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Cyber Conference Recap
The 2018 Cyber Conference is in the books! Hundreds of the region's cyber industry leaders packed the Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College for a day of informative sessions, inspiring speakers, cutting edge exhibitors and great networking opportunities.
Chamber President Leonardo McClarty opened the conference and introduced premier sponsor Red Hat's Regional Vice President of Federal Civilian Agencies, Rick Miller.
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Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger was the next to take a turn at the podium, talking at length about this region's role as the cyber capital of the country. Congressman Ruppersberger also spoke about the importance of making cybersecurity a budgetary priority because it is essential to the country's national security. You can read more about his thoughts here, in
Congressman Ruppersberger's Cybersecurity Priorities Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2019.
Deputy Secretary Benjamin H. Wu from the Maryland Department of Commerce was the next to address the conference. Deputy Secretary Wu spoke about his work on behalf of the State of Maryland on issues related to innovation, competition and technology commercialization including the development of a roadmap for the state's cybersecurity industries.
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The conference sessions began with concurrent talks on Blockchain. One talk was designed for technologists, while the other focused on Blockchain's relevance for managers responsible for making financial and risk decisions regarding cyber technology.
The second session covered both audiences as well, but with panel discussions rather than individuals speakers covering Security in an Open Source World.
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During lunch, conference attendees were treated to a fascinating panel discussion about the current cyber workforce, how educational institutions are adapting curriculum to produce more trained cyber professionals and the dangers of relying on an untrained workforce.
The final session of the conference split the attendees back onto two tracks to cover IT/Device Security and the Healthcare industry.
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The conference's afternoon Keynote Speaker, Debora Plunkett, Founder of Plunkett Associates, LLC and a Senior Fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center focused her talk on 'The Mainstreaming of Cybersecurity' touching on the fact that everyone needs to be informed and engaged when it comes to cybersecurity.
Chamber President McClarty closed the conference by thanking all of the attendees, speakers, panelists, moderators and exhibitors. He also thanked the conference's premier sponsor,
Red Hat, along with additional conference sponsors including
Unanet,
Noblis,
Tower Federal Credit Union,
Howard Community College,
UMBC's Office of Professional Programs,
Leidos,
Hertzbach,
COPT,
Amazon Web Services,
Sparksoft,
Atlantic Data Forensics, the
Howard County Economic Development Authority and
Capitol Technology University.
We would also like to extend a special thank you for the 2018 Cyber Conference Committee who generously volunteered many hours to help plan and execute the conference. We look forward to another successful conference in 2019!
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2018 ANNUAL CHAMBER PARTNERS
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Find Out Where Howard County's Candidates for Elected Office Stand
The Chamber takes our role as the voice of business very seriously, and in addition to advocating for pro-business legislation on behalf of our members, we also have a responsibility to keep our members informed.
As we approach the primaries which will be held on
June 26th (early voting from June 14th - June 21st), we sent questionnaires to each of the candidates running for County Executive, County Council, the General Assembly and the Board of Education. The questionnaires covered a range of issues affecting Howard County's business community and residents. You can read the responses of each of the candidates who returned the questionnaires using the links below.
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HISTORIC ELLICOTT CITY FLOOD UPDATE
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2018 Historic Ellicott City Flood Update
We are continuing to work with our members and community partners to do what we can to aid the relief efforts for the people and businesses of Historic Ellicott City, we want to make sure you are aware of all of the help available.
The
Ellicott City Partnership is accepting donations to support relief and recovery efforts. The ECP is working to asses the situation and begin to get assistance where it is most needed.
The Community Foundation of Howard County has established the
HoCo Relief Fund to help address needs in the aftermath of the May 27, 2018 Flash Flood. The Relief Fund is currently providing assistance to community members impacted by the flood.
