An all-day event, this follows on from the chamber’s Social Media Conference held in June 2009.

The conference is scheduled for Feb. 5 at Mount St. Mary’s University Frederick Campus. It’s aimed at helping area businesses learn how to use new media and technology to listen to customers, build relationships, make business and social connections, and gain valuable marketing exposure.

  Volunteer presenters are needed for 60-minute breakout sessions and 30-minute application demonstrations for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users.

  Proposals for presentations are due at the chamber office by Dec. 16. The Chamber will carefully consider each presentation proposal, with the goal of providing the best possible learning experience for conference participants.

  The Call for Presenters can be downloaded at www.frederickchamber.org (direct link: http://bit.ly/frednmt). The packet includes a more detailed description of the audience and breakout sessions.

Frederick County Chamber of Commerce President Ric Adams and chamber President Denise Jacoby will be meeting with Delegate Sheila Hixon next week.

Who’s she?

Hixon chairs the Ways and Means Committee of the Maryland General Assembly, which has authority over tax legislation, among other things.

According to the chamber’s public policy update, sent out this afternoon, “A concern about potential increases in state taxes is one area of concern for all of us.”

"Our meeting with Delegate Hixson is intended to give us a preview of proposed legislative changes that could impact your business, so we can share them with you and develop effective strategies for addressing them. If you have any specific questions for Delegate Hixson, this meeting will be a perfect opportunity to share them. Please email your questions, comments, and concerns directly to Ric at radams@frederickchamber.org."

Just so everyone's on the same page, committee chairman and women in Annapolis are very powerful and can pull some heavy rope. Fingers crossed Adams and Jacoby make a favorable impression ...

	The Hizzle, in a file photo. For some reason, standing in a bath with a guitar.

Our very own Frederick County Chamber of Commerce is embracing Web 2.0, and demonstrating that those who want to bring it to Biz Blog are upping their competition. Bring it on, we say.

This came over this morning from chamber Communications Director Jessica Hibbard, or as she likes us to refer to her, “Jess to the Hizzle.”

The Chamber’s ultra-energetic, super-creative Marketing Council met earlier this week, and we had a great discussion about social media. For a long time, we’ve wanted to create a way for members to connect outside of events, but weren’t sure how to get started. The committee provided great input, and we’ve wasted no time launching some new online communication initiatives.

On Wednesday, we created a group on LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals. Any members who already receive our weekly email updates are pre-approved to join, and others can submit a request. Membership is limited to employees of current Chamber members. Of course, if you’re not a member yet, we’ll be glad to help you apply! This online group will be a place for discussions and news with a focus on the Chamber and the Frederick County business community.

Today, we launched a presence on Twitter, the microblogging site that’s growing more and more popular. Anyone can follow the Frederick Chamber’s updates at twitter.com/fredcochamber, and Twitter users can follow us at @fredcochamber. We’ll be posting updates about Chamber news, member news, events, and more. We’re planning to post daily, so this is a great way to stay in touch with the latest business-related news between email updates.

The next item on our agenda is creating a Frederick Chamber blog. Stay tuned!

Here's a story that's running tomorrow, penned by yours truly. It's interesting to note the change. I wrote about this last year when the county chamber, in a controversial move, hired Don Murphy of Genn & Murphy. Murphy is perhaps one of Annapolis' most colorful paid representatives.

ANNAPOLIS — The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce has hired new lobbyists to represent them in the Maryland General Assembly.

Greenwill Consulting Group, a government relations firm based in the state’s capital, Annapolis, will start Nov. 1.

"The chamber is constantly seeking new ways to keep our members informed about current issues and help them connect with the Frederick County delegation,” said Ric Adams, Chamber President & CEO, in a statement released Monday. “Greenwill Consulting Group will help us build strategic relationships in Annapolis, and continue to create a more positive environment for business in Frederick County.”

Genn & Murphy, also of Annapolis, have represented the chamber for the last two years, but the chamber is now focusing more strongly on government relations.
Hibbard said a change in lobbyists helps the chamber maintain a fresh perspective on the issues

“After two years of successful lobbying in Annapolis, we were ready to further our legislative agenda,” said Chamber Communications Director Jessica Hibbard. “Greenwill consulting is a perfect fit for the type of coalition-building we want to do at this point in time.”

Ivan Lanier, David Boschert and Scott White will be the chamber’s primary consultants.

