Chamber Update

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Linda ZahnSummer is zipping by! It’s hard to believe we’re already in August. Public schools will start their schedules on August 24 and 25 (visit www.aacps.org for details). Remember when shopping for school supplies to shop local. Support the local businesses that help with PTSO fundraisers, sports team sponsorships and many of the activities that help build a strong community.

The second Sunday of August through the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear marked $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the state sales tax. Accessory items are not included. The Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week for 2015 is Sunday, August 9, through Saturday, August 15. On the topic of shop local, please save the date of October 17 (October 24 rain date) for our Shop Local Fun Festival at Park Plaza. Details to follow!

Our last free Fly-By Friday cookout of the season is Friday, August 14, at the chamber of commerce building on Holly Avenue. This event is for our members, and it runs from noon to 1:00pm. Our “guest chefs” will be from Bay Country Painters. Frozen treats will be provided by Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. We wish to thank our sponsor for this summer’s cookout season, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Fall is a busy time for the chamber of commerce. Our Driving Force for Business Golf Tournament is on September 21 at Chartwell Country Club. Traditionally a sellout event, the tournament promises some fun attractions for attendees. We offer an early bird registration incentive (by September 1), so call 410-647-3900 or visit www.severnaparkchamber.com. The golf tournament is prominently featured on the homepage tool bar. It’s a great networking opportunity, it’s a nice treat for your clients, and it’s an all-around unbeatable way to spend the day.

On August 19, the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce will be one of multiple business organizations involved in a joint business exchange breakfast at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum. The fee is $25 for members (in advance), $35 for members at the door and $45 for nonmembers. Call today to reserve your seat!

One of the most important aspects of any business is customer service. On August 26, we’re building a Business Bites luncheon topic around “Customer Service = Customer Retention.” We’ll be at Café Mezzanotte and our guest speaker will be Ronald Atwood, department manager at Nordstrom. Nordstrom is known for legendary service, and Mr. Atwood will share some of the ways Nordstrom provides the kind of service that’s helped build the store’s reputation.

We have a late summer patio business mixer planned for August 27 at Walden Country Club. We’ll team with the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce for this event, which will run from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The fee is $10 for members prepaid and $15 at the door.

Feel free to contact the chamber office at 410-647-3900 or email us at info@severnaparkchamber.com.

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