Weekly Message From The Chair, March 29, 2021

Message #13- 3/29/21

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

In this week’s new format, you will find:

We have reduced the length of the weekly message and moved JOBS and LOANS to the Chamber Website.

If this message landed in your spam or promotions folder, please add us to your address book! Was this message forwarded to you? Join our Mailing List!

SIGN UP FOR OUR FEATURED EVENT: 
Free Registration at https://whc.as.me/franchot. Special thanks to Board Member James Dorf for his leadership in creating this opportunity to partner with the Office of the Comptroller.
Here are 10 things you should know:

First, I need you to sign up today for our April 8th discussion with Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. With all the economic stimulus that’s available and Peter Franchot running for Governor, this is a must attend for any business owner in Maryland. Get your questions answered about what Maryland is doing for business owners! Free registration at https://whc.as.me/franchot.

Second, we hit 400 Members last week! We did it. Now, let’s work on more engagement! To get more involvement, we are growing our Membership, Events, Women’s Leadership, Community Service and Art and Design Committees. If you are interested in learning more, email me and attend this Thursday’s General Membership meeting to ask me questions directly.

Third, if you need new talent for your organization, contact the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. They have qualified people looking for jobs right now! Register to attend the virtual job fair on May 10th, 12th and 14th. Contact HSGrads@oedworks.com or call 443-984-3014 for more information.

Fourth, join me in congratulating James Dorf, our new Chairman of the Public Policy Committee. James is an exceptional connector and I am excited to see how we will lead this important committee. To work with James, email him to discuss how you can assist with connecting with elected officials.

Fifth, Chamber Member, the Minority Business Development Agency has added 3 new webinars for business owners. Visit our EVENTS section of this message to learn more.

Sixth, Chamber Member John Gourdin is available to answer your questions regarding life insurance. Remember, life insurance is something you have to own before you need it. Get a free quote and approval online in less than 20 minutes. NO sales pitches. NO physicals. You can be covered TODAY. Visit www.samdlife.com.

Seventh, PPP and Tax deadlines have been extended! If you need help applying for loans or filing your taxes, contact Chamber Member Kimberly Royster.

Eighth, are you interested in improving your website? The 8-week course, “5 Ps to Profit: Keeping Your Customers Coming Back”, will be offered beginning April 20th. The course, designed for retailers, will focus on improving the web design and operations strategy for their existing or planned online stores. For more information and registration details, visit radezyne.com/training.

Ninth, stay updated on covid-19 vaccine info and state resources. Click here for the most up-to-date information.

Tenth, I am offering one-on-one coaching for 4 business owners who want to better understand their pricing and profit strategies. Click here to learn more.

Keep reading for this week’s Events and Offers

If you are an active Baltimore City Chamber Member and you have a special offer for our Members, or if you would like to discuss Membership, schedule a call with Will Holmes at https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber.


EVENTS

3/30/21
MBDA Webinar

Managing Remote with Microsoft Teams
Link: https://r.mailserver.baltimorembdacenter.com/aczu0e4natt7e.html?t=1616436697

3/31/21
MBDA Webinar

COVID-19 Taxes and PPP Update
Link: https://r.mailserver.baltimorembdacenter.com/ad06ni4natt7e.html?t=1616436697

4/1/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

4/8/21 at 6pm
Economic Update with Comptroller Peter Franchot
You are invited to join us on April 8th at 6pm for a discussion with Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. Receive updates on Relief Options and Maryland’s Economic Future. Free Registration at https://whc.as.me/franchot.

4/14/21 and 4/22/21
Women’s Leadership 

Join the Women’s Leadership Initiative on April 14, 2021 at 6pm for the BCCoC WLI Committee Meeting and on April 22, 2021 at 6:15pm for “4 Keys to Create a Monetizable Online Presence that will Attract On-going Referrals and Clients”. Our Speaker will be Ms. Diana Concoff Morgan. RSVP for both events here.

4/15/21
MBDA Webinar

Can You Force Employees To Get The COVID-19 Vaccination?
Link: https://r.mailserver.baltimorembdacenter.com/ad2ai64natt7e.html?t=1616436697

4/17/21
Beyond a Dream Youth Conference

Saturday, April 17, 2021, the Be. organization will host the 5th Annual Beyond a Dream Youth (Virtual) Conference. This half-day virtual event will bring together students, local businesses, colleges, universities, career professionals, and over 200 parents and teenagers to the virtual stage for interactive sessions throughout the event. Corporate sponsors will have access to parents and students through an interactive virtual exhibition hall and one-on-one meet and greets. Contact Stephanie Jerger for more information.

