Chamber Events

Our monthly Nonprofit Direct Connect meeting will be in person in November at GGCC member BlackRock Center for the Arts, and is shifted to the 3rd Wednesday this month due to the Veterans Day observance. 

Join us for a conversation with Maryland State delegate Marc Korman who will share important information about the state budget and a preview of the upcoming MD legislative session.

Marc was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2014, representing District 16. He is the current chair of the Environment & Transportation Committee and served as the Majority Leader in 2023.  

Our Nonprofit Direct Connect group typically meets on the 2nd Monday each month virtually or in person. This Direct Connect group is led by Denise Fredericks, Mercy Health Clinic, and Deborah Zimmer, Universities at Shady Grove. All meetings are open to all Chamber members.  For more information on the GGCC's Direct Connect program, please click here. If you need accommodations to comfortably access this event, please email llumbreras@ggchamber.org. 

The GGCC's Mastermind Direct Connect group invites all chamber members to participate in this event! 

Join us for a panel discussion centered around AI-driven productivity tools, and also some cautionary measures that folks should be aware of.

Confirmed panelists:

• Cliff Peterson: owner, Integrency (IT/cyber)
• Philippa Channer: owner, Channer Consulting (marketing)
• Matt Ruck: Founder & CEO of xop.ai (automation and AI consultancy)
• awaiting confirmation from other invited panelists 

Venue and light breakfast sponsored by:

Space is limited. Please register only if you know you will attend this event.  Please email llumbreras@ggchamber.org if you need accommodations to comfortably access this event. 

Our panelist bios:

• Matt Ruck is the Founder & CEO of xop.ai, an automation and AI consultancy specializing in cost effective and practical use cases of AI that can benefit every employee’s productivity.   He is a former CEO of designDATA, a leading Managed Services Provider.      

• Philippa Channer is a dedicated marketing strategist with close to 20 years of experience in communications and a passion for empowering small business owners. Her mission is to help entrepreneurs take control of their marketing by equipping them with the confidence, clarity, and tools needed to develop their own impactful marketing strategies.
•  
• Cliff Peterson: owner, Founder & CEO, Integrency

Program for November:  We will receive an update from the City of Gaithersburg's team about various development projects. 

Through the Gaithersburg-Germantown Economic Development & Legislative Affairs (ED&LA) Committee, the Chamber will proactively work with City, County and State Leaders to support the Economic Development of Gaithersburg, Germantown and surrounding jurisdictions, and represent the GGCC and its members in a pro-active manner in the formulation of state and local legislation and policy affecting the business community. These meetings are open to all members to attend and learn more about the various economic and legislative topics impacting businesses in our area.

The Membership Attraction and Retention (MAR) Committee is charged with: maintaining a strong growth in membership through targeted new member recruitment activities that effectively communicate the value of membership to community businesses; Promoting the ongoing value of membership to member businesses through personalized contacts with member business representatives and other initiatives that monitor member needs, member satisfaction, and their perception of Chamber Value; communicating the Return On Investment to Members and engaging them in GGCC activities.

All Chamber Members Welcome to Join and Attend our Meetings

Join us for a joint networking happy hour with several great business networking organizations: Connect Network, GGCC, the High Energy Lunch Bunch, Networking Partners, and FNG, and help support the local philanthropic efforts of our business community!

Expand your network of business friends and referrals. Bring your business cards! Your $15 donation includes a drink ticket and delicious appetizers sponsored by Dave & Busters! Additional food/beverage and game play is available for purchase.

All proceeds from this event will equally benefit Operation Second Chance and the GGCC Community Foundation.

Please register at this link.

This event is going to be popular! Sponsorships for this event are available if you would like additional exposure for your business! For $150, you can have your logo here and address the crowd about your business at the event! 

Thank you to these sponsors:

About the GGCC Community Foundation:   The GGCC Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization organized in Maryland. Founded in April 2023 as an independent entity by the Board of Directors of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, the GGCC Community Foundation seeks to “Support community engagement work relevant to the Montgomery County Upcounty small business community, with an emphasis in professional development, workforce development, and community involvement.” As part of the Chamber's Annual Public Safety Awards Breakfast, the GGCC Community Foundation has engaged in a fundraising effort for the Shop with a Cop programs led by the Gaithersburg Police Foundation and the MC Police Foundation. All Shop with a Cop donations are tax-deductible and will be passed to those entities.

Finish up our 2024 YPG Professional Development Series with a discussion of these two books:

• Book 1: Navigating Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most (Aug)  
• Book 2: Managing Up: How To Move Up, Win At Work & Succeed With Any Type Of Boss (November)     

Please feel free to bring a breakfast or snack from one of our local chamber restaurants!  

Professional Development Series venue sponsored by Homewood Suites by Hilton.

GGCC YPG members: free to attend

Non-GGCC attendees: $25/ticket

If you would like to make an optional, tax-deductible donation to support future professional development programming, please make a donation through the GGCC Community Foundation. 

The Professional Development series is geared toward our Chamber’s Young Professionals Group, but is open and relevant to all members! Attendance is free for our YPG professionals, and others are encouraged to attend, share their experiences with and learn from our earlier-career members, and are also encouraged to make an optional donation of their choice to help support future Professional Development events. All Chamber members are invited, and please remember that Chamber membership extends to ALL employees in the member business! Together we are stronger. We are the #GGCC. We are the #UpcountyEngine. Let’s learn together!

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country and is part of the larger Shop Small Movement. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. Since it started in 2010, consumers have reported spending over $200 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturdays since 2010*. 

Shop Small has grown to be a year-round movement that supports small businesses across the globe.  

Want some #ShopSmall #ShopLocal swag from AmEx?  Visit us during the holiday shopping season at a Chamber event, or at the Celebrate the Seasons event in Germantown Town Center!

