

Much of the teamwork in Culpeper among the business community is like an underground river, ever present, nourishing the roots of economic prosperity. Though there may be challenges with ups and downs in the economy, our excellent workforce is a significant part of our durability. From frontline retail and hospitality to highly trained manufacturing, our workforce is known for being especially professional, creative, and adaptable. Great job!

Leaders not shaken by earthquake

2011-08-29T06:50:39-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 8/29/2011

The Chamber After Hours Mixer on Thursday at Fotis was more like a ‘Therapy mixer”. Our business week was interrupted with an earthquake that rocked not only the ground under our feet but our sense of security. As business owners, leaders, and employees we were left with a big question - what to do in the event of an earthquake. Most of the business leaders that I spoke with at the mixer were eager to tell the story of where they were at the time of the big quake. It reminds me of similar milestone moments in my life – the first step on the moon (dating myself), the falling of the Berlin Wall, and the events of 911. The Big Quake was certainly not on the scale of those national events, and yet the quake was the primary conversation on the minds of our business community Thursday night.

Everyone ended their story with a “Thank God that everyone was safe”. The gathering seemed more talkative than usual. It is interesting that a crisis can bring out a greater sense of community. We were all checking on each other and offering to help in person and thru social media after the quake. It was interesting to see how Facebook and Twitter became a conduit for gaining or sharing information.

Sadly, however, some of our businesses lost merchandise and suffered property damage as a result of the quake. Most that I have spoken to have taken this in stride with great resilience. Some with thousands of dollars in losses were cleaned up and opened up as soon as the building inspectors had cleared their building as safe and the streets were reopened.

One of the primary reasons for the quick reopening of the businesses was the response of the Town and the County Administrations and our local emergency services. With each email and communication from the local authorities, it was clear that safety was naturally the top priority. Once the environment was cleared however, they were very focused on getting our businesses back to work.

As a community we often ask what our tax dollars go toward. We see the day to day activities and yet we do not often see the “bench strength” that we have to deliver services in crisis environments. Culpeper is fortunate that our public services were in place and ready when we needed them.

In addition, our volunteer fire and rescue professionals were in place and delivered the services that were critical to our safety. They dedicate countless hours in fund raising in order to have the equipment to protect us and our property in crisis circumstances.

Many Thanks to Mayor Coleman for his leadership, Town Manager Kim Alexander for her quick and progressive decisions, County Administrator Frank Bossio for laying a foundation of preparation, Culpeper County Building Department Director Bob Orr for his countless inspections all hours of the day and night, and the emergency services professionals for their training and dedication to our protection.

Ushering in the new school year

2011-08-22T07:30:16-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 8/22/2011

In years past we have had a more formal setting to welcome the new teachers. The School System and the Chamber of Commerce jointly developed a new format. We

have tweaked it and seen it grow for the past three years. This year 80 businesses were registered to greet nearly 1000 teachers and administrators. I cannot think of a better welcome. The teachers were treated to bags…. of samples and special promotional items from the businesses - pencils, water bottles, food samples, and tons more….

Teachers were introduced to local businesses in a way that would take years to achieve otherwise. Needless to say, this is one of the best “Buy Local” venues for businesses to connect with the educators in a very practical way.

On hand to support the event were many of our elected officials and administrators. A special thanks to Senator Edd Houck, Delegate Ed Scott, Chairman of the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors – Bill Chase, Commissioner of Revenue – Terry Yowell, Mayor Coleman, School Board Officials, and our new Culpeper Town Manager – Kim Alexander for joining us in welcoming the teachers to a new year.

BIE Day also marks the beginning of a busy calendar for additional joint programs. The Career & Technical Department of CCPS, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, and Career Partners, Inc. team up to offer a Career Expo on September 22nd for high school and 8th grade students. It is important to do this early in the year in order to help students connect academic achievement with career potential. Our business leaders devote a full day to talking with students about their interests.