Lanier has represented Sempra Energy, which recently ended plans to place a natural gas power plant on Alcoa Eastalco property near Adamstown. He also represented Eastalco before the General Assembly in 2006 as plant officials sought lawmaker’s help to reopen the shuttered aluminum facility.

Boschert is a retired state delegate from Anne Arundel County.

The new lobbyists will be introduced at the chamber’s annual reception Nov. 5 and moderate a question and answer session with Frederick County lawmakers Jan. 9.

“Being chosen by the Frederick Chamber of Commerce among the many lobbying firms in Annapolis is a tremendous opportunity,” Lanier said in a statement. “Our business model is that personal contact cannot be underestimated, and is the best way to communicate with agencies and General Assembly members.”

Susan Witmer of Liberty Road Seafood & Steak attended the U.S. Chamber event this morning, according to Jessica Hibbard, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce's communications director.

She snapped this photo while she was there. All Frederick Chamber small business members have an opportunity to apply for a free small business membership in the U.S. Chamber.

	IF YOU GO EXPO 2008 When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday Where: Holiday Inn & Conference Center (next to FSK Mall) EXPO 2008 events on tap 9 a.m.: ribbon cutting Until 11 a.m.: breakfast at the EXPO Noon-2 p.m.: caterers and restaurateurs compete for best appetizer and best dessert at 3rd annual Taste of the EXPO

Despite these uncertain times for the U.S. economy, local indicators of business are good.

Take, for example, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s annual EXPO tomorrow at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center. Booth space for the show is sold out and the exhibit hall will feature 56 companies.

(Disclaimer: The Frederick News-Post is among them.)

The lobby will be home to eight government, education and non-profit chamber members, and also the EXPO’s welcome and information desks.

And on Friday, the Greater Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce had an attendance of 200, despite the bad weather.

Eighty percent of people who came to the recent job fair organized by the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce live in the county, according to data sent over by chamber Communications Director Jessica Hibbard.

Of the 491 respondents who took a survey out of the roughly 650 who attended, 75 percent work outside the county, indicating there’s a lot of people yet to be part of the economic development slogan of “live here, work here.”

Forty percent of those job seekers were 30 or younger, and 40 percent are employed. Various age groups were pretty equally represented, as were the fields job seekers were looking to enter: 20 percent each for banking, clerical, customer service, human resources and management.

Some good news for us here at the FNP: more than half those surveyed heard about the job fair from a newspaper.

Here’s the data:

JOB FAIR 2008, JOB SEEKER SURVEY DATA (491 respondents out of ~650 attendees)
 

• 80%     Live in Frederick County
• 40%    Currently employed
• 25%    Work in Frederick County
• 60%    Use car for all or some transportation to work

• 20%    Age 18-22
• 20%    Age 23-30
• <20%    Age 31-39
• 20%    Age 40-49

Remaining 20%: Age 50+

• 40%     Age 30 or under

Respondents were looking for the following types of jobs:

• >20%    Banking
• >20%    Clerical
• >20%    Customer Service
• >20%    Human Resources
• >20%     Management

All other categories were well under 20%

A number of the finalists for the Maryland Chamber's small business of the year awards are supported by the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

They will be honored in Baltimore June 6. Take a look out at the list below. Chamber Communications Director Jessica Hibbard tells me this is the second year the local chamber has had the most nominees:

1-5 Employees

• All-Pro Placement Service Inc., supported by the Baltimore County Chamber
• impactHR LLC, supported by the Maryland Chamber
• Murray Financial Group Inc., supported by the Frederick County Chamber

6-50 Employees

• Choptank Transport, supported by the Maryland Chamber
• Talon Construction Inc., supported by the Frederick County Chamber
• Vyalex Management Solutions Inc., supported by Leadership Howard

51-200 Employees

• MEDEX Global Group Inc., supported by the World Trade Center Institute
• Offit Kurman, P.A., supported by the Howard County Chamber
• Specialized Engineering, Supported by the Frederick County Chamber

Partner in Business Award

• Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, supported by the Maryland Chamber
• Maryland Works, supported by the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber
• United Way of Central Maryland Inc., supported by the Maryland Chamber
   

Local attorney Tom Lynch has been appointed to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

According to a post on the state Chamber's blog, Lynch will represent the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

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UPDATE 14:32: Chamber President and CEO Ric Adams just sent through some more info via his communications director on Lynch's appointment. Lynch will attend meetings on behalf of the local chamber three to four times a year, and act as a liaison by reporting back to us on programs and issues discussed at the state level.

