2 days Ago
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Educational Speaker Series: Desiree Wood, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.
m., virtual. WTS Hampton Roads and other chapters are hosting Desiree Wood, who works to deliver highway safety through leadership, mentorship, education, and advocacy through REAL Women in Trucking.
$20-$35. Register on Eventbrite.com .
New Executive Welcome, 6-8 p.m., Perry Glass Studio, 245 Grace St.
, Norfolk. The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting an event to network with the newest executives and organization leaders while being among the first to view the newly expanded Perry Glass Studio. Register at hrchamber.
com . Darden Awards, 5:30 p.m.
, Norfolk Waterside Marriott, third floor, Hampton Ballroom, 235 E. Main St. Civic Leadership Institute is honoring regional leaders Richard and Carolyn Barry and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.
$110. Register at civichr.org .
Business Connection After Hours, 4:30-6 p.m., Gather, 700 Tech Center Parkway, Suite 200, Newport News.
The Peninsula Chamber is hosting a networking event. $0-$15. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.
com. A Very Merry Musical Market, 6-8:30 p.m.
, Elation Brewing, 5104 Colley Ave., Norfolk. Virginia Symphony Orchestra is hosting a holiday shopping experience to live chamber music performed by VSO Brass Section.
Sip on tasty brews. The event is for new program SoundBridge. $15-$20.
Buy tickets at tickets.virginiasymphony.org/verymerrymusicalmarket/elationbrewing .
Norfolk General Services’ Career Fair, 11 a.m.-2 p.
m., Lamberts Point Community Center, 1251 W. 42nd St.
, Norfolk. The city is hosting a job fair for job seekers looking for full-time positions in various roles from skilled trades to customer service. New, eligible full-time hires will also receive a $5,000 signing bonus.
Free. Visit norfolk.gov/careers .
Spotlight on the Peninsula, 3-5 p.m., Virginia Living Museum, 524 J.
Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting an information session on the museum’s wild care center and a networking opportunity.
Free. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com .
38th Annual Grand Illumination Parade, 7-8 p.m., downtown Norfolk.
The Downtown Norfolk Council is organizing the annual parade featuring an array of colorful floats, marching bands and performers. This year’s theme is Retro Wonderland. The 2-mile parade route starts at the corner of St.
Paul’s Boulevard and Main Street. It travels along Main Street to Granby Street, heading north. It then turns onto Freemason Street going west, turns onto Boush Street, heading south and finishes on Waterside Drive and Water Street in front of the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.
Free. Town Center of Virginia Beach Grand Illumination, 5-7 p.m.
, Town Center Fountain Plaza. The Central Business District Association is hosting the annual tree lighting ceremony with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Santa’s elves will be on hand to pass out holiday treats, including free hot chocolate and goodies from Town Center restaurants while supplies last. Dancing elves, happy violinists, jubilant tap dancers, and more artists and musicians performing in snow globes. Free.
State of the City: Hampton, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.
m., Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting the city’s annual address.
Mayor Donnie Tuck will look back on the goals he set in his first State of the City address in 2016, highlighting how far Hampton has come since then. As he prepares to step down after eight and a half years, he will share his vision for Hampton’s bright future. $45.
Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com . Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council Holiday Mixer, 5:30-8:30 p.
m., Smartmouth Brewing, 1309 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk.
Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council is hosting an event to wrap up the year with food and drinks and discuss plans for the coming year. $65. Register at hrgcc.
org/holiday-party/ . Social Media for Small Businesses: Strategies for Growth, 9-11 a.m.
, Comfort Inn North Oceanfront, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The Outer Banks Chamber is hosting Nancy Lee Zimpleman, a seasoned marketing expert from Sword Lily Marketing. She will share insight on how small businesses can effectively use social media platforms to boost visibility, connect with customers and achieve measurable growth.
$20-$30. Register at outerbankschamber.com .