After the Career Expo we begin planning for the 2012 E Squared Program where over 60 businesses and community leaders work with educators and students to develop a competitive business plan. E Squared stands for “Entreprenurial Energy” and is aimed at fostering skills in business / wealth creation. The immediate benefit of the program is that the winning team will receive a substantial scholarship for their advanced education. The program begins in January and ends in late April with a prominent final competition.

Thanks to the educators, administrators, government leaders, and businesses that make all of this possible. We are fortunate to have such teamwork and collaboration in support of educating tomorrow’s leaders.

A great place for business

2011-08-15T06:36:17-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 8/15/2011

It is good to be in Virginia! According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Virginia has been named with several top accolades recently.

CNBC named Virginia the 2011 “Top State for Business”. The reasons and degree by which Virginia was recognized are equally impressive. VEDP stated in a recent release that “CNBC took an in-depth look at why Virginia again came out on top. Using publicly available data, each state was scored on 43 different measures of competitiveness. States received points based on their rankings in each metric, which were then separated into 10 broad categories: Cost of Doing Business, Workforce, Quality of Life, Economy, Infrastructure & Transportation, Technology & Innovation, Education, Business Friendliness, Access to Capital and Cost of Living.”

“Not only did the Commonwealth win the highest ranking—Virginia received the highest point total in the history of the rankings, finishing in the top-half of every category ranked.”

The VEDP also reported recently that Virginia was ranked #1 for Economic Growth Potential. The ranking was issued by Business Facilities Magazine. According to VEDP - “The study took a hard look at factors like job creation, project development, incentives and workforce. It also took into account the state’s growth strategy; including the depth and breadth of incentives, as well as partnerships among state and local governments, educational institutions and businesses.”

In addition, The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) blog at Virginia.org – reported recently that Virginia was named 1 of 5 prettiest states in the nation by Bob Ecker of the San Francisco Examiner. Mr. Ecker’s comments are worth repeating – “What stunning scenery, backwoods horse country, dense woods and green, green green pasture land as far as the eye can see. Chock a block with lovely little towns, countless rivers and bays, deep story lines – some good, some somber – but for the most part this state is inhabited by smart, very friendly, genuine people. Plus the Commonwealth of Virginia is so rich with American history. Worthy sites include Mount Vernon, Monticello and Montpelier and hundreds of others offering glimpses into the beginnings of our country. Virginia is a beauty – and wine too.”

Wow! Great to do business in Virginia! Great growth potential in Virginia! Great to visit Virginia! AND we live here. It is easy to take things for granted. Having our environment recognized in such ways is a confirmation of our hard work. In Culpeper, we have a great business environment fully prepared with infrastructure, workforce, and Germanna Community College to meet the needs of business. Our small town charm and depth of history are noteworthy. I especially like the comment by Mr. Ecker that Virginians are “Smart, very friendly, and genuine people,” a welcome accolade. Thanks!!!

What is Toastmasters really about?

2011-08-09T07:20:40-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 8/8/2011

I was talking with a colleague this week about an upcoming presentation. He confided that he was not a confident public speaker. I quickly pivoted the discussion inviting him to join the Culpeper Toastmasters Club. He confided again that he had joined a few years ago in another area and that he had not completed the first Competent Communicator series of 10 beginner speeches. Naturally I went into full recruiting mode for upcoming meetings in Culpeper. Still there was a silent reluctance. Unfortunately, this is a common fear that is very easy to solve.

I also find that many do not understand what “Toastmasters” is all about. I was discussing this with some of our Chamber Young Professionals Group at lunch recently. They were uncertain about “Toastmasters” and what it is all about. I take for granted that Toastmasters is synonymous with “Public Speaking” training and education. Somewhere along the way I just knew that Toastmasters was the place to gain public speaking skills. There is a misconception that Toastmasters has something to do with making a “Toast” at a wedding or a retirement party. The name certainly leads us to this perception.

According to Wikipedia - “Toastmaster is a general term, prevalent in the United States in the middle 20th century, referring to a person in charge of the proceedings of a public speaking event. The toastmaster is typically charged with organization of the event, arranging the order of speakers, introducing one or more of the speakers, and keeping the event on schedule.” We do not commonly use this term today and thus there is a generational misperception about the organizational purpose.
Toastmasters International has recognized this in developing the 2010 strategic plan. Objective #2 in the plan included the following:

EDUCATION PROGRAMS - Toastmasters’ programs provide invaluable opportunities for achievement in a consistently structured, high-quality, supportive environment. Improving awareness that Toastmasters is the solution to developing leadership and communication skills is a strategic initiative.

Local chapters of the Toastmasters vary in size and yet they are very consistent in their focus on support for developing public speaking skills. I have written in earlier articles that public speaking is analogous to sports. Both require training and practice. It is that simple. The local chapter is like joining a sports team. Everyone is there to learn and improve their game. They are on the same team. Show up for a game (speech) without being in practice for a few months and your pitch may not be in the strike zone as often. Why not walk in with the confidence of a pro?

The Culpeper Toastmasters Club has moved its meeting location and are now meeting at the Culpeper Library. The next meeting is August 16th from 7 PM – 8 PM. Meetings are prompt and only one hour by design. The Culpeper Team is very supportive and a great place to begin and or improve your game. Go to Culpeper.FreeToastHost.com for more club and meeting information.

Join alliance for small businesses

2011-08-09T07:01:20-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 8/1/2011

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, voted on July, 2011 to work with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce in offering the following benefits to our small business members. The description below is an excerpt from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Alliance Program:

Small Business Membership Alliance

Small business is the driving force of the economy and jobs in Virginia. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is committed to a partnership with local chambers to ensure the voice of small business is heard with minimal investment and maximum impact.

As an Alliance Member you will receive:

Chamber Briefings, the Government Relations monthly e-newsletter
Chamber Action Alerts
Virginia Chamber Prosperity Project
Creating opportunities to engage your employees in legislative and electoral processes.
Invitations to regional policy events and surveys
Opportunities to participate in building Virginia’s 2020 Vision Plan
Access to statewide coalitions & initiatives
Participation in Chamber Day at the Capitol
Full-time, professional government relations staff
Access to professional Chamber Staff and Resources
Aggressive, proactive General Assembly representation
Chamber ‘Clout’ to oppose initiatives harmful to your business and support initiatives helpful to your business
Information through Chamber updates
Increased visibility in the marketplace, and in the General Assembly
Discounted rates for members at statewide Signature Events
Member discounts on publications
Online Membership Directory

The program is FREE to businesses with 10 Full Time Employees or fewer and a member of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. To qualify as a small business under these guidelines, the business is at least 51% independently owned and controlled by one of more individuals, together with affiliates, has 10 or fewer employees. One or more of the individual owners shall control both the management and daily business operations of the small business.

We are pleased to work closely with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce in bringing additional membership value to our members. The initiative of the Virginia Chamber in highlighting the voice of local small business at the state level is a significant. Please contact the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce office regarding this new benefit. Join us in being the “Voice of Business” locally and now…. at the State Level…

Many Thanks to the Board of Directors at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Virginia Chamber for your support of the local Chambers of Commerce and our small business members.

What's up at the chamber?

2011-07-25T07:40:09-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 7/25/2011

What is going on at the Chamber? That is a question that I am frequently asked. Naturally, I have an inventory of what we have on the schedule. However, the months ahead seem busier than usual at the Chamber and for good reason…

First we have elections coming up this November for local and state positions. We are planning a candidates forum breakfast for local elected officials to be held on October 21st at Germanna. We are also planning a state level candidates forum. With redistricting, Culpeper is now represented by three Senators and two Delegates. We plan to have a breakfast forum for state candidates on October 7th at Germanna as well. Please save the date for these and look for registration information at CulpeperChamber.com.

We will host the Chamber Annual Business Industry & Education Day at Culpeper High School on August 19th. This allows our businesses to welcome the teachers to another year and offer information about our local products and services. Register at the Chamber website.

