Chamber Events

Plans for 2025 to date:

• Monday, January 13,  11 a.m./Location TBD - Heidi Webb, CFRE: Mapping a whole year fundraising plan

• Monday, February 10 11a.m./Location TBD - Dona Deutsch: Tips to a happy, healthy heart/Stress management and wellness activities for small shops

More to come!

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 Economic Development & Legislative Affairs Committee will explore various topics. The monthly meeting (3rd Wednesday, 8:30am) will be virtual with a speaker unless we note an in-person opportunity to be in the community.  

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.

Launch your business journey with purpose and clarity in 2024 through one of EmpowerHer’s two transformative programs starting on January 15.

1. 12-Week EmpowerHer Business Accelerator for Entrepreneurs
   Designed for female entrepreneurs, this 12-week program provides a comprehensive roadmap for business growth, covering essential skills from audience targeting and branding to marketing and financial strategy. Through weekly coaching, participants will gain the confidence and tools needed to thrive as CEOs of their businesses.

2. 6-Week EmpowerHer Program for Support Personnel
   This new, streamlined 6-week program is crafted for support staff who play a critical role in business operations. Ideal for administrative professionals, marketing assistants, and others supporting entrepreneurs, this program will teach essential skills for driving efficiency, enhancing client communications, and aligning with the strategic goals of the business.

Why Join EmpowerHer?

• Expert Guidance: Gain insights from business strategist Philippa Channer, with a curriculum tailored to both business owners and their support teams.
• Transformative Learning: Both programs provide actionable, practical tools designed to create impact—whether you’re growing your own business or supporting someone else’s.
• Supportive Community: Join a cohort of like-minded individuals, with a unique track for entrepreneurs and support staff, fostering shared learning and collaboration.

Register Today: Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to join this transformative experience. Sign up to learn more and secure your spot!

What do you need to consider when thinking about how your clients and customers, and employees, access your business?

Our guest speaker will cover topics like why accessibility matters and how it can help your business, as well as some basics that people can implement right away.

GGCC members and guests may join us at GGCC in person or online for this seminar. In-person attendees will be treated to a light lunch complements of Gaithersburg CPAs and Wendie Veloz Enterprises.

PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE - zoom credentials will be emailed to you ahead of the seminar in case you are virtual. 

Ad-hoc meeting of the GGCC Economic Development & Legislative Affairs (ED&LA) Committee. We welcome Senator Will Smith back with us to provide an update on his outlook for the state legislative session, specifically about Juvenile Justice Reform.

We invite our neighboring Chambers to participate as well. Please forward to your respective Chamber committee members if you are interested.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89533844804?pwd=Yk5wcStaeDMxa1JvVjVKYnVibVRzdz09

Meeting ID: 895 3384 4804

Passcode: 947136

The Economic Development & Legislative Affairs Committee will explore various topics. The monthly meeting (3rd Wednesday, 8:30am) will be virtual with a speaker unless we note an in-person opportunity to be in the community.  

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 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.

BlackRock Tribute to HipHop featuring the return of the Goddess MC SA-ROC

Sa-Roc is a critically acclaimed hip-hop artist known for her thought-provoking lyrics, commanding stage presence, and intricate rhyme schemes. Emerging from Washington, D.C., she has carved a unique space in the music industry with her powerful messages of empowerment, social justice, and personal growth. Sa-Roc’s discography includes notable projects like “The Sharecropper’s Daughter,” which showcases her lyrical prowess and deep storytelling. Her work transcends music, resonating with audiences worldwide and establishing her as a formidable voice in contemporary hip-hop.

Bobby Alirezai aka DJ Oso Fresh has been blessing the decks both far and wide since 1985. Oso has played every major club in DC from the 90’s and early 2000’s and still wont stop keeping the city’s Hip Hop scene alive and well.

Oso was THE mixtape pioneer, repping the DMV with units sold all over the country at indie music shops and Tower Records in every major city in the US. While he may be a DC legend, his music travels further than the city walls.

His 3 decades of rockin’ parties have given him the opportunity to open up and spin with the likes of KRS-One, Phife of ATCQ, Jungle Brothers, Clipse, Sadat X, Vast Aire, ED O.G., Organized Konfusion, Company Flow, Slick Rick, Ghostface & Raekwon from Wu Tang, Mark Farina, Francois K, King Britt, Marques Wyatt, and many many more.

Travel back in time to the Mesozoic Era and experience the “Age of Dinosaurs” with the BSO woodwinds and host Maria Broom! We will sing, dance, and celebrate these not-so-terrible lizards together.

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its performances, recordings, community and educational initiatives including OrchKids

BlackRock’s annual Say it Loud Play it Loud MLK event will be held the weekend of January 17th 2025. This year’s event kicks off Friday night with an 8pm concert featuring renowned Hip Hop Artist SA-ROC live in the mainstage followed by an after party celebrating Hip Hop Culture with DJ OSO FRESH at 10pm. (ticket purchase required).

BlackRock then opens its doors at 12PM Saturday January 18 for a day filled with Commemoration & Celebration featuring “pay what you can” films by Spike Lee and others and a free screening of Leslie Shampaine’s award winning documentary ” Call Me Dancer”. The day long event will also feature gallery installations by Revecca Marimutu and Dunnie Onasanya, talk-backs, spoken word, workshops, a vinyl record fair and DJ’s throughout the building.

This spectacular event culminates with a blazing concert by Mohini Dey (fresh off tour with Willow Smith) in the BlackBox (ticket purchase required).

If you search Indian Bassist on Google, whose name is first in the list: Mohini Dey.

When Mohini first entered the music scene at 9 yrs old, her goal was to play with as many artists of as many genres as possible. One look at her resume will prove how she has accomplished her original goal and then some. All these years, she always prioritized other people’s work but kept writing her own music on the side. After a point, she realized that her heart lies in music direction, production and composition. She wanted to express her love and herstory through her music by creating ground-breaking and bass-forward original music that represents her. She has done exactly that with her debut release, “Mohini Dey.” In this musical masterpiece, Mohini has united many of the top artists in the global music industry to create a fusion of sounds never heard before.

Our mission is to encourage, empower, and enrich veteran small businesses through events, networking meetings, community involvement, and chamber activities.

Purpose: To identify, connect, and help grow veteran-owned small businesses through the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.

Meeting dates:  Every second and fourth Thursday monthly.

If you have any questions, please contact Ron David at edavid@icefdt.com