Business calendar for the week of May 13

MAY 14

TUESDAY

Coffee Connection, 8-9 a.m., Holiday Inn, 980 Omni Blvd., Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting a networking event. $0-$10. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com.

Impact Peninsula, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Holiday Inn, 980 Omni Blvd., Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting former Gov. George Allen. $45. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com.

MAY 15

WEDNESDAY

Deadline for University of Virginia Darden School Foundation’s Commonwealth Fellowships applications. The foundation, which supports the Darden School of Business, is seeking applications for scholarships valued at $43,350 for its renowned The Executive Program for nonprofit leaders for the 2024-25 session. For more info, visit connect.darden.virginia.edu/ee-tep-fellowship.

MAY 16

THURSDAY

Founders’ Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center, 4535 Commerce St. Civic Leadership Institute is celebrating 25 years and continues to thrive. The luncheon celebrates Civic’s founders, alumni and their contributions to Hampton Roads. Civic’s alumni network is comprised of more than 1,000 executive-level business and community leaders. $75. Register at civichr.org/events/founders-luncheon/.

2nd Annual Dine For The Mind and Wellness Fair, various times and locations. The Chaos Foundation is hosting a fundraiser for Mental Health Month to raise awareness, decrease stigma and to raise money to help connect individuals and families to critical mental health resources and services in the region. Participating restaurants include Chelsea Bakehouse/Elation Brewing, Coach House Bar & Grill, Dirty Buffalo, Starving Artist Cafe and Water’s Edge Winery & Bistro. A wellness vendor fair will be held 4-6 p.m. in front of Elation Brewing featuring community health partners and advocates providing a sampling of wellness services, products and activities.

City of Norfolk Biz Cafe, 4-6 p.m., Be A Juice Bar, 3016 E. Princess Anne Road, Norfolk. The city is hosting an event in Broad Creek to connect business owners with tools and resources and develop relationships. Free. RSVP on Eventbrite.com.

CREW 20th Anniversary Soiree, 4:30-7 p.m., The Harbor Club, 333 Waterside Drive, Suite 200, Norfolk. CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Coastal Virginia is hosting an anniversary party. $85-$100. Register at crew.eventsair.com/2024-coastal-virginia-soiree-may.

Chamber Business Social, 5:30-7:30 p.m., iFly, 2412 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach. The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting a networking event at iFly Virginia Beach Indoor Skydiving. Free. Register at hrchamber.com.

MAY 18

SATURDAY

40th Annual Spring Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18 and noon-5 p.m. May 19, Stockley Gardens Park, Ghent, Norfolk. Hope House Foundation is hosting a two-day festival showcasing 125 artists from across the U.S. and overseas. Proceeds support individuals with developmental disabilities. Live music. Free. StockleyGardens.com.

Peninsula SPCA Tailgate, 1-6 p.m., Mill Point Park, downtown Hampton. The Peninsula SPCA is hosting an outdoor event for animal lovers and their pets with music and drinks. The fundraiser will feature mixologists from six downtown Hampton restaurants who will compete for the best summer sipper. Includes dog talent contest and Small Dog Dash for smaller pups. Tailgate rentals cost $100. $5-$25 tickets. Buy tickets at peninsulaspca.org or one.bidpal.net/tailgate24.

MAY 19

SUNDAY

Avocargo’s Vegan Extravaganza, 1-6 p.m., Oozlefinch Beers and Blending, 81 Patch Road, Fort Monroe. Food truck Avocargo & Friends is hosting a culinary showcase for plant-based enthusiasts. Vegan chefs will show off their skills in live cooking demonstrations, tastings and interactive workshops. Explore a vibrant vegan marketplace. Speakers will share insights on health benefits, environmental impact and ethical aspects of veganism. Donations of fitness and wellness items accepted. Free.

MAY 21

TUESDAY

Suffolk State of the City, noon-2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center, 100 E. Constance Road, Suffolk. The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting Mayor Mike Duman, who will highlight key business development initiatives, provide strategic municipal progress updates, address challenges and opportunities and provide a glimpse into the future of Suffolk. Sold out. Hrchamber.com.

MAY 22

WEDNESDAY

7th Annual BizConnect Gives Back Nonprofit Showcase and Networking Event, 8-10 a.m., Harbor Club at Waterside District, 333 Waterside Drive, Norfolk. This annual event showcases 20 participating nonprofit organization and raises funds through sponsorship, silent auction and 50/50 cash raffle. All proceeds are divided among 20 local participating nonprofits. $25 for nonmembers. For more information: BizConnectHR.com.

