As we begin a new year, the Howard County Chamber of Commerce is energized by the momentum we’ve built and excited about the opportunities ahead. The year behind us was one of growth, connection, and meaningful progress—and it has positioned us well for an ambitious and impactful 2026.
Over the past year, the Chamber reached several important milestones that strengthened our foundation and expanded our ability to serve the business community. One of the most visible was the opening of our new offices on the Downtown Columbia lakefront. This space has quickly become a hub for collaboration, conversation, and connection, offering our members a welcoming place to gather, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Read more about our new location in our feature in the Baltimore Business Journal.
We also grew our internal leadership, welcoming Events Manager Brianna Scott to the team, and introducing Matt Anderson of World Insurance as our new Board Chair. Their contributions have already helped elevate our work and sharpen our focus in incredibly significant ways.
Our programming continued to grow in both scale and impact. We hosted our largest Women’s Leadership Conference to date and delivered signature events such as the Golf Classic and Summer Social—longtime favorites that continue to bring members together in meaningful ways. We introduced bimonthly open houses, inviting members into our new space to connect more intentionally and build community beyond traditional events. In September, we celebrated a standout moment with our Vintage Hollywood Signature Event, and the Chamber Board of Directors finalized a new three-year strategic plan that will guide the Chamber’s priorities from 2026 through 2028. This plan reflects extensive input from our members and sets a clear path forward focused on growth, advocacy, and value.
Advocacy remains a central pillar of our work. Over the past year, we expanded our advocacy efforts and deepened our engagement on policy issues affecting Howard County businesses. As we look ahead to the upcoming legislative session, the Chamber is prepared to be a strong, informed voice in Annapolis and at the local level, advancing priorities that support economic vitality, workforce development, and a competitive business environment.
This year, the Chamber is focused on delivering even greater value to our members. We are enhancing programming, creating new opportunities for engagement, and strengthening our support for both businesses and nonprofits.
We will host our next Chamber Day of Service in March, offering businesses the opportunity to partner with member charities, and our new Nonprofit Roundtable is designed to foster shared learning and collaboration across the sector. In the coming months, the Chamber will be launching more money-saving affinity programs designed to provide meaningful value and help members of all sizes reduce costs and maximize resources.
Whether through advocacy, events, education, or service, the year ahead promises to be dynamic and forward-looking. We are grateful to our members, partners, and volunteers who make this work possible and who continue to shape the Chamber’s direction and success.
Together, we are building a stronger business community—and we look forward to making 2026 a year of progress, connection, and opportunity for Howard County.