Weekly Message from the Chair, March 9, 2020

Message #11- 3/9/20

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members,

Summary: In this message, I highlight: RFPs for contract opportunities; upcoming business events; our new sponsorship opportunities; 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 active! Every event this year has been well-attended and filled with Members and Potential Members! Potential Members see the energy and want to join. Members are excited to see a room full of people to develop new business relationships. So, keep coming out and please take advantage of these opportunities. We have already grown 10% this year! This is Our Chamber and together, we will be the biggest, most diverse, most influential business organization in Maryland.

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!!!! 

Third, our 2nd Thursday Business After Dark networking event is at QG. This event is open to Chamber Members and Potential Members, so bring a friend! We will enjoy refreshments and have 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.

Fourth, I’d like to recognize our March 2020 Chairman’s Award winners, George M. Faber and Steve Braun. Both Members have consistently supported me over the last few months and I definitely appreciate their dedication. They are helping to spread the good news about our growth and because of their efforts, numerous new Memberships have resulted. Thank you George and Steve!

Fifth, Congratulations to Chamber Member, Patricia Almony! She was named a Five Star Wealth Manager in the February issue of Baltimore Magazine. Click here to learn more! Contact Patricia at Almony_Patricia@nlgroupmail.com

Sixth, I’d like to thank everyone for attending our General Body Meeting last Thursday! Our panel focused on Access to Capital and Yvette Clark and the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development hosted the event. Special thanks to Bonnie Crockett of Baltimore Business Lending, Aaron Buffaloe of BB&T Truist and Craig Engelhaupt of M&T for sharing valuable information and resources.

Seventh, if you want to share feedback or want to schedule a call with me, you can always do so by clicking here. 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

Request for Proposals
Spring is springing and Anne Arundel County is sprucing up the County’s baseball fields. So, if you are able to replace the dirt, sift it and smooth it out on the fields, check out this copy of the Bid Proposal for Solicitation 20000131 that is currently out for advertising.

Request for Proposals
The New Broadway East Community Association is looking for a contractor to perform sidewalk patch repair in about 10-20 tree pits, and removal of 8-10 trees, including stumps. Click here to see the information packet with contact information.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!
Colorectal Cancer is the 3rd most common type of cancer in both men and women. Did you know that the American Cancer Society recently changed its recommended testing age to 45 for average risk adults? Talk to your doctor or find out more at www.cancer.org/colon

What are Allstate Group Voluntary Benefits?
Group Voluntary benefits are supplemental insurance options that help employees and their families protect their finances when unplanned expenses associated with a medical event arise. Types of Group Voluntary coverage include Accident, Critical Illness, Cancer, Disability, Life and Hospital Indemnity. Additionally, legal support and ID Theft protection are rapidly becoming popular choices of Voluntary insurance. Insured employees, covered family members or their beneficiaries may use their Group Voluntary cash benefits for anything they wish. There are no restrictions as to how the money is used. These benefits are paid for by the employee-so, no cost to the employer.  For more information contact Karen Blake, 410.917.6030; or karenblake1@allstate.com

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

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

3/12/20 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 click here to learn about Sponsorship Opportunities or register for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org 

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 click here to learn about Sponsorship Opportunities or 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.

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

 

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