CMC Newsletter - FREE Can't Miss Webinars & Networking!

Chamber Connections

May 29, 2020

Become a Chamber Champion!

Small Business Seminar

Master Virtual Networking

Wednesday, June 3 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

With COVID-19 changing the way we do business, the way we network and make connections is also changing. Jim Ries from Offit Kurman is a master networker, well known in the local networking circuit, and Jim will show you how to thoughtfully master our new normal; virtual networking.

Jim Ries is Director of Business Development at Offit Kurman. They are a full-service law firm, serving the legal needs of small and mid-size privately-held owner managed businesses with 230 attorneys in 14 offices from Charlotte to New York City, with a heavy concentration here in the Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia region. Jim has access to a deep network of attorneys in every practice area, and he is able to connect business owners to the right attorney who can resolve their legal disputes and protect their assets. Jim is a master networker, and he prides himself on being able to make meaningful connections. Let Jim be your Google.

Put Your Virtual Networking Tips to The Test by Attending Our 1st Ever VIRTUAL Networking Mixer!

Membership 101

VIRTUALLY!

Thursday, June 18 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is

Ready to Welcome You Back!

We are pleased to announce that The Hotel at Arundel Preserve will reopen on Monday, June 22, 2020. The Hotel has an existing standard of excellence that touches on the entire guest experience, including a high expectation of cleanliness. We have thoughtfully adapted our operations and implemented additional measures to ensure you can relax, rejuvenate and rest well during your stay. Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our team members, guests and the surrounding community.

We have carefully planned an experience where you can put your anxiety about travel to rest. Our hotel, recently recognized as a AAA Best of Housekeeping property for 2020, has enhanced our cleaning protocols to align with new federal guidelines and industry recommendations. New disinfecting measures and modified operating practices incorporating physical distancing and low\no-touch operations are key pillars of this program.

Key enhancements include:

Frequent cleaning and sanitizing of all public spaces with an emphasis on frequently contacted surfaces
Hand sanitizer dispensers strategically positioned throughout the hotel
Guides to help maintain physical distance in our reception areas, lobbies and elevators
Furniture arrangements in common areas to respect appropriate physical distancing and limit capacity
Updated housekeeping procedures for both in-house and newly arriving guests

Learn More

Missed Any of The Central Maryland Chamber Webinars?

View Archives!

Protecting Confidential Business Information, Servers, and Networks While Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Pandemic- Presented by Chris Riismandel, Epoch Inc.; Stephen Stern, Kagan Stern Marinello & Beard, LLC & Brian Dykstra, Atlantic Data Systems on April 30, 2020

Keeping up with COVID-19_ Practical Pointers for Business Owners to Navigate the Pandemic- Presented by Veronica K. Yu, Esq. & Kelcie Longaker, Esq., Offit Kurman and moderated by Michael Cammarata, Tide Creek Financial Group on May 7, 2020

Archives

CDC Releases Resources to

Assist States to Open

Across America, states and localities are experiencing different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have chosen to begin moving gradually and strategically toward resuming civic life. To help states, tribes, localities, and territories, as well as businesses and community organizations operate as safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC released two new resources to aide in reopening.

The first, CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again , summarizes CDC’s initiatives, activities, and tools in support of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19. The document includes information on general and healthcare surveillance as well as previously posted guidance on infection control, contact tracing, and testing. Additionally, the document includes a standardized way to look at the gating criteria in the Opening Up America Again guidance and tools to assist establishments after they open; this is a supplement to the decision trees CDC released May 14.

The second resource is a set of health considerations to be used by summer camps , schools , youth sports organizations , institutes of higher education , and restaurants and bars , that are open. Considerations documents are concrete, actionable resources that focus on four categories of safeguards:

promoting behaviors to reduce spread,
maintaining healthy environments,
maintaining healthy operations, and
preparing for when someone gets sick.

Learn More

County Executive Pittman Announces Further Stage One Reopenings

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced that restaurants and bars can open for outdoor seating service on Friday, May 29 at 5:00 p.m. under state guidelines. He also advanced the date for the opening of retail businesses to coincide with restaurants. The announcements come after County Executive Pittman consulted with health officials and his recovery workgroup, which includes health, business, and faith leaders, as well as two members of the County Council.

“I am able to make these announcements today because our public health recovery metrics have improved, and our staff has delivered the regulatory changes needed to move forward more quickly than expected,” said County Executive Pittman. “We are able to move from the blunt tools of shutdown to the sharper tools of testing, contact tracing, and innovative safety measures that our businesses have developed.”

County Executive Pittman will put these changes into the context of the long-term pandemic response [Friday, the 29th] at 12:30 p.m. at the county Emergency Operations Center in Glen Burnie. He will be joined by Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Police Chief Timothy Altomare, and the new Director of Emergency Management Preeti Emrick.

The specific actions announced today found here .

Learn More

Howard County Reopening Outdoor Seating at Restaurants, Updates Food Consumption Guidance for Religious Gatherings

County Executive Calvin Ball announced today that, in accordance with the Governor’s recommendations, restaurants may open for customers for outdoor seating only, effective Friday, May 29th at 5:00 p.m. Restaurants and bars that do not currently have outdoor seating will receive information on an expedited process in the coming days to accommodate some operations. Howard County sought and received community input on reopening decisions, speaking with nearly 55 restaurant owners earlier today and 180 members of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce Wednesday.

“Howard County has an incredible restaurant and bar community, and we want these businesses to be able to reopen safely and effectively,” said Ball. “Outdoor seating is a meaningful first step, and we’re hopeful that if our data trends continue in the right direction we can resume more activities. Our team is working with our Health Department and local businesses to adjust and provide guidance on how to accommodate those without outdoor seating currently. We hope to have some creative solutions in the coming days.”

“Reopening of our restaurants is an indication of the perseverance and adaptability of Howard County businesses and residents to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. “Continued social distancing practices will be necessary to maintain our successful efforts.”

Learn More

Reopening Maryland: Prince George’s County To Lift Stay-At-Home Order Monday

Prince George’s County officials said they will be ready to begin reopening starting on June 1 — including curbside retail, restaurants with outdoor seating and allowing barbershops and hair salons to operate by appointment only.

County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said Thursday morning, the county now has the resources in place to start a phase 1 reopening and lift the stay-at-home order.

Starting June 1, the following will be allowed in Prince George’s County: