Chamber Events

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.

February is American Heart Month, so we are focused on heart health and stress reduction! Guest speaker Dona Deutsch will offer tips to manage stress and add wellness activities - for you and for small organizations like yours!  Since founding Dona Deutsch and Associates, LLC in 2008, Dona has worked to integrate worksite wellness and health promotion into corporate employee benefits programs. As an American Council on Exercise (ACE)  Certified Personal Trainer with numerous worksite wellness certifications, Dona is a sought-after presenter on a range of topics including nutrition, healthy aging, and office ergonomics.

Submit questions in advance to:  Denise Fredericks at denise.fredericks@mercyhealthclinic.org OR  Deborah Zimmer at dzimmer@umd.edu

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 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.

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 redavid@icefdt.com

Join us! The DEI&B committee will focus on advancing the DEI&B goals of our organization by advocating for economic inclusion, growth and competitiveness of our community’s diverse business population. Our goal is to ensure that the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and experiences within our business and non-profit communities is reflected in every aspect of the Chamber’s operations.

Committee Chair: Wendie Veloz

This meeting will be held in person monthly. 2nd Thursday each month at GGCC. We hope to see you all there!     

Join us monthly on the 2nd Fridays! GGCC, FNG, Connect Networking, High Energy Lunch Bunch, BNI of Central Maryland, Networking Partners, HCCMC, Olney Chamber, and PNA are joining forces to expand everyone's network! This will be an exciting virtual speed networking event, bringing professionals together from various participating organizations in a dynamic online environment. Join us for a morning of meaningful connections, where participants can engage in quick, one-on-one interactions to exchange ideas, expertise, and expand their professional networks. Don't miss this opportunity to foster new relationships and make lasting connections from the comfort of your own space.

Thank you to our facilitator, John Teel from Supporting Strategies.

For February's program, we will hear an update on the development pipeline along the upper I270 corridor, with an emphasis on Germantown projects. We will also hear about the upcomign Germantown Employment Sector Master Plan update. Our speakers will include Sandra Periera, Regulatory Supervisor with the Montgomery County Planning Department for an update on development projects, and Jamey Pratt and Audrey Vogel, also from the Planning Department, regarding the Master Plan update.  There will be time for Q&A.

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.

Join us for a Joint Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network Happy Hour at Bonchon in Rockville Town Center! Network with fellow professionals from the Greater Rockville, Germantown-Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Olney Chambers of Commerce. This collaborative event is a perfect opportunity to build connections, share ideas, and grow your professional network. See you on February 19, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM!

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

*This meeting is exclusively for GGCC Members  

6:00pm-7:00pm Mega Networking (refreshments available for purchase at the kiosk, including drinks, snacks, and sandwiches) - in the Opera House lobby at the Kennedy Center

Join us for an extraordinary evening that brings together premier business networking and cultural enrichment. Experience mega networking opportunities with members from co-hosting chambers and business associations, fostering powerful connections across industries. The night culminates with an awe-inspiring performance by Shen Yun at 7:30, celebrating cultural heritage and unity. Together, we'll thrive through shared connections and inspiring experiences. 

Networking Organizations present:

• Chinese Culture Institute
• Asian American Chamber of Commerce
• Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Arlington Chamber of Commerce
• Virginia Minority Chambers
• Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• The Eurasia Center
• Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce
• Thai American Association of Washington DC
• Global Chamber Baltimore/Washington
• Philippine American Chamber of Commerce
• Metro Washington DCAsian American Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• BWI Business Partnership
• Black Professionals in International Affairs
• Minority Business Round Table
• French American Chamber of Commerce
• US India SME Council
• Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce
• African American Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County

Free for all GGCC members.

Demystifying mindfulness in the workplace.

Come join the fun and the great opportunity to gain insight about mindfulness in the workplace from Psychotherapist Wendy Iglehart, LCPC. 

Organizations are spending approximately 8 billion dollars on wellness programs and want to provide a healthy culture and environment. Yet, mindfulness is misunderstood. We will explore the research and why types of mindfulness work in specific situations. You will leave with a bit of Zen, an understanding of mindfulness, and the best practices to implement within your workplace. Plus, there will be delicious treats from Empress Coffee and a small gift for those who attend!

Please feel free to bring lunch from any of these nearby Chamber member locations!

Are you eager to tap into the collective expertise of our vibrant business community? Look no further than the Member-Led FYI Lunch & Learn Series, a dynamic initiative designed to foster knowledge sharing, networking, and collaborative growth. 

Join us for an engaging lunchtime session where fellow members take the spotlight and share their insights, experiences, and industry know-how. This series offers a platform for learning about a variety of topics while getting to know your peers on a deeper level.