The Advance Arlington Board offers several opportunities for combined in-person and virtual hybrid programs throughout the year. See current and future program updates, as well as a video recording of our most recent program, below.

Viewers can also find recordings of all of our previous events at our "Past Programs" tab as well.

Save the Date

February 11, 2026 

More information coming soon!

Did You miss our January program?

Right to Work: What It Means for Workers, Businesses and Our Economy 

As the the labor landscape in Virginia heats up ahead of the upcoming General Assembly session, our expert panel tackled potential changes to the Commonwealth's Right to Work law in a dynamic exchange of ideas and Q&A. 

Dr. Terry Clower, Northern Virginia Chair and professor of Public Policy at GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government, opened by setting the economic and historical context for Virginia’s right-to-work law. He described NOVA's economy as facing significant challenges, including job losses in federal and professional services, slower regional growth, and continued reliance on federal spending and data center development. Dr. Clower reviewed the origins and definitions of right-to-work, distinguishing it from at-will employment, and emphasized that the issue is often framed as a matter of long-term economic competitiveness.

The panel featured John S. Earle, Distinguished Professor and labor economist at GMU; Tony Howard, President and CEO of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce; and Don Slaiman, Political Coordinator for IBEW Local 26. Howard argued that right-to-work is a critical competitive advantage for Virginia, particularly against southeastern states, and warned that repeal could gradually reduce investment, job growth, and wage growth. 

Slaiman countered that right-to-work weakens unions, suppresses wages, and deprives workers of due process and a meaningful voice on the job, while also eroding broader community and economic stability. Earle, speaking from an academic perspective, emphasized that research on right-to-work is mixed: while it clearly reduces union membership and may affect wages and workplace safety, strong causal evidence tying it to investment decisions or unemployment rates is limited, and any impacts would likely unfold slowly and unevenly.

Panelists broadly agreed that larger structural forces may ultimately matter more than right-to-work policy alone. In particular, advances in AI, automation, and new industrial models are likely to have a far greater long-term impact on jobs, wages, and the labor force than changes to right-to-work laws, underscoring the need for policymakers, businesses, and workers to focus on preparing for these transformative shifts.

We thank our fantastic panel for this excellent program and all who attended in person and via Zoom. We also thank Board members John Musso and Doug Taylor for leading this timely and informative program.

🎥 Watch the full program below to revisit this timely and thought-provoking conversation.

Your membership fuels inclusive, engaging discussions on the issues that matter most in Arlington. With four accessible membership levels, you’ll enjoy full access to programs, exclusive benefits, and opportunities to connect with neighbors shaping our community’s future. Join us and the conversation! 

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Welcome New Board Members!

We are thrilled to introduce our new Board officers and five stellar new Board members for the 2025-26 program year. 

Thank You Outgoing Board Members!

We extend our deepest thanks to the departing board members who have served and provided our organization with such dedication and invaluable leadership.