Tidewater Association of Service Contractors Exchange Brief, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Old Dominion University, Darden Center, Multipurpose Room 1106, or virtual option. The Tidewater Association of Service Contractors is hosting a cybersecurity talk with Patrick O’Donnell of Kaufman & Canoles; Theresa Duvall, cybersecurity lecturer for ODU; Tracy Gregorio, president of G2 Ops; and Greg Tomchick, president of Valor Cybersecurity. Free. Register at https://tasc-tgic.org/event-5708432.

MAY 24

FRIDAY

Deadline for LEAD Peninsula civic and community immersion program. The Virginia Peninsula Chamber is accepting applications for a program that helps leaders become better connected to the community through behind-the-scenes perspectives, educational sessions, tours and candid conversations in a 10-month program. Apply at virginiapeninsulachamber.com/lead-peninsula/.

MAY 29

WEDNESDAY

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) Commissioning Reception, 4-7 p.m., Historic Cavalier Hotel, Crystal Ballroom, 4200 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach. The Hampton Roads chapter of the Navy League of the U.S. is hosting an event that will highlight the work completed on the aircraft carrier, shipbuilders, industry partners and Navy leadership. The event also honors President Kennedy’s birthday. Remarks will be given by Maryellen Baldwin, president and CEO of Navy League Hampton Roads; retired Navy Capt. Lou Schager, chairman of the NLHR board; and others. A 7-foot model of the carrier built entirely of Legos will be on display. Model builder James Beute will be in attendance. $35. Buy tickets on Eventbrite.com.

MAY 30

THURSDAY

Policies to Spur Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth in Hampton Roads, noon-1:30 p.m., The Priority Automotive Club at S.B. Ballard Stadium, 5115 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk. The Hampton Roads Chamber and Old Dominion University Strome College of Business are hosting a panel as part of their business series. Speakers include Virginia Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater; Chris Pilkerton, former Small Business Administration general counsel and acting administrator; Jolie Spiers, executive director of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center; Jennifer Vaziralli of Strome College of Business; and inventor Steve Waddell of Nasoni. $50-$80. Register at hrchamber.com.

JUNE 7

FRIDAY

2024 Economic Forecast, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Holiday Inn, 980 Omni Blvd., Newport News. The Virginia Peninsula Chamber and Old Dominion University are hosting an economic update and forecast with economists Bob McNab and Vinod Agarwal. $45. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com.

JUNE 8

SATURDAY

Jefferson Lab Open House, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., parking at Canon Virginia, 12000 Canon Blvd., Newport News. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is opening its doors to the public. Discover how scientists are visualizing the proton, watch new experimental detector systems come together and see how the lab is helping to build the world’s next high-powered particle collider for research. Explore the 180-acre campus and dozens of exhibits. Free. Jlab.org/openhouse.

JUNE 11

TUESDAY

June Member Meetup, 8-9:30 a.m., D-Bat Virginia Beach, 5258-A Fairfield Shopping Center. The Hampton Roads Chamber is hosting a networking event with coffee and continental breakfast. Free. Register at hrchamber.com.

Retail 360, 8-10 a.m., Manor House at Windsor Castle Park, 705 Cedar St., Smithfield. The Retail Alliance is hosting a unique format event covering the topics of security, financial management and cash flow and growing your customer base and the digital customer experience. Participants are divided into three groups, ensuring diverse perspectives and comprehensive discussions. Every 30 minutes, attendees will rotate tables, allowing for an enriching exchange of ideas and insights. Each table will be facilitated by a subject matter expert, guiding discussions on the designated topic for the evening. Free. Register at retailalliance.com.

JUNE 12

WEDNESDAY

Government Contracting 101, 9-10:30 a.m., 11850 Merchants Walk, Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting professor Willy Donaldson of Christopher Newport University. $0-$15. Register at bit.ly/2024-0612-Business-Series.

JUNE 13

THURSDAY

Girl, WHAT you gonna DO with your MONEY, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 11850 Merchants Walk, Suite 110, Newport News. The Peninsula Chamber is hosting Ti’Juana Gholson, founder of Inner Peace Coalition Inc., for its Pink Bag Lunch. $10-$15. Register at virginiapeninsulachamber.com.

JUNE 18

TUESDAY

Retail 360, 8-10 a.m., Cure Coffeehouse, 725 High St., Portsmouth. The Retail Alliance is hosting a unique format event covering the topics of security, financial management and cash flow and growing your customer base and the digital customer experience. where participants are divided into three groups, ensuring diverse perspectives and comprehensive discussions. Every 30 minutes, attendees will rotate tables, allowing for an enriching exchange of ideas and insights. Each table will be facilitated by a subject matter expert, guiding discussions on the designated topic for the evening. Our new event aims to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and solutions. Free. Register at retailalliance.com.

Please, send calendar items to inside.business@insidebiz.com.