HCCC

McClarty Earns CCE Status

The HCCC congratulates its president and CEO, Leonardo McClarty, on his latest achievement. On Aug. 11, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) awarded McClarty the designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), which is the only national certification for chamber professionals and is only awarded after an educational program and demonstration of knowledge in four core pillars: management, planning and development, membership and communications, and operations.

Peer Advisory Board Program

Need some help seeing business opportunities you may be missing? If so, join in our Peer Advisory Board Program. Together with the Alternative Board/TAB-BWI, the Howard County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) has organized a program to help business owners and principals gain a deeper understanding of their role in shaping company direction, improving business performance and developing business acumen, as well as strategy and leadership skills through board participation.

These peer groups offer a proven method for solving current business challenges or helping take businesses or careers to the next level. For HCCC members only, this program requires commitment to monthly three-hour board meetings to be held in October, November and December. The cost is $150/month, and the deadline for signing up is Sept. 12. For more information, call 410-730-4111, ext. 105.

Member Orientation: Sept. 15

Looking to find out more about what HCCC membership is all about? Are you a new employee at a chamber member company? Or do you work for a new business in town? Check out how chamber membership can benefit you and your company. Join us at Eggspectation, in Ellicott City, from 8– 9:30 a.m. The event is free, but registration is required.

TALENT Talks: Strategies to Employ, Engage and Excel

The HCCC and the Howard County Human Resources Society will team up on Sept. 22 to provide members with a unique opportunity to get fresh viewpoints and hear inspiring stories to help elevate your human resources game. Speakers will include Evan Lutz, CEO and co-founder of Hungry Harvest, as well as executives from Pandora Jewelry, Under Armour, Baltimore Ravens, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Jovian Concepts and SSP America. The event will be held at Loyola University Maryland’s Columbia campus, on McGaw Road; for more information, call 410-730-4111, ext. 105.

Signature Event at Turf Valley on Oct. 7

This fall, close to 500 business, community and political leaders will come together for the chamber’s annual Signature Event. In addition to dinner, cocktails and socializing, this year’s guests will be entertained by monologist, humorist, musician and impressionist Roy Firestone as we celebrate and honor our Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) winners. You’ll be amazed and delighted by this talented performer, who we’ve invited back by popular demand.

For information and registration for these events, visit www.howardchamber.com or call 410-730-4111.

Business Learning and Growth: Scalable Cyber, Sept. 14

Discuss practical strategies in preparing for and thriving in a government contracting environment increasingly focused on the ability to provide cybersecurity-related services, and also assure appropriate internal security safeguards have been implemented at the “Scalable Cyber: Tools for small and emerging government contractors to use in adjusting to new realities of cybersecurity,” to be held at the UMBC Cyber Training Center, in Columbia Gateway.

We’ll be discussing topics such as negotiating flow-down obligations under the Department of Defense’s new Network Penetration Reporting Rules, marketing strategies for small businesses that want to become more involved in the government’s cyberspace and implementing scalable controls and technical solutions to ensure that a small business has a strong foundation for growing its cyber capabilities.

BWCC

A Celebration of Townshend

Make your reservations to attend “A Celebration of Walt Townshend” on Thursday, Sept. 29, at Ten Oaks Ballroom, Clarksville. It will be held from 6–8:30 p.m.; tickets are $90 each and sponsorships are available.

The dinner celebration will serve as a toast to Townshend and his 27 years as president and CEO of BWCC. Townshend began working with BWCC in January 1989, and his tenure marks the longest run of any current Maryland chamber executive. Under his leadership, the chamber was involved with the management of Maryland’s first highway information center, along with the creation and co-direction of Maryland’s first one-stop employment center.

In addition, Townshend helped lead the chamber’s annual Government Procurement Fairs, which for more than two decades was the largest chamber-led program in the region.

Townshend has been awarded the Capital Technology University Presidential Medallion, was selected as Maryland Chamber Executive of the Year and was a finalist in the Corridor Person of the Year. He also received commendations as a finalist awardee from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for his work in mathematics education and transportation, as well as from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives for his work in regional stewardship.

To reserve tickets or sign up for a sponsorship, contact Shirley Redd at 301-725-4000 or visit www.bwcc.org.

BWCC Upcoming Events

  • Wednesday, Sept. 7: “Awkward to Awesome Time Blocking: Simple Strategies to Becoming More Effective at Whatever You Do”
  • Thursday, Sept. 14: “Membership 101.”
  • Thursday, Sept. 22: Small Business Advisory Board. Details at www.bwcc.org/events
  • Thursday, Sept. 29: “A Celebration of WaltTownshend.” Ten Oaks Ballroom, 6–8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 5: “Awkward to Awesome: Think Like a Leader, Lead Like a Leader”
  • Thursday, Oct. 6: “Membership 101.”
  • Thursday, Oct. 27: Small Business Advisory Board. Small Business Advisory Board. Details at www.bwcc.org/events
  • Wednesday, Nov. 2: “Awkward to Awesome: Creating a 30-Second Commercial.”
  • Wednesday, Nov. 9: “Membership 101.”
  • Wednesday, Nov. 9: Economic Forecast Luncheon featuring Anirban Basu at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve
  • Wednesday, Dec. 7: “Awkward to Awesome: Personal Accelerator Blueprint: From Mediocrity to Mastery.”
  • Wednesday, Dec. 7: BWCC Holiday Mixer at the Savage Mill
  • Thursday, Dec. 15: “Membership 101.”

For more details and information about other upcoming events, go to www.bwcc.org.

WCC

Play Chamber Bingo

Are you actively engaged with the WCC? If not, do you want to be? Chamber Bingo is your opportunity to experience a wide range of chamber events and activities with the opportunity to win dinner for four at The Prime Rib at Maryland Live! Casino.

Pick up your bingo card at the WCC office or event; rules are on the back of the card, along with a list of upcoming events. Blocks are available for sponsoring a chamber event, recruiting a new member and chairing events, too. All completed cards must be returned to the chamber (faxes accepted) no later than noon on Dec. 21, which is drawing day. One does not need to be present to win.

Mixer for Ellicott City Flood Victims

The WCC’s monthly mixer, which is held the second Tuesday of every month, will be held on Sept. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Oasis Consignments, in Odenton. We will be helping support a fellow chamber member’s business that has been affected by the flood in Ellicott City. For any monetary donation made the evening of the event, you will be entered into a drawing for some gift certificates.

There is no cost to attend, and members are encouraged to bring prospective members and guests. Please register so our hosts know how much food to provide — and don’t forget to mark it on your chamber bingo card.

Tour and Taste West County

West Anne Arundel County continues to grow, spurred by growth at Fort Meade. Join the West County Chamber (WCC) for its annual development tour on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 1:30 p.m., followed by Taste West County from 4 to 7 p.m.

The tour will start and end at Maryland Live! Casino, with Taste West County hosted at Rams Head Center Stage in the casino. Cost to attend the tour is $65 and includes a full-color guide to local development and Fort Meade expansion; tickets to Taste West County are $20 individual, $15 if you register three or more together.

For more information, visit www.westcountychamber.org or call 410-672-3422.

Women Mean Mood, Food and ’Tude

Join us for our September meeting on Sept. 28, at 11:30 a.m., when Kathy Higdon of Therapeutic Counseling Associates will be presenting a program called, “Mood, Food and Attitude.” A growing body of scientific evidence shows that what you eat, your exercise patterns and how you think influence your mood and mental health. Come and learn some strategies to help you reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members, and includes your lunch. Registration is open. Call the WCC office for more information.

Odenton Day

Come on out for a free day of fun, food and learning at Odenton Day 2016.  It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Odenton Volunteer Fire House, located at 1425 Annapolis Road. Scheduled events include the annual Odenton Volunteer Fire Company Open House; free hot dogs, chips and drinks; a free shuttle bus to Odenton Heritage Society; bus tour of historic sites; displays by West County organizations and businesses; and fun and activities for kids.

Interested in being an exhibitor? Email [email protected] for an application form. The cost to participate is $50 for businesses, free for nonprofit or government agency, and includes a 3-foot by 8-foot table for displays. Brought to you each year since 2007 by the WCC, the Greater Odenton Improvement Association, the Odenton Heritage Society and the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, the event will mark the celebration of Odenton Day’s 10th anniversary.