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(Photo caption: Ribbon Cutting at Shake Shack, Gaithersburg)

We are the #GGCC. We are #StrongerTogether.

Together, we are the #UpcountyEngine.

Be in the know! Make sure you're social with us:

Gearing up for our 20th Annual Wine Tasting on May 17 at the Kentlands Mansion!

We're looking forward to our 20th Annual Wine Tasting fundraiser for the Chamber!

Six member restaurants will be providing small bites to be paired with wine that is being sponsored by our member Vine Alley! They will also provide a nonalcoholic wine.

Also, a big thank you to DJ Romy, another GGCC member, sponsoring music at the event!

This will be a fun and unforgettable evening of networking at the City of Gaithersburg's Kentlands Mansion, so don't miss out! Register today!

The price is $50 per person. This includes 1) event entrance 2) commemorative wine glass 3) raffle ticket 4) food & wine pairing 5) entertainment and 6) networking!

Proceeds support the Chamber's operations and various programs - community engagement, professional development, and education programs.

Register Here

Participating restaurants:

• Apna Pizza
• Caribbean Caterers
• Kofemi Grub N Go
• Nothing Bundt Cakes
• Roaming Rooster
• True Food Kitchen

All of our networking events provide an opportunity for each member to showcase their business by bringing a door prize.

Would you like to provide an item to include in our gift basket door prize at our 20th Annual Wine Tasting event?

Donations could be company swag or a gift card, a bottle of wine, tickets to a local event, or a gift card to a fellow member business! Email Gitzel.

A big thank you to those who have reached out with your donations for the event!

The City of Gaithersburg is getting ready for its annual, free Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to

6 p.m. at Bohrer Park!

"A CELEBRATION OF BOOKS, WRITERS & LITERARY EXCELLENCE," the festival has something for everyone to foster an interest in reading, writing and literacy conversation.

Schedules and activities for the Festival are being continually updated on the Book festival website.

You can join GGCC at the festival - more here for our members! 

New Direct Connect Groups

NEW GGCC/HCCMC Business Owners of Color Direct Connect!

Launching Today, May 8th

• Industry-Exclusive, mastermind format with highlights from members each session
• Will meet twice monthly for 90 minutes at the end of the workday
• Joint program with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County
• B2B and B2C businesses welcome
• Member-led by Fernando Fuentes, First National Bank. Fernando is a Board of Directors member of both the GGCC and HCCMC. Please email Fernando to express your interest in joining the first meeting of this group!

NEW Wellness in Aging Direct Connect!

Launched May 3rd

• Open to any professional in the wellness industry, care industry, aging and elderly care industry. 
• Member-led by Mark Asch, Right at Home. Please email Mark to express your interest in joining the first meeting of this group! Registration link for initial meeting forthcoming.

MORE to come about other exciting Direct Connect Groups forming this year: Work-Life Happiness, LGBTQIA+ business leaders, Veteran-owned Business Leaders, and Early-Mid Career Masterminds.

For more information about the GGCC's member-led Direct Connect Program, click here.

Upcoming Events

See the complete list of upcoming ribbon cuttings, celebrations, networking, and professional development events here.

Ribbon Cutting: African International Market

When: Fri., May 12, 11:30 AM

Where: 289 Muddy Branch Rd., Gaithersburg

Register Now!

20th Annual Wine Tasting & Networking at Kentlands Mansion

When: Wed., May 17, 5:00-7:00 PM

Where: Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg

Cost: $50/person

Thank you to the City of Gaithersburg & Vine Alley!

Register Now!

Real Estate & Construction Direct Connect's Annual Spring Fling Happy Hour

When: Thurs., May 18, 4:30 PM

Where: Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, 5000 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney

Cost: Suggested donation of $20

Click here to register and for more details!

GGCC at the Gaithersburg Book Festival!

When: Sat., May 20, 10:00 AM

Where: Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg

What: Any member may register to table with us at our tent! Bring your marketing materials to hand out to festival attendees!

More info!

New Member Orientation

When: Wed., May 24, 8:30 AM

Where: GGCC Conference Room, 910 Clopper Rd., Ste. 205N, Gaithersburg

Register Now!

Business Networking Before 9: sponsored by Ellis-Lopez Travel

When: Fri., June 9, 7:30 AM

Where: GGCC Conference Room, 910 Clopper Rd., Ste. 205N, Gaithersburg

Cost: Free for members and first-time guests. Returning non-members $40

Register Now!

