Mystics Receive Emerging Business of the Year Award

WASHINGTON – June 15th, 2009 – The DC Chamber of Commerce announces its 2009 Chamber Choice Awardees. The evening’s top honors will be received by the Williard InterContinental Hotel for 2009 Business of the Year, and James Bennett, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, for 2009 Business Leader of the Year.

Two of the Nation’s capital sports teams will receive awards. The Washington Capitals will receive the 2009 Economic Impact award and the Washington Mystics will receive the 2009 Emerging Business of Year award. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will receive the 2009 Chamber’s Choice award and Dr. Dorothy Height, Chair of the National Conference of Negro Women, will receive the 2009 Chair’s award.

"All of our awardees truly reflect the mission of the DC Chamber of Commerce. They are all committed to success, have made tremendous contributions to fabric of the City, and are successfully bearing up in this tough economic climate" said Barbara B. Lang, President and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce. "And I encourage anyone and any organization to join us on October 17th to honor these businesses and individuals," added Lang.

"Dorothy Height is, quite simply, an icon, who cannot be honored enough for her work on behalf of women, children and people of color. Her impact as an advisor to presidents changed the educational environment for African American children because it helped to change the rule of law in the United States," said Alex Orfinger, Publisher of the Washington Business Journal and current Chair of the DC Chamber of Commerce. "I can’t imagine what the world would look like without her contributions, and I wouldn’t want to," added Orfinger.

The 2009 Chamber’s Choice Award gala will be held on Saturday, October 17th at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at dcchamber.org.

ABOUT THE D.C. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The DC Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to improving the climate of business in the District of Columbia. With more than 2,000 members, our member organizations range from small, start-up companies, to large, multi-million dollar corporations. The DC Chamber’s growth stems from its successful lobbying efforts on behalf of its members’, innovative educational programming, and informative e-mail alerts and e-newsletters. For more information about The DC Chamber of Commerce visit: www.dcchamber.org.