Senator Mark Warner is holding a conference on exporting for Virginia businesses Sept 13. Here is a press release from Warner’s office:

U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner will host a statewide conference focused on expanding export opportunities for Virginia businesses on Monday, September 13, 2010, in Richmond. Leading federal and state trade officials, including U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, are scheduled to participate in the conference, and the meeting will feature a networking hour as well as panel discussions on specific trade and export issues. Fred P. Hochberg, chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, also is scheduled to speak during the conference. Read more »

The City of Roanoke is seeking comment on changes to its current HUD policy. The meeting is Sept. 9. Here is a press release from the city:

The public is encouraged to attend a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in room 159 of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. S.W., regarding the city’s HUD funds policy. This meeting will provide an opportunity to comment on draft changes to the current HUD funds policy that are being recommended to City Council, including revisions to the current CDBG allocation and targeting percentages, updates to the “three-years-and-out” provision for ongoing programs, and changes in targeted neighborhood areas.

For more information, or if you are an individual with a disability needing an accommodation, please contact the HUD Community Resources Division at 540-853-6405.

The annual Politic’n and Pig Pick’n will be held in Roanoke Sept. 9. Here are the event details from the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce:

8th Annual POLITIC’N & PIG PICK’N

Thursday, September 9, 2010
Virginia Museum of Transportation

Entertainment by the Foggy Memory Boys

5:30 – 7:30 PM
Attire: After Work Casual
$69.00/per person Read more »

First Session of the day

The Retail Merchants Association of Lynchburg held a media tradeshow to introduce business owners to media partners Tuesday. Here is a press release from the RMA:

It may have been 94 degrees outside but on Tuesday inside the James River Conference Center in downtown Lynchburg, business owners and representatives thoughts were on the chilly season of the holidays and the New Year. At the first ever Retail Merchants Association’s  (RMA) Media Tradeshow, business owners were introduced to the expansive number of media partners offered here in the Region 2000 area.  With the assistance of their Local RMA, businesses were given some tools to make marketing their business more affordable. This annual event will give business owners the tools needed to partner with other businesses to promote their products and services in the most economical manor… in this case co-op advertising. Businesses were also introduced to Region 2000’s Small Business Development Centre and SCORE, a group of volunteers comprised of working or retired business owners.  Both organizations were on hand to assist in marketing budgets for the New Year. Read more »

The NewVa Corridor Technology Council held its annual fall membership gala at the Hotel Roanoke Wednesday night. Here are pictures from the event:

Photo Courtesy of Michaele White, Governor’s Photographer

Governor Bob McDonnell answers a constituent’s question at his final “Virginia Speaks: A Conversation about Jobs, Government Reform and Our Future” town hall.  The town hall was held last night, Tuesday, August 31^st, at the Bristol Public Library.  For more information about the Governor’s statewide town hall tour, please visit: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=290.

submitted by the Office of Governor McDonnell

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The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual small business awards dinner Oct. 5. Here are the event details from the chamber:

Countdown to the 24th Annual Small Business Awards
Small Business.  BIG Recognition!
Join us in recognizing the accomplishments of 88 area small businesses and advocates while networking with more than 600 business people.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
6 PM Reception – Cash Bar
7 PM – Dinner & Awards Presentation

Tickets
$49.50/person
$396/table of eight
$495/table of ten

Contact Judy today at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org to make your reservation or register online.

Virginia Tech is holding three workshops this fall to teach participants how to use new presentation tools. Here is a press release from the university:

Trainers, teachers, and others responsible for presentations will have new opportunities this fall to help captivate their audiences. Three half-day Learning Technologies Workshops (http://www.cpe.vt.edu/learningtech) have been designed to introduce participants to inexpensive tools they can use to create more interactive learning environments.

Ten Technology Tools to Use Today, Oct. 7, will feature ways to make presentations more exciting including Papershow, Prezi, GoodReader, and more. Participants will learn how to create a Flash-based presentation and insert audio and visual comments on projects. Read more »

CREATES and Go Green NRV are holding a workshop Sept. 20 in Blacksburg to teach businesses how to “green” their bottom line. Here is a press release from CREATES:

CREATES and Go Green NRV will present a session that will appeal to business owners who want to increase market-share, decrease expenses and become part of a business network practicing and promoting sustainability in the New River Valley. Business owners will learn about FREE* essential employee training and credentialing in lead safety, weatherization fundamentals, green property management, energy auditing, air quality assessment, and HVAC inspections. This workshop will take place Monday, September 20^th at the Blacksburg Holiday Inn from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Businesses can register from the CREATES website, http://www.createsprogram.org. Read more »

The Botetourt Chamber of Commerce is holding a wine tasting dinner that will feature Botetourt’s three area vineyards. Here are the details from the chamber:

The Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Wine Tasting Dinner on Tuesday, October 12, at the Pomegranate Restaurant in Troutville.  Enjoy fine dining at one of the Roanoke Valley’s premier restaurants and sample a variety of wines from Botetourt County’s three vineyards.  The evening begins with social time from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm.  A five course tasting menu will be served beginning at 6:30 pm.  Each course will be paired with a sampling of wine from Blue Ridge Vineyard, Fincastle Vineyard & Winery or Virginia Mountain Vineyards.  Cost is $75 per person (includes tax and gratuity).  Contact the Botetourt Chamber at 473-8280 for more information or to make a reservation.