"Tom has been a huge asset to our board, and we know that he’ll provide valuable insight to the Maryland Chamber as well," Adams said.

Chamber Communications Director Jessica Hibbard sent along the following note that I dare not ignore for fear of her terrible wrath. So here it is:

Workforce development is something we hear about more and more all the time. The Chamber’s monthly newsletter, the Connector , is published as an insert in today’s FNP, and features a guest column by DLLR <http://dllr.state.md.us/> Secretary Thomas Perez on this hot topic. To find out what’s happening on the state level to address workforce development concerns, pick up a copy of today’s paper, or click to read the PDF. The Chamber is also heavily involved in this issue on the local level, and provides some information about its annual Frederick Regional Job Fair and Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education on page 5.

	Nothing like a cool logo when you're trying to motivate radical opposition.

Part of that anger came from how the tax seemed to be tacked on to legislation at the last minute by the Senate Budget and Tax Committee, without any chance for representatives of the computer industry to come to Annapolis and lodge their objections.

Momentum is building to repeal the tax in a number of quarters, including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

According to a recent memo sent by President and CEO Kathy Snyder, opponents include the Tech Council of Maryland and other organizations the chamber is building a coalition between to fight the tax.

"Regardless of company size or industry sector, Maryland businesses rely on computer services to compete," Snyder wrote. "Imposing a 6 percent sales tax on computer services like web design, network maintenance and custom programming is bad public policy.

The computer tax, estimated to raise $200 million, is due to take effect July 1.

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	Chamber Communications Director Jessica Hibbard will be back on the radio this week
	ON THE WEB Vegas Radio (now an Internet station only) Washington Business Radio

The Chamber's Communications Director Jessica Hibbard had been broadcasting a short segment with Brunswick-based Vegas Radio, five minutes every Tuesday morning.

That lasted from May until September, when the station's owners leased their daytime broadcasting hours to Spanish-language programming.

Now Hibbard will be back with Washington Business Radio on the dial at 700AM with a three minute segment that will air at 11:31 a.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, part of the small business advocate radio show. The first segment airs Thursday.

The station has a tower in Walkersville and has a strong signal in Frederick, Hibbard said.

"They saw the article about Vegas Radio switching to Spanish in (The Frederick News-Post) and called me up," Hibbard said Wednesday."It's a great partnership for the Chamber — they just joined as new members, and they're interested in promoting their station in this area."

The mutually beneficial relationship should provide additional exposure for the station with the local business community, "and of course, helps us get the word out about Chamber initiatives," Hibbard said.

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UPDATE:

Two show previews:

Preview 2

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AT A GLANCE Chamber legislative preview: Seating is limited, and registration and prepayment are required. Cost to attend this event is $15.00. Participants must call 301-662-4164 or visit frederickchamber.org frederickchamber.org to register by Dec. 21. For more information about this and other Chamber programs, contact Jessica Hibbard, Communications Director, at 301-662-0745, or visit frederickchamber.org.

According to a press release sent out today, it'll be a Q&A format, and:

Chamber members and non-members are invited to share their unique perspectives as residents, professionals, or business owners, with our legislators before they return to Annapolis for the 2008 session.

Seven of the eight members are slated to attend — Delegate Galen Clagett, a Democrat, can't make it.

Topics will include:

	Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller

Syrylo was testifying before the Senate Budget and Tax Committee Saturday. Combined reporting is one of Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposals to close a $1.7 billion state budget deficit.

It would, according to the guv, change the state's tax law to require that out-of-state corporations be subject to Maryland's corporate income tax — something that the Comptroller's Office argued in a report earlier this year they haven't.

In Saturday's B&T meeting, Chairman Ulysses Currie said the combined reporting portion of O'Malley's budget solution didn't have the votes to get out of committee.

