April 19, 2019
CYBER CONFERENCE 2019 Coming June 6, 2019. 
Don't Miss It!

Connect with and learn from the best and the brightest in the Cyber Security world. 
 

The number one attack vector for our cyber security systems has been, and more than likely will always be, our people. As technology and security improve, user awareness must also improve. Identifying insider threats, whether malicious or accidental, is a crucial part of securing an organization's systems. Leaders must know their people, what drives them, and how to be honest with them, in order to ensure organizational loyalty, trust, and reliability.  


  LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Local Education and Minimum Wage Dominate Legislative Wrap Up Breakfast
 
While many are enjoying spring break and time away with their kids, the Howard County Chamber and members of the General Assembly were having a robust discussion on the 2019 legislative session. Led by Howard County House Delegation Chair, Dr. Terri Hill, the panel consisted of Delegates Warren Miller and Courtney Watson along with Maryland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Vice President Larry Richardson and NFIB State Director Mike O'Halloran. 

The Chamber paid homage to House Speaker Michael Busch who passed recently and then quickly turned its attention to session highlights. Noted session highlights by General Assembly members included legislation that limited the Maryland Comptroller's Office enforcement powers of alcohol, tobacco and gas industries, Historic Ellicott City funding, and legislation assisting Marylander's with the purchase of healthcare insurance. 


Membership Experience Survey Closed
 
The Howard Chamber Staff and Board of Directors appreciates those that took the time to complete the membership experience survey. 

Out of 720 members, 103 took the time to share their experiences and recommendations. Know that the Chamber's volunteer leadership and staff values the insights expressed, and will carefully review the comments made and act accordingly. 
 
As a token of appreciation, one ticket to the Chamber's Annual Cyber Conference, Signature Gala, or one month of banner ads in the weekly newsletter was afforded to three lucky winners. Those winners are:
  • Marilyn Johnson - Marilyn Johnson Sewing & Design Studio
  • Donald Kropfelder - Susan Komen, MD 
  • Barb Nicklas - The Mall in Columbia 
 
The Chamber is thankful to all who support the work of this organization. The Chamber looks forward to further supporting our member business and community development efforts.
COMMUNITY NEWS AND INFO

Join Delegate Courtney Watson on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at Miller Library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City for a 2019 District 9B Session Wrap-Up. Senator Katie Fry Hester will be her special guest and they will provide highlights of the legislative session and answer questions.

Thursday, May 2nd  is the public meeting for County Executive Calvin Ball's Phase Two of the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City.

Thursday, April 25th  is the State Highway Administration's Informational Open House regarding the Route 103 Roadway Widening Project. The open house will be held at Veterans Elementary School, 4355 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City from 6 to 8 p.m..

  CHAMBER EVENTS


  2019 ANNUAL CHAMBER PARTNERS
Strategic Alliance Partner
  WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!
Join us in welcoming two new members to the Chamber this week. We are happy to see them come onboard.
  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!
In honor of our 50th Anniversary Year, we will be recognizing some of our original members throughout the year in this section of the newsletter as well as some of our newest members!
  CHAMBER NEWS
The Business Monthly Celebration of the Howard County Chamber Issue

The Howard County Chamber and The Business Monthly are once again teaming up for our annual Celebration of the Chamber issue this June. The Chamber and our members will be featured along with our events, awards and special programs. The Business Monthly will be offering advertisements in the issue until May 1st. If you are interested, you can reach out to kathy@bizmonthly.com for more information.
HoCo Chamber Members Head to Portugal 

Join us for an exciting eight day trip to explore and discover Portugal this fall. 

For more information about our 2019 Chamber Trip  please call Kristi Simon at 410-730-4111 or email her at  ksimon@howardchamber.com .  


  CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
Ribbon Cutting at StratWealth in Maple Lawn

"Great opportunity to meet and connect with the StratWealth team"

April 24, 2019, 5:00-7:00 PM
StratWealth
8170 Maple Lawn Blvd,
Suite 100
Maple Lawn, MD 20759

RSVP to Ronny Nadiv, 410-730-4111 x 114 or rnadiv@howardchamber.com

Join us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Northrop Realty

Meet the Northrop Realty team and see their new location.

