New Membership Model – Already Embraced by 14 Local Chambers – Will Ensure that Voice of Maryland Small Business is Amplified with Maximum Impact and Minimal Investment
January 23, 2019, Annapolis, MD – Declaring that small businesses are the driving force of job creation in Maryland, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce today introduced a new membership model designed to organize thousands of businesses as a unified force, while also forging close collaboration with the dozens of local chambers of commerce throughout the state.
Under the terms of the Maryland Chamber Federation, any business with 10 or fewer full-time employees that is a current paid member of a participating local chamber will receive free Federation membership with the Maryland Chamber.
Federation partners will gain increased influence in the state legislature through direct input and participation in the Maryland Chamber’s legislative activities. They will also receive proactive General Assembly representation aggregating chamber “clout” to oppose initiatives harmful to business and supportive of job growth. In addition, members will gain access to all Maryland Chamber communication on state issues through legislative briefings, grassroots business action updates, e-newsletters, calls to action during the legislative session and more.
In making the announcement at the kickoff of the Maryland Chamber’s annual “Meet the State” event in Annapolis, Christine Ross, president & CEO, Maryland Chamber, said: “Not only are small businesses a key constituency of our grassroots advocacy efforts, Maryland’s overall success in the national and global marketplace is directly tied to the state’s ability to foster a climate that is competitive and favorable to small business.”
Intended to both serve and empower small businesses (a sector that makes up almost 92 percent of Maryland’s registered companies), the Maryland Chamber Federation is based on a partnership with local chamber members, one intended to ensure the voice of small business is amplified with minimal investment and maximum impact. Already, 14 local chambers of commerce have signed partnership agreements enabling them – and their small business members – to participate.
The following local chambers of commerce have joined the Maryland Chamber Federation:
- Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce
- Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
- Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce
- Calvert County Chamber of Commerce
- Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
- Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce
- Dorchester Chamber of Commerce
- Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce
- Harford County Chamber of Commerce
- Howard County Chamber of Commerce
- Rockville Chamber of Commerce
- Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce
- Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce
“The Howard County Chamber is constantly seeking ways in which we can add value for our members, especially those with 10 employees or less, as they are often the ones operating on shoestring budgets,” said Leonardo McClarty, president & CEO, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, one of the first to embrace the new model. “The Maryland Chamber Federation agreement allows us to continue to add value for them by enhancing our small business voice at no additional cost.”
About the Maryland Chamber of Commerce: Founded in 1968, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan, business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory, and civic arenas as a catalyst for positive change in Maryland. Members gain access to high-level signature events, focused strategy sessions, and dynamic leadership, as well as a seat at the table for think-tank discussions with industry leaders and other influencers. Learn more at www.mdchamber.org.\
To see the Federation on the Md. Chamber website: https://mdchamber.org/resources/maryland-chamber-federation/
