Chamber Corner

Howard County Chamber
Cyber: From the Eyes of the Experts - March 12, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This half-day conference will bring together Maryland's best to solve the nation's most critical cyber security problems. Panelists will include experts from government, industry and academia who are working together to strengthen our nation's cyber position and make Howard County the epicenter of cyber security.
This conference will focus on the strategies essential to the success of your organization. The keynote speaker will be Sen. Barbara Mikulski and SAIC is the premier sponsor. To learn about other sponsorship opportunities and exhibit space, call the chamber at 410-730-4111. For additional information or to register, visit www.howardchamber.com.

Advocacy
Throughout the year, the chamber's Legislative Committee meets each month to review legislation before the Howard County Council. While the Maryland General Assembly is in session, the committee meets weekly to review state legislation, determine position and recommend action. For more information, contact Lee Wildemann at lwildemann@howardchamber.com.

Operation Thank You -
Rescheduled for March 18
February's snowstorms forced us to reschedule Operation Thank You until Thursday, March 18. With this change, we seek additional volunteers to assist with visits to each and every chamber member business.
If you or anyone within your organization can volunteer a couple of hours on March 18, sign up by visiting www.howardchamber.com and clicking on Operation Thank You in the Calendar of Events.

Passport to the Future - March 19
On March 19, more than 150 local high school students will need our help. They will be participating in practice job interviews as part of the Howard County School System's Workforce Development Program, Passport to the Future. The chamber has partnered with this program since its inception.
Students must go through an interview with a member of the business community before they can graduate from the Career Research & Development Program. Volunteers are needed to conduct the interviews, which will take place from 8 a.m to noon on March 19 at Howard Community College (HCC).
If you are able to volunteer, visit http://crd.hcpss.wikispaces.net or e-mail Stephanie Discepolo at sdiscepolo@hcpss.org. This day will be great for the students. Not only will they go through their interviews, but they will also attend a seminar on how to get the most out of the HCC job fair that is scheduled for later that same day.

'America: On the Brink' - March 24
"America: On the Brink" is the topic of the Chamber's March Membership luncheon, which will be held in The Great Room at Savage Mill. The keynote speaker has more than 30 years of executive level experience in the public and private sectors. Previously a presidential appointee to three U.S. Presidents and CEO of a Fortune 100 company, he is frequently sought after as a speaker and as an adviser.
Currently chairman and CEO of JPB Enterprises, Inc., J.P. Bolduc will provide insight into government policy-making and its impact on business. Appointed to the Grace Commission from 1982-85 by former President Ronald Reagan, Bolduc has first-hand knowledge of his subject matter. As Chief Operating Officer to the Commission, he led 161 prominent business leaders in a study to identify managerial and operational cost savings, as well as revenue enhancement initiatives, in federal government operations.
"The findings of the Grace Commission are still applicable," said Bolduc. "We have many of the same problems today; they are just exacerbated."
"America: On the Brink" - Will it fall or regain its power? What would happen if China called in our debt today? What can the business community do to help direct its own future?
Networking and registration will begin at 11 a.m., with the luncheon set for noon. Cost for members is $45 in advance and $55 at the door. The cost for all others is $60. Visit www.howardchamber.com to register.


West County Chamber
LifeStart Arundel
The chamber's 3rd 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. This 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 $350. For more information, call Education Committee Chairman Dave Magayna at 410-672-5500 or chamber President Claire Louder at 410-672-3422.

Maximize Your Membership: New and Prospective Member Orientation
The next Maximize Your Membership: New and Prospective Member Orientation will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 9 a.m. at La-Z-Boy Galleries, 408 George Clauss Boulevard in Severn. Not just for new members, this event provides an orientation to chamber activities and advocacy, a chance to meet committee chairmen and board members, and great networking opportunities.
Continental breakfast will be provided. There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP by calling 410-672-3422 or online at www.westcountychamber.org.

Tuesday Topics: Maryland's Medical Crisis and How It Impacts Your Business
Concerns about medical care are only for the uninsured, right? Not in Maryland, where the rising costs of doing business, combined with decreasing reimbursement rates, are driving many doctors from practicing in the state.
Join us on Tuesday, March 23, at 8 a.m. as Dr. Ron Sroka, past president of MedChi: The Maryland State Medical Society (and a long-time family practitioner in Crofton), explains what's happening to Maryland physicians and how it will affect your ability to access care in the future - even if you have "Cadillac" health insurance.
The event will be held at Kaufmann's Tavern in Gambrills. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., with the introductions and program beginning at 8:15 a.m. sharp. Cost to attend is $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register online at www.westcountychamber.org or call the chamber office at 410-672-3422. Can you sponsor the event? If so, e-mail clouder@westcountychamber.org.

