Message #10- 3/2/20
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members,
Summary: In this message, I highlight: upcoming business events; our new sponsorship opportunities; the Chamber Challenge; Goldman Sachs 10KSB; a free day of business advice at JHU; our Mayoral Candidate Forum; offers from Members and info you can use to make better business decisions. Please share this weekly message with 10 people who will benefit!
First, thank you for being awesome! Thanks to you, we are on track to have 10% growth in Chamber Membership by the middle of March! If we stay on this pace, we could double in size by early 2021!!! This is Our Chamber and together, we can be the biggest, most diverse, most influential business organization in Maryland. There is nothing standing in our way. Imagine, hundreds of Baltimore companies buying from each other, sharing each others’ marketing campaigns, standing together to support each other on political issues… We are laying the foundation with strong attendance at each event, strong voting in our internal polls and the development of a strong sense of community within Our Chamber. Currently, I am building an easy-to-use online database for Members to see what everyone is buying and selling. I am building this simple tool myself, so I will keep you posted on my progress. Meanwhile, if you like what you are experiencing, all I ask is that you share what we are doing with your networks, keep coming to events and keep making an effort to buy from Chamber members. This is Our Chamber! Together, we can make it happen!
Second, the SBA has an annual Chamber Challenge. We can win if we stick together and vote every day. Each person can vote once per day per device. So if you have a phone and laptop, you can vote twice a day. All you have to do is vote every day in March for the Baltimore City Chamber!!! It takes 2 seconds. Click here to vote!!!! We need to win this year. I am counting on your support.
Third, our 1st Thursday General Body Meeting is this Thursday evening at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development located at 36 South Charles Street! Our panel will focus on Access to Capital. This event is open to Chamber Members and Potential Members! We will enjoy light refreshments, great information and the opportunity to come together, once again, to network in a comfortable, relaxed environment. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please do so ASAP on our website, www.baltimorecitychamber.org. Special thanks to the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development for being our Venue Sponsor!!! If you would like to be one of the Food Sponsors, contact me asap!
Fourth, our very affordable, 2020 Sponsorship Package has been approved. Click here to download it and read how we can warmly introduce your brand, product, service, initiative, event or message to the thousands of business owners, professionals, government agencies, banks and elected officials who attend our events and see our messaging each month. If it makes sense for you to be a sponsor, schedule a call with me or email our incredible Sponsorship Committee Chair, Steve Braun at sbraun@searchconsultants.org.
Fifth, each week, I plan to use this message to connect you with opportunities, invitations and information that you will hopefully find valuable. So, here you go:
OPPORTUNITIES
Free Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program
Applications are now open for the last cohort of 2020. Are you a Business Owner who has been in business at least 2 years? Do you have at least 2 employees? Is your revenue at least $100,000? Learn more about this free training program that has helped over 60% of its scholars increase revenue within 6 months of graduation at https://www.10ksbapply.com/Baltimore
Free Day of Business Advice and Strategy at JHU
Apply before Thursday, March 5th to be selected to participate in the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Scope A Thon!!! This event is fun and free but also very helpful for businesses who are looking for advice on how to scale for growth, create necessary projections and develop successful marketing initiatives that reach target customers. Whether you are a startup or a seasoned, growing company, you will benefit from a team of MBAs analyzing your business for free. Click here to apply!
Looking for a Beautiful Venue for Your Next Corporate Event?
Chamber Member, Tabrizi’s hosted our 2019 Chamber Holiday Party and everything was perfect. The venue is on the water, there is ample parking and the staff, food and drinks were amazing! I highly recommend using this venue for your corporate events, weddings and social functions. For more information, click here to visit their website and schedule an appointment.
Chamber Challenge
Chamber Members!!! We can vote once a day for OUR CHAMBER. Every day in March, on every device, visit http://mdsbwawards.org/poll/chamber-callenge/ and vote for the Baltimore City Chamber!!! We can do it!!!! Together, we can win!!!
Security and Surveillance
Chamber Member, Pabst Enterprises provides personal security services and effective surveillance systems for commercial and residential buildings. This includes consultation, installation and set-up. Owner, Bill Pabst is also interested in partnering with other Chamber Members who offer similar or related services. Please contact Bill to discuss your security or surveillance needs or to discuss partnering on future projects. Office: (443) 502-5372 | Email: wpabst@pabstent.com
Baltimore’s Best
Chamber Member, Chase Street Accessories & Engraving has been nominated for the Baltimore Sun’s Best New Store! Let’s show our support and vote! Here is the link: https://embed-647759.secondstreetapp.com/embed/91dcd62a-1445-4605-9e82-c41eaaafd2ad/gallery/209918282/ Vote often!
