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Northern Virginia Region

Northern Virginia Regional Council

Connecting businesses, partners, and community leaders across one of Virginia’s most dynamic economic regions.

Regional Connection with Statewide Opportunity. The Northern Virginia Regional Council supports business growth, visibility, supplier readiness, workforce connection, and regional engagement across Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Culpeper, Clarke, and Warren Counties.

About the Region

A Region Built for Business, Innovation, and Opportunity

Northern Virginia is one of the Commonwealth’s most influential economic corridors, shaped by government contracting, technology, cybersecurity, professional services, corporate partnerships, education, workforce development, and regional entrepreneurship.

The Northern Virginia Regional Council helps connect this dynamic business landscape to VABCC’s statewide ecosystem, creating stronger pathways for visibility, relationship-building, supplier readiness, and local engagement.

Regional growth requires regional connection. This council supports businesses and partners across a diverse corridor that includes major employment centers, fast-growing communities, government and corporate partners, higher education institutions, and emerging entrepreneurs.
Northern Virginia business corridor, professionals, and regional economic activity

Regional Focus Areas

The council’s regional work aligns with the industries, opportunities, and business priorities shaping Northern Virginia’s economy.

01

Government Contracting

Connecting businesses to procurement awareness, supplier readiness, and contracting opportunities.

02

Technology and Innovation

Supporting connection to technology, cybersecurity, data, innovation, and growth sectors.

03

Supplier Readiness

Helping businesses prepare for corporate, government, and institutional opportunities.

04

Workforce and Talent

Strengthening connections between business needs, talent pipelines, and workforce partners.

05

Entrepreneurship

Supporting local entrepreneurs through education, connection, visibility, and resources.

06

Regional Partnerships

Building relationships with corporations, agencies, institutions, funders, and community leaders.

Northern Virginia business leaders and partners connecting at a regional Chamber event
Regional Priorities

Regional Priorities for Northern Virginia

Focused priorities for a high-growth business corridor.

The Northern Virginia Regional Council focuses on the opportunities and needs that shape business growth across the corridor, from procurement access and workforce development to entrepreneurship, visibility, and strategic partnerships.

01

Supplier and Procurement Access

Expanding access to supplier readiness, procurement education, and contracting pathways.

02

Small Business Visibility

Supporting business growth, visibility, member engagement, and local relationship-building.

03

Regional Partnerships

Strengthening connections with corporations, agencies, institutions, funders, and community partners.

04

Education and Capital Resources

Connecting entrepreneurs to business education, technical assistance, and capital-readiness resources.

05

Workforce and Talent

Supporting workforce readiness, talent development, and stronger employer connections.

06

Corridor-Wide Relationships

Creating stronger business relationships across the Northern Virginia corridor.

Purposeful regional engagement creates stronger outcomes. These priorities help guide council conversations, partner alignment, local events, business roundtables, and opportunities for regional collaboration.
Regional Leadership

Meet the Council

Council Co-Chair

Shanel Evans

Socially Savvy

Council Co-Chair

Sonja Keeve

Sisters With a Voice Podcast

Council Member

Dr. Keith Castille

C2H LLC

Council Member

Brenda Faust-Thomas

Natural Scentiments

Council Member

Dr. Joni Johnson

Dr. Joni MD

Council Member

Dawanna Kennedy

WiseHr Solutions Consulting LLC

Council Member

Neil McKinnen

State Farm

Council Member

Travis Thompson

Accurate Bookkeeping

Council Member

Michael Timmons

GoodFences

Council Vacancy

Interested in Serving?

Apply to help strengthen business engagement, regional partnerships, and economic opportunity across Northern Virginia.

Apply to Serve
Separate Regional Program

Fredericksburg Regional Innovation Hub

The Fredericksburg Regional Innovation Hub is a VABCC program located within the Northern Virginia region and based at the Chamber’s headquarters. The Hub supports business education, entrepreneurship programming, technical assistance, partner engagement, and access to Chamber and Foundation resources.

This is not a Regional Council. The Hub is a regional business support program that complements the work of the Northern Virginia Regional Council by creating a dedicated space for programming, workshops, technical assistance, partner engagement, and resource connection.
Fredericksburg Regional Innovation Hub at the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce headquarters
Business Education Workshops and learning opportunities
Technical Assistance Support for entrepreneurs and businesses
Partner Engagement Connections with regional stakeholders
Resource Access Chamber and Foundation pathways
A regional program based at VABCC Headquarters The Hub creates a dedicated space for business support, entrepreneurship programming, partner collaboration, and community-centered economic engagement.
Upcoming Events

Upcoming Northern Virginia Events

Connect with the Northern Virginia Regional Council through regional meetings, networking events, ribbon cuttings, partner convenings, and business engagement opportunities across the region.

Business Beyond Clock-Out Alexandria event Featured Regional Event

July 30, 2026 | 6 PM - 8 PM

Business Beyond Clock-Out

Alexandria, VA

An evening of networking, relationship building, and business discussion. Business does not stop when the workday ends.

