History of the Greater Richmond Relocation Council

Our History

The Greater Richmond Relocation Council started in the early 1990’s as a series of informal meetings between several corporate relocation professionals to discuss issues and challenges, with the ultimate goal of forming a regional relocation council. However, in 1994, the group decided to separate.  Linda Owen, SCRP, GMS made the decision to keep the group together for the benefit of the education it provided to the relocation community in Richmond.  Linda partnered with two other members, and together they formed a planning committee that would soon become the first Board of Directors.

Our Mission

The original goal was to create a regional council that would present new ideas, support small companies, focus on education, give back to the community, and be a council that the group could be proud of. After several meeting, the group decided to open the membership to service partners and conduct meetings twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.  For convenience, these meeting are held for half a day. 

Next the group focused on the content of the meetings and developed a format that over the years would bring in national and local guest speakers, provide roundtable discussions and informational presentations, and eventually a nationally recognized scholarship program.

The Board of Directors and Committee Members (see Leadership page) focused on education, especially for local corporate members who were not members of Worldwide ERC or did not have the resources to attend Worldwide ERC conferences.  The group wanted to be an extension of Worldwide ERC and represent ERC at the highest level of professionalism.

How We’ve Grown

The By-Laws were formed, the membership grew, and meeting attendance was great.  GRRC selected several local charities for its charitable outreach in the community.  For many years, the Fall meeting has brought a Marine to the group to collect toys from members and guests for the Toys For Tots program. Donations have also gone to Hospitality House and the Ronald McDonald House in Richmond, and other organizations serving families in need.

In addition, GRRC contributes annually to the Worldwide ERC Foundation and Coalition.

In the spring of 2000, the Board established the GRRC scholarship program.  This program has continued every year since 2000 and has brought national attention to the group (see Scholarship page).  In honor of Linda Owen’s efforts on behalf of GRRC, one of the three scholarships awarded each year is named the Linda M. Owen Honorary Scholarship and is given to a local high school senior who experienced a corporate relocation during the critical high school years.

For 14 years, the Council has been diligent in delivering timely topics to its membership, remained involved in the community, provided growth opportunities and support to its members, and created a professional educational environment.

Looking back, if it were not for the initial group of dedicated and hard working relocation professionals who hung in there to get this Council up and running, GRRC would not be what it is today! Our continued growth and success are a direct result of the many dedicated members who actively contribute to the programs and events throughout the year.

Become a Member

GRRC membership is comprised of experts in all aspects of relocation.  Join GRRC for the most up-to-date industry information and business trends.  Click on “Apply now HERE”.