Free Business Performance Enhancement Call
Chamber Member, Global Innovation Strategies wants to see your business THRIVE. Your mission understood and optimized, is the opportunity to ensure your success. From March 7-22, 2020 ONLY, each entrepreneur, solo-preneur, small business owner, non-profit, or community leader associated with the Baltimore Chamber will receive a COMPLIMENTARY 30 minute business performance enhancement call or ONE FREE hour of services for every service bundle purchased. For more information, please schedule a time to discuss your organization’s opportunities via email at ceo@gblinnovstratllc.com
Help with Recruiting Top Talent
Do you have an important job opening you are trying to fill? Chamber Member and Owner of Search Consultants, Steve Braun has decades of experience connecting great people to great careers. He meets with each candidate personally and ensures that they will be a good fit in their new role. Additionally, Steve is a tireless community servant with a vast, trusted network. He sits on various Boards and provides mentorship and advice to hundreds of professionals and business leaders in Baltimore. Email Steve at sbraun@searchconsultants.org to discuss how he can help you find the right person for your organization. Please tell him you saw this info in the Weekly Message from the Chamber.
If you are an active Baltimore City Chamber Member and you have a special offer for our Members, schedule a call with Will Holmes at https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber
INVITATIONS
3/5/20 at 6pm- General Body Meeting with an Access to Capital Panel! Every 1st Thursday, learn about what’s happening in Our Chamber and in the business community. Plus, take advantage of a great opportunity to network with other Chamber Members and new, potential Members. March’s featured expert panel will discuss Access to Capital! Plus, we will recognize outstanding service with our Chairman’s Awards and talk about our Sponsorship and committee opportunities in more detail. Special thanks to Chamber Member, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development for being the Venue Sponsor and hosting us at the beautiful, 36 South Charles Street building. After we talk business in the huge conference room, we will go to the lobby for catered food and more networking. If you would like to be the Food Sponsor and showcase your cuisine, contact Will Holmes asap. This event is open to the public. Please register today for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org
3/12/20 at Business After Dark Networking Event with the Baltimore City Chamber! Every 2nd Thursday, mingle with Chamber Members, business leaders and other professionals in the city. This month, we are meeting and networking at the very cool venue, QG! You can register for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org
3/21/20 at 9am- Maryland Transportation Authority Business Series 2020: “Bridging the Gap with Opportunities and Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses” The 2020 program will provide information on various procurement opportunities with the MDTA, other Transportation Business Units, as well as certification and other business opportunities. We also have guest speakers Mr. Reginald Gant, Best-Selling Author, Trainer & Speaker, Podcast Host, and Business Owner, Mrs. Jacqueline Rivera-Mims, President of Construction Development Group a full service construction management firm and Alison Tavik, Director of Communications and Outreach from the Governor’s Office of Small Minority and Women Business Affairs (GOSBA). Attend the event at the MDTA Police Headquarters at 4330 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224. For more information, call 410-537-5697 or click here to register on EventBrite.
3/25/20 at 9am- 4th Wednesday Breakfast and Resources with the Chamber! Every 4th Wednesday, enjoy free admission and connections to resources, answers to business challenges and networking with lenders, agencies and other Members at Miss Shirley’s in Roland Park. Miss Shirley’s is a Member of the Chamber and is the Venue Sponsor every 4th Wednesday morning. Please come out to this well-attended event! You can register for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org
4/18/20 at 8am- MoneyBaltimore Global Business Conference! This year’s MoneyBaltimore conference will show attendees how to successfully do business in Baltimore, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Registration is now open! Choose from free general admission and affordable sponsorship options. This conference is in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Click here to learn more information.
4/23/20 at 6pm- SAVE THE DATE for our MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Details to follow…
6/3/2020 at 9am- 2020 Baltimore City HUBZone Workshop! Learn about the SBA’s new HUBZone regulations, network with Federal Agency procurement representatives and gain knowledge on how you can use the HUBZone designation to your advantage when pursuing government contracts. Click here to RSVP and learn more.
INFORMATION
Free Resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration
Looking for free services, funding opportunities and programs for business owners who want to grow? Check out the tools and services offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in their official resource download. Click here to download their PDF.
Real Estate and Investor Tools- Thinking about buying property in the City of Baltimore? Before you buy, check out this great tool with info on zoning, planned projects and other important information. Click here to learn more.
MDOT Certification– Ever consider doing business with the State of Maryland? If you have plans to grow, the certification process could open up new opportunities for new revenue. Click here to learn more.
Baltimore Demographics- Ever wonder where to find info on demographics in Baltimore? Click here to see this summary by the Census Bureau.
Maryland Wealth- Interested in seeing stats on Maryland’s wealth and its tax revenue for each city and county? Click here to view the report from the Department of Legislative Services Office of Policy Analysis.
Connect with City Leadership- Want to attend a Board of Estimates meeting or Baltimore City Council meeting to hear from our elected officials? Check out the schedule at: http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/complete-calendar
U.S. Economy- Interested in how the U.S. economy is doing? Here is the most current information from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov/news/glance
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
Web: http://www.baltimorecitychamber.org
Learn more about working with my consulting firm to grow your business.