5/6/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

5/10/21- 5/14/21
Job Fair

if you need new talent for your organization, contact the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. They have qualified people looking for jobs right now! Register to attend the virtual job fair on May 10th, 12th and 14th. Contact HSGrads@oedworks.com or call 443-984-3014 for more information.

5/13/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour

Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.

5/21/21
Save the date! Chamber Annual Meeting. Outdoor and in-person!

6/1/21
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses 

Early Deadline for the next Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort starting this Fall. If you’ve been in business more than 2 years, have 2 or more people in your company and your revenue is over $75k, you may qualify. Click here to apply.

6/3/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

6/10/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour

Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.


OFFERS 

Web Design
Chamber Member, Wayne Stewart is offering special pricing for all current Chamber Members. 25% OFF ALL WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. If you are interested in this great offer, schedule your free consultation by contacting Wayne directly. His website is www.sdagency.net.

Meditation
Chamber Member, Kadampa Meditation Center-Maryland welcomes Members to a complimentary meditation and special offer. Baltimore’s only Buddhist Temple offers ancient wisdom and practical tools for taking on today’s challenges. Click here to learn more and register.

Marketing, Videography and Photography
Chamber Member, Vonnya Pettigrew, Owner of Root Branch Media Group has a new office and studio on Union Avenue in the Clipper Mill area! Please contact her for Chamber Member specials on media marketing, videography and photography services at VONNYA@rootbranchmediagroup.com. Learn more at https://rootbranchmediagroup.com/.

Workforce Development 
Morgan State University’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS) offers customized courses to meet the workforce development and/or training needs of Maryland employers. The benefits of partnering with MSU’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies are numerous: MSU is the premier public Urban University in the state of Maryland, MSU has a well-credentialed faculty; MSU offers services that are cost-effective and CCPS has nearly 60 years of experience offering non-credit, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs), professional development opportunities, customized workshops, and institutes for adult learners. To partner with us, please click here.

Career Training and Professional Development
Morgan State University is equipped to offer online learning convenient training solutions for businesses. Our catalog of over 300 online courses will allow you to provide training solutions to employees quickly and effectively as they learn on their own and in their preferred learning environment. Our six-week online courses are designed to teach individuals valuable skills that they can apply immediately on the job. Explore the full catalog here.

Need Medical Insurance?
Chamber Member, George Faber can help you find suitable affordable medical coverage, critical illness, short term disability, dental and more!  Whether obtaining a health plan is your financial responsibility or you want to supplement an existing plan to protect your savings and family, send George a message at George.Faber@USHAdvisors.com or call (443) 474 4800. Immediate quotes provided! 

Fundraising Opportunity for Non-Profits
Does your nonprofit want to raise money AND promote cleaner air? CleanChoice Energy is seeking active 501(c)(3) organizations for the new Clean Electricity fundraising program. For each household that enrolls in 100% Clean Electricity through their campaign, CleanChoice will donate $50 to your organization. Email kathleen.wojtowicz@cleanchoiceenergy.com to learn more about this fundraising opportunity.

Cancer Awareness
March is traditionally Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, where highlighted attention is given by media, champions and health allies regarding the importance of timely CRC screenings with an urge to talk with a medical professional about a screening that is appropriate for their situation. Will you light  your building to be lit blue in honor of Colon Cancer Awareness to join the American Cancer Society, Colon Cancer Coalition, Fight Colorectal Cancer, the colorectal cancer community, and landmarks across the country to “Go Blue” anytime throughout March. We hope you will support colorectal cancer awareness as well, as colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Please send a photo of your establishment lit up blue to Christine.Schifkovitz@cancer.org to be included in social media outreach and press releases.


Talk to you next week!

Sincerely,

 Will Holmes
 Chairman of the Board of Directors
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce

 Schedule a call with me: https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber
 Management and Tech Consulting: http://www.whcusa.com 
Check out my podcast: http://www.anchor.fm/whcusa