The Pepper Open is one of the premier golf tournaments in the area. The event has grown year after year and we already have half of the foursomes filled. The event is on September 26th. We have a special “gift” for the participating golfers this year, a must have…. Space is limited so sign up early to take advantage of this networking opportunity.

We are working on several “Media Marketing Seminars” with our local marketing partners for the fall. The programs are designed to develop marketing efforts that reach beyond Culpeper... in time for the holiday season. This is powerful and important to stimulating sales for local business. Keep an eye on the Chamber website for registration information.

On September 1st Leo Liu will be at Germanna at 5:30 PM to talk about the China trip in April of 2012. He is the owner of Citslinc International and will be able to answer your questions about the Culpeper to China Trip. You will want to be there.

Mark your calendars for the evening of November 3rd. We will bring together another exciting Annual Awards Banquet this year. Get your silent auction items in early for more visibility. We plan to build anticipation with web postings of your items before the banquet. Make sure to bring your out of town associates to the banquet. Our business community is vibrant and impressive. This is one of the best places to meet and greet some of the sharpest minds in Virginia…

Explore China!

2011-07-12T08:32:51-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 7/11/2011

What is on your bucket list? Would it be to parachute out of an airplane, bungee jump from a cliff, or perhaps something more practical. Have you considered taking a trip to China? The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce in coordination with Battlefield Travel, Carefree Cruise and Travel, and Citslinc International, Inc are offering an opportunity to travel to China for a 9 Day All Inclusive* trip to several major cities. The trip includes bucket list stops such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the famous Tien An Men Square, and much more. Visit major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou for an unforgettable China experience. The sights, sounds, and feel of China are waiting for you.

We hear that China is one of our largest global partners. We also hear that China is one of our largest competitors. Which is true? According to a presentation by the American Embassy during my trip this past March – China is the #1 Market for vehicles at over $110 Billion. China is #1 in internet users at 457 million. They also have 303 million mobile online service users. China consumes 40% of the world’s coal, 50% of the cement, 33% of the steel, and 43% of the iron ore. These figures illustrate why China is the world’s 2nd largest economy. China is the US’ #1 export market at $91 B. In addition, a trend that was especially interesting to me is that today 5% of population is considered “middle class”. The trend indicates that this figure will grow to 45% by 2020. Will there be in increase in consumer spending in China in the near future???

The facts and figures about China are most fascinating when you see them first hand as you travel the cities and countryside. Our economies are more closely connected than you might think. Why not see for yourself what all of the BUZZ is about? Join us on Tuesday, July 19th at 5:30 PM at Germanna for a presentation “Explore China – It is closer than you think”. I will be accompanied by Janet Driggers of Carefree Cruise and Travel as well as Cheryl Clear of Battlefield Travel to help you with questions about travel arrangements.

We will introduce you to an opportunity to go to China in April of 2012 for an amazing value. If you miss the meeting on Tuesday night, register to join us at the RAVE lunch on July 20th at Foti’s in down town Culpeper for a brief recap of the trip. We will have the owner of Citslinc International joining us on September 1st as well for another introduction to China trip Q & A. Citslinc has been offering trips to China thru hundreds of Chambers of Commerce throughout the US. The trip is open to all and we encourage anyone interested to join us for our “Explore China” meetings. For more information go to CulpeperChamber.com and call Carefree Cruise & Travel @ 540 547-4500 or Battlefield Travel @ 540 825-1393. What is on your Bucket List?

Exercise your right to be fit

2011-07-05T07:06:07-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 7/4/2011

As you read this I will probably be running the Freedom 5 K at the Powell Wellness Center as a part of today’s 4th of July celebrations. Our community has embraced fitness as a core value in developing many events. We will have the Triathlon at Mountain Run Lake on July 30th and July 31st. We have the 4th Annual Culpeper Cycling Century developed by the Culpeper Department of Parks and Recreation and held on October 1st. These are just a few of the organized activities surrounding fitness and healthy lifestyles promoted in Culpeper.