Grand Opening: Synergy Business Center

When: Tues., June 13, 11:30 AM

Where: 18630 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg

Register Now!

Ribbon Cutting: Maryland Spine and Health Chiropractic

When: Fri., June 16, 4:30 PM

Where: Maryland Spine and Health Chiropractic Clinic, 20680 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Suite 213, Germantown

Light appetizers will be provided, as well as soft drinks/wine and prizes!

Register Now!

Coffee with a Cop Series

When: Tues., June 20, 8:30 AM

Where: Chick-fil-A, 19945 Century Blvd., Germantown

Sponsored by ServPro!

Register Now!

Committee Corner:

Highlights of GGCC's 4 Standing Committees of the Board

Next Meeting: June 7, 8:30am, (Zoom)

The Events Committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 8:30am. We'll be discussing the Wine Tasting, Public Safety Awards, and the Golf Tournament! If you would like to join the Golf Tournament Sub-committee, our next meeting will be May 22 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Email Gitzel if interested.

Please register to attend at the link above.

Next Meeting: May 18,

11am (zoom)

The Membership Attraction & Retention Committee meets the third Thursday of the month at 11 a.m.

Please register to attend at the link above.

Next Meeting: June 5 at 10am (Zoom)

The Young Professionals Group (YPG) Committee meets the first Monday of the month at 10 a.m.

The committee is looking for active members that would like to contribute to the planning & coordination of the upcoming professional development series and social events for the group.

Please register to attend at the link above.

Next Meeting: May 17,

8:30am (zoom)

Now that state legislative session for 2023 has ended, our State Senators from Districts 15, 17, & 39 have been invited to share their session highlights, and to take Q&A, at our zoom committee meeting.

Please register to attend at the link above.

Direct Connect Groups:

(Does your DC group have news to share?...email us!)

Direct Connect groups are member-led affinity groups that strategically connect smaller groups of GGCC members. More information here.

Nonprofit Direct Connect

Next Meeting: May 8, 11:00am (Zoom)

The Nonprofit Direct Connect Group is back for 2023! Facilitated by Paula Ross at the GGCC, this group will explore professional development and strategic planning topics specifically of interest to our GGCC Nonprofit members! The group will meet on the 2nd Monday of each month, on Zoom for now.

Thank you to Cliff Peterson from Integrency for presenting about the "must-dos" for cybersecurity for small nonprofits, or volunteer-led organizations.

SOHO (Small Office Home Office)

Next Meeting: May 10, 9:00 a.m. (Zoom)

"SOHO" is for GGCC Members who own and operate a "Small Office - Home Office". If you are a Member who works from home or in a very small office, please feel free to join us at the monthly “SOHO” Meeting.

Real Estate & Construction Network

Spring Fling May 18th

The RECN Direct Connect will host its Annual Spring Fling Happy Hour on May 18. All are invited! Suggested donation $20. Proceeds support Comfort Cases. Silent Auction also will raise money for Comfort Cases.

More info here.

If you have any updates, news, celebrations, recognitions & more about your business you would like to be included in the GGCC weekly newsletter, please email a brief description to Gitzel Puente at: gpuente@ggchamber.org.

Montgomery College's Alumni Association is joining forces with fellow GGCC member Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg for it's 10th annual Dogfishing for MC Scholarships on May 9. The restaurant donates a portion of the day’s sales to Alumni Association scholarships. Come for lunch, happy hour, dinner, or drinks with friends and co-workers. There will also be an on-site auction — from golf packages to resort getaways - and a 50/50 raffle, which brought last year’s winner more than $2,000.



Happy Nurses Week! Adventist HealthCare - Shady Grove Medical Center is seeking gift cards to local stores and restaurants to give to their wonderful nurses! If you are interested in providing support, please email Alexis Robbins, Interim Director of Philanthropy and Donor Relations.



DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC North/Gaithersburg was recently recognized for its leadership and was awarded the 2022 Annual Brighter Together Award and Award of Excellence! It represents founder Conrad Hilton and his vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, recognizing the top hotels with the perfect balance of exceptional products and overall guest experience.

Lerch, Early & Brewer welcomes 15 new attorneys to its law firm! Help us in congratulating our member for this 25% increase in attorneys! To read the announcement, click here.

RIO is hosting NAMIWalks Montgomery County on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. "Let’s open up doors for everyone from every walk of life to have access to the mental health resources and community they deserve.

