III. Chambers of Commerce

District of Columbia

Washington, D.C.Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    Washington, D.C. Chamber of Commerce
    1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Suite 309
    Washington, D.C. 20004
    Telephone: 202-347-7201
    Fax: 202-638-6764
    Web Site: www.dcchamber.org

    Number of members:

Northern Virginia

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    801 N. Fairfax Street
    Suite 402 Alexandria, VA 22314
    Telephone: 703-549-1000
    Fax: 703-739-3805
    Web site: http://www.alexchamber.com/visit/Title.htm

    Type of members:
    Small and large businesses located throughout Alexandria.

    Number of members:
    1,000 members.

    Key mission of group:
    The mission of the chamber is to "further improve the economic climate and quality of life in the city."

    Other interests:
    Among the chamber's top goals for 1999 are: to promote comprehensive review of state tax structure; monitor congressional, state, and city council action on Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project; develop and implement action plans to analyze the value of business development on the city's tax base; and promote business representation on city boards and commissions.

Arlington Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    2009 14th Street, N
    Suite 111
    Arlington, VA 22201
    Telephone: 703-525-2400
    Fax: 703-522-5273
    Web site: http://www.arlingtonchamber.com/men.html

    Type of members:
    Small and large businesses located throughout Arlington County.

    Number of members:
    900 members.

    Key mission of group:
    The mission of the chamber is to "serve the interests of our membership and the business community by identifying and implementing activities which enhance the ability of business to prosper: to foster economic opportunity and growth by promoting a favorable business climate; to provide information and advocacy that sustain and enhance the economic environment; and to take a leadership role in promoting community pride and recognition."

Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    3975 University Drive
    Suite 350
    Fairfax, VA 22030
    Telephone: 703-591-2450
    Fax: 703-591-2820

    Type of members:
    Businesses of all sizes and not-for-profit agencies located in the central portion of Fairfax County, with the City of Fairfax at its hub.

    Number of members:
    860 members.

    Key mission of group:
    The Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce serves businesses and citizens. It is committed to fostering better business through free enterprise, building a strong community through involvement in a variety of programs, and representing its members in city, county, and state government on issues affecting the business community.

    Other interests:
    Other interests include offering opportunities throughout the year for members to market their products or services and to receive recognition and exposure. Examples of this kind of activity include an annual business showcase, a fall family festival, annual golf outing, networking mixers and an annual winter gala.

Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    4320 Ridgewood Center Drive
    Prince William, VA 22192
    Telephone: 703-590-5000
    Fax: 703-590-9815

    Type of members:
    Small and large businesses and nonprofit organizations and retired business people.

    Number of members:
    800 members.

    Key mission of group:
    This chamber's primary mission is "to improve the business climate for its membership through programs that stimulate growth, promote civic development, and enhance political action.

    Other interests:
    Other interests include offering business-building opportunities for its members. These include offering members an array of marketing opportunities. Regarding legislative priorities, the chamber lists transportation, public safety, education, and tax relief among its top issues.

Maryland

Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
    2401 Research Boulevard
    Suite 204
    Rockville, MD. 20850
    Tel: 301-258-9000
    Fax: 301-208-0280
    E-mail: montccc@erols.com
    Web Site: http://www.greatermontchamber.org/

    Type of members:
    Businesses in greater Montgomery County.

    Number of members:
    Approximately 600 members.

    Key mission of group:
    The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce advocates for business by promoting a healthy business climate, effecting sound governmental policies, and stimulating a favorable quality of life. It assists its members in business development, marketing opportunities, and community service.

    Other interests:
    Chamber committees:
    1) Economic Development Committee
    2) Education and Workforce Development Committee
    3) Legislative Committee
    4) Transportation and Land Use Committee

    The Business Coalition:
    The concept of the Business Coalition is the result of several years of study by chambers of commerce in Montgomery County and by businesses with multiple chamber memberships. The goal is to promote cooperation among chambers, to present a stronger, more unified voice of business, and to realize operating efficiency and economy.

    Business Coalition members are local chambers of commerce and other business organizations who share common goals and interests with the Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Business Coalition members jointly address economic development, legislative and public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels.