As I was leading my indoor cycling class last week, it occurred to me that fitness is a lot like freedom. Both can be taken for granted until they are taken away. They can both slip away one day at a time until they are gone. Neither freedom nor fitness is free. Both require diligent work to preserve and protect in our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

We do a great job in Culpeper of inspiring both freedom and fitness. As I spoke to a men’s prayer group a few weeks ago I was challenged to consider spiritual lessons of leadership for business. One of the principles that I shared was “Be Fit”. We as humans are designed to be fit. We are happier when we are fit. We demonstrate happier characteristics when we are fit. Fitness can be freedom!!

As citizens of the USA we are also established in freedom. That means that we are “Free to be Fit”, our choice because we are free to choose. I know local athletes that have developed as athletes later in life, never having been an athlete in High School or College. They are some of the most inspiring! I see those like me who were very successful in earlier years only to rediscover the benefits of fitness later in life. There is nothing like feeling very fit. Getting to an excellent fitness level is much like flying. It takes more work to get the plane off of the ground. Once the plane is in the air, maintaining altitude takes less work.

Why fitness message on the 4th of July? Personal Freedom!! We often have a few minutes to reflect during the 4th of July. We get wrapped up in our jobs and the extra day is a time for family, friends, and celebrating our freedom. It can also be a mid-year assessment of your new years’ resolutions. My experience is that New Year’s resolutions are forged in January and forgotten by July. As you may recall an earlier column where I challenged you to consider New Year resolutions by establishing your “WHY” to keep you on track. What are your “Why’s” for fitness?

Freedom 5 K says it all, an appropriate way to kick off the July 4th celebration. “Freedom to be Fit” is a life long journey. Consider the benefits, consult the professionals, and establish a plan. Exercise Your Freedom!!!

Conference touts import of Port of VA

2011-06-27T07:09:47-07:00

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 6/27/2011

I was able to attend the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) conference last week in Norfolk. The conference was especially productive. The speakers and subject matter experts were excellent and very relevant to our local economy. It was no surprise that we stayed right on the Elizabeth River, an access point to the Port of Virginia. According to one of the speakers, a significant percentage of jobs in Virginia are directly and indirectly related to the Port of Virginia, including Culpeper.

The tour of the Port of Virginia is eye opening. Understanding the flow of products to and from the Port is important in understanding Virginia’s significance in global commerce. Virginia is positioned as one of the best ports in the world.

During the conference, we heard from Aubrey Lane, who serves as the Director - Hampton Roads District Commonwealth Transportation Board. Mr. Lane offered an insightful summary of transportation issues related to the Hampton Roads area as well as their relevance in the context of Virginia’s transportation needs. Culpeper, as well as most of the state, is affected by transportation issues in the Hampton Roads area due to their military and port presence. Virginia faces competition for jobs from other states and global port cities. The Governor’s transportation plan has made significant strides in solving some of the transportation issues that we face in attracting jobs. The cost of doing nothing would have been significant as well, considering that “75% of transportation dollars are directly related to the economy” according to Mr. Lane.

We heard from Alisa Bailey, President & CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Her opening comment, “Tourism in Virginia has a $17.7 Billion impact with a 5:1 return on investment”. Wow!! However, what really caught my attention was that most of the tourism related businesses are small business. This is another example of the importance for supporting our small businesses, as a powerhouse for local economies. I was interested to hear that the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan is now 40 years old….. and still very well known. Virginia is for History Lovers, Wine Lovers, Horse Lovers, Beach Lovers, Mountain Lovers, Fishing Lovers….. so true!!! Perhaps a reason that we have such a global presence.

We heard from several other speakers. One was John Broderick, President, Old Dominion University who offered insights into leadership. When asked what the greatest opportunity faced for our higher educational institutions today? “We need to begin earlier in developing and supporting STEM programs in K-12”.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce