As the autumn season kicks off, we wind down our Centennial year with this evening's Annual Meeting, a chance to celebrate our incoming 2019-2020 Board of Directors. Serving as Chair, Gary Hayes of Spherion Staffing will accept the gavel from Immediate Past Chairman of the Board Keith Grunow. It's a particularly important meeting for us, celebrating 100 years of
your
Chamber and looking ahead into the next chapter. What does it mean for you, our valued member? Vibrancy. Prosperity. Growth!
We have some exciting new members to announce and can't wait for you to meet them at some upcoming events! Care to join us? Check out our calendar of upcoming events
HERE
.
We've also opened nominations for our 21st Annual Washington County Business Awards. Now through October 18th, you can nominate a deserving business, non-profit, or individual
HERE
. Be sure to mark your calendar for February 26th, 2020 as we plan to celebrate all new winners at the newly-renovated Maryland Theatre.
We hope you've had a great month!
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Your Chamber staff,
Paul, Donna, Tim, Rod, Ashley
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NEW MEMBERS
Give a warm welcome to our September additions!
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Lundy HR Consulting, LLC
1728 Nickel Place, Suite B
Frederick, MD
Triple Crown Construction
5115 Pegasus Court, Suite D
Frederick, MD
UPL!FT
679B E. Church St.
Frederick, MD
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Chamber Travel Presentation
Monday, September 30th, 6:00 - 7 :00pm
Chamber of Commerce - 1 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to travel to Tuscany with the Chamber and C I Destinations. This evening presentation will present all the information you'll need to learn about this trip and to lock in the best travel rate!
Learning Lunch Hour
"Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 - How You & Your Business Can Save Tax Dollars"
Tuesday, October 8th, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Applause Caterers - 58 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD
Join us for this FREE presentation from SEK, CPAs & Advisors' Peter McDonald. He'll be covering the tax law changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as well as highlight things individuals and businesses can do to save tax dollars. While this is a free presentation, lunch is available for purchase. No outside food permitted.
One More Customer
Tuesday, October 15th, 7:45 - 9:00am
Chamber of Commerce, 1 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Eddie Peters hosts this FREE monthly event, part webcast event with Fran Tarkenton, part in-person presentation from a fellow Chamber member offering expertise on a variety of topics. Open to Chamber members & non-members alike, this is a great way to start your day.
Maximize Your Membership
Thursday, October 17th, 9:00 - 10:00am
Chamber of Commerce, 1 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Are you a new Chamber member? A member who's been with us for awhile, but needs a refresher on just how you can best use your membership? This event is for you! An hour-long, information-packed presentation from Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck and Membership & Retention Specialist Rod Irish is just a click away.
B.A.S.H. (Business and Social Hour) at Middletown Valley Bank
Thursday, October 17th, 5:00 - 7:00pm
1101 Professional Court, Hagerstown, MD
This event is what most Chambers, ours included, are known for! Our business card exchange and networking after-hours event is easily our most popular monthly gathering. Join us for food, beverage, door prizes, and more for just $5 as a Member! Plus, by registering by Noon the day of the event, you'll be eligible to win our Chamber Prize Drawing if you're in attendance at 6pm. For our Centennial year, we'll also be giving away $100 to one attendee!
Coffee & Connections
Wednesday, October 23rd, 7:30 - 9:00am
Chamber of Commerce, 1 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD
Start your day at the Chamber with complimentary coffee from River Bottom Roasters, and light breakfast provided by Tele-Medico (a Teladoc broker and one of our Member benefits programs). Open networking and a chance to appreciate artwork provided by our featured artist Rebecca Perkins. This event is FREE to Chamber members!
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Check out what's new with some of our members!
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HUB LABELS NOW A LANDFILL FREE MANUFACTURER
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Hub Labels, Inc, a leading custom label manufacturer, announced on Tuesday, September 17th, that they are 100% landfill free, a rarity in the label industry. Through a partnership with Entsorga in Martinsburg WV, Hub Labels now converts all their waste into clean burning alternative fuel called solid recovered fuel or SRF.
