BUSINESS

Government Affairs
Committee
Chair: Robert Withers,
Virginia Farm
Bureau Insurance
This committee has been active since 2005 helping the
Chamber to develop positions that support economic growth
in the Greater Augusta business community and encouraging
cooperative spirit with local and state governments. The
Government Affairs Committee will stay true to this mission
in 2010.
The committee will seek opportunities to inform members of
events/actions pertaining to legislation and policies that might
affect local or state economic vitality.
Activities for 2010
• Continue to attend the annual January "Chamber Day at the
Capitol" in Richmond. It is an opportunity for Chamber
members and Board members to come together and meet
with Virginia's top leadership while being briefed on issues
before the Virginia General Assembly.
• Inform Chamber members of legislative and regulatory
issues particularly those that affect business' bottom line.
• Work with all levels of government local, state & federal, to
advocate for business' interests. Invite state legislators as
well as local representatives to visit with the Chamber Board to
provide guidance, direction, updates on local and state issues.
• The committee will review and update Chamber Public
Policy Positions as necessary for issues that will benefit
the community and local businesses.
2010 Chamber Guide | www.augustachamber.org
SPECIAL EVENTS DIVISION
Chair: Dawn Zimmerman, Residence Inn by Marriott
The Special Events Division will be working to provide non-dues
revenue to the Chamber by continuing to raise money from
major fundraising events. This division is vital to the Chamber
in that it generates a significant amount of non-dues paying
revenue to the operating budget. Non-dues revenue from
special events makes up 51 percent of the Chamber’s
budget, and is necessary for the growth and development of
the Chamber programs. Each year, we will continue to raise
money from these major events: The Business Showcase, the
Greater Augusta Regional Chamber Annual Golf Tournament,
the Daylily & Wine Festival, Performing Arts Series and a fall
event, to be determined.
18 • GARCC/CROSSROADS BUSINESS • MARCH/APRIL 2010
Each fundraiser will be generating revenue for the Chamber
while providing entertainment and networking opportunities
for the benefit of Chamber members and the community as
a whole. The financial support for each activity will be
generated from different levels of sponsorship solicited from
the membership. Non-dues revenue generated from each
event will be reinvested into the Chamber to improve and
increase the services and benefits offered to members.
Activities for 2010
• Expand on the successful Performing Art Series
• Maintain and increase sponsorships of events.
• Explore adding enhancements to the Daylily & Wine Festival
such as:
— Evening activity (concert, dinner/dance)
— Partnering with other organizations who can present
another event – Stonewall Jackson Hotel, other hotels with
ballrooms, wineries and the Frontier Culture Museum.
• Make the admission to the Daylily & Wine Festival an amount
competitive with other like events.
• Replace Casino Night by:
— Considering a food event which draws people.
— Considering something that would be unique to our region.
• Continue the success of the annual golf tournament.
• Explore new fundraisers – i.e., Christmas collector ornament.