The January General Membership Luncheon will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:30 AM at the Wicomico Youth &Civic Center. The Maryland General Assembly Session Preview will be presented by Abbi Ludwig, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce represents more than 7,000 businesses across every industry. Ludwig leads the Chamber’s strategic communications, marketing, media relations, research-driven content, and event messaging, supporting the organization’s work to strengthen Maryland’s economic competitiveness. She develops statewide narrative and advocacy communications and helps tell the positive story of Maryland’s business community — the employers driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across the state.
Topics discussed will include:
- How we’ll be supporting businesses in Annapolis: Storytelling, advocacy and education campaigns and some new ways to stay on top of what’s happening in Annapolis/what to pay attention to.
- Maryland’s competitiveness snapshot: Key data on business growth and survival rates, tax climate, economic performance, and our lagging job growth.
- An overview of the Maryland Chamber’s priorities for the 2026 session:
- Business taxes & fiscal strategy: Protecting Maryland’s competitiveness and avoiding harmful tax increases.
- Transportation funding: Sustainable, long-term solutions for the Transportation Trust Fund.
- Energy & climate policy: Balancing climate goals with cost, reliability, and affordability for employers.
- Data privacy & AI: Fixing inconsistencies in Maryland’s 2024 data privacy law and advancing innovation-friendly AI policy.
- Workforce development: Expanding apprenticeships, childcare access, second-chance employment, and job pipelines.
- Regulatory modernization: Streamlining permitting, procurement reform, and addressing red tape that slows business growth.
- What businesses need from Annapolis: Practical reforms that improve Maryland’s business climate and support job creation statewide.
Registration is required at salisburyarea.com. Tickets are $35 for members or $45 for non-members and includes a full buffet lunch.