"Being landfill free has been a long, difficult road", commented Nink Myers, purchasing manager at Hub Labels. "It was a project that began in 2009 when we introduced linerless labels to the United States market. We love that this revolutionary label has zero liner waste compared to a traditional label. We started to find out more about how we could make Hub Labels an environmentally sustainable business." With the partnership between Hub Labels and Entsorga, Hub was able to install a monitoring system to trigger a notification when their compactors are 75% full so the waste can be hauled away on a full truckload. Each haul is between 8 ½ to 10 tons of waste. The waste is taken from the Hub facility down to Entsorga, where it is turned into alternative fuels. The energy created is used as a replacement to fossil fuels which in-turn powers large co-processing facilities such as cement plants and steel mills.
Partnering with Entsorga to convert their waste into fuel is only the latest accomplishment in going green at Hub Labels. In 2010, Hub started an 18-month journey to become TLMI Project L.I.F.E. certified by reviewing and implementing more sustainable business practices. Since then, Hub Labels has been recognized in the community with numerous environmental leadership awards. In 2015, Hub Labels purchased a Chevrolet Volt to use as the company vehicle and installed a charging station at their headquarters in Hagerstown, Maryland. Earlier in 2019, Hub Labels invested in a corrugated shredder to repurpose cardboard into packing materials and reduce the need for bubble wrap with their shipments.
"Doing the right thing isn't always the cheapest and easiest way to run a business", mentioned Thomas Dahbura, President of Hub Labels. "We didn't force ourselves to completely transition to be landfill free overnight. It's been a long-haul, but we never lost sight of our goal to become landfill free. When we learned Entsorga was opening their doors in West Virginia, we began talks with them to see if they could use our waste and turn it into renewable energy at their facility. We finally found a great fit to help us reach our goal and become landfill free."
Hub Labels, Inc has been at the forefront of advances in the label printing manufacturing industry, having been among the first to introduce four-color process, computer-to-plate technology, digital printing, servo-driven presses, and linerless labels among many other innovations. The existing print facility located in Hagerstown, Maryland has been expanded over four times to its present size of 110,000 square feet, with more than 20 presses in-house.
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"PURPLE HAZE" EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY AT WASHINGTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL THROUGH END OF MONTH
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A powerful new exhibit is in its final stretch at the Washington County Arts Council. "Purple Haze: Selective Perceptions" which opened August 29th, is a collection of submitted pieces incorporating the color purple and addressing the impact of addiction.
This is, of course, a great partnership with Washington Goes Purple, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of the use and misuse of opioids in Washington County.
Pieces within this exhibit are said to be quite emotional. Some reflect personal experiences of the artist(s) either directly or indirectly, while others evoke hope.
You can view these pieces and cast your vote for a favorite through October 1st at 34 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD.
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DINNER THEATRE STAGES 'SWEENEY TODD - THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET'
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The Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater's 35th Season continues with Stephen Sondheim's thriller Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Playing 10 performances only, beginning September 13 and continuing through October 27th.
Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight TONYs, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world.
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up… and the carnage has only just begun!
The musical is preceded by a buffet meal beginning at 6:00pm. There is one matinee on Sunday, October 27th at 1:00pm (meal).
Tickets cost $49.50 and include salad bar, hot buffet, dessert, coffee, tea, and iced tea. Bar tab and gratuity not included.
The historic Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater, which has been newly remodeled, is located at 44 North Potomac Street, Rear in the heart of Hagerstown's City Center and Arts and Entertainment District.
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HUMANE SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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The Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) announces that Ms. Colin Berry has accepted the position as the shelter’s new Executive Director. She will officially assume the role on September 19.
“I am incredibly honored to be given an opportunity to move into a new role at HSWC as Executive Director,” said Ms. Berry. “I am proud of the work we do and am thrilled about several exciting new projects that are on the horizon. I deeply believe in our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and supporters and am confident that we will continue to make incredible progress for the animals of Washington County. ”
Ms. Berry has been in the animal welfare field for 20 years, most recently serving as Interim Co-Executive Director and Development Director at HSWC. Prior to that, she spent twelve years working in several capacities for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). She began her career at the Memphis Shelby County Humane Society.
“The Board of Directors is excited that Colin Berry has accepted the position of Executive Director. In her time with HSWC, she has demonstrated a keen ability to grow programs, raise critical funds, and implement new, life-saving initiatives for the animals,” says Kelly Tracey, HSWC Board President. “We are confident that Colin’s extensive animal welfare experience and her proven commitment to HSWC will lead to remarkable benefits for the animals.”