• Cornerstone Montgomery is hosting the "Bearers of Hope Celebration" - an art program fundraiser and art show on May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Glenview Mansion in Rockville, MD. For information and to register, click here.

• Courageous Living is offering a two-part Vision Board Workshop to teach you how to use a vision board as a tool to get your personal and professional goals accomplished! The workshop will be held on Friday, June 2 and Friday, June 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the GGCC conference room located on 910 Clopper Road, Ste. 205N, Gaithersburg. Cost is $65/person. If you're interested in participating, you can register using this link. **Chamber members receive a 15% discount by entering code: GGCC15.

• FIT4MOM is hosting a Mother's Day event this Wednesday, May 10 at RIO. It's a morning full of fun for moms in the community, and it's FREE! For more information and to sign up to attend, please click here.

• Hilary Schwab Photography is offering outdoor photo sessions this spring! Do you need to update your headshot? Book a Photo Session with Hilary for: May 12, 17 and June 1. Standard fee is $85/session and $70/session for Chamber members. (Session includes 15-minutes with wardrobe stylist and make-up touch-up with blurred backround, unlimited usage of one selected digital image high resolution).

• Lowe's offers special business counts and discounts for businesses that help them grow, no matter how big or small. Their MVP PRO Rewards proram offers benefits, such as point rewards, business tools and select drinks and snacks.

• MCDOT is encouraging you to join Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 19! Registration is free, and first 15,000 people to sign up and attend a pit stop get a FREE t-shirt! For more details and to sign up, visit this website.

• Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is looking for local businesses to be a sponsor of the annual fair that'll be held from August 11 to 19! There are two levels: $1,200 for one side barn entrance and $1,600 for two side barn entrances during the Fair week. This includes a mention on the MCAC website, rotating logo ad, and six admission tickets to the Fair. The deadline to apply to be a sponsor is May 30. Check out the benefits here, and email William Herrera if interested in being a sponsor.

• ProudlyGive has been selected for MindShare's 2023 Cohort! The participants will attend a series of classes, taught by notable speakers, on building a business as a CEO. Each year, MindShare participants hail from some of the most innovative organizations in the DMV. To read more about this announcement, read their press release here.

• Radiant Livin' offers trivia nights every Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Grab your team and play to win! Trivia night is hosted at La Mex on 16143 Shady Grove Rd., Gaithersburg.



• Asbury Methodist Village is looking for a Sales Counselor and Outreach Sales Coordinator to join their team! Introduce seniors to a 134-acre campus with a certified nature preserve and arboretum, unparalleled programs, accomplished, energetic residents, cutting-edge wellness (including a climbing wall and boxing), and life-changing opportunities! Join Asbury and help change lives for the better every day.

• ComTech Systems, Inc. is hiring a Tier 1 Help Desk Technician to join the growing team in Gaithersburg. The idea candidate is someone who can balance both technical and soft skills while providing an exceptional customer service experience. A crucial part of the job is understanding the unique needs of each client, understanding the urgency and priority of each request. Check out the job posting here.

• Manna Food Center is looking to fill three positions as soon as possible! They're hiring a full-time Nutritional Education Classes, Special Events Driver and Warehouse Assistant with pay rate of $25/hr. This position serves as operator of the bus for nutritional classes and special events. They're also looking for a full-time SNAP Outreach Coordinator to work with community members by providing direct outreach and application assistance to comunities eligible for SNAP benefits. Hourly wage of $17.25 to $20/hr. The third position they are looking to fill is a full-time Development Manager to advance development strategy and increase resources for advancing Manna's mission. Salary range is $49,000 to $56,000. For more information and to send resumes & cover letter, email jobs@mannafood.org.

• My Cup Runneth Over Southern Cuisine is hiring a fry cook, cashier/line server, and food prep full-time! You can send your resume to MyCupRunnethover235@gmail.com or stop by in person Wednesday to Sunday.

• Pare & Associates, LLC is a growing law practice representing clients in family law, civil, bankruptcy, and criminal matters seeking an experienced Attorney - Family Law to join the team! The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years of experience in domestic violence and family law. In addition, they will "hit the ground running" and be a team player. Telecommunity is accommodated. For more information, email alicepare@alicelaw.com.

• Walmart is hiring for temporary positions at the Germantown location store 2357! They're looking for overnight and day positions, must work weekends. Check out this flyer for more information and to help spread the word. An application can also be found here www.walmart.com/careers.

Thank you again to these Annual Corporate Sponsors who support the Chamber's important community engagement, advocacy, and business development work all year round!