Chamber members receive 30% off 
accreditation!
In This Issue

Is your business certified? Please take our 1-question survey to help serve you better.

Event Links
Our Platinum Sponsors


 
Our Premier Sponsors






welcome new members button
(As of the last 45 days)
Member Coupons
When was the last time you checked out offers from our members?
  • Foot Rub Fridays! at The Massage Boutique
  • $475/mo. discount at Montessori Kids Universe 
  • $49/month small group fitness sessions at Salvere Health
  • $50 off individual studio headshot by Chris Paulis Photography



GIVE A LITTLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN A LOT



Are you taking full advantage of your membership?

 
Share the story of your business with others. 
Why did you start, keep, and/or expand your business into the region?
Any unexpected benefits? Drawbacks that you overcame?
Would you do it again? 
Anything you would change the next time?

We'll publish your story in an upcoming E-Weekly newsletter!

Local Business Initiative
Register as a Howard County business to qualify for Howard County Government procurement contracts. Here's the scoop.

COME TO SPAIN
WITH US!
 

October 18 - 26
Our Price: $2,799

Includes Granada, Alhambra Palace, Rock of Gibraltar, airfare, hotels, 13 meals, professional tour manager, transfers, baggage handling....
Member Savings!
March 10, 2016
CHAMBER NEWS

Thank you to those who took our quick poll on how they prefer to receive their invoices. 60% of respondents prefer to receive invoices electronically, 20% prefer paper, and 20 percent do not have a preference. Our next "Question of the Week" is on the left. 

BoardSave Local Now! Social Media platform launch

For each and every member: An easy-to-use digital platform built to maximize your online exposure through
  • Content Creation + Publishing
  • Email marketing
  • Social Sharing
  • Search Engine Optimization
Watch this 3-min. short video to see what it's all about!

BoardSpring Energy Commercial Co-op Enrollment Campaign Underway
Energy for Web
Joining the Chamber's Commercial Energy Co-op Program provides: 
  • Increased Purchasing Power in procuring electric and natural gas at competitive rates to businesses.
  • Eliminates the need to 'go through it alone'.
  • Historically, the average co-op member saves about the equivalent of their July electrical bill and/or their February natural gas bill. When compared to utility S.O.S. rates
  • Budget Stability (no more 'roller coaster costs') by offering Fixed Rate energy supply costs.
  • Assistance in being proactive in fulfilling energy buying needs.
  • We offer the opportunity for businesses to share in the valuable energy expertise that the cooperative provides.
Deadline is March 25. Don't Wait! Sign me up!

BoardYPN Looking for New Board Members

Join the movers and shakers of tomorrow's business community! Work together to form and nurture Howard County and the Chamber for an even brighter future. Please contact Jody Lenes to find out more. Deadline is March 15!! That's NEXT WEEK!!

SOCJunior Achievement of Central MD Spotlight

Women's Giving Circle of Howard County Promotes Entrepreneurship for Young Women Through Junior Achievement of Central MD's Rising Women Program
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland Inc. (JA), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young people to succeed in a rapidly changing economy, announced that its Rising Women Program is underway for spring semester in Howard County. The program is funded by The Women's Giving Circle (WGC), a fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County. 

The JA Rising Women Program is an out-of-school program led by local, women business volunteers to provide an entrepreneurial education for young female students as they launch their own business venture. The program aims to encourage young women to strive for leadership positions in the workforce by teaching them business skills and celebrates the female perspective.

The first group kicked off at the Maryland Center for
Entrepreneurship with 19 students from several Howard County high schools, as well as six volunteers who specialize in an array of business areas. With the guidance of their mentors the students have launched their company, Snoozzzy Scents, which sells handmade pillowcases with a sewn-in sachet. The young female entrepreneurs are currently in the process of advertising their product to local spas to sell their product.
 
JA is encouraging female students in Howard County to apply and is seeking female business volunteers to mentor the student participants. Visit www.jamaryland.org/programs/rising-women for more information.

