Chamber Update

Happy New Year! With a new year comes a big change for the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce. We’re now the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce. Our name change is official and our focused has expanded. More of our events will be held in Arnold, and we hope to be more involved with the Broadneck schools and business community. It’s going to be an exciting year.

This year we’re also observing the 40th anniversary of our Independence Day Parade, and that’s a big milestone for a beloved community event. We’ll begin planning right away and we hope you’ll start thinking about your parade entry as well!

Starting in January, we’re launching our new Shop Talk program, with Patrick Lee of Chesapeake Think Tank as facilitator. Think Tank will tackle some intriguing topics, and the first one will be entitled “How to Move a Business through Uncertain Times.” We’ll meet at noon on January 14 at the private dining room at Bill Bateman’s Bistro in Severna Park for that topic. In February we’ll meet on the 11th at Bill Bateman’s to tackle another great topic, “How do you get a Business off the Plateau?” Please join us!

We’re starting off the year with a great Successful Women in Business program entitled “New Year – New You” at Waves Salon & Spa in Severna Park. This is one of our First Cup Club events and it runs from 8:00am-9:30am on January 16. There is no charge for members or first-time guests; there is a fee of $15 for nonmembers. Coffee and breakfast treats will be provided. Guest speakers will be Donna Huddleston, owner of Waves, and Pam Spearman, independent representative for Mary Kay. Please RSVP to 410-647-3900.

Business Bites, our lunch-seminar series, will present a timely topic for January - “It’s that Terrible Time of the Year – Tax Season, what now?” The speaker will be Barbara Zimmer of B Zimmer & Company and the location will be Brian Boru for this January 22 event. Business Bites luncheons run from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. There is a fee of $20 for members and $35 for nonmembers and a choice of three delicious entrees. RSVP to 410-647-3900 or sign up online at www.severnaparkchamber.com.

Our annual Installation Dinner will be held on January 29 at Chartwell Country Club. Our guest speaker will be Delegate Ron George. He has represented District 30 in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2006. He currently serves on the Ways and Means Committee, Election Law Sub-Committee, and the Commission on Campaign Finance Reform.

Del. George is the founder and chair of the Doctor’s Caucus. He was the recipient of the Annapolis Ronald Reagan Award and chosen Legislator of the Year by the State Chamber of commerce for his pro-small business, fiscal conservative success. He is seeking the Republican nomination for governor to bring his fiscal conservative, solution-oriented approach to the governor’s office. Doors will open at 5:00pm with a social hour and registration, including a small silent auction. There will be a door prize at each table. Seating for dinner will be at 6:00pm. Please contact Linda Zahn at 410-647-3900 for further details and reservations.