The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Visit Williamsburg are collaborating to drum up awareness and enthusiasm among business leaders for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations next year.
The networking event “Stars, Stripes & Strategy: VA250 Briefing” will be held Tuesday at Jamestown Settlement. The aim is to give businesses a chance to learn more about festivities planned for the semiquincentennial and ways they can contribute. The free event is specifically geared toward local and regional business owners and managers in the hospitality industry, though it is open to all professionals in the area. Attendees do not need to be members of the chamber to attend.
“Some businesses have their 250th branding ready to go and other companies don’t know what the 250th is,” said Elisa Campana, destination development director for Visit Williamsburg, the region’s tourism organization. “We want to ensure everyone gets excited and understands what our nation’s anniversary means for Greater Williamsburg.”
Highlights for the event include presentations about what Visit Williamsburg and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce are planning for the 250th anniversary, along with how business owners can get involved. Featured speakers will be Christie Coleman, executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation; Edward Harris, president and CEO of Visit Williamsburg; and chamber CEO Terry Banez. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the various organizations that are partnering on next year’s celebrations, along with raffles for prizes for those dressed in their red, white and blue.
“This region is the birthplace of American democracy, and we are set to host a wonderful array of celebrations that will draw people from around the nation and the world,” Banez said. “We are hoping our members will walk away feeling informed, inspired and action-oriented. The influx of visitors is going to have a positive economic impact on our businesses, and we want to ensure local businesses have the tools and knowledge to capitalize on this historic moment.”
The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit shorturl.at/JmuqB.
Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net