So, here's what Miller said (what I wasn't there to see, apparently, was that Miller jumped out of his chair and turned red):

"I don’t think that you’ve understood that there’s a bill for combined reporting sponsored by the governor and so the militancy, especially from the chamber of commerce, I find offensive. Maybe you don’t understand politics. That’s why some people are turned off by the Chamber of Commerce. You don’t understand, we’re on the verge of passing a combined reporting bill and the only thing that’s saving you and the chamber and these other people is the possibility of a study. So that’s what we’re looking at right now. Combined reporting or the possibility of a study. That’s the issue right here. It’s not a question of nothing, it’s a question of one or the other. It’s either a study, or combined reporting."

The study is a maneuver to keep progressives on board in a Senate committee that is wavering on imposing a tax on business, one that only nets between $25 million and $50 million, according to vague estimates.

Now, what's not clear is the context and what set Miller off. Anyone know?

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You can, apparently, blame me. According to Don's latest:

After three full days of hearings, and three attempts by me to report on the general atmosphere in Annapolis, I thought I might defer to the Delegate (Rick) Weldon on his perspective of the hearing on the Governor's health care bill before the Delegate's Health and Government Operations Committee. If I continue to play reporter, I'm afraid that Cliff Cumber (Biz Editor at the Frederick News-Post) might come down here and try and compete with me as a lobbyist...

Although it's a very, very tempting offer, I doubt I could bring the same savoire faire to lobbying as Don does.

Besides, it's so much easier Monday-morning quarterbacking from the comfort of the FNP office, even if I have to sacrifice driving a flash Jaguar to work every day.

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Knight said he has offered to continue his activities through the end of the year.

From his e-mail:

"I had previously decided not to sign the Chamber website contract with the addition of a particular set of terms and so withdrew my bid. For the past five years I have employed a very deliberate strategy of using the website alongside all our other advertising and marketing efforts, to promote a message from our Chamber — one of success, growth, professionalism and camaraderie — but I don't feel that I can successfully continue one side of this strategy without the other."

Knight said he plans to remain active in the chamber and as editor of the Mount Airy phone book.

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Weldon -- who lives in Brunswick -- will give talk on the 2008 session of the Maryland General Assembly (and will no doubt have some choice words about the special session going on as I write).

The event will be held at 7:30 a.m at the Green Country Inn, 620 Souder Road, begin with networking and refreshments, move on to the business meeting, then speakers.

The “Spotlight" Speaker will be a representative of Blue Ridge Floor and Tile.

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The dinner is Nov. 8. More details here.

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	ON THE WEB The tax policy study conducted for the state chamber by Ernst & Young can be found here. More info on some of the proposed legislation and this week's hearing schedule for the committee can be found here.

In one case, the Democrat, Clagett, and the Republican, Brinkley, both of whom serve on budget committees, were in agreement: funding is more likely to go to bigger jurisdictions with bigger problems.

They were responding to an often asked audience question: what will you do to ensure you bring home the bacon for the folks at home?

Both danced around the impending impact on local jurisdictions, although with an acknowledgment earlier in the program that counties like Frederick, who had posted large surpluses, would be in the crosshairs to bear some of the responsibility for closing the $1.7 billion deficit in the state budget.

The Maryland Association of Counties has been warning that the budget hawks are been eying that extra county cash.

Both Brinkley and Clagett agreed lawmakers were trying to deal with the state as a whole (especially true in Brinkley's case — he's the Senate minority leader and has to hold a fairly diverse caucus together). Both said Frederick had so far done well out of the state.

"That’s one of our responsibilities," Clagett said, "to look out for the whole state and at the same time keep a strong eye out for what Frederick County and Frederick city need. And I don’t think we’ve done all that badly. There’s always room for improvement."

Baltimore, Brinkley said, “has some very real problems and they are a drain on us.” Social needs, he said.

“Our challenge is in trying to bring back what Frederick County needs. Frederick County needs a lot in school construction and issues like that. Frederick County has also asked for more than Anne Arundel, Baltimore County and some of those other jurisdictions.”

I think that when they say "doing OK," and "hasn't done badly" we can safely read between the lines: don't expect anymore money. ...

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	Delegate Galen Clagett, D-Frederick, talks to an audience of chamber members on the coming special session, while Sen. David Brinkley reviews his notes.
	ON THE WEB Special session details

The brunch skull session on the impending slugfest to solve a projected $1.7 billion deficit was organized a while back, before the special session date had even been announced.

But Delegate Galen Clagett, a Democrat, and Sen. David Brinkley, a Republican, came anyhow. The Maryland General Assembly will convene at around 8 p.m.

