Metro Business calendar

CAREERS WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14

Greater Richmond Career Network holds an event for business and engineering professionals affected by area layoffs, 7:30 a.m., Virginia Commonwealth University campus. Moderators: Collins Denny, practice manager with Leading Edge Systems; and Deborah Gallant, account manager with Convergent Technology Group. Speaker: Rick Whittington, Web consultant and president of Rick Whittington Consulting. Advanced registration is required. Registration: (804) 253-1376 or .

Professional Women in Healthcare, 5:45 p.m., Ruth's Chris Steak House, 11500 W. Huguenot Road. Speaker: Carol Colby, fine wine specialist. Topic: "Navigating Your Way Through a Wine Menu." Cost: $55 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: Ruth's Chris, (804) 378-0600 by Jan. 12. Details: Stephanie O'Neill, (804) 200-7300, ext. 6237.

Willis HRH Employee Benefits Division presents "Benefits Administration 101," 9 a.m., 4951 Lake Brook Drive. Details/Registration: Melissa Hoar, (804) 967-2068 or

American Marketing Association Richmond Chapter, 11:30 a.m., University of Richmond's Jepson Alumni Center. Speaker: Robert S. Kelley, president or Pure Culture Consulting. Topic: "Building and Sustaining an Emotional Connection with Your Customers." Cost: $25 for members, $40 for nonmembers and $20 for students. Registration: amarichmond.org. The deadline to register is Jan. 16. Details: Peter Kaufman,

Greater Richmond Chamber hosts a "Breakfast Break," 7:30 a.m., Bankuet Place, 1129 Hull St. Details: Chris Bennett, (804) 783-9330 or email: .

Dancing Elephants presents "How to Grow Your Business During a Recession: Five Strategies for Surviving and Thriving in a Turbulent Economy," 8:30 a.m., Dancing Elephants Training Center, 2100-B Maywill St. Speaker: Mark Deutsch, executive director of Business Network International-Central Virginia. Cost: $47. Details: (866) 670-5689 or

Business Networking International, 11:30 a.m. Details/location: Erin Barton, (804) 398-8694 or e-mail:

Greater Richmond Chamber offers "inVision Richmond," 7:15 a.m., Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Ave. Speakers: Joe Masher with Bow Tie Cinemas, Alex Nyerges with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Paul Kreckman with Highwoods Properties. Topic: "The Changing Face of Richmond: the Boulevard." Cost: $12 for members and nonmembers in advance and $17 for members and nonmembers at the door. Details: Chris Bennett, (804) 783-9330 or email: .

"Social Networking Best Practices for Personal and Professional Success," hosted by the National Speakers Association, 8:15 a.m., Westwood Club, 6200 West Club Lane. Registration: http://www.nsavirginia.org.

Greater Richmond Chamber offers "Business Plan Hanover," 11:30 a.m., Hanover Department of Economic Development, 9097 Atlee Station Road. Cost: $20 for members and nonmembers. Details: Jackie Carter, (804) 783-9314 or e-mail:

Greater Richmond Chamber offers "Starting a Business Chesterfield," 11:30 a.m., Chesterfield Economic Development, 9401 Courthouse Road. Cost: $20 for members and nonmembers. Details: Jackie Carter, (804) 783-9314 or e-mail:

Greater Richmond Chamber offers "Starting a Business GRCC," 11:30 a.m., the Chamber, 600 E. Main St., seventh floor. Cost: $20 for members and nonmembers. Details: Jackie Carter, (804) 783-9314 or e-mail: .

World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond, Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 S. 12th St. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the presentation starts at 5:45. Speaker: John A. Allison IV, chairman and CEO of BB&T. Topic: "The Global Financial Crisis: Causes and Cures." Details: (804) 644-0083.

International Facility Management Association, Richmond Chapter, 5:30 p.m., Reynolds Crossing, 6641 W. Broad St., for a networking social followed by a presentation on "Attraction and Retention: Making the Workplace a Magnet," by Tracy Brower of Herman Miller. Cost: $10 for members, $25 for guests. RSVP: Barbe Shaffer, (804) 343-1010.