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July 6, 2018

Your Chamber's Newest Videos Released!

A sincere thank you to Next American Films , who produced our new chamber videos! Click the link below to see the four additional vidoes also produced by Next American Films.

Chamber Videos

Member Spotlight

Next American Films

Next American Films is a full-service video production company helping small businesses and non-profits create one-of-a-kind videos that stand out and get noticed. Whether it’s to promote your brand, ignite a marketing campaign, or effect social change, our award-winning team will help you connect to audiences, make an impact, and motivate action.

Next American Films Website

"We enjoy our membership with the CMC, because it offers us the opportunity to be part of a wide and varied business community that we can engage with regularly. We also enjoy the many networking opportunities and resources that the CMC staff has provided."

Major Supreme Court Decisions

Impacting Business

South Dakota v. Wayfair

In South Dakota v. Wayfair, the U.S. Supreme Court passed a decision 5-4 in favor of physical retailers. The Supreme Court ruled that states may impose sales taxes on internet businesses, even if they don’t have any physical locations in those states. This decision explicitly overturns the Supreme Court’s 1992 decision in Quill v. North Dakota, which had affirmed the “physical presence” test for state sales-and-use tax collections. This decision states, “Each year the physical presence test becomes further removed from economic reality and results in significant revenue losses to the States.” This decision will level the playing field by abolishing the advantage that internet retailers have had for so many years over brick-and-mortar stores that were paying sales taxes. How much of a benefit will physical retailer realize? It remains to be seen, but the CMC will continue to monitor the new landscape!

Janus v. AFSCME

In another 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court dealt a major blow to organized labor in Janus v. AFSCME. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers who choose not to join unions may not be required to help pay for collective bargaining. This landmark decision in favor of plaintiff Mark Janus, a child support specialist, returned 1st Amendment rights to public sector workers and weakened unions in the process. With this decision 5 million public servants in 22 states will no longer have to pay a government union as a condition of employment. Overturning the Court’s earlier decision in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled that the “State’s extraction of agency fees from nonconsenting public sector employees violates the First Amendment.” This decision will impact how government unions extract fees from members; flipping the system from opt-out to opt-in. The onus is now on the unions since public sector employees must “affirmatively consent” to pay dues.

Directory Updates Needed!

As we prepare for the publication of our next Relocation and Business Guide, we want to be sure that we have the most up-to-date contact information for your business. If you have already sent us updates, THANK YOU! If you are a chamber member and have not yet checked your listing, please visit the Members Only portal of the website and update your listing today. If you need assistance with this, please contact the office at 410-672-3422.

Members Only Portal

Networking Mixer

Staybridge Suites - BWI

Tuesday, July 10th | 5:00-7:00PM

Please join us for our July Networking Mixer, hosted by Staybridge Suites- BWI! Take a break from the sun and come make some new connections and reconnect with some old friends! We will gather from 5-7PM. FREE for CMC Members; $10 for guests.

Young Professionals Network

1st Annual Cornhole Tournament & Baysox Game

Saturday, July 21st | 2:30-5:30PM

Baysox Stadium

Join our Young Professionals Network for their 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament! Come to watch or play, network, enjoy some food, and then stay for the Bowie Baysox game! Join members from our sister chambers throughout the area and come enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark!

Small Business Seminar

Getting Your Business

Found Online

Wednesday, July 18th | 9:00AM

While social media marketing is important, it’s only a piece of the puzzle. You should know how your reputation on sites like Yelp, Google and Bing, along with strategically placed information, gets you in front of your customers instantly and in a positive light. See how to get that process started and why it’s important. Join us for our next Small Business Seminar on Social Media Marketing on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 9 AM in the Chamber's Conference room.

FREE for CMC Members. Space is limited, so reserve your seat early.

Membership 101

Thursday, July 19th | 9:00AM

Chamber Conference Room - Odenton

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 .

Women Mean Business

Using Video to Promote

Your Business

Wednesday, July 25th | 11:30AM-1:00PM

Chamber Conference Room- Odenton

At our July Meeting, we are going to explore ways to incorporate video into your marketing message. We are going to “get over ourselves” and learn the benefits of using video, along with some ideas for getting started.

We’ve invited the pros from Next American Films, to come to our next meeting and bring us up to speed on the importance of video marketing as we lunch and learn together. If you’re shy about getting up and running with video, challenge yourself today, and come out and join us! Be Brave! There’s no time like the present, and we’re all friends, right?

Beth Anthony, Director of Production and co-owner of Next American Films, has been a Chamber Member since 2016. Her company produces one-of-a-kind videos for small businesses and non-profits looking to market their messages effectively. Their videos have appeared on company websites, social media campaigns, internet pre-roll advertisements, and even TV broadcast.

Come out for some fun, fellowship, and the info you need to make your debut!

Time is Running Out...

Reserve Your Space!

2018-2019 Relocation & Business Guide

The new 2018-2019 CMC Relocation & Business Guide will be published in September. Member advertising supports the chamber’s efforts to attract new businesses, provide newcomers with essential resource information, and connect members all year. 3,000 printed copies are distributed around the region, including Ft. Meade. The digital edition is posted on the Chamber website, providing even further ad reach to customers! Ads start at just $595.00 and must be reserved by July 30th.