For Clagett, an Appropriations member, and Brinkley, who sits on Budget and Tax, the work begins tomorrow as committees with jurisdiction over the state's dollars and cents begin a week's worth of hearings.

So, did either have anything new to say?

Not really. Brinkley, who is also the Senate's minority leader, was playing to a mostly at home crowd of businessmen and women; Clagett, a businessman himself, compared Maryland favorably to other state's financial pictures. Both naturally represent opposing points of view on how best to deal what's coming.

The consensus? No one seems to know how this is going to turn out, except there'll be cuts, and greater taxes.

Looks like everyone's going to feel some pain.

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	Katie Nash, chief of staff for Maryland Sen. E.J. Pipkin

Nash is returning from whence she came, so to speak. Once upon a time, Nash worked for Sen. David Brinkley, now the Maryland Senate's minority leader. Then she lobbied for former Baltimore Delegate Don Murphy lobbying firm, before making a jump to the chamber. We wish her the best of luck.

(Nash is also a member of the Frederick County Republican Central Committee, which is where we nabbed the photo.)

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	For more information about the Chamber Academy and other programs, contact Jessica Hibbard, program and event coordinator, at 301-662-0745, or visit www.frederickchamber.org.

Covey's Rule 8: Sharpen the saw.

That's just what the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce is offering the local business community with its Chamber Academy programming this year.

The deadline to register is Wednesday (I've got an e-mail in to Program and Event Coordinator Jessica Hibbard for the drop dead time. I'll update when I have it).

The deadline to register is 4:30 p.m.

The first of nine sessions kicks off Oct. 24 at the Frederick Community College Conference Center, entitled "When to Manage and When to Lead."

Daniel Cunningham, Jr., Director of Instructional Assessment, Maryland State Department of Education, will join with Phyllis Younkins of Frederick County Public Schools will lead the presentation. Contact info is in the right-hand box.

The other eight courses:

HUMAN RESOURCES I, Nov. 30
A Manager’s Guide to Humans
Presented by Janet Flanagan

LEADERSHIP II, Dec. 4
Creativity & Leadership
Presented by Shuan Butcher

SALES/MARKETING I, Jan 30
Five Ways to Super Sales & Profits
Presented by Lee Martin

LEADERSHIP III, Feb. 13
Dealing with Change
Presented by Dan Cunningham & Phyllis Younkins

HUMAN RESOURCES II, March 12
Preparing the Second Tier: Planning for Growth & Succession
Presented by Karen Justice

LEADERSHIP IV, April 10
The Servant Leadership Model: A Paradigm Shift
Presented by Shuan Butcher

SALES/MARKETING II, May 1
Unique Selling Propositions & Direct Marketing
Principles Presented by Nancy Wigal

HUMAN RESOURCES III, June 5
Recruitment & Retention Strategies
Presented by Wally Olson

	Kathleen Snyder, Maryland Chamber of Commerce president

(Disclaimer: Connector is published by the FNP.)

Snyder outlines briefly the state chamber's objections to Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget solutions based on a recent tax study the chamber commissioned.

Key findings of that study:

Maryland businesses will pay a significant share of the increased taxes under most of the options evaluated. Business would pay 40 percent of a sales tax rate increase, 79 percent of a sales tax expansion to professional services, and as high as 33 percent of adding a 6 percent top individual tax rate bracket.

Changes to corporate taxation have the highest cost of all the policy options in number of jobs lost per $1 million of tax revenue raised.

The incidence of jobs losses across the sectors of the economy varies. A comparison of the corporate income tax rate change and the sales tax rate change shows that the corporate income tax increase results in a larger share of jobs losses in higher-paying occupations.

According to Snyder, O'Malley's proposals to expand the sales tax to cover more services and change tax reporting standards for corporations would cost jobs.

"Business looks at its bottom line," Snyder says in her column. "If more taxes have to be paid, and Maryland businesses are placed at a competitive disadvantage with firms outside the state, less money is available for business investment and job wages and benefits."

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For all events: Seating is limited. Unless otherwise noted, registration and prepayment are required. To register, call 301-662-4164 or visit www.frederickchamber.org. For more information, contact Jessica Hibbard, Program & Event Coordinator, at 301-662-0745 or jhibbard@frederickchamber.org.

