Small World, Small Boat
As loyal readers of the Weekly Report, you likely read last Friday’s edition where I recently described the process of buying a boat. Right after writing last week’s report, I realized two things: It’s a small world and I have a small boat. Moments after I got the keys to my Ranger Tug 31-S, which I’ve renamed Tug Life, I heard someone say, “Dave, Dave!” I turned around and saw Charlie O’Connell standing on the dock with several members of his Virginia Council of CEOs Roundtable. Charlie is Principal at Punch — The Art of Impact, a creative agency specializing in product design and marketing services. I bought a boat to get away from it all but I keep running into people I know.
My daughter, Hattie, showed up a short time later from JMU and we set off on the inaugural voyage on the M.V. Tug Life. We only cruised around for an hour before heading back to the dock. Low and behold, a friend of mine, Cherie Tew and her husband Howard, were at the dock to help us tie off the boat. On the way back from dinner, we were stopped by a couple who asked me about the boat. After chatting with them for a minute, I discovered that they were from Lynchburg, Virginia, and have been lifelong fans of the Texas Inn.
I spent the next day polishing and learning how to park my new toy. Hattie and I made the 56-mile trip from Gloucester Point to Urbanna but the marina didn’t have any small slips, so they put us between two big yachts on a 46-foot slip. The boat beside me is a triple-decker, 50-plus foot monster, that is aptly named Fuels Rush In. In fact, the boats are so big that they block my line of sight WiFi. It’s a small world and I have a small boat and I am OK with that.
Monday, October 12 — Virginia Is For Whiskey Lovers
Our friends at A. Smith Bowman Distillery were recently featured in a wonderfully written Whiskey Reviewer article. I love the writing style of Douglas Fraser and we share favorites — including the Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon. Meanwhile, in Urbanna, it rained. But a rainy day on a boat is better than a sunny day at the office…unless you don’t have WiFi.
Tuesday, October 13 — Phone Down, It’s The Law
On Tuesday our newly designed microsite for DRIVE SMART Virginia went live. In case you haven’t heard, starting January 1, 2021 a new law called 46.2-818.2 goes into effect which makes it illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device while driving on Virginia highways. So DRIVE SMART Virginia has been spreading the word with their Phone Down campaign. Check out the site and tell me what you think, but please, whatever you do, do not look at the site on your mobile device while driving.
Wednesday, October 14 — Hooray, Team Allikent!
On Wednesday, Account Manager Allison Nida and Communications Director Kent Brockwell headed down to Lucy Corr for a strategy meeting with their marketing committee. Over the years, we’ve done a lot of great work for the Chesterfield-based continuing care retirement community and we’ve got some great new ideas that you’ll see soon. After the meeting, Team Allikent (it’s not quite Bennifer, but…) continued their strategy session downtown over lunch at Perly’s.
I had a very productive meeting with my Roundtable of The Virginia Council of CEOs. I also learned at the meeting that The Doorways will be the beneficiary of the 15th Annual Gilbane Restaurant Walk — one of the few events happening this fall. Tickets are only $35 and you get to meet me and some of the Madison+Main-iacs there.
Thursday, October 15 — What A Smart Idea!
Globalvia, parent company of our client Pocahontas Parkway, launched their new smartphone app called Slora. The Madison+Main-iacs have been working hard on developing the brand and helping launch the app. You can download Slora in the App Store or download Slora on Google Play and pay your tolls with a smartphone, anywhere in Virginia. To me, that’s smarter than a Smart Tag. And they got some good press announcing the launch.
Friday, October 16 — Boss’s Day
This morning I was pleasantly surprised that it was Boss’s Day, but it was not a surprise to my crew. The Madison+Main-iacs gave me a gift card to West Marine which I will be using almost instantly to buy something for this bucket of bolts.
The “Save lives, get COVIDWISE” campaign that we’ve been working on for VDH continues to make huge progress. As of last night, we hit almost two-thirds of a million downloads (660,587). This means that 15.5% of Virginians with smartphones have downloaded the Exposure Notifications app. If you haven’t downloaded the free app yet, click here. And if your business or organization would like to help us spread the word — and not the virus — click here.
A Few of Our Favorite Events
4308 Hermitage Road | Richmond, VA
October 24, 2020 | TBD
Our good friend, Bobby Kelland from Aflac, is gearing up for his second non-profit bike ride this year on behalf of Andrea Starr and the Forward Foundation. This time, it’s a 50-mile ride from Bryan Park to Ashland and back. The ride will raise money to support single mothers and provide them financial assistance for quality childcare, as well as educational workshops. Donate today online or text “Donate” and the amount to 804-352-2820 (ex: Donate $5) to help him reach his $15,000 goal by October 24.
VAEEC & Virginia Energy Sense Chat
Virtually join in on Twitter
October 28, 2020 | 1-2 p.m.
Hop onto Twitter on Wednesday, October 28 to see a live chat between the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council and Virginia Energy Sense. Log on to get energy-saving tips, learn about available incentives, and get recommendations from energy-efficiency experts. Click here to follow VAEEC on Twitter and click here to follow Virginia Energy Sense on Twitter.
Master Distiller’s Dinner at A. Smith Bowman Distillery
1 Bowman Drive | Fredericksburg, VA
November 14, 2020 | 6-9 p.m.
A. Smith Bowman Distillery and Earth Apple LLC have partnered to bring you a unique bourbon experience! Master Distiller Brian Prewitt will start the evening off with a guided tasting of rare Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskies, accompanied by delectable small bites specially selected by Chef Jessica Wilkins. Following the tasting, Chef Jessica will treat guests to a 3-course dinner served with carefully crafted bourbon cocktails. Tickets will cost $125 per person and go on sale October 14 at 10 a.m. via Eventbrite.
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“It’s a small world, but we all run in big circles.“
— Sasha Azevedo (Actress)