Chamber Corner

Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Advocacy
A public hearing for the amendments to CB 58 and CB 59, a 30-year plan for redeveloping downtown Columbia, were held on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Wednesday, Jan. 20. Thank you to the chamber members who took time from their busy schedules to testify on these bills and their amendments.
There was considerable support on both evenings from the chamber's Young Professionals Network (YPN), whose members spoke about the need to create a more vibrant Columbia, attracting new jobs, new workers, new residents and new revenues to the county.
Testifying were YPN President and Board member Jeremiah O'Donovan, Kristi Simon, Sarah McGee, Andy Carmer and David Yungman. They were supported by Wayne Johnson, Jack Gunther and Brian Kushner, who were also in attendance.
Other chamber members who testified include Lin Eagan, Jean Moon, Mark Thompson, Mark Cissell, Bill Erskine, Del Karfonta, Steve Sachs, Mike Davis, Jud Malone, Gordon Mumpower, Duane Carey, Caroline Sherman, Dave Bittner, Chip Lundy, Toby Orenstein and President and CEO Pam Klahr.
The 2010 General Assembly Session has begun in Annapolis. Hot topics for business include the budget, which Gov. O'Malley unveiled on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, the unemployment insurance tax, the prospect of combined reporting, the extension of the millionaire's tax and workplace fraud. For a list of bills, visit www.mlis.state.md.us.

Operation Thank You - Feb. 11
We love our members - and to prove it, we're planning our biannual visit to each and every one. It's not a sales pitch and no strings are attached; this event is created to show our members how much we appreciate them.
How do we visit nearly 750 members in one day? With the help of member volunteers, that's how. We're currently recruiting member volunteers to assist us on Feb. 11. If you can donate two hours-plus of your time, we want you. Visit www.howardchamber.com to register.
The day will kick off with a festive breakfast, followed by visits to member businesses and culminating in celebration. Surprises are planned throughout the day for all who participate. Julia Mattis of Homewood Suites and Len Busso of Cross County Builders are the event chairs.

Business After Business: Feb. 23
Break free from the winter doldrums when you attend the chamber's Business After Business event at The Gathering Place in Clarksville. This event has become a favorite, attracting more than 100 business professionals. Enjoy making new contacts, catching up with friends and savoring (or sipping) lite fare, provided by Putting On The Ritz.
The cost for members is $15; the cost for non-members is $30. To register, visit www.howardchamber.com or call 410-730-4111.

Lower Your Energy Costs - A Unique Benefit of Chamber Membership
It is not too late to join a residential or commercial energy co-op to enhance your purchasing power and significantly lower your winter heating and electric bill. The chamber offers this opportunity as a benefit to its member companies and their employees. Visit www.howardchamber.com to register for an seminar or online webinar.

YPN: Network and Mingle, March 3 For an evening of great energy, new business leads and fun, attend the YPN mixer on Wednesday, March 3, at Azul 17 in Columbia. Meet other young professionals at this event, which is continuing to grow in popularity. Cost for members is $15; the cost for others is $30. Register by going to www.howardchamber.com.

Cyber Conference: March 12
"Cyber" is today's buzzword. What is it all about? What impact will it have on your business? Find the answers to these questions and more at this half-day conference, featuring expert panelists from both the government and private sectors.
SAIC is the premier sponsor. To learn about other sponsorship opportunities and exhibit space, call Tim Harwood at 410-730-4111 or visit the chamber's web site.



West County Chamber
Tuesday Topics: Odenton Town Center
Wondering what's really happening with the Odenton Town Center and which projects will rise from the ground in time for the impending BRAC growth? Join the chamber as Bob Hannon, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp., shares the latest status on infrastructure development, negotiations with developers, updates to the master plan and planned development at our Feb. 23 Tuesday Topics breakfast. It will start at 8 a.m. at Kaufmann's.
Cost to attend is $20 for chamber members in advance, $25 for non-members and includes a full breakfast. Register at www.westcountychamber.org or call 410-672-3422. The event is sponsored by Metropolitan Management Co., Fortis Development and The Dolben Co.

Legislative Committee Brown Bag Lunches
The chamber's Legislative Committee will be meeting every Monday at noon at Reliable Contracting throughout the General Assembly Session to review bills, determine chamber positions and identify legislation needed to alert membership to or mobilize members to testify about.
All members are welcome. To get on the e-mail list to receive the list of bills for review in advance, contact Committee Chairman Tricia Baldwin at tbaldwin@reliablecontracting.com.

Small Business Council Seminar: Tune Up Your Business for 2010
The chamber's Small Business Council will offer its first seminar of 2010, "Tune Up Your Business for 2010," on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 8 a.m. at the Springhill Suites at Arundel Mills.
Adam Santavicca of CBay Advisory Group and Joshua Marshall of Marshall Financial Services will be discussing how to prepare your business for the challenges and the opportunities, of 2010. Topics covered will include projections for 2010, business planning and goal setting. The chamber's Business Advisory Board will also be introduced. Cost to attend is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members. RSVP online at www.westcountychamber.org or by calling 410-672-3422.

