MOVE Chamber

🏗️ Building a for All
🤝 Empowering Businesses
🏛️ Businesses and Governments

08/20/2026

Another strong session in the Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program, presented by MOVE Business Chamber in partnership with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP).

Yesterday, participants came together for Session 3: Site Selection, Leasing, Permits & Inspections, exploring the practical steps and requirements involved in preparing to open a food and beverage business.

The session walked participants through selecting the right commercial location and navigating the requirements involved in launching a food and beverage business. Topics included commercial site selection, lease evaluation, zoning and land use, building requirements, health and safety regulations, food-service plan reviews, business licensing, and opening timelines.

Our Session 3 speakers brought valuable expertise from across the public and private sectors:

Tony LaColla — City of Alexandria | Land Use, Zoning, Planning & Preservation
Svetlana A. Kallat — City of Alexandria Finance Department | Business Taxes, Licenses & City Requirements
Tiffany Johnson-Wiggins — Alexandria Health Department | Health Permits, Plan Reviews & Food Safety
Fatimah Wilson — Tartan Properties Commercial | Commercial Leasing, Sales & Site Selection
Chief Deputy Russell Furr — Alexandria Fire Marshal’s Office | Fire & Life Safety Requirements, Inspections & Compliance
Henry R. Hollander — City of Alexandria, Code Administration | Plan Examination, Small Business & Residential Facilitation

Thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and giving participants a clearer roadmap for navigating site selection, permitting, licensing, and inspections, and to everyone who joined us and contributed to another valuable conversation.

08/18/2026

MOVE Business Chamber is pleased to facilitate an important Q&A conversation on the proposed Dominion merger with Sen. Saddam Salim, Dominion representatives, and community stakeholders.

The session will provide an opportunity for constituents to hear directly from those involved, better understand the proposed merger and its potential impact, and raise the questions and concerns that matter most to our community.

📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:00 PM
💻 Virtual — access link will be sent to registered attendees

Have a question about the proposed merger?
Submit it in advance.
Link in bio.

This conversation is part of MOVE’s ongoing effort to keep our community informed and engaged on important energy issues affecting Virginia communities.

Register now.
Link in bio.

08/17/2026

As we celebrate Black Business Month, MOVE Business Chamber is proud to recognize leaders who are strengthening our region’s economy and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Today, we spotlight Clarice Grove, Senior Business Retention & Expansion Manager for Prince William County Economic Development and Tourism.

Through her work, Clarice supports existing businesses, fosters entrepreneurship, and helps business owners turn their vision for growth into reality. Her commitment to economic development reflects the leadership and impact we are proud to celebrate throughout Black Business Month.

Join us in recognizing Clarice for her contributions to shaping and strengthening our communities.

08/13/2026

Another strong session in the Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program, presented by MOVE Business Chamber in partnership with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP).

Yesterday, participants came together for Session 2: Financing & the Startup Budget, focused on one of the most important questions every founder has to answer: Can I afford this business?

The session covered startup and build-out costs, financing options, SBA loans, CDFIs, investor readiness, and break-even analysis—giving participants a clearer understanding of what it takes financially to launch and sustain a food and beverage business.

Our Session 2 speakers brought valuable, real-world perspectives to the conversation:

Baha Sahin — General Manager, Red White & Blu Construction
Larry Ponzi — Managing Partner, PCG Restaurants
Neddal Abu-Taa — VP, Business Relationship Manager, Atlantic Union Bank
Daniella Djiogan — Director, Small Business Support Services – Community Development Fund, NCRC

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation, and to our partners and speakers for continuing to support the growth of Virginia’s business community.

08/12/2026

This Black Business Month, MOVE Business Chamber is proud to recognize Jemel Buck, a valued member of our Board of Directors and an accomplished leader in technology and digital transformation.

With more than 25 years of experience across the U.S. and MENA region, Jemel has built deep expertise in cybersecurity, SASE, SD-WAN, managed network services, and enterprise technology sales. His leadership, industry knowledge, and commitment to building stronger business communities bring valuable perspective to MOVE’s mission.

Throughout Black Business Month, we celebrate individuals like Jemel whose experience, contributions, and leadership continue to create impact and open opportunities for others.

08/10/2026

MOVE Business Chamber is pleased to welcome Shafeek Seddiq to our Board of Directors.

Shafeek is the Managing Attorney at Seddiq Law Firm, LLC, bringing valuable legal and business perspective to the Chamber’s leadership. His experience across law, business, and client advocacy strengthens our ability to support entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals across our community.

We look forward to his contributions as we continue strengthening MOVE’s work and expanding our impact across the business community.

Please join us in welcoming Shafeek to the MOVE Board.

08/07/2026

The Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program cohort started its first session yesterday, presented by MOVE Business Chamber in partnership with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP).

Session 1: Concept Validation: answering the question every founder has to face first: Should I open this business? Restaurant realities, target customers, market opportunity, and competition analysis.

We built this cohort small by design. Fewer founders in the room means direct feedback, real engagement with the material, and no one getting lost in the crowd. This program is built to produce results not just attendance.

Session 1’s speakers brought real, hands-on experience to the room:
•⁠ ⁠Tom Voskuil, Owner of Taqueria Picoso
•⁠ ⁠Christine Ponzi, Co-Founder of PCG Restaurant Group
•⁠ Baha Eymen Sahin, General Manager of Red White & Blu Construction

Thank you to all three for setting the tone for this cohort.

Five sessions to go. See what the program covers.
Link in bio.

08/03/2026

July was a productive month for MOVE Business Chamber.

Across Northern Virginia, our team supported and hosted 9 events this month, reaching more than 200 attendees and reflecting our continued commitment to creating access, advancing advocacy, and developing business leadership across the region.

This momentum carries directly into August.
Stay connected with MOVE Business Chamber as we continue this work.

07/27/2026

Thinking about launching or growing a food business?

Join us this Wednesday for the free kickoff session of the F&B Business Readiness Program to gain practical guidance on concept validation, startup costs, licensing, funding, operations, and customer acquisition, directly from experienced food business operators.

The session is open to restaurant, food truck, bakery, catering, beverage, and packaged-food entrepreneurs.

More than 60% of available seats for the program are already filled. But if you register and attend the kickoff session, we’ll make sure there’s space in the cohort for you. But register now so we can hold your place!

📅 July 29, 2026
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 1940 Duke Street, 1st Floor, Alexandria, VA
🎟 Free admission

Register now.
Link in bio.

07/23/2026

One week away. 📆
The F&B Business Readiness Program’s free kickoff session — Should You Open a Food Business? — is almost here, brought to you by MOVE Business Chamber in partnership with the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP).

You’ll walk away with an honest, unfiltered look at what it really takes to open and run a food business in Northern Virginia, straight from Scott Shaw and Avez B., two operators who’ve built that success firsthand. Whether you’re actively planning a launch or simply exploring the idea, this session is designed to give you real clarity before you make any major commitments.

📅 July 29 · ⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 1940 Duke Street, 1st Floor, Alexandria, VA

Free and open to everyone. Seats are limited and filling up.
👉 Register today.
Link in bio.

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Fairfax, VA

Website

https://movechamber.org/

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