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Thursday, October 4
After Hours Joint Chamber Celebration
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting at 5 p.m.
Linganore Wine Cellars, 13601 Glissans Mill Rd., Mt. Airy
FREE
Registration deadline: Thursday, September 27th

Join us for a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the beautiful new banquet facility at Linganore Wine Cellars! We'll network with members of the Mount Airy Chamber and sample Linganore's delicious wine selections. Refreshments provided by Carraba's, Café 611, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, and Super Suppers. Door prizes provided by Costco, The Greene Turtle, Adventure Park USA, Cafe 611, PNC Bank, and Linganore Wine Cellars.

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Tuesday, October 9
Your Chamber Connection
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Romano's Macaroni Grill, 5201 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick
FREE, Open to non-members only
Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 3

Not yet a member? This is the perfect opportunity to make connections and learn more about the Chamber. Breakfast provided by BB’s Bagels & Bread.

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Thursday, October 11
Lunch Exchange
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cafe 611, 611 N. Market St., Frederick
$20 Chamber members, $30 non-members
Registration deadline: Monday, October 8

This increasingly popular monthly event provides an opportunity for business professionals to gather at a Chamber member location to enjoy great food, atmosphere, and "speed networking." Join us for a fabulous lunch, door prizes, and business connections!

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Wednesday, October 17
Business Card Exchange
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Rager, Lehman, & Houck, P.C., 7420 Hayward Rd., Suite 101, Frederick
FREE
Registration deadline: Friday, October 12

Bring lots of business cards to this monthly, after-hours networking event, where 125-175 area professional gather to make business connections.

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Wednesday, October 24
Chamber Academy – Leadership I
8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Frederick Community College, Conference Center Room 126-ABC
$35 Chamber members, $70 non-members
Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 17

When to Manage & When to Lead Presented by Dan Cunningham & Phyllis Younkins Do you find yourself in Management Land, struggling to escape? Great leaders occasionally fall into the trap of Management Land and have to make the journey back to Leader Land. For an organization to be great, it must have great leadership. No matter where you are in the organization—executives, managers, and aspiring leaders at any level—you will find the solutions provided in this session to be valuable and applicable. Recommended Reading:
Escape from Management Land & Monday Morning Leadership (both by David Cottrell)

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Friday, October 26
Business Outlook Seminar
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Holiday Inn Ft. Detrick, 999 W. Patrick St., Frederick
FREE
Registration deadline: Tuesday, October 23

The Chamber is honored to welcome Jack Markey, Director of the Frederick County Division of Emergency Planning & Management, who will present information about emergency preparedness for businesses. Following Mr. Markey's presentation, there will be a brief question and answer period and time for networking. A continental breakfast will be provided by the Holiday Inn.

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Thursday, November 8
95th Annual Dinner & Live Here! Work Here! Awards
5:30 p.m. Reception & Dinner
Holiday Inn Holidome & Conference Center, 5400 Holiday Dr., Frederick
$100 per person, $800 per table (8 seats)
Registration deadline: Thursday, November 1

Join us for an evening of networking, dining, a special guest speaker, and the presentation of our annual Live Here! Work Here! Awards.
The Chamber is honored to welcome Secretary David W. Edgerley, of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, as our featured guest speaker.
For their outstanding commitment to the quality of education in the greater Frederick community, the Chamber is pleased to recognize the winners of this year's Live Here! Work Here! Awards: Outstanding Educators

Matthew T. Johnston (Social Studies – Frederick HS)
Natalie A. Evans (English – Linganore HS)
Steven A. Lockard (Principal at Tuscarora Elementary)

Benchmark Award
Kappa Alpha Psi
Horizon Award
Fort Detrick
Champion of Education
Frederick County Family YMCA
Lifetime Educator Award
Dr. Noel Farmer

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A Business Card Exchange will be held at the New Windsor State Bank, 1001 Twin Arch Rd, Mount Airy, on Wednesday October 10th from 5pm to 8pm. Business Card Exchanges are networking events designed for local business people of all trades and professions. There is no charge for admission and anyone doing business in the greater Mount Airy area — even if they are not currently a Chamber member — is invited to attend. For more information on the Greater Mt Airy Chamber of Commerce please visit www.MtAiryBusiness.com or call 301-829-5426.

For your calendars, with more information to follow:

The Greater Mt Airy Chamber of Commerce will hold its fifth annual Membership Drive & Networking Event, on Thursday November 15th from 4 to 7pm at the Century Ford dealership on Century Drive, Mount Airy.

