HGBA, Where Business Meets Community. by Jerole Nelson

From the Bull Run Mountain to Lee Highway and beyond, the HGBA (Haymarket Gainesville Business Association) is a key gathering place for area association meeting goers. We are fortunate to be living and working in a region offering something of interest to everybody. Our mix of businesses range from successful at-home entrepreneurs to multi-million dollar enterprises, from cupcakes to fitness, from clowns to banks; we have all this along with a rich history dating back to the 1700s.

Our members enjoy a myriad of free-time options and the workforce can brag about a gain of more than 270,000 jobs in the Washington area since 2000 — the 2nd greatest number of any metropolitan region in the country, according to the 2010 Greater Washington Initiatives Regional Report. In 2007, the decades-old HGBA reorganized to meet the ever-changing needs of residents and business due to growth and the astonishing potential of the area. HGBA rebranded, got up to speed with current technology and tripled its’ membership. We offer a forum for information sharing and contribute to community projects that positively impact businesses and residents.

HGBA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit all volunteer organization. We make that work for the membership through our board leadership and members that generously donate their time. There are no monthly meeting costs, HGBA charges one very low annual fee based on the company size and type.

We get around - HGBA changes the monthly meeting venues and caterers every month. In a recent member survey, over 70% respondents found tours of new and innovative business valuable second only to networking. Members say that learning about new business ranked number one as the most rewarding benefit of HGBA. We are not an “Island Association.” We also expand our reach by coordinating joint events with The Prince William Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.

Our members also enjoy getting the news first. Through our newsletters, and monthly speaker series, members stay informed. Topics include how to grow your business, networking, workshops, non-profit community activities, the political landscape, local development and more. This past year we have been honored to have Congressman Connolly, Supervisor Stirrup, and Delegate Jackson in addition to local business and community leaders. Several of our board members are graduates of Leadership Prince William, most are company owners and all are involved with at least two business organizations or community groups.

When you become an HGBA member, you join business owners from a wide variety of disciplines in one strong, committed voice. We meet every third Tuesday of the month from 4-6 pm. Alterations to this schedule will be in our newsletter and posted to the calendar at HGBA.biz. From the new meeting venues each month to expert speakers, with HGBA you will get noticed and stay informed. The HGBA is the fastest growing professional association in the area. Whether you are grooming the area pooches or grooming tomorrow’s leaders, we want to hear your story. Join us, and we’ll help you go places. Find out more at HGBA.biz.

The HGBA is the fastest growing professional association in the area; we want to hear your story. From the new meeting venues each month to expert speakers, with HGBA you will get noticed and keep you informed. Join us, and we’ll help you go places. HGBA is a 501 (c) (6) non-profit all volunteer organization. Find out more at HGBA.biz.