May 2, 2019, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Northrop Realty
10065 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD
National Small Business Week Virtual Conference

The U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE will host a FREE 2-Day Virtual Conference during National Small Business Week. Attend this live online conference to learn new business strategies, meet other business owners and chat with industry experts

May 7-8, 2019 | 11:00 am-5:30 pm ET


JOIN US FOR THE SPRING 2019 ENTREPRENEURIAL CELEBRATION


The Howard County Community College Center for Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence is celebrating student entrepreneurship. You are invited to join us for some light refreshments, networking and presentation to the award winners.

May 8, 2019, 5:30-8:30 PM
Howard Community College
Student Services Hall, 4th Floor

RSVP to  cebe@howardcc.edu
 
Cyber Innovator of the Year

The Howard County Chamber was proud to sponsor this year's Cyber Innovator of the Year - Howard County at the annual Cyber Association Maryland, Inc. awards dinner. 

Chamber President, Leonardo McClarty was on hand to present the award to IronNet Cybersecurity. The Fulton based company's mission is to develop the most advanced and effective cybersecurity solutions to defend customer networks, industry sectors, and nations from advanced cyber attacks.

Black Fox Awarded Contract with MD Transit  

Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship (MCE) resident company, Black Fox, wins contract with the MD Transit Administration. Black Fox will provide strategic planning and business continuity support in efforts to enhance the agency's Office of Information Technology Operations.


Howard Community College (HCC) Launches Maryland's First Construction Management Apprenticeship Program



To meet the growing demand for employees in the construction management industry, Howard Community College (HCC) will offer Maryland's first  Construction Management Apprenticeship Program . The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation recently approved HCC as a registered apprenticeship sponsor for the new program, which will launch this summer. Chamber member Impact Marketing & Public Relations consulted with HCC on the communications plan to get the word out.
COMCAST MAKES EMMY AWARD-WINNING X1 PLATFORM AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES NATIONWIDE

Comcast Business today announced that millions of bars, restaurants, hotels and gyms now have access to the company's award-winning X1 video platform.  X1 for Business  includes easier search and navigation, voice control and a picture-in-picture, sports content companion called the X1 Sports App that includes team and players profiles, statistics and real-time, game-specific data.

X1 for Business is now available to businesses across 100 percent of Comcast's footprint.

Howard County Library has framed prints available to borrow.
Need art for your home or office? 

Borrow framed prints and photographs from Howard County Library System's Central Branch for FREE!

The Library's new Art Education Collection features nearly 300 framed prints and photos. The collection contains diverse visual styles and themes, and features artists such as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keefe, Ernie Barnes, Charles Bibbs, and Pablo Picasso - as well as local artists. Each artwork is accompanied by information about the artist, the piece, and tools to inspire conversation. 

2019 Business Appreciation Week

Howard County businesses of all types and sizes are invited to take part in the 2019 Business Appreciation Week from April 22 - April 26! As a part of our ongoing mission to improve the resources available to our business community, each year teams of ambassadors from the Howard County Economic Development Authority, the Chamber, Government Officials and Elected Officials, including County Executive Ball.

Meetings Matter Expo & Luncheon

Join Visit Howard County, in partnership with the Howard County Chamber of Commerce and Howard County Economic Development Authority, for Meetings Matter Expo & Luncheon.


Learn about incredible meeting venue offerings in your own backyard plus realize the economic impact your meetings and events have on the local economy, community, and your business.

April 25, 2019
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Main Street Ballroom, Ellicott City MD

This is a free event for area businesses that hold meetings and events



Apprenticeship Maryland
Academy

When your business participates in the 
Apprenticeship Maryland program, y ou get a chance to cultivate a highly trained 
workforce and help 12th grade students to begin their careers in high-demand fields.

Apprenticeship Maryland is an incredibl e
opportunity to have a positive impact on the
career development of qualified students, and  your company bottom line. Benefits of participation in the program include:
  • Streamlined Recruiting
  • Trained potential Full-Time Employees
  • Improved Retention
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