    Business Coalition members:
    Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (GMCC)
    Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce
    Olney Chamber of Commerce
    Rockville Chamber of Commerce
    The Chamber Partners:
    Chamber Partners are local chambers who maintain autonomy, but enjoy a closer, more integrated relationship with the Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for administrative support, programs and services such as dual membership, shared benefits, networking opportunities, resources, staff, and facilities.

    Chamber Partner: The Potomac Chamber of Commerce

Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce

Olney Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    3414 Morningwood Drive
    Suite 4
    Olney , MD 20832
    Telephone: 301-924-3555
    Fax: 301-774-4944

Rockville Chamber of Commerce

Howard County Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    Howard County Chamber of Commerce
    Building 5560
    Sterrett Place
    Suite 105
    Columbia, Maryland 21044
    Telephone: 410-730-4111
    Fax: 410-730-4584
    Web site: http://www.howardchamber.com

    Type of members:

    Number of members:
    More than 1,100 members.

    The Chamber is composed of a diverse group of businesses, ranging from service-oriented businesses to technology-related companies, that are all committed to continual improvement of the community and its schools, economy, and quality of life.

    Other interests:
    Its annual White Paper, "Issues for Legislative Action," is presented to both county and state legislators, and expresses the Chamber's legislative positions that address the needs and concerns of a broad spectrum of the business community. The Legislative committee carefully monitors city, county, state and federal legislation and supports pending legislation that is in the best interest of the business community. Whether communicating its support of particular bills to appropriate government officials or proposing needed legislation, the actions of this key committee are important to the business community.

    The Chamber offers an abundance of opportunities to make new business contacts and network with Howard County's most successful business people at breakfasts, luncheons, at events such as Business after Business, Chamber Connections, and General Membership Meetings.

    The Chamber receives, on a daily basis, numerous requests for recommendations from newcomers and area businesses desiring to purchase goods and services in Howard County. Providing both a service to the community and a prime benefit to its membership, the chamber refers only Chamber members to those who request recommendations.

Prince George's Chamber of Commerce

    Location:
    4601 Presidents Drive
    Suite 230
    Lanham, MD 20706
    Telephone: 301-731-5000
    Fax: 301-731-5013
    Web site: http://www.pgcoc.org

    Type of members:
    Businesses of Prince George's County, Maryland.

    Number of members:
    Approximately 900

    Key mission of group:
    The Chamber's mission is four-fold:
    1) To aggressively promote an understanding of and appreciation for the importance of business and a concern for the businessperson's problems.
    2) To utilize the full resources of its membership in a proactive manner to influence public opinion and the actions of elected officials on issues.
    3) To provide strong business community leadership to achieve objectives relating to growth, development, and public well-being that are common to both the business and community and Prince George's County.
    4) To promote programs of a civic, social, and cultural nature that will improve the quality of life for Prince George's County residents and the business community.

    Other interests:
    A slate of programs and events, which includes:
    1) Tenth Annual Small Business of the Year Awards
    2) Eleventh Annual Small Business Expo
    3) Fifteenth Annual Outstanding Educators
    4) Twentieth Annual Police/Fire Valor Awards
    5) Annual Legislative Night with the Governor
    6) Annual State of the Economy Breakfast with the County Executive
    7) TRADEFEST '97, the Seventeenth Annual Business and Trade Show

    Major involvement in the community through:
    1) Hosting a series of Education Forums, to inform the community of the many changes in high school graduation requirements.
    2) A coordinated effort to address the retail needs of the county.
    3) Continued expansion of the Environmental Matters committee to further involve the business community.
    4) A broadened economic development effort intended to create a healthy economic climate for business in the county, with an emphasis on increasing revitalization inside the Beltway.
    5) Participation in special programs like Christmas in April, walkathons, telethons, and other community -oriented events.

    The Chamber pursues its agenda through the following committees:
    1) Business Services Committee
    2) Economic Development Committee
    3) Education Committee
    4) Environmental Matters Committee
    5) Legislative Committee
    6) Membership Committee
    7) Public Safety Committee