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The Town of Leesburg strives to stay connected to our business community, and we’ve found one of the best ways to do that is through a variety of business events – celebratory, informative, problem-solving, or networking. Below you will find descriptions of these events and opportunities to register to participate or host events such as ribbon cuttings.
The annual Leesburg Business Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at Home 2 Suites by Hilton Leesburg. This is a complimentary event, though RSVPs are requested. Nominees in the Community Ambassador, Innovations, New/Expanding Business, and Arts & Culture categories are eligible for the new People’s Choice Award! Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees, listed below!
Please contact Melanie Scoggins with any questions at [email protected].
2024 Business Award Nominees
Community Ambassador Award
The Body, Birth and Baby Center
Innovations Award
New/Expanding Business Award
Enlighten Nutrition, Counseling and Care
Arts and Culture Award
Non-Profit/Philanthropic Award
The Ladies Board of INOVA Loudoun Hospital
The Loudoun Laurels Foundation
The George C. Marshall Award
Quarterly HUBZone Meetings
Michelle Burnett is a dedicated advocate and seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in supporting and championing the HUBZone small business community. Her journey into the world of HUBZone began in 2008 when she joined the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a contractor. During this initial encounter, Michelle gained a profound understanding of the HUBZone program and the transformative impact it could have on communities and businesses alike.
Although her tenure at the SBA was brief, the impact of the HUBZone community left an indelible mark on Michelle’s career trajectory. After completing her contract with the SBA in 2012, she continued her commitment to the HUBZone community by dedicating almost five years to volunteering with the HUBZone Council and its members. Her dedication and passion for the cause eventually led to her appointment as the Executive Director of the HUBZone Contractors National Council in 2018.
Before taking on her role as Executive Director, Michelle Burnett wore various hats within the Government Contracting industry. She served as a Facility Security Officer and a Business Development Representative, gaining a multifaceted understanding of the intricacies of the field. These experiences, coupled with her extensive involvement in various contract support roles, provided her with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in Government Contracting.
This meeting is geared toward Current HUBZone Certified Businesses and Businesses Considering Certification. There will be opportunities to ask questions and get feedback from the speakers.
Speakers:
- Michelle Burnett, Executive Director, HUBZone Contractors National Council.
- Lisa Cusack, CEO Custom Software Systems, Inc
- Bob Cusack, COO Custom Software Systems, Inc.
When: Thursday, March 7th 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: In person at Clearfocus Technologies 305 Harrison Street SE, Suite 100B Leesburg, VA 20175
or
Virtually via a Teams invite, please make sure to include your email address in your registration to receive the link.
Please contact Melanie Scoggins with any questions regarding these events at [email protected] or 571-271-1206.
Register Below
Are You Hosting An Event?
Leesburg Economic Development wants to help Leesburg businesses promote their events in the community. Submit your event and, once approved, it will be listed on our Community Events page. If you are interested in future events to discuss the current business environment, please contact Melanie Scoggins.
Ribbon Cutting Request
We would be honored to help you celebrate your grand opening or anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Please fill out the request form below, and our team will get back to you shortly to discuss the details.
Small Business Forum
Each year the Leesburg Economic Development Commission (EDC) hosts at least two Small Business Forums where Leesburg Small Business owners and representatives are invited to discuss and provide inputs on focus areas for the EDC. The forums are free to attend, and a great way to network with other business areas. Specific information about each forum will be posted here with a link to RSVP to each event.
The 2021 Spring Business Forum was held April 22, 2021 virtually. If you are interested in future events to discuss the current business environment, please contact Melanie Scoggins.
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Community Ambassador
Innovations
New / Expanding Business
Arts and Culture
The George C. Marshall Award
Community Ambassador
This award celebrates a business or organization that contributes its time, talent and resources to promote a positive image of Leesburg. Candidates go beyond the daily routine of their work to reach deeper into the Leesburg community to assist others, locate or grow a business, bring attention and recognition to the community as a business location or tourist destination.
Helpful criteria might include:
- Documentation of a specific event or marketing program that brings people to Leesburg to experience the Town from a business or tourism perspective.
- A proven business model that attracts business clients, vendors or other guests to Leesburg in their course of doing business.
- Exhibition of humanitarian efforts or environmental awareness, illustrated through events, unique programs or financial contributions.
Innovations
This award was created to celebrate a business or organization that executes an innovative business venture, unique product or service development or other cutting edge business practice. Entries are recognized for originality and invention.
Helpful criteria might include:
- Specific relevance of the innovation. Has it solved a problem? If so, what and how?
- Documented outstanding design or implementation of a plan, program, product, service or an event.
New / Expanding Business
This award celebrates a new or expanding business that either registered as a new business or expanded their current operations/investment in Leesburg between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The successful candidate will promote the unique business culture of Leesburg, while acting as a pioneer in enriching the Town’s future.
Helpful criteria might include:
- Demonstration of capacity for business longevity in the Leesburg business community.
- Has demonstrated business or community leadership.
- The positive and lasting value and commitment the new/expanding business will have on the community.
Arts and Culture
This award celebrates a business, organization or individual that contributes to or actively supports the arts, within the Town of Leesburg. Candidates in this category include artists, events or programs that promote Leesburg as a hub of arts and culture.
Helpful criteria might include:
- Documentation of increased awareness of the arts in Leesburg as promoted by this business, organization or individual.
- Leadership and creativity illustrated in programs that boosted the arts in Leesburg.
The George C. Marshall Award
This award celebrates an individual who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the community above and beyond business contributions. Entries in this category are awarded to community leaders who have demonstrated leadership, vision and community service that our esteemed George C. Marshall would have admired. Individuals are not required to be Leesburg residents but must be connected to a Leesburg business or organization.
Helpful criteria might include:
- The legacy of the contribution: the passion, drive, team building ability of the individual as it relates to sustainable economic development in the Town of Leesburg.
- How will this individual be remembered in future years?