In December, GBC, Baltimore Development Corporation and Mayor Brandon Scott will host the 49th Annual Mayor's Business Recognition Awards, continuing a long-standing tradition of honoring businesses and organizations contributing to the economic vitality of the city and the region.

We revamped the awards this year. The program will now feature agenda-aligned categories that emphasize where private sector partners can (and should) contribute to the collective action to advance our communities. As we prepare to give thanks and celebrate the holidays, we’d like to announce the 14 winners:

Economic opportunity: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Elocin Global Logistics, Project Community Capital, and the BIT Center for innovative approaches to hiring local and supporting small business opportunities.

Ambassador for Baltimore Region: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Verve, and Women of Valor, Inc. for their work celebrating our region. 

Local investment: B&O Railroad Museum, TEDCO, and United Healthcare for investment initiatives to catalyze regional job growth. 

Supporting safe and vibrant communities: No Struggle No Success and Pimlico Merchants Association for investing in a safer and cleaner Baltimore.

Community redevelopment: Hon’s Honey and Parity Homes for their innovative work driving redevelopment of underserved communities.   

49TH ANNUAL MAYOR'S BUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARD SPONSORS

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected]

Please register for this special event, which will take place at M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM and feature networking opportunities for our partners and the broader community. The event will also bookend my first full year in Baltimore and preview what’s ahead in 2024, which includes:

Regional Economic Performance Event (Winter)

The GBC will unveil a new annual investment scorecard, which will measure regional activity and inclusive growth. The event will feature both public and private sector leaders and highlight economic opportunity strategies and initiatives. The timing will also coincide with the legislative session and feature metrics on the region’s 2023 economic performance. 

Annual Meeting (Spring)

Our partners enjoyed the celebratory-focus of our 2023 annual meeting. This will continue and include the unveiling of GBC’s 10-year economic opportunity plan.

Baltimore Region Investment Summit (Early Summer)

The Tech Hub designation offers the region immediate benefits, including dedicated space at the Department of Commerce’s Select USA investment summit hosted in Maryland in June. Yet, we have more to showcase than what can fit on a display. We’re planning a half-day event to elevate the regional assets and market our expansion and foreign direct investment opportunities.

Monthly Partner Events

We’re moving into regular engagements with key influencers to support our multi-year agenda. The survey last week revealed that our partners want GBC to focus events and engagement on (1) economic opportunity, (2) in mornings or after hours, and (3) at different locations throughout the region. 

We’re in the early stages of implementing our events. If you’re interested in partnering, sponsoring, or submitting a speaker recommendation, please reach out to [email protected]. 

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

Mark Anthony Thomas