*This spend statistic is an aggregate of the average spend as reported by consumers who shopped small on Small Business Saturday in surveys commissioned by American Express reporting spend habits on Small Business Saturday since 2012. It does not reflect actual receipts or sales. Each such survey was conducted online among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. The data was projected from the samples based on then-current U.S. Census estimates of the U.S. adult population (18+).

This year's biggest bash is our "75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala - Celebrating the Upcounty Business Community!" 

This is our biggest bash of the year - A celebration of business in the upcounty! It also serves as the Chamber's largest fundraiser, helping us continue our mission of strengthening businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live, and grow the economy in our community.

Don't miss your chance to enjoy an evening celebrating with the GGCC's movers and shakers at the Chamber's Best Night Out!
 

THE EVENING'S EVENTS INCLUDE:

• Silent auction & Prize drawings
• Exhibits about the Chamber's 75-year proud history
• Cocktail reception
• A beautiful-styled, 3-course homestyle dinner, served with local Crossvines wines
• Presentation of the Annual “You Made a Difference Award”
• Presentation of the “17th Annual Small Business of the Year” award
• Presentation of the "2nd Annual Mid-Size Business of the Year" award
• Presentation of the "12th Annual Young Professional of the Year” award
• Recognition of the GGCC's Nonprofits of the Year (previously awarded): The Foundation Schools
• The awarding of the Montgomery College Scholarships funded by GGCC Businesses to Montgomery College students through the GGCC Community Foundation
• Installation of the 2025 GGCC Board of Directors and Officers
• GGCC Community Foundation Board of Directors Recognition
• The best networking around! 
• & More!

Business cocktail attire. 

• SPONSORSHIPS: Register Here, Info here
• INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: Register Here
• AUCTION INFO: Click here
• YETI RAFFLE TICKETS: Purchase here, Info here
• AWARD APPLICATIONS/NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN!  Due November 10th.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Title Sponsor  - City of Gaithersburg  

Gold Sponsors: Rio , Hughes

Small Business of the Year Award Sponsor - M&T Bank

Young Professional of the Year Award Sponsor - Supporting Strategies

Nonprofit Business of the Year Award Sponsor - Montgomery College  

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

Rodgers Consulting

MHG  

 Beverage Sponsors - The Crossvines, Gaithersburg CPAs

Tickets are limited! Final Registration Deadline: November 29, or upon sellout.

GGCC Yeti & Beverage Prize Drawing

Drawing Date/Time: GGCC Gala, December 5^th, approx. 9:30pm

Retail Value: Over $1200

Prize includes: Yeti Tundra 65 Hard Cooler, navy blue, assortment of local craft beers, fine wines, fine premium spirits.

Prize package donated by: Grace & Virtue Events (Yeti), GGCC Board of Directors and local beverage producers (beverages)

Tickets: $40 each, max 300 tickets sold

Rules:

• Need not be present to win
• Must be 21+ to enter and to claim prizeN
• ame and contact information must be clearly written or submitted online
• Max tickets sold: 300
• Proceeds benefit GGCC Community Foundation 2025 programming
• In the case that the winning ticket does not claim Yeti & Beverage prize, a second drawing will be held January 6, 2025 with remaining tickets.

Any online purchases will be transferred to a physical ticket. Please make sure you've included your name & email & phone number when you register.

Prize Package includes the following:

TOTAL PRIZE PACKAGE VALUED AT $1401.94

Thank you to our donors: Grace and Virtue Events, GGCC Board of Directors, GGCC Community Foundation Board of Directors, Key Ingredients Catering, Clear Skies Meadery, Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, Third Hill Brewing, Silver Branch Brewing Company, 7 Locks Brewing Company

INCLUDED IN PRIZE: 

YETI – navy blue, Tundra 65 model, with wheel package

SPIRITS:

• Lagavulin 16 years aged

• Tanqueray Batch Distilled Gin No. Ten

• Noah's Mill Small Batch Bourbon

• Ketel One Vodka 

• Gran gala

• Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey

WINES:

• Chappellet Mountain Cuvée 2021

• La Marca Prosecco Italian Sparkling Wine

• CURRANT BUN RED BLEND 2022

• Cloud Break Chardonnay - 750 ML plus gift card for catering from Key Ingredients Catering

• Chateau Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon NV 750ml

• Tolaini, "Al Passo," Toscana, Italy, Red Blend, 2020

• Chateau Ste. Michelle Sweet Riesling, Columbia Valley - 750 Millilitre

• Moray, Vineyards, and winery, cherry wine, dessert, wine

• JUGGERNAUT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021

• CAPITAL Z ZINFANDEL 2022

• Meandre Rouge

LOCAL CRAFT BEERS and MEAD:

• Third Hill brewing

• Silver Branch Brewing Company

• Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co

• 7 Locks Brewing Co.

• 3X clear skies meadery, knotty oak plus

• $10 clear skies gift card

The Health & Wellness Direct Connect is designed for like-minded business owners committed to learning, growing, and driving success together. This intimate group will focus on exchanging insights, solving problems collaboratively, and holding each other accountable in a confidential and supportive environment.

Bring your lunch and join us to develop relationships and gain fresh perspectives! If you have any questions, please contact Steve Reinhold at steve@phwassociates.com or Wendy Iglehart at wiglehart@wendyiglehart.com.

Join us for the ribbon-cutting celebration of our chamber member, James Bonato Videography, as we celebrate the premiere of his newest documentary film Resilience Has a Face!

The movie will be shown at BlackRock Theater. The event will begin at 7:30 PM with the Ribbon Cutting, followed by the movie from 7:45 PM to 8:45 PM, and a Q&A session from 8:45 PM to 9:15 PM.

To pique your interest, here is the film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_64k15Xsjs