LifeStart Arundel
The chamber's third Annual LifeStart Arundel program, a day-long seminar providing workplace skills to high school students from Arundel, Meade and Old Mill high schools, will be held on Thursday, March 11, at Anne Arundel Community College's Arundel Mills Campus.
The program provides information about workplace behavior, communication and attire, as well as the importance of first impressions and basic financial literacy. Sponsors are needed to support the program, which is entirely business community-funded; volunteers are also needed to help check in students and distribute lunches.
Sponsorships range from $150 to $500. For more information, call Education Committee Chairman Dave Magayna at 410-672-5500 or chamber President Claire Louder at 410-672-3422.

Annual Golf Tournament at Fort Meade on May 21
The chamber is pleased to bring back an old tradition - the annual golf tournament at Fort Meade - on Friday, May 21, at the Fort Meade Golf Course.
In addition to playing 18 holes with a foursome of your choice, participants also have the opportunity to get a closer look at the construction of the new Defense Information Systems Agency headquarters that is rising adjacent to the golf course. Sponsorship opportunities will be available soon. Call 410-672-3422 to make reservations early.

Meet Your Elected Officials
Members of the West Anne Arundel and Northern Anne Arundel County chambers will hold "An Evening With Your Elected Officials" on Monday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Annapolis at the House Office Building, Room 170.
This is an opportunity to network with your delegates and senators and discuss issues of importance to your business. Light food, soda, wine and beer will be served. Those who wish to visit the General Assembly session at 8 p.m. will be recognized.
Cost to attend is $20 for members, $40 for non-members (pre-registration only). Deadline for registration is Feb. 19. Register at www.westcountychamber.org or by calling 410-672-3422. Special thanks to sponsors A.J. Properties, Christopher Consultants, Constellation Energy, Popham State Farm Agency and Sandy Spring Bank.


BWCC
Taylor Mason to Headline 53rd Annual Gala, HCC to Receive Award of Excellence
Taylor Mason, who received the "Illini Champion" award and varsity letters from the University of Illinois, and was later chosen as the grand-prize winner on "Star Search" (earning $100,000 and notoriety in the comedy world in the process), will be the headliner at the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) and BWCC Foundation's 53rd Annual Gala.
The event will be held on Feb. 27 at the BWI Marriott and also will feature the presentation of the foundation's Award of Excellence to Howard Community College (HCC).
Mason was working part-time as a waiter when he was "discovered" by Arnie Morton, the famed restaurateur of Morton's of Chicago, where Mason was offered the job of playing the see-through glass piano. Mason was later hired as a musical director for The Second City Touring Co. before going on to The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he earned a master's degree in advertising.
While in grad school, he continued to work in comedy clubs in Chicago, which eventually morphed into the emcee position at Catch a Rising Star in New York. Mason later began a career playing college campuses, where he performed at more than 1,500 colleges and won two "Family Entertainer of the Year" Awards. Still later came television appearances on such popular shows as "Evening at the Improv," "Comic Strip Live," "Caroline's Comedy Hour" and the "MTV Half-Hour Comedy Hour."
A gifted ventriloquist, Mason has a stable of characters that he brings to life on stage with audience participation. Characters include Paco the Pig, Sumo Wrestler, Romeo, Juliette and his latest addition, the President Obama puppet. He also just finished writing The Dummy's Complete Guide to Ventriloquism, which is due to publish in mid-2010.
Dr. Kate Hetherington, president of HCC, will receive (on behalf of the college) the BWCC Foundation's Award of Excellence, given each year to an institution, organization or agency that has exhibited outstanding and innovative leadership, as well as commitment to educational endeavors in the region.
HCC follows the National Security Agency, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Maryland and others in receiving the award. In 2009, HCC was selected by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a Great Place to Work For and was also selected for the 2009 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Corporation for National and Community Service (which it also received 2008 and 2007).
The 2009 Digital Community Colleges Survey ranked HCC fifth nationwide as a Center for Digital Education. HCC also received the 2007 U.S. Senate Productivity Award (highest Maryland Quality Award), given by Maryland's U.S. senators and the University of Maryland. HCC infuses about $401.5 million annually into the local community.
The evening features a reception, dinner, entertainment, a silent and live auction and a dessert buffet. Be a sponsor, donate a silent auction item, put a table of 10 together and make a difference in our regional community by supporting this signature event and helping provide scholarships for area high school students. Black tie optional.
Tickets are $100 each or $950 for a table of 10. Sponsorship packages are available. Contact Arlinda Andrews at the BWCC office at 301-725-4000 or 410-792-9714 or arlinda.andrews@bwcc.org for information.