events September 2, 2009

Member News & Events

Virginia Energy Citizens Rally For Jobs & Affordable Energy

Thursday, September 3, 11:30am–1:00pm

Cast your vote by attending!  For all the information, click here.

www.EnergyCitizens.org

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Get it organized now and participate in the Anthem Quest for the Cure!

Involve your employees and/or friends and family in an event that raises money for pediatric cancer research.  For $500, up to 8 people can participate in the Anthem Quest for the Cure.  It's a Ravenchase treasure hunt that starts and ends at the Virginia Historical Society. You'll use clues and gadgets in an Amazing Race-type adventure.

The event is on Saturday, September 26 from 1-3:30.  Your registration will get you recognition at the event, at www.connorsheroes.org, listing in a print ad, and many other great benefits!  Click here for more information and register your team here.

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Vote for "Virginia is for Lovers"

Cast your vote by Sept. 18

Advertising Week has just announced that the Virginia is for Lovers slogan is a  nominee for the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. We need you and all of your contacts to vote so that we win this competition.  To vote for the Virginia is for Lovers slogan, go to www.advertisingweek.com/wof, click on the Slogan section, click Virginia is for Lovers and the hit the Vote button. Cast votes by Sept. 18.

The winners will be inducted into the Walk of Fame during Advertising Week (September 21-25) and will gain a permanent position on the advertising industry's version of Hollywood and Vine -- Madison Avenue.  Recognition like this goes a long way in our work to bring more visitors to Virginia and support the state's $19 billion tourism industry.  Please send this message to all of your Virginia friends, outlook contacts, post on your FaceBook page and tweet on your Twitter account if you have one. Share the love and vote for Virginia is for Lovers!

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Register Now! Grow Smart Biz Conference

September 29, Washington, DC

Looking to grow your small business? Don't miss the first-ever GrowSmartBiz Conference!

Who: Small business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring CEOs

What: GrowSmartBiz Conference (www.tinyurl.com/gsbiz) is a one-day event featuring renowned small business leaders and well-known industry experts – including keynote speaker Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine and author of The Long Tail and Free – designed to provide resources for small business owners to use to overcome industry challenges.

When: September 29, 2009 | 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Where:  Renaissance Hotel, 999 Ninth Street NW,, Washington, DC 20001

Attendees will leave the conference with:

• Insights into best practices of successful small businesses      
•  Proven strategies for business growth despite the current economy    
•  Executable, cost-effective ways to market and promote your businesses 
•  Knowledge of what banks believe is the key to securing small business financing 
•  Actionable ideas for integrating and leveraging social media into existing marketing and communications efforts

Now Only $99 for Retail Merchants Association members! Just enter code RMAGrowBiz!

Learn More> Check out registration site to see what you’ll receive FREE with attendance!

Featuring opening keynote:

Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired Magazine
With his New York Times bestseller The Long Tail, Chris Anderson named the rise of the niche market as a powerful new force in our economy. He is one of the most knowledgeable, insightful and articulate voices at the center of the new economy.  Now, Chris has published Free: The Past and Future of a Radical Price, originally as an article in Wired magazine, and as a book that has generated incredible interest, buzz and debate.  Learn from Chris the future of business and how to thrive through freeconomics—what business models look like when free has emerged as a full-fledge economy.

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30 Smart Marketing Things You Can Do for Under $500

October 14 from 8:30–10:00am at Retail Merchants Association

Marketing that gets results doesn't require tons of money – just a bit of clear thinking. Here are 30 inexpensive ideas familiar to most marketers, but not most business owners, that you can put into effect to build the traffic that builds sales and profits.

As a copywriter and creative director in New York, Miami and Richmond, speaker Bruce Goldman has won over 400 international, national and regional advertising awards. He's taught advertising at the School of Visual Arts in New York and at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Mass Communication. In 2003, he co-authored the book, Lean Advertising, and he chairs the Richmond SCORE chapter's marketing and communications committee.  Members, $44; non-members, $54.

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Richmond Animal League needs Auction items

To the Retail Merchants Association Community,

Since 1979, Richmond Animal League (RAL) has been finding homes for homeless dogs and cats in the Richmond area.  RAL provides complete medical care including vaccinations, sterilization, microchips, treatment for illnesses and lots of TLC to instill trust and confidence so the animals can become beloved family pets. RAL provides temporary shelter and complete care until permanent, loving homes can be located.

In 2009, events including the Best In Show Grand Finale on Friday, November 13th will support our good works.  Community leaders, friends, families and other supporters will enjoy a wonderful evening with the opportunity to participate in live and silent auctions - all to benefit RAL.  We hope to raise over $80,000 from this evening.

We invite you to use this spectacular event to make a difference.  In order to raise the much needed funds to care for our 800+ animals every year, we are asking that you please donate an item to be included in our 2009 auction. Auction Commitment form can be found on the RAL website http://www.ral.org/bestinshow/. 

RAL is a non-profit organization and our tax identification number is 51-0240493.  If you would like additional information, please call 804-379-0046 ext. 12.  Thank you for your consideration.  On behalf of the Richmond Animal League Board of Directors and Staff, we thank you for your support of our animals. —Susan Kelly, Director of Development, Susan@ral.org           

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Crime Solvers & Crime Stoppers Celebrate 25th Anniversary

October 25th

Twenty-five years ago two volunteer organizations were formed to fight crime in central Virginia: Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers and Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers.  On October 15th these two organizations will jointly celebrate their 25th Anniversary with a festive dinner event at the Omni Hotel featuring keynote speaker James Comey, formerly Deputy Attorney General, and music from The Choir, made up of law enforcement personnel and nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Susan Greenbaum.  This 6 – 9PM event is open to the public, tickets may be purchased for $50.  For more information contact Tim Barnett at tim@shopbarnetts.com or call 740-9773.

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Five Facts about the Home Office Deduction

With technology making it easier than ever for people to operate a business out of their house, many taxpayers, entrepreneurs and small business people may be able to take a home office deduction when filing their 2009 federal tax return next year.

Here are five important things the IRS wants you to know about claiming the home office deduction.

1. Generally, in order to claim a business deduction for your home, you must use part of your home exclusively and regularly:

• As your principal place of business, or
• As a place to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers in the normal course of your business, or
• In the case of a separate structure which is not attached to your home, it must be used in connection with your trade or business
• For certain storage use, rental use or daycare-facility use, you are required to use the property regularly but not exclusively.

2. Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home that you used for business. Your deduction for certain expenses will be limited if your gross income from your business is less than your total business expenses.

3. There are special rules for qualified daycare providers and for persons storing business inventory or product samples

4. If you are self-employed, use Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home, to figure your home office deduction. Report the deduction on line 30 of Schedule C, Form 1040.

5. Different rules apply to claiming the home office deduction if you are an employee. For example, the regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer.

For more information see IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home, available on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

To get the timeliest IRS information, news and products and services, subscribe to e-News at IRS.gov—click “Subscribe Now” at the bottom of the page and enter your e-mail address.