Events
Dreams Are A Journey
Before starting this internship with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance through Beacon of Hope, I thought most adults had their lives completely planned out. I assumed that once someone chose a career path, everything would slowly fall into place. After spending a week and a half listening to professionals share their experiences, I’ve learned that…
Read MoreThe Trust Habits Behind the Businesses Customers Choose
A customer walks into a neighborhood restaurant on a busy Friday night. The host stays calm, explains the wait clearly, and the meal arrives as expected. Nothing is flashy, and that is the point. When “Best of” voting rolls around, people remember businesses that deliver like that, again and again. Consistency is the quiet engine…
Read MoreWhat Lynchburg Taught Me About Community and Growth
My journey as Economic Development Intern with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance began long before I stepped into the office. As an international student who came to Lynchburg for my studies at Liberty University in 2022, I spent my early years adjusting to a new culture that felt very different from my home in Benin.…
Read MorePromoting the Region at Virginia Women’s Leadership Forum
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Virginia Women’s Leadership Forum hosted by Virginia Economic Development Partnership alongside Nina Rezai from the Campbell County Economic Development Department. Over the course of two days, we had the chance to promote the Lynchburg Region to site selectors and economic development professionals while also learning from…
Read MoreTelling Your Region’s Story: Reflections on the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC) in Nashville, hosted by the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services. This four-day program, accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), brought together community leaders, chamber professionals, elected officials, planners, bankers, and business developers from across the state,…
Read MoreCelebrating Economic Development Week by Championing Small Business
This week, communities across the country are recognizing Economic Development Week and Small Business Day, two important reminders that strong local economies are built through vision, partnership, and entrepreneurship. Here in the Lynchburg Region, economic development is more than attracting new companies. It’s about creating an environment where businesses of all sizes can start, grow,…
Read More2025 Economic Outlook Recap
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance’s Annual Economic Outlook Breakfast, presented by BWXT, offered members a clear and data-driven look at the year ahead. Keynote speaker Eric Scorsone, Executive Director of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Virginia, outlined the forces shaping Virginia’s economy and…
Read MoreAEDO Accreditation
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is proud to announce that we have officially earned the Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This accreditation is held by only 91 organizations worldwide, placing the Lynchburg region among an elite group demonstrating excellence, professionalism, and proven economic development success. Achieving AEDO…
Read MoreReflections from the 2025 ACCE Events & Communications Conference in Huntsville, AL
This past October, I had the opportunity to attend the National Events and Communications Conference hosted by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in Huntsville Alabama. This annual gathering brings together chamber professionals from across the country who work in communications, marketing, and events, and this year delivered an incredible mix of inspiration,…
Read MoreOn Purpose: Emerge Women’s Leadership Summit
There’s something powerful that happens when women gather with intention. At this year’s Emerge Women’s Leadership Summit, over 150 women came together to connect, learn, and grow, all centered around one simple but profound theme: on purpose. From the start, the energy in the room was undeniable. Women from every stage of life and career…
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