Maryland Chamber of Commerce | Maryland Chamber Federation

MARYLAND CHAMBER FEDERATION

OVERVIEW

Small business is the driving force of job creation in Maryland and is an important part of the core constituency of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s grassroots advocacy efforts. Our activities affect no other group of businesses more dramatically than small businesses. Our overall success in the global marketplace is directly tied to the state’s ability to foster a climate that is competitive and favorable to small business, a sector that makes up almost 92 percent of Maryland’s registered companies.

Introduced in January of 2019, the Maryland Chamber Federation is a partnership with our local chamber member partners, that ensures the voice of small business is heard with minimal investment and maximum impact. Since launching the Maryland Chamber Federation, the Maryland Chamber has grown to over 27 Chambers and 6,400+ small business members.

Through the Maryland Chamber Federation, any business with 10 or fewer full time employees, who is a member of a participating local chamber, will receive FREE Federation membership into the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. This membership is available to small businesses as long as they have 10 or fewer employees and are a current paid member of your local chamber.

Participation in the Federation gives local chambers a valuable sales and retention tool, increased influence in the state legislature, and access to timely information, opportunities and resources.

This partnership is designed to empower small businesses and grow the voice of business at the local, state and federal levels.

OUR PARTNERS:

Federation Chair: Bill Chambers, President & CEO, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce

Federation Vice Chair: Angela Rose, President & CEO, Harford County Chamber of Commerce

PARTNER WEBSITES:

County Chambers

City & Regional Chambers

Statewide Organizations

BENEFITS

A valuable sales and retention tool for the largest market of potential members in Maryland, companies with 10 or fewer employees, your members (with 10 or fewer full-time employees) benefit from:

Free Federation membership in the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, adding an additional $750 value annually to your existing membership benefits.
A team of government affairs professionals aggressively and proactively representing their businesses throughout the year at the state capitol and in Washington, D.C.
Opportunity to participate in statewide initiatives, surveys and coalitions and to provide feedback that has a direct impact on public policy development.
Up-to-date information on state issues through legislative e-news, The Leading Voice, grassroots business action updates and calls to action updates during the legislative session.
Chamber Legislative Briefings, including the legislative update, From the Halls, e-newsletter
Maryland Grassroots Advocacy Training – The Chamber’s issue advocacy education program training businesses on the nuts and bolts of how to effectively lobby elected officials.
Reduced member pricing for Maryland Chamber signature events
Participation in the Chamber’s D.C. Roundup at the U.S. Capitol
Aggressive, proactive General Assembly representation aggregating Chamber “Clout” to oppose initiatives harmful to business and supportive of job growth
Access to the members-only side of the Maryland Chamber website and member directory

Increased Influence in the state legislature through direct input and participation in the Maryland Chamber’s legislative activities.

Invitations to the annual Grassroots Advocacy Workshop for chamber executives, an opportunity to hear from key legislative leaders, provide input on issues affecting your community, review the Maryland Chamber’s legislative priorities for the upcoming session and discuss the important role local chambers play in the process.
Invitation to a post-session legislative briefing call designed to help your chamber share the results of the session and the impact on business with your members.
First consideration when identifying local chamber partners for regional opportunities, studies and projects.

Access to relevant and timely information, resources and opportunities.

Access to local chamber staff information center containing key legislative updates and calls to action, sharable content related to Maryland Chamber policy issues and marketing tools and templates to promote the Federation benefits to your members.
Eligible to receive a Maryland Chamber sponsored scholarship to Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) or Institute of Organization Management (IOM) training, event or conference.
Special event invitations, promotional opportunities and information on important statewide policy and competitiveness issues and events.

Increased brand awareness among potential members statewide through promotion of your chamber in Maryland Chamber initiatives and communications.

Eligible for a rotating annual appointment on the Maryland Chamber’s Legislative Committee (4)
First consideration when identifying locations and partners for Maryland Chamber events, such as local chamber hosts for regional wrap up events.

For more information on joining the Federation, contact Whitney Harmel at wharmel@mdchamber.org/410-269-0642 x1117.

Maryland Chamber Federation