• The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor the
  16th Leadership Washington County Program.
   The mission of this program is to challenge individuals to become actively involved in community affairs and to provide the necessary background to enhance their leadership abilities. Leadership Washington County is a non-advocacy, nonpartisan group. 
              
    Open Doors of Opportunity For Yourself,
   Your Business and Your Community.
  
  FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 276.628.8141  or  chamber@eva.org
  
  Leadership Schedule
  January 22           Team Project Assignments
  February 3-5       Trip to Richmond
  February 12         TBA  (Team Meeting)
  February 26         The Arts in Washington County
  March 12             Technology in Washington County
  March 26             Team Program
  April 9                  Team Program
  April 23                LWC Graduation
  
  LWC Participants 2008-2009
  Rennie Atkins          Johnston Memorial Hospital
  Cindy Brewer         Washington County Schools
  Jane Clark              Washington County Schools
  Lee Coburn             Coburn Creative
  Gay Farmer             Washington County Schools
  Jeff Fritts                  Highlands Union Bank
  Bryan Greene           Universal Companies
  Jan Hill                      League of Women Voters
  Rachel Law               Virginia Highlands Community College
  Tenille Montgomery   Town of Abingdon
  Stacy O'Quinn           Mountain States Health Alliance
  Chad Pennington        Highlands Union Bank
  Charlotte Sutherland   Consultant
  Sean Taylor                Town of Abingdon
  
  Corporate Sponsors
  
   
                

     The 2008 edition of Images of Washington County magazine was delivered in July.  The Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Journal Communications, our publishing partner, would like to thank each of the businesses that support this outstanding community magazine through advertising.  We invite you to pick up a copy of the current Images Magazine at the chamber office. An electronic version of Images of Washington County is on the Internet at www.imageswashingtoncounty.com
  
  
  
  
  
  Chamber Board Meetings Schedule For 2009
  The Washington County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meet the first Thursday of each month except August and January–annual dinner meeting held at night.  The luncheon is “Dutch Treat” and usually meets at the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator located at 851 French Moore Jr., Boulevard, in Abingdon unless otherwise noted.  Please call 276.628.8141 to make reservations by Tuesday to attend the meetings.
  
       February 5
       March 5
       April 2
       May 7
       June 4
       July (TBA)
       August (No Meeting)
       September 3
       October 1
       November 5
       December 3
  
  Chamber to host monthly breakfast meetings
  Beginning February 19, the Chamber will begin hosting "Third Thursday" breakfast meetings in the Virginia Ballroom located on Senior Drive.  The meetings will begin by serving breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and end by 8:45 p.m.  "We will have a monthly guest speaker who will provide information and networking opportunities to the business community.  The speakers will be professionals in their fields and the information they provide will assist business with the promotion, operations and the general well being of the business community." said Cathy Lowe, Vice President in charge of Community Affairs.  This year's theme is: What's in line for 09, Keeping Washington County wealthy and wise.  Highlands Union Bank and First Bank and Trust Company are the main sponsors for the monthly events. Several businesses will be sponsoring  single breakfasts. We will be asking each attendee to fill in a calendar of the community events they are aware of for the coming months.  To sponsor a breakfast or for more information contact the Chamber office at 276.628.8141.
  
  Date                   Sponsor                                          Presentation
  February 19    HUB & First Bank & Trust Co.       David Henry, Commissioner of Revenue
  March 19        HUB & First Bank & Trust Co.        Kenny Shuman, Wells Fargo
  April 16          TruPoint Bank                               Rick Rose, Barter Theatre
  May 21           Bristol Virginia Utilities                   Bristol Virginia Utilities
  June 18           New Peoples Bank         
  
  Sponsors
                                    

More Events

Johnston Memorial Hospital will have a business night event at their new Johnston Memorial Surgery Center located on Campus Drive in February or March.  Invitations will be mailed out when the date is set.

First Bank and Trust Company will host a business night out in the spring.  More information will be given as it becomes available.

TruPoint Bank will have a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at their new branch located on east main street when completed.


Other News

Thank you to Alpha Natural Resources, Comcast and the Center for Business and Industry for the sponsoring the summer 2008 Newsletter.  The next issue is slated for January/February. If your business would like to sponsor our upcoming newsletter please contact the Chamber office at 276.628.8141 or email neta@eva.org



Town of Abingdon
Information  276-676-2282
www.abingdon.com/tourism

Town of Damascus
276-475-3831
www.damascus.org

Town of Glade Spring
276-429-5134

Town of Abingdon Events  Please call to confirm event dates: 276.676.2282 or 800.435.3440
Public Information Lines: 276.676.3616 For a complete and current listing of local activities.

Annual Events

Barter Theatre - The State Theatre of Virginia
January to December productions   276.628.3991

Annual Re-enactment of 1925 Alaska Run and Blue Ridge Dryland Challenge   276.494.3153
Held in January

WhiteTop Maple Festival   March 28-29 (Last Sunday in March) 276.388.3422  Arts and Crafts  276.388.3246

"A Tisket, A Tasket, A Literary Basket" fundraiser by the Friends of the Library    April 2
For more information please call Washington County Public Library  276.676.6222

Mid-Atlantic Regional Garden Faire   April 17 - 19     The eighth annual Regional Garden Faire will be one of the most inclusive garden shows in the Southeast.  Held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center  276.676.2282

Highlands Jazz Festival   April 25
The eighth annual festival featuring traditional classic jazz in a cabaret-style setting.  Grand Hall of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.  Season tickets and group rates available.  276.676.2282

Damascus Appalachian Trail Days  May 12 - 16
Usually The Middle Weekend of May  276.475.3831

Whitetop Ramp Festival  May 17   276.388.2873

Annual Plumb Alley Day        May 23 
(Sponsored by Abingdon Kiwanis Club)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Annual community celebration of Spring the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Arts, crafts, food, entertainment, bake sales, yard sales, and much more. Find it all on the alley between Main and Valley Streets.

Plumb Alley Day Concert  May 23   276.676.2282

Abingdon Summer Concert Series
In The Park
June - Early Fall  Town Park across the street from the Abingdon Post Office on West Main Street     276.676.2282

Abingdon Garden Tours  276.676.6309
Beautiful artistry and landscaping of some of Abingdon's most distinguished gardens.

Abingdon Blues Festival June 27   276.676.2282

Fourth in the Park
Coomes Recreational Center  276.623.5279
Join us for a community celebration of Independence! Live entertainment, food, games, swimming, beach volleyball, a spectacular fireworks display and more!

Virginia Highlands Festival
 276.623.5266    July 25 - August 9
Experience the Culture of Southwest Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands through arts and crafts, antiques, photography, creative writing, youth events, fine foods, drama, concerts, nature walks, historical tours, hot air balloons, etc! Named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association and Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Washington County Fair
276.628.8141
The Fair features educational exhibits and live entertainment throughout the week, including concerts, talent shows, beauty pageants, and a parade. Daily exhibits of farm equipment, crops, tobacco, livestock, foods, and flowers.

Hayter's Gap Fall Festival 
 276.944.5867

WhiteTop Molasses Festival
 276.388.3480

Meadowview Apple Butter Festival 
276.628.2662

Mistletoe Market 
Enjoy early holiday shopping as you browse specialty booths from across the Southeastern US.
276.628.5005

Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade
November 20
Main Street of Abingdon.  Parade begins at 7:00 p.m.

Holiday Crafts Fair
276.623.5279  Held in November
Annual Crafts fair featuring over 70 vendors from around the region. 
Held at the Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center.

Abingdon B & B Holiday Tour 
276.676.2282
Abingdon area B&B's decorated for the holidays.

Community Christmas Tree Lighting 
TBA    276.676.2282 
Music of the season, annual holiday party in the heart of Historic Abingdon.

Christmas in Historic Abingdon
Month of December    276.676.2282
Month long celebration of the holiday season. Special concerts, open houses, tours,
and more.