DEI as a Strategic Imperative in a Divisive Environment, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Slover Library, 235 E.
Plume St., Norfolk. The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting Shelley Willingham, chief revenue officer for The Diversity Movement, for a presentation to equip you with the tools and strategies to position your organization as a leader in DEI.
We’ll talk about the business case for DEI in a global context, help you assess your organization’s current standing, and guide you through the process of developing a strategic plan. You’ll also learn how to engage your leadership team, build a diverse and inclusive workforce, foster a culture of inclusion, and measure your progress. Register at hrchamber.
com . LEAD Peninsula Alumni’s Annual Holiday Party, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
, Tradition Brewing, 700 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting a party for LEAD Peninsula alumni.
Includes cookie swap and ugly Christmas sweater contest. Buy your own. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.
com . Beer Pairing Dinner, 5 p.m.
, Sojourn Fermentory, 1400 Bridgeport Way, Suffolk. Sojourn Fermentory is hosting a special beer pairing dinner in collaboration with Schilling Beer Co. co-founders Jeff and Stu Cozzens and Chef Kevin Sharkey, owner and executive chef of 1608 Crafthouse.
This intimate gathering offers an exquisite four-course dinner paired with Schilling’s celebrated beers, creating an unforgettable culinary experience that showcases the art of pairing food and craft beer. $100 plus tips. Exclusive to only 50 guests.
tinyurl.com/SojournBeerDinner. Holiday Parade at the Beach, 5:30 p.
m., Atlantic Avenue from 15th to 25th streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Beach Events is hosting a holiday parade with giant balloons, lighted floats, marching bands, fire trucks, dance groups, motorcycles, horses and more.
Free. Apply to be in the parade by Nov. 11 at beacheventsvb.
com . State of the Chamber: Annual Meeting, 11 a.m.
-1:30 p.m., Newport News Marriott, 740 Town Center Drive.
The Peninsula Chamber is hosting its annual meeting. $45. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.
com . The Final Chapter: Preparing Your Business for Transition or Sale, 9-10:30 a.m.
, 11850 Merchants Walk, Suite 110, Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting Christopher Newport University Professor Willy Donaldson as part of the Start, Grow, Thrive: Succeeding in Business Series. $0-$15.
Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com . Hampton Roads Chamber Annual Meeting, noon-2 p.
m., Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St. The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting its annual meeting to celebrate the year’s achievements, hear the latest news from the chamber and get a glimpse of what is to come in 2025.
Keynote speaker is businesswoman Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and VA250 National Honorary Chair. Buy tickets at hrchamber.com .
Women in Business awards, 5:30-8:30 p.m., The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center, 4535 Commerce St.
Inside Business is recognizing 15 Women in Business Achievement honorees. Cocktail hour and networking before dinner and awards presentation. $85.
Buy tickets at virginiamedia.com/women-in-business/ . Speed Networking Event, 11:30 a.
m.-1:30 p.m.
, 11850 Merchants Walk, Suite 110, Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting a speed networking event for its Pink Bag Lunch. Co-hosts are Haley Morgan of Hanger Law and Sally Sheard, Realtor with Liz Moore & Associates.
$10-$15. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com .
Morning Member Meetup, 8-9:30 a.m., The Founders Inn, 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach.
The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting a networking event. Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads partners with Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank to collect diapers for families in need while building work and life skills for Hampton Roads youth. Please help by donating packages of diapers at this event.
Register at hrchamber.com . Getting Found: A Strategy Workshop, 9-11 a.
m., Centura College, 4455 South Blvd., Virginia Beach.
The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting a three-part marketing workshop series. This one is “Why does Google suck?” Industry experts will lead each workshop providing interactive experiences and ample time to meet other series participants, ask questions and dive into the practical application of each skill. These workshops are designed for small businesses, but medium to large businesses are also welcome to attend.
The series is capped at 50 participants. Register at hrchamber.com.
Please, send calendar items to [email protected] .
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