Ms. Berry’s experience includes animal care, new program development, marketing and communications, fundraising, legislation, and animal cruelty and disaster response. She holds a Master of Science degree in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Sociology/Anthropology from Guilford College.
The Humane Society of Washington County exists to promote the welfare of companion and domestic animals through educational programs and initiatives that reduce pet overpopulation, endorse fostering, enrich adoptions, and encourage responsible pet guardianship.
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HCC TO HOST STEM FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 12
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Hagerstown Community College will host a STEM Festival on Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the campus of HCC.
The 2019 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Festival will feature science exhibits and demonstrations, hands-on activities and competitions for K-12 students, and more. Activities and events will take place in the STEM Building; Athletic, Recreation and Community Center (ARCC); and the Energy and Trades Training Center on HCC’s main campus.
This event is free and is open to the public. Sponsors include HCC, the Hagerstown Lions Club, Beacon House Inc., and the Washington County Free Library.
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MARYLAND THEATRE NEARS OCTOBER 11TH GRAND RE-OPENING
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The Maryland Theatre has set an open house for Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m and construction is nearing its final stages.
Soon after, the following week, on Oct. 17, 18, 19 and 20, Maryland Entertainment Group will present "An Evening with Poe" in a new third-story studio called "The View." On Oct. 19 and 20, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra will return to the main stage, presenting Carmin Burana.
The historic theater was built in 1915, according to history posted on its website. A 1974 fire destroyed the front of the building but left the auditorium virtually untouched. Thanks to efforts of community members who named themselves "Citizens to Save The Maryland Theatre," it reopened in 1978.
The auditorium can seat 1,300 people. On any given year the facility hosts about 175 to 200 events and performances and welcomes about 100,000 people, Green said.
The events range from concerts to business meetings to private gatherings, like weddings and receptions. But the historic facility was limited in what it could offer event planners.
"It was all on stage. That was our only space," Green said.
The new expansion has multiple spaces to rent, giving the theater, which is a nonprofit organization, additional sources of income.
In January, the organization hired a staff member to work on booking events. Green said the move is paying off. Events are scheduled into 2023, she said, and sometimes there will be two or three on a given day.
"It's clearly something that was needed in Washington County," she said of the new spaces.
The theater will be using those spaces, too. For example, it's planning a dinner, "Tiny Tim's Holiday Feast," on Dec. 7 as a companion event to the Totem Pole Playhouse's production of "A Christmas Carol."
"It's improving your experience at the theater," Green said.
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Do you have something to share with fellow Chamber members? Simply email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck at tim@hagerstown.org to get started on this free opportunity.
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ADVERTISING OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2020 DIRECTORY
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We've partnered with Herald-Mail Media for our upcoming 2020 Chamber Business Directory and Community Profile. This 170+ page annual publication is THE go-to resource for Washington County citizens to learn about offerings here in our community.
Consisting of three sections (Alphabetical, Who's Who, and Buyer's Guide), this publication finds its way into nearly ever waiting room and lobby and is distributed to members and office walk-ins alike, throughout the calendar year.
To get started and to learn more about available rates, please contact Brittney Hamilton at
BrittneyH@herald-mail.com
or 301-791-7177
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2020 CHAMBER EVENT BANNER SPACES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
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It's no mystery. Branding should be one of your revolving goals when it comes to your annual marketing plan! Get seen throughout every single indoor Chamber event from January through December 2020.
Premium spaces: $500
Non-Premium spaces: $375
Interested? Simply email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck to get started at
tim@hagerstown.org
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B.E.P. Corner
A contribution from our Business and Education Partnership Committee
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The Business and Education Partnership committee of the Chamber works to improve educational opportunities in Washington County. Throughout the year this committee identifies and coordinates monthly learning lunch programs and sponsors the Teacher of the Year program. Learning lunch programs have focused on topics such as Small Business Solutions, Being a Great Presenter, Passion for Service, Creating a Coaching Culture and Tax Law Updates. If you missed any of these offerings, you missed a lot!
The BEP Committee is committed to providing quality educational experiences for Chamber members. We encourage you to submit your training ideas to this committee for inclusion in the 2020 round up of programs. What better way to support your employees than to offer an opportunity to increase capacity through education. And if you would like to present a program let us know that as well. We look forward to hearing from you! Contact Committee Chair Kathleen O'Connell of the Washington County Free Library at
ko01@washcolibrary.org
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WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 650 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education.
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