Annual Meeting: BRAC Update With Bob Leib
It's once again time for the chamber's Annual Meeting. This year's breakfast will be held on Wednesday, April 7, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport with Guest Speaker Bob Leib, special assistant for BRAC and education to County Executive John Leopold. He will be updating the chamber on the latest news regarding BRAC relocations and construction (DISA's opening is closer than you think).
We also will be introducing the chamber's 2010 board of directors and committee chairmen, presenting our Annual Report and presenting special community recognition awards as well. Cost to attend is $25 for chamber members in advance and $30 for non-members. The event will be sponsored by Christopher Consultants Ltd. Make reservations online at www.westcountychamber.org or by calling 410-672-3422.

Save the Date - BRAC Open Golf Tournament at Fort Meade
It's been years - but it's once again time for a chamber golf tournament. In honor of the elephant in the room, we've named it the BRAC Open.
We've reserved the Fort Meade Golf Course (in the shadow of the DISA construction, of course) for Friday, May 21. It's a 9 a.m. shotgun start, preceded by a putting contest where you can try your skills against our "celebrity" putter, Col. Daniel Thomas, the installation commander
Flyers with the details are en route with opportunities to sponsor starting at only $100. For now, mark your calendars for May 21. For more information or to reserve early, call 410-672-3422 and ask for Brooke.

Welcome, New Members
Please welcome our newest members: AdviCoach; Baldwin Homes; BankAnnapolis; Blumenthal, Delavan & Williams; Christopher Consultants; Floormax; Historic Savage Mill; Home First Title Group; Home Savings of America; the National Security Agency; Paradigm Associates; Servpro of Crofton/Edgewater; Somerset Construction; and Weinstein Eye Associates.


BWCC
The Snow is (Almost) Gone, So Let's Get Down to Business
The recent record snowfalls have brought opportunities to some businesses and barriers to others, but all companies need to redouble their efforts to make contacts, provide value and replicate current, "best" customers.
At the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC), March and April will bring a number of excellent opportunities.
For starters, have some fun and network with many different chambers as we head to The Show Place Arena on Monday, March 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. for a pre-game Networking Extravaganza that will be followed by the Atlantic 10 Conference Women's Basketball Championship Finals, which is NCAA Division 1 competition. Come enjoy the food, fun and business development, all rolled into one, along with an exciting game.
Learn how to use the chamber for all it's worth on Thursday, March 11, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. as the BWCC's membership director, Nancy LaJoice, hosts Membership 101. This free, fun and interactive program will provide lots of information about the best ways to use your chamber membership. It's also a great networking opportunity, as there are usually 15 to 20 representatives from local businesses in the room.
Women-owned businesses are growing dramatically in numbers across the country, but even more so here in the Corridor. Join the BWCC's Women in Business Luncheon as they Celebrate Women's History Month at a special luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place in Clarksville.
The program features Kate Campbell Stevenson, who will entertain, educate and motivate the audience in "Women: Back to the Future," an innovative one-woman musical: Three women from American history and the engaging talents of this actor/educator are part of the show. With more than 25 years of professional experience in music, theater and education, Campbell Stevenson brings women with "can do" attitudes to life through song, monologue, poetry and sign language.
The program is sponsored in cooperation with the Maryland's Women's Heritage Center. Its mission is to preserve the past, understand the present and shape the future by recognizing, respecting and transmitting the experiences and contributions of Maryland women and girls of diverse backgrounds and regions.
As the region becomes home to even more security-related organizations, more and more businesses and individuals are asking about security clearances and the processes that are necessary to obtain them. Join the BWCC on Wednesday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for Security Clearance 101, hosted at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
Featured speakers are Merton Miller, deputy associate director of the Center for External Affairs for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Federal Investigative Services (FIS); and Tim Sullivan, DISA chief of security. Also, National Security Agency (NSA) chief of industrial and acquisition security Anthony Lougee will address NSA's clearance process and how it differs from other agencies.
Toward the end of the month, the chamber's Business Tools Group will host a seminar at the BWCC offices on March 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. conducted by Joy Levin of Allium Research & Analytics. It's entitled, "Powering Growth: Learn What Customers Really Want."
In closing, we ask you to mark your calendars for the BWCC's 63rd Annual Meeting, to be held on April 22 at the Sheraton Columbia from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Admiral John (Mike) McConnell, USN, Retired, whose remarks are entitled, "Cybersecurity: A Global Phenomenon with Dramatic Impacts for Maryland." McConnell is a former director of NSA as well as former director, national intelligence. He is currently senior vice president of Booz Allen Hamilton and a noted international expert on cyber security issues.
Register online for any of these events at www.bwcc.org or contact the BWCC at 301-725-4000 or 410-792-9714.