Coffee and Connections Woodbridge event Featured Regional Event

August 10, 2026 | 9AM - 11AM

Coffee & Connections

Woodbridge, VA

A regional networking opportunity designed to help business owners and professionals build relationships, share ideas, and connect with the Chamber community.

Ribbon Cutting for 2020 Driving School Ribbon Cutting

July 23, 2026 | 5 PM - 8 PM

Ribbon Cutting: 2020 Driving School

Spotsylvania, VA

Celebrate a regional business milestone and connect with members, community leaders, and partners.

Northern Virginia business ribbon cutting event Ribbon Cutting

August 18, 2026 | 11AM - 1 PM

Ribbon Cutting: PostNet

Alexandria, VA

Join VABCC and the Northern Virginia business community in supporting a member celebration and regional connection opportunity.

Get Involved

Ways to Engage in Northern Virginia

Businesses, partners, institutions, and community stakeholders can engage with the Northern Virginia region in several ways without serving on the council.

Choose the engagement pathway that fits your goals. Attend, host, sponsor, partner, connect, or become a Chamber member to build relationships across Northern Virginia.

01

Attend a Regional Meeting

Join regional conversations designed to connect businesses, partners, and community leaders.

02

Join a Business Roundtable

Participate in focused conversations around business needs, regional priorities, and opportunities.

03

Sponsor a Regional Event

Support networking events, regional meetings, ribbon cuttings, workshops, and partner convenings.

04

Host a Workshop

Share expertise with business owners through education, technical assistance, or partner programming.

05

Request a Ribbon Cutting

Celebrate a business opening, expansion, relocation, milestone, or community-facing launch.

06

Connect With the Council

Learn more about regional priorities, introductions, engagement, and upcoming opportunities.

07

Partner With the Hub

Collaborate with the Fredericksburg Regional Innovation Hub on workshops, resources, and programming.

08

Become a Chamber Member

Join VABCC to access member benefits, visibility, events, resources, and statewide business connections.

Partnership & Sponsorship

Partner With the Northern Virginia Region

Regional partnerships help expand business education, supplier readiness, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and economic engagement across Northern Virginia.

VABCC works with corporate partners, local governments, funders, agencies, institutions, and community stakeholders to create meaningful pathways for businesses to connect with resources, relationships, and opportunities.

Partner Support Areas

Support the programs, events, and regional connections that move businesses forward.

Partnership support can be aligned with regional engagement, business education, supplier readiness, workforce development, and Hub-based programming.

Regional Council Meetings Support regional leadership and business engagement.
Business Roundtables Help convene focused conversations around business needs.
Networking Events Create connection opportunities for members and partners.
Ribbon Cuttings Celebrate business openings, milestones, and expansions.
Entrepreneurship Workshops Provide education and resources for business owners.
Supplier Readiness Education Prepare businesses for procurement and contracting pathways.
Workforce Readiness Programs Strengthen talent, training, and employment connections.
Innovation Hub Programming Support Fredericksburg Regional Innovation Hub activities.
Build regional impact with VABCC. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities can be designed around visibility, community engagement, business education, workforce alignment, supplier readiness, and entrepreneurship support.
Business Resources

Northern Virginia Business Resources

VABCC helps members and regional businesses identify the right resources, make meaningful connections, and access support that strengthens business growth across Northern Virginia.

Economic Development

We help members connect with regional economic development opportunities that support business growth, expansion, visibility, and local engagement.

Regional business connections
Growth and expansion support
Local visibility opportunities

Procurement and Supplier Readiness

We support businesses looking to better understand contracting pathways, supplier readiness, certifications, and procurement opportunities.

Certification guidance
Supplier readiness education
Procurement connection pathways

Workforce and Talent

We help businesses engage in workforce conversations, connect with training partners, and identify resources that support talent development.

Workforce readiness support
Talent pipeline connections
Employer engagement opportunities

Capital and Business Support

We help members identify business support resources, funding readiness opportunities, financial education, and technical assistance.

Capital readiness education
Technical assistance referrals
Business planning support

Chamber Programs

We connect members to VABCC programs, business education, networking opportunities, member benefits, and statewide engagement.

Member visibility and referrals
Business education and events
Statewide Chamber opportunities

Local Partner Resources

We help businesses navigate partner organizations, local service providers, community resources, and regional support networks.

Partner introductions
Regional resource navigation
Community support connections

Resource support is part of the member experience. Through the Northern Virginia region, VABCC helps members connect to information, introductions, programs, and partner pathways that support business growth.

Northern Virginia Region

Connect Locally. Grow Regionally. Lead Statewide.

The Northern Virginia Regional Council creates pathways for businesses, partners, and community leaders to build relationships, access resources, and strengthen one of Virginia’s most active business regions.

Regional Partners

Northern Virginia Regional Partners

Regional partners help strengthen business education, networking, supplier readiness, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and economic engagement across Northern Virginia.

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Your Logo Here

Partner with VABCC to support regional business growth across Northern Virginia.

Interested in becoming a regional partner? Your organization can help expand access to business education, resources, visibility, and regional engagement opportunities.

Become a Regional Partner
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