Chamber Insider Blog

Post written by Loudoun Chamber President & CEO, Tony Howard

Tony Howard, Loudoun Chamber President & CEO

Dear Loudoun Chamber Member,

Thank you for being an essential part of our Loudoun County Chamber community this past year. Your support and engagement have been crucial as we continue strengthening Loudoun’s economy and creating a brighter future for all who live and work in our community.

Reflecting on 2024: What You Gained

This year, the Loudoun Chamber community worked tirelessly to deliver significant value to our members. Here are just a few ways your membership made a difference:

• Networking and Visibility: We celebrated over 70 grand openings and ribbon cuttings in 2024 and welcomed 250 new members into our growing chamber family. At our events, like the record-breaking Small Business Awards and the 3^rd Annual DEIA Summit, thousands of business leaders came together to network, collaborate, and grow.
• Advocacy: Through your membership, we fought to address critical issues like housing affordability, data center regulations, and Loudoun’s rural economy. Together, we mitigated fee hikes on new homes and worked to lower the cost of attainable housing construction.
• Referrals and Resources: In 2024, our members benefited from invaluable opportunities to grow their bottom line. Our Business@Breakfast and Loudoun On Tap drew a record 2,500 attendees, while our LeadShare program facilitated 2,880 leads, resulting in 2,075 business connections.

Chamber-Wide Wins: Driving Community Impact

Your participation has helped make 2024 one of the most impactful years in Loudoun Chamber history:

• We distributed a record-breaking $80,000 in grants to 20 Loudoun-based nonprofits, bringing our 10-year total to $330,000.
• Over 1,000 leaders attended our PolicyMaker Series to address key issues in energy, housing, data centers, and workforce development.
• We honored 110 heroic first responders and civilians during the 39^th Annual Valor Awards and celebrated a record 550 attendees at our 30th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards.
• Loudoun’s youth shined as we graduated our 8^th class of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). Since 2016, this program has empowered 195 students to launch their own businesses and nonprofits.

Creating Member Engagement Online

In 2024, the Loudoun Chamber’s digital impact grew significantly. We published 2,549 posts, an 89% increase from 2023, attracting 1,870 new followers. Our social media presence generated 123,000 engagements and 156,671 video views, a 135% increase from 2023. (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for 2025 and Beyond

The Loudoun Chamber remains committed to building a stronger, more connected, and equitable Loudoun business community. Next year, we’ll:

• Expand our advocacy efforts through our strategy to expand the Loudoun Chamber’s impact during the Virginia General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session.
• We will continue to launch innovative resources, such as our Member Masterclasses, to help members like you thrive in an evolving market.
• Increase the impact of our successful efforts to strengthen partnerships between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors following the success of our inaugural Loudoun Nonprofit Forum.

Thank You For Your Membership Investment

Your membership investment is the reason your Chamber has achieved these accomplishments, and we are excited to continue supporting your business in 2025 and beyond.

If you would like to increase your engagement in the Loudoun Chamber in 2025, please contact us here and a member of our team will reach out to help develop a plan to leverage the Chamber for your personal and professional goals this year.

With Gratitude,

Tony Howard
President & CEO, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce