First Networking Breakfast of 2016

Join GSSCC for our January Business Networking Breakfast, scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, at AG Kitchen (931 Ellsworth Drive). The menu will feature a full breakfast, plus an omelet bar that includes Latin-American style options. Take advantage of early-bird pricing and our "Bring 3, Get 1 Free" offer. Click here to log in and register.

Exhibitor Spaces Are Limited! Register Now and Save With Early-Bird Prices!

County Styrofoam Ban Went Into Effect on January 1

A ban on all Styrofoam products went into effect in Montgomery County on the first of this year. Restaurants in the County may no longer use take-out containers, bowls, cups, plates, trays, egg cartons, and any other products made of Styrofoam. The ban also applies to supermarkets, coffee shops, vending trucks, and other retailers. The law, championed by Montgomery County Councilmembers Hans Reimer, Marc Elrich, and George Leventhal, and unanimously approved in January of last year, prohibits the distribution and sale of Styrofoam food service products and the use of all polystyrene loose fill packaging (known as packing peanuts). It also requires the county government and its contractors to use only compostable or recyclable "single-use disposable food service ware," such as plates, bowls, cups, and eating utensils effective January 1, 2016. The same requirement will go into effect for private businesses on January 1, 2017.

GSSCC101 New Member Orientation Breakfast

Whether you are a new GSSCC member or a new employee of a long-time member, this FREE breakfast, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20*, at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive), can help put your Chamber membership to work for you! Register here. *Please note the change of date.

Young Professional's Beach Party After-Hours

ALL GSSCC members and guests are invited to celebrate

the first anniversary of the Chamber's Young Professional's Network at a "Beach Party After-Hours". The celebration will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, hosted by the Sheraton Silver Spring (8777 Georgia Avenue). Enjoy complimentary appetizers, giveaways, one free drink ticket, a cash bar, beach games, validated parking, and more! Register now for this FREE event!

Thanks for Renewing!

GSSCC thanks these organizations that renewed their membership during December.

A-1 Action Nursing Care, Inc.
Ameriprise Financial
Duffy Insurance Group
Full Gamut Professional Services, LLC

Life Chiropractic of Silver Spring

National Museum of Health and Medicine

Silver Spring Regional Services Center

The 4 Corners Pub

Adega Wine Cellars & Caf�
Business Resource TV
El Golfo Restaurant
Kaplan University Rockville

Lumina Studio Theatre

PH RockWood Corporation

Summit Hills Apartments & Corporate Suites

The Cameron

Welcome New Members!

Please join GSSCC in welcoming these organizations that joined during December.

Debra Levy Eldercare Associates

Sieglinde Peterson

11120 New Hampshire Ave. Suite 505

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Pulse Community Care

Jackie Sanchez

912 Thayer Ave. Suite 105

Silver Spring, MD 20910

* Congratulations to Silver Spring's AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center on a huge success with the national opening weekend for HATEFUL 8. The numbers are in and AFI Silver was the #1 performing theater in the Washington Market and #9 in the entire United States. Click here for more information.

* Lerch, Early & Brewer has named six attorneys as principals in the firm: Ruth O. Katz, a community associations attorney; David E. Kay, a corporate and transactional attorney; Erin L. Kopelman, a family law attorney; Ann Marie Mehlert, a real estate attorney; Christopher W. Roberts, a family law attorney; and Christopher M. Ruhlen, a land use attorney. For more information about these attorneys, click here.

See your company's news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.

Upcoming GSSCC Committee Meetings

* Young Professional's Network - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6.

* Government Affairs Committee - 9 a.m. on Monday, January 11.

* Non-Profit Team Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12.

* Major Events Committee Meeting - 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 14.

About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings: All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.

Thank you to our 2015-2016 GSSCC Partners

Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz Insurance, Inc.; Washington Adventist Hospital

Business Partners - AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Holy Cross Hospital; Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.; Linowes & Blocher LLP; M&T Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corp.; Washington Property Company.

Partners - Adam S. Lowe Photography; Atlantech Online; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow;
Social & Scientific Systems.

Friends- Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development