	DLLR Secretary Tom Perez

Perez will be a guest speaker at the chamber's Business Outlook Seminar, a free event held from 8 a.m. at the Fort Detrick Holiday Inn.

From the chamber's press release:

Secretary Perez will be sharing the latest news from his department, as it pertains to the Frederick area business community. Following the presentation, there will be a brief question and answer period and time for networking.

The next Business Outlook Seminar is scheduled for Oct. 26 with a presentation by Jack Markey, director of Frederick County Division of Emergency Planning and Management. Linda Burgee, superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools, will present Nov. 30.

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	ON THE WEB O'Leary's Emporium

The association represents retailers throughout the state with 600 members at 1,400 locations.

O'Leary's has been a member of the association for 20 years. Morris joined the MRA in 1996. He has served as first vice chairman of the organization, and chaired the legislative committee, political action committee and educational foundation.

Morris has operated O'Leary's since 1984.

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	Dignitaries (with the FNP's Denise Jacoby at center pointing at Delegate Rick Weldon) prepare to cut the Expo: 2007 ribbon
	AT A GLANCE Emergency planning for your business: Conduct a continuity plan with your staff and employees: "Please, do not forget your employees. If you have an emergency, they're the first to panic," Stanton said. Have emergency supplies: Know your business and what you need to keep going for three to five days. Stay or go: Have plans for either staying and sheltering in place, or evacuating, and practice the plan. Write a crisis communications plan: Know how you're going to communicate with families of employees or other businesses if you have a crisis. Review your insurance plan Prepare for utility disruption Secure you buildings and your plants Evaluate your technology needs

I was in with the early crowd to listen to the 7-7-7, where seven speakers talk for seven minutes on a specific topic. Lots of interesting information, including news that the county will ask businesses to develop emergency plans that will ultimately be integrated into the county's overarching emergency planning.

Barry Stanton, the assistant county manager who has emergency planning duties, said: "Businesses cannot do it alone, and government cannot do it alone. So we want you to sign up."

Stanton, to underscore his point, asked how many businesses could survive being shut down for five days, even 10.

Naturally, not many audience members raised their hands. Companies and businesses need to be able to rely on themselves for the first 24 to 48 hours, when emergency services could be tied up elsewhere, Stanton said.

The county plans to begin a large public campaign, launching Oct. 24 with an educational summit.

To give you a quick head start, I've put Stanton's tips for planning in the box.

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The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Holidome and Conference Center, near the FSK Mall.

From the press release our favorite chamber employee, Jessica Hibbard, sent through:

The EXPO kicks off at 8 a.m. with a special event, “Do The Right Thing!” This continental breakfast and 7-7-7 seminar features 7 community leaders speaking for 7 minutes each on 7 different topics, all geared toward helping busy professionals improve their businesses and their communities. The speakers and topics for “Do The Right Thing!” are as follows:

Charlie Smith, Frederick County State’s Attorney: “Hot Legal Issues for Businesses” Sam Castleman, Executive Director, ThorpeWood: “Green Building”

Barry Stanton, Assistant County Manager, Frederick County: “Emergency Preparedness: Is Your Business Ready?”

Brian Jacobs, Red Noodle Web Design: “The Benefits of Doing Business Locally”

Steve Chafitz, President, e-EndUSA: “Recycling & Eco-Business”

Catherine Mock, VP, Keller Stonebraker Insurance: “Employee Benefits: A Benefit for You & Your Community”

Laurie Holden, Director, Frederick County Workforce Services: “Alternatives to Commuting”

Tickets for this fast-paced event are $10.00 each, and must be purchased in advance. 5-packs and 10-packs of tickets may be purchased at a discounted rate. Please register by September 4th. Call 301.662.4553 or visit www.frederickchamber.org.

Entrance to the exhibit hall is free and open to the public, beginning with a ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m. and closing at 3 p.m. Exhibits will be of interest to business professionals, consumers, families -- anyone who wishes to find local suppliers, service providers, clients, and career opportunities.

	The Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the Hispa Expo 2007 at the Washington Convention Center on Aug. 25-26, and the XVIII Washington Latin American Film Festival from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7. For details, call the chamber 301-404-1946.

Frederick and Hagerstown chapter events:

Chamber

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