The Leadership Prince William (LWP) Board of Regents has announced the appointment of Charles Gilliam as the organization's Executive Director. Gilliam, who has been serving as the interim executive director since July 2022, brings over 20 years of experience in the restaurant/hospitality industry to his new role. Most recently, he owned Roux Pot, Inc. and the Old Town Manassas restaurant Okra's Cajun Creole, which closed in 2021 after 23 years in business.
"The job announcement attracted more than 40 qualified applicants from across the nation," stated Tiffany Izenour, LPW Board of Regents chair. "We are pleased that Charles has demonstrated the experience and skills needed to effectively lead the organization to the next level."
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The Prince William Chamber of Commerce Business Awards are held annually to celebrate the exceptional businesses in our local community. The chamber has held the ceremony since the Prince William Chamber of Commerce was formed in 2010 from the Region’s Chamber in Woodbridge and the Greater Manassas-Prince William County Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber will honor businesses in the following categories:
- Excellence in Small Business (1-10 Employees)
- Business Excellence (11+ Employees)
- Emerging Business of the Year
- Innovative Practice or Partnership of the Year
- Community Outreach Award (1-10 Employees)
- Community Outreach Award (11+ Employees)
- Government Contracting Company of the Year
- Veteran-Owned Company of the Year
- Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards, Arts & Education
- Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards, Health & Human Services
The annual Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award will be given by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The awards ceremony will be held at Foxchase Manor; 8310 Chatsworth Drive, near Manassas, February 23, 2023, 5 to – 10 p.m. All awardees must be Chamber members except the Agnes L. Colgan awards, which are open to the public. Nominations must be made by chamber members.
The chamber holds this event to honor the businesses in the community, said spokeswoman Caitlin Stephens. “As the largest Chamber in the area, one of our goals is to recognize the businesses that keep our area growing,” added Stephens.
The sell-out event is open to the public. Registration and nominations are open on the chamber’s website.
Last year’s (2023) winners include:
- Excellence in Small Business (1-10 Employees)- Freedom Property Management and Sales
- Business Excellence (11+ Employees)- OmniRide
- Emerging Business of the Year- K&L Auto and Diesel Repairs LLC
- Innovative Practice or Partnership of the Year – Prince William
- County Economic Development, Amazon and Marine Corps Base Quantico
- Community Outreach Award (1-10 Employees)- Alive Church
- Community Outreach Award (11+ Employees)- Todos Supermarket
- Government Contracting Company of the Year- EIDOS Technologies LLC
- Veteran Owned Company of the Year- Hire Ground Works
- Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards, Arts & Education- Keep Prince William Beautiful
- Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards, Health & Human Services- Didlake, Inc.
- * *Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award- Dr. Randall Edwards
People’s Choice Award: ALD & Associates LLC
It was moving vans parked in front of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce on Monday, November 20, 2023. The chamber is relocating from its home since 2010, 9720 Capital Court in Manassas.
The Chamber will move down the street to its new home, 9733 Buchanan Loop, next to a Tru by Hilton hotel. The new space is envisioned to contain offices meeting space for staff and a co-working space.
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Prince William Chamber of Commerce: "Colonial Downs Group announces $50,000 donation to The Prince William Chamber Foundation. The celebration of the donation took place October 25th at Preston’s Pub in Manassas Park."
"The press conference marks the first major donation to The Prince William Chamber Foundation, recently launched by the Prince William Chamber Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the new Foundation is to encourage and support business development through workforce development, education, community outreach, and through larger service. Programming for the Foundation focuses on the three pillars of first responders and veterans, women, and workforce education."
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The Prince William Chamber of Commerce will hold a debate between Jeanine Lawson, the Republican, and Deshundra Jefferson, the Democrat. Both seek the Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman At-large seat.
The chamber is requiring attendees to register for the event before they may attend. Registration for the event is closed, according to the chamber’s website.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Prince William Chamber of Commerce:Â "The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023 Salute to the Armed Forces event headlining speaker: Wounded Warrior Project Warriors Speak Spokesperson Danielle Green."
"Danielle Green is a former Notre Dame basketball player, who is the 17th -leading all-time scorer for the women’s team. Green graduated from Notre Dame and enlisted in the Army during the Iraq War, sending her to the frontlines in 2004 as a military police officer."
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Prince William Chamber of Commerce: "Get ready for an event with networking opportunities. The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is once again bringing the Mega Networking Expo to the Gainesville area."
"The event takes place on Thursday, September 14 th from 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. at Out of the Blue Restaurant (5005 Wellington Road, Gainesville). The Mega is brought to the area by Gold Sponsor, Wellington at Lake Manassas and Silver Sponsor, Showcase Dance Studio."
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In late May/Early June we heard about the possibility of commercial air service coming to Manassas Airport. Finally, in late June the Airport Commission Board Chair confirmed the dream could become reality in mere months if the city council and the mayor find it acceptable.
Thousands of small airports across the country would be expressing gratitude for any air service planning to come to their facility. Air transportation is a major employer, providing vital economic benefits and boasting high occupancy rates. Air transportation is a major contributor to the economy, bringing in outside businesses and consumers.
The economic impact and social benefits of bringing commercial air flights are too innumerable to list, but what can be summarized is that bringing tourism and trade to any new area will foster the growth of that area significantly.
Avports, the experienced operator behind this application, is very optimistic, and they have indicated they will entrench themselves in this area much the same way as Omniride has, caring about our residents and being a pivotal part of the community.
That said, like all businesses, Avports measures its success by profitability, of which load factor plays a major part. Load factor is how full the airplanes are arriving to and departing from Manassas Airport. Avports has stated that Florida and other popular East Coast destinations will be the primary targets for testing.
Air service is a “use it or lose it” form of transportation to our community. Airlines serving the greater Washington market need to make money, or they will move their assets to other markets.  We are not just in competition with surrounding airports for our air service; we are in competition with every other community in the nation that wants air service. If an airline thinks its aircraft can make more money in another market, they will likely move that aircraft asset.
It is imperative that we support Avports and the air service that they are providing our community. At times, there may be seats available at less cost in other close-by markets; but every passenger leaving the Manassas market to fly from another airport further restricts our ability to grow our services and to get additional air service.
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce and our 1,300 members stand proudly in support of this project.  As its CEO, I would challenge the greater Washington region to commit to flying from the Manassas Airport.
Avports view our market favorably, but the future of expanded commercial air service in Manassas depends on the community’s commitment to fill the service they are going to provide.
Thank you, and Let’s fly.
Robert Sweeney
CEO, Prince William Chamber of Commerce
Prince William Chamber of Commerce: “After 11 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce debuted their new logo. Designed by Loudoun County design firm E.L. Strategic, the logo represents the Chamber’s commitment to innovation and growth.”
“Logo Redesign: As one of the largest Chambers in the state, the Chamber understands the importance of adapting to the evolving needs of the dynamic business community. With that in mind, the Chamber has modernized their logo to better represent the Chamber’s new mission: “Thriving Together.” The logo itself represents the Chamber’s goal of guiding businesses on their journey- through advocacy, networking, through connections, through workforce development, and more.”
“Prince William Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Sweeney states, ‘The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is positioning itself as the premier voice for the business community. We have launched this new brand identity to showcase our new direction as a thought leader on civic and business issues. We care deeply about our community and are thrilled with this new direction.’ The Chamber’s newly redesigned website is also coming soon.”
