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Chamber Connections

January 11, 2018

Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Wednesday, January 16th | 9:00AM - 10:00AM

Join us for our first Small Business Seminar of 2019 to review key tax changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affecting businesses and individuals. Barry Fields of Bormel, Grice and Huyett, PA will walk us through important tax changes that affect businesses such as depreciation, disallowance of entertainment expenses and more and explain the new deduction for Qualified Business Income.

A light breakfast will be provided and sponsored by Speedpro Imaging Annapolis.

This seminar if FREE for chamber members. Seating is limited, so please register early!

Join a Business Connections Network!

Premier Networking Leads Groups

The Central Maryland Chamber’s Business Connections Networks (BCN) are premier networking leads groups focused on connecting business professionals throughout Central Maryland. The BCNs are so popular that weh ad to create four of them! Any chamber member can join for FREE !

Here’s what makes CMC Business Connections Networks unique:

CMC offers an open format that invites each group member to contribute to the conversation. In addition, members are encouraged to meet with each other outside of the monthly meetings for coffee. These one-on-one or small group meetings are instrumental to developing meaningful business relationships that can lead to warm referrals, synergistic marketing, creative support and engaging power partners.

While members are encouraged to support each other and give leads/referrals, there is no pressure to give leads for the sake of meeting a quota. Emphasis is on giving quality leads that produce results. In addition, we have technology, sales and marketing discussions, as well as educational topics planned and presented by group participants.

There is an exclusivity rule of one member per business category, which eliminates unfair competition among members of the group, and allows each member to openly represent their business. Participation in a group is a free benefit of membership for Central Maryland Chamber members.

Business Connections Network 1

1 ^st Wednesday of Each Month

8:00am – 9:30am in Millersville

Led by Tim Carey, Chesapeake Telephone

443-577-2208 or tcarey@ctsmd.us

Business Connections Network 2

3 ^rd Tuesday of Each Month

8:00am-9:30am in Linthicum

Led by Alex McKeague, Sunrise Solutions

410-216-3227 or amckeague@getsomesun.net

Business Connections Network 3

1 ^st Tuesday of Each Month

9:00am – 10:30am in Gambrills

Led by Pete Albert, Pete Albert Photography

443-694-9852 or petealbert@icloud.com

Business Connections Network 4

4 ^th Thursday of Each Month

9:30am-11:00am in Clarksville

Led by Amy Lazas, Law Offices of Kirk Halpin & Associates

410-531-1700 and amy@halpinlawfirm.com

and

Chris Riismandel, Epoch Inc

410-465-3955 or chris@theepochteam.com

Guests Welcome: We invite guests (not yet a Central Maryland Chamber member) looking for a dynamic, energizing networking experience to come to one meeting, check it out and decide if joining the chamber and the group is the right fit. If interested in learning more about the group or visiting a meeting, please contact any group leader directly or call the CMC office at 410-672-3422.

Maryland Top for Tech and Science Companies

The Milken Institute recently put out it's " State Technology and Science Index ." This index ranks states based on over 100 indicators of a thriving tech ecosystem. Maryland's highly educated workforce and investments in research and development put it near the top of the index, which reviews all 50 states. Maryland claimed the 3rd overall ranking on the index ahead of California and just behind Massachusetts and Colorado. The full reports shows how Maryland has a thriving tech environment compared to other states.

Full Report

Membership 101

Thursday, January 17th | 9:00AM - 10:00AM

Jump start your business by attending Membership 101. This free program introduces benefits of membership and gives you ideas that can help you grow your business.

Membership provides a strong network of business contacts throughout Central Maryland, career-enhancing professional training, new business referrals, networking opportunities, pro-business advocacy support and money saving discounts. An independent study showed that consumers are 80% more likely to buy from a chamber member. Belonging to the Central Maryland Chamber can help you grow your business. We invite you to attend. Free admission.

Navigating eMaryland Marketplace

January 22nd | 10:00AM | Crownsville

Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs invites you to reserve a seat for their upcoming Technical Training Classroom.

What exactly is eMaryland Marketplace?

Opportunities in the state contracting marketplace are advertised on eMaryland Marketplace.Vendors who want to compete in this arena must register (for free) on this electronic bid board system in order to receive solicitation notices, search for contracting opportunities, submit bids, and obtain bid results. Join for an in-depth look at how to navigate this valuable tool and make it work for your company. Special guest is Cristen Ervin, Training and Outreach Coordinator with the Maryland Department of General Services. She authored many of the eMaryland Marketplace User Guides in place today.

Who should attend?

Small business owners who are ready and able to perform on state-funded contracts.

There is no cost to attend. Seating is limited and advance registration is required.

Learn More & Register!

Getting Engaged!

More Information

Click HERE to see last year's Salute to the Central Maryland Chamber!

Member and Regional Business News

Senate President Wants Preakness in Laurel

Economists to Maryland Bankers: Worries of a Recession in 2019 'Ridiculous'

Howard County Executive Ball Advocates Bill to Create State Prescription Drug Pane l

Governor Larry Hogan Announces Maryland Opportunity Zone Expansion

Member Engagement!

Upcoming Events

Legislative Breakfast

Monday, January 14

Small Business Seminar

Wednesday. January 16

Membership 101

Thursday, January 17

Committee Meetings

Small Business Seminar

Wednesday, January 16th at 9:00am

Women Mean Business

Wednesday, January 23rd at 11:30am

Mixer Committee

Thursday, January 24th at 10:00am

Sleep Number

Have an Article or

News to Share?

Chamber members are encouraged to share news and information in the Chamber’s weekly newsletter. Newsworthy articles are included for FREE! Simply email info to: Info@CentralMarylandChamber.org .

Read and Share the New Business Guide!

Inclement Weather Policy

Because the Central Maryland Chamber serves members in several counties, the following inclement weather policy has been established:

If any one of the three county school systems (Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George’s) closes due to inclement weather, all chamber activities for the day will be cancelled.

If any one of the three county school systems has a 2 hour delay, all chamber activities prior to noon will be cancelled.

If any one of the three county school systems closes early due to weather, all chamber evening activities will be cancelled.