Release Date: Jun 15, 2022

National Landing Hosts Annual Meeting, Celebrating Innovation and Focusing On Inclusion

BID unveils first equity action plan, reflects on recent accomplishments and looks forward to an exciting future with speakers including Rep. Don Beyer, executives from Arlington County, Boeing, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, JBG SMITH and more

ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 15, 2022 – The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) today hosted their Annual Meeting, where over 100 community leaders, stakeholders, and business owners convened at The Bartlett in Arlington, VA. Speakers such as Representative Don Beyer, Arlington County officials and executives from Boeing, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus and JBG SMITH shared insights and perspectives related to this year’s theme, “Forward Together,” which celebrates both the progress made over the past year and the exciting work ahead in transforming Virginia’s largest walkable downtown into an even more vibrant, connected innovation and entertainment district – that is welcoming to all.

“Coming out of the past two years there is still work to be done and challenges that face many in our community, but we are also able to finally see the other side. If anything, this time has not only taught us how resilient a community we are but the incredible ability to work together to make a difference and build a better, more equitable and prosperous future,” said Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, President and Executive Director of the National Landing BID, who led today’s meeting. “As we continue to move forward and our area experiences significant change, it’s essential to us that the benefits of investment are felt by all who live, work and visit our community. That’s why the National Landing BID remains committed to being a responsible steward and partner in the neighborhood’s ongoing reinvention -- thoughtfully managing and shaping growth and community engagement to foster an inclusive community and enhanced livability for all residents.”

A portion of today’s meeting was dedicated to the BID’s unveiling of its first equity action plan, National Landing Equity Forward. The plan sets forth a roadmap of actionable steps for the BID, its businesses and the greater National Landing community to work together to build a more inclusive community. As demonstrated by the BID’s 2022 Market Impact Report, National Landing has the unique opportunity to develop an inclusive economic ecosystem as it experiences unprecedented investment from top industry leaders and stakeholders, including JBG SMITH, Boeing, Virginia Tech and Amazon. Working in tandem with these businesses and community stakeholders, the BID will seek to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion is at the forefront of its own work and business operations throughout the area.

“Diversity is and will remain an important factor in the health and vibrancy of communities like National Landing, and I’m proud to share details around the National Landing BID’s commitment to racial equity and building a more inclusive organization and community,” said Samia Byrd, Chief Race and Equity Officer, Deputy County Manager, Arlington County. “Over the next year and beyond, I look forward to working with many of the great leaders and stakeholders present at our Annual Meeting today to bring this plan to life with more programs, outreach and collaboration geared at making National Landing a place for all to thrive and succeed."

“It is so fun to get to see and be a part of incredible transformation and innovative growth in National Landing,” remarked United States Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) at National Landing’s Annual Meeting. “Amazon could have gone to a lot of places but they selected Northern Virginia, in part because we lead the country in producing tech and science talent and this innovation and diversity will only continue to grow in this area with the exciting announcements of not just Amazon but the recent announcement of Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus.”

Throughout today’s program, Gabriel spoke with stakeholders about the area’s many accomplishments over the past year and plans for the future related to economic growth, transportation systems, infrastructure, innovation and more. The meeting also featured a Q&A session with Naveed Husain, Boeing Defense and Space Chief Engineer and Vice President, and Lance Collins, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Vice President and Executive Director, about the talent cultivation, job growth and partnership opportunities they’re planning for in the years to come that strengthen the National Landing area as an innovation district.

“It is an honor to be partnered with Virginia Tech and National Landing for what we think is an incredibly exciting future for this region, Virginia Tech, the community, students and Boeing,” said Naveed Hussain, vice president and chief engineer for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS). “There are a host of different reasons that we decided to make substantial investment here, but most of all, Northern Virginia is regularly cited as being the most highly educated technical workforce in the country and at Boeing, we want to be a part of that. We’re grateful to be a part of this community, to learn from this community, and hopefully add to this community.”

For more information on NL Equity Forward, click here. For more information on the National Landing BID, visit nationallanding.org.

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About National Landing Business Improvement District

The National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established to promote and activate the area’s business, retail, restaurant and residential community through placemaking, public art, transportation, economic development, events, marketing and promotion. This dynamic, mixed-use urban center encompasses the vibrant Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard-Arlington neighborhoods, and includes more than 26,000 residents, nearly 12 million square feet of office space, approximately 5,900 hotel rooms and over 450 restaurants and shops. Already Virginia’s largest walkable downtown, National Landing is in the midst of an exciting transformation driven by billions of dollars in public and private investment that will deliver new and enhanced housing, offices, parks, transportation and infrastructure in the coming years. The National Landing BID is helping to steer this growth in ways that are sustainable and enhance the area’s diversity and livability. For more information, visit NationalLanding.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.