JA's largest fundraiser of the year, Superheroes Bowl-a-Thon, attracts 60 companies and 1,500 participants! Join in the fun and support JA's quality programming. June 1, 6-8p.m. at the Burnswick Columbia Lanes. For more information, contact Meghan Collins via email or call 410-753-3290.

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY - HOCO GOV

We wanted to make sure you are aware that the County Executive is currently conducting a survey of transportation priorities. You can rank your prioritization of the projects under consideration for inclusion in 
Howard County's Fiscal Year 2017 Priority Letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). Please follow the link below to participate.
The survey closes tomorrow, Friday, March 11th.
 

MEMBERS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS

April 30, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Call for Models: Le'Chic Academy welcomes hostesses, fashion models (Ages 5-18), mothers, grandmothers, and mothering mentors to participate in our April 30th "PUMPS & PEARLS" Mother's Day special event.
Call for Sponsors: Le'Chic Academy is reaching out to individuals, businesses, and organizations to make a tax-exempt donation to help us make our Mother-Daughter Fashion Show Brunch a success for our girls.
THE MISSION OF Le'Chic Academy, a non-profit, faith-based organization, is to raise young girls' consciousness and to aid them in making healthy, practical, and productive lifestyle choices. A 501(c) organization.

MEMBER EVENTS



HCCFriday, March 11, 2016
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Burrill Galleria (ST Building)

Meet face-to-face with hiring companies, get job search and career advice. More information: howardcc.edu/jobfair



Bid on beautiful paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and more! You can get an original artwork for yourself or your home as you support the arts in Howard County.

The Silent Art Auction showcases the vibrant artistic talent in Howard County. Proceeds from the Auction are split with the artists and also support the Center for the Arts and HCAC's programs such as exhibits, camps, and classes. By bidding on artwork you help us in our mission to foster the arts, artists, and arts organizations in Howard County!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ONLINE AUCTION

Bidding on items offered in the online Auction will continue at the Silent Auction Preview on March 19 and at the Celebration of the Arts gala that evening. If you can't make it to the event, but want to keep bidding on a piece, contact Katie Wofford at 410-313-2787 or email [email protected] and we'll assign a proxy bidder who will bid up to your maximum amount at the event.

Thank you for supporting the arts!

Tuesday, March 15
Lunch with Governor Hogan 
Turf Valley Resort & Conf. Center, Ellicott City
11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG) invites you to attend our 2nd Annual State of Business Address.
 
Maryland business leaders will enjoy lunch while Governor Larry Hogan discusses Maryland's current business climate and plans for improvement. REGISTER

Wednesday, March 16

Thursday, March 17
ACS Conversation with County Executive Kittleman 
New Hope Lutheran Church
8575 Guildford Rd., Columbia
10:00 - 11:30 p.m.
We invite ACS members - staff, volunteers and Board members - to meet with Howard County Executive, Allan Kittleman, to discuss leadership perspectives within our human services community. Mr. Kittleman will share his vision and together we will talk about how our professional community can continue to work together to serve the needs of Howard County residents. REGISTER

March 29
Ribbon Cutting!! 
12:00 - ribbon cutting
12:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Open House
8866 Columbia 100 Pkwy., Columbia

Come help us welcome our new neighbor! From 6 weeks to 6 years, your child will experience authentic Montessori curriculum & materials.  Please RSVP to Terri Carpenter by March 25.

OF INTEREST

Twitter Chat - The Growth of Women's Entrepreneurship 
TODAY!! March 10, 3:00 p.m. 

Join @SBAgov & Microsoft's @Cindy_Bates using the hashtag #SBAchat
 
During the chat, female entrepreneurs will provide advice, tips, and tricks for women business owners. Female influencers and InnovateHER finalists will provide advice, tips and tricks for women entrepreneurs (new and seasoned).  Follow along and share your ideas using the hashtag #SBAchat. Learn more

While you may know there are 7 billion people in the world, do you know where they live?
The map below shows the world divided into seven sections, with each colored section containing 1 billion people.


Howard County Chamber of Commerce | 5560 Sterrett Place | Suite 105 | Columbia | MD | 21044