The Horizon Foundation is making two grants to aid in recovery efforts and ensure the availability of mental health services
If you are a business with spare office, storage or retail space that a dislocated business could use, please email
[email protected] with the location, amount of space available and how long it will be available. We have been collecting these offers for the last several days including calls and emails from Turf Valley, the Howard Hughes Corporation, BTS Software, Chatham Station Shopping Center, Clarks Hardware, Freestate Self-Storage, Normandy Business Center, HMC Inc., and Comcast, and have been so impressed with the generosity of this business community. You can read more about a few of the businesses going above and beyond for one another
here.
Lastly, the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation is encouraging people whose real property has been damaged by the flooding to contact them as they may qualify to have their property assessments reduced. You can find more information at SDAT's website
here.
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Chamber Website is Now GDPR Compliant
The new
www.howardchamber.com is GDPR Compliant, but a new compliance report suggests that only 40 percent of organizations are either GDPR compliant or on their way to compliance.
You can find a copy of the 2018 GDPR Compliance Report
here.
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Know Someone Who Deserves an Award for Chamber Excellence?
It's that time of year again! If you know someone who deserves recognition for all their hard work, nominate them for our 2018 Awards for Chamber Excellence in the categories of Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and GovConnects Business of the Year.
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7th Annual Power of the Purse
We are once again a proud drop off location for the Annual Power of the Purse! We will be collecting new, gently used, vintage and designer handbags for the Power of the Purse Sale and Silent Auction on June 11th benefiting Blossoms of Hope.
June 11, 2018 - 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Sub-Zero and Wolf Showroom by Fretz
9204 Berger Road
Columbia, MD 21044
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Lunch and Learn: Howard County 101, Facebook Ads 101 & Beyond Networking
Visit Howard County in partnership with the Howard County Chamber is proud to present an exciting new educational opportunity for members.
June 14, 2018 - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Turf Valley Resort
2700 Turf Valley Road
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Join us at 'The Longest Table'!
The Chamber is once again a proud partner with the Choose Civility program for their annual event, "The Longest Table" which helps people build new relationships and talk about the future of our community over a shared meal.
June 16, 2018 - 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Howard Community College
Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
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Live! Casino & Hotel is Now Open!
Congratulations to the Cordish Companies and Live! Casino & Hotel! The new hotel is now officially open to the public and features an additional 310 overnight rooms, two new restaurants, an Event Center and spa!
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Community Foundation of Howard County's Spring Party
Join the Community Foundation of Howard County as they celebrate the arrival of spring and raise funds! The foundation promotes local philanthropy and provides critical grant funding for nonprofits serving Howard County.
June 8, 2018 - 5 - 8 p.m.
Science Engineering Technology Building
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Ribbon Cutting Set for Cravin' Food!
Join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with one of our newest members, Cravin' Food!
June 14, 2018 - 3 - 4 p.m.
Cravin' Food
7090 Deepage Drive
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!
We are so proud to welcome the following new Chamber members this week!
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Happy Anniversary!!!
The following organizations joined the HCCC this week in history!
- bgrCPAs - 27 Years
- Howard County Office of Workforce Development - 26 Years
- Prime Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. - 12 Years
- Bittner Photography - 7 Years
- Gawthrop Builders, LLC - 5 Years
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Deadline to Respond to Economic Census Approaching
Every five year, the U.S. Census Bureau collects data from nearly four million American businesses to show their impact on the economy. Earlier this month, respondents began receiving their official letters from the Census Bureau with instructions for online response to the Economic Census. Companies who receive the Census are required by law to respond. The
due date is
June 12, 2018.
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HCEDA Co-Hosting Event Featuring Israeli Companies
Israel's Missile Defense Attache will headline the MDIC & HCEDA's "Startup Nation" event in Howard County to celebrate Israel's 70th anniversary.
June 13, 2018 - 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Universities Space Research Association
7178 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
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Join a Committee at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Interested in getting more involved with the Chamber?
Sign up today for any of the following committees:
- Ambassadors
- GovConnects
- Holiday Party
- Legislative
- Membership
- Signature Events
- YPN
Contact [email protected] to join a Howard County Chamber of Commerce Committee today!
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