What it is
The Greater Washington Board of Trade is a non-partisan business organization founded in 1889 by a group of professionals who wanted the nation's capital to be a strong place to live and do business. It represents industry, nonprofits, universities and government agencies across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. Its stated focus is inclusive economic growth, a better business climate and the region's economic competitiveness. It describes its roles as a policy voice for business at the city, regional, state and federal levels, a convener and coalition builder on issues such as transportation, talent and the business environment, and a platform for networking and regional insight.
What it offers founders
For a startup, the main value is access. Members include large corporations, startups, universities, nonprofits and government agencies, so its events put founders in the same rooms as regional executives and elected and appointed officials. Signature events include the Annual Meeting, a tradition dating to 1889, the Fall Business Classic networking event, and the black-tie Mid-Winter Dinner, which draws more than 600 business, government and civil society leaders. Smaller formats include Salon Events, the TD Bank Morning Star Series of speakers and workshops, and Policy Convenings where elected leaders discuss regional policy with the business community. Public forums include the Capital Region Business Forum and the Capital Region Transportation Forum. Members can also join executive engagement work on economic sustainability, talent, transportation, technology and health, and use the member directory.
Who it is for
The Board of Trade is built for established organizations and their executives, but membership is open to businesses and organizations of any type in the three-jurisdiction region, including startups. It fits founders whose customers, partners or regulators are regional institutions: utilities, banks, hospitals, universities, developers and local governments. It is less focused on early-stage startup support such as funding, mentoring or accelerator programs.
Membership and pricing
Membership tiers and prices are not published. The Join page asks interested organizations to contact the SVP of Engagement to find a fitting option, and new members are accepted on a rolling basis. The membership page outlines benefits, and current programs are listed under Featured Programs and Events. Some forums are open to the public, so attending one before joining is a practical way to judge fit.
Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem
The Board of Trade is one of the few business groups that works across all three DMV jurisdictions at once, and it has been convening regional business and government leaders for more than 135 years. It also runs content series such as WTOP Regional Business Insights and Math That Works, a series with WTOP and the Collaborative for Student Success on math education and the regional talent pipeline. For founders selling into or partnering with the region's large employers and public institutions, it is a direct route to that network.
