By Linda Zahn

CEO, GSPCC

Happy New Year Severna Park! We’re looking forward to an exciting year for our businesses and our community. Big anniversaries are coming up for Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church and also Severna Park Elementary School. A Shop Local program is also launching to encourage our residents to support local businesses. A Youth Leadership Conference is in the works, and lots of other good things are being planned. Watch for your copy of the Chamber’s Business and Community Guide. It not only will be delivered to your home soon, but will be online shortly as a “flip book” on our website (www.severnaparkchamber.com).

The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is installing its 2012 officers and directors at the Jan. 26 Annual Installation Dinner at Chartwell Country Club. Senator Ed Reilly will be our guest speaker. We welcome Tom Lerario of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church as our 2012 President, Joanne Heath (Muscle Matters Massage) will be our 1st Vice President and Bob Moreland of Lundberg Builders will be our 2nd Vice President. The Treasurer will be Tim Hall of Nationwide Insurance and Anne Myers (Partners in Care) will continue as Secretary. Dana Eckert of BankAnnapolis will be our Chairman of the Board. Our Directors will be Martin Gorman (Ledo Pizza and Pasta); Matt Wyble (Champion Realty); Molly Green (Severn School); Ashley Hepburn Mathers (Dynasplint Systems, Inc.); and Dawn Wilson (Side Street Framers and Gift Gallery).

We have some exciting Successful Women in Business programs, including the Feb. 8 luncheon event at Arthur Murray, where attendees will be treated to a demonstration of the Cha Cha and Salsa, among other dances! We also will continue our “First Cup Club” with early morning coffee events on certain months.

Our Shop Local program will launch at the Jan. 26 Annual Installation Dinner, followed by two presentations, on Feb. 1 and on Feb. 9, to ensure that information on this important program is available to all members. The goal is to encourage local people to patronize local businesses and build a stronger community as a result. The Feb. 1 presentation will be at Ledo Pizza and Pasta at 8:00am, and the Feb. 9 event will be at BankAnnapolis afterhours. For more information, please call 410-647-3900.

For those looking for new business opportunities, the Jan. 18 Business Development program should be of interest. The presenter is Ed Cremmins of Eagle Franchise Consulting, and the topic is “Franchises – A Business Option.” This free program will be held at Ledo Pizza and Pasta in Park Plaza and it begins at 8:00am. Business Development programs are free events for our members and non-members alike. The goal is to provide information and education to help businesses be their best. Call Linda Zahn for more information (410-647-3900).

The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is one of five organizations that make up the Anne Arundel County Council of Chambers. Various events are planned by the Council and the next one on the calendar is a Legislative Mixer on Monday, Feb 13 in Annapolis. This is an opportunity to meet with your elected officials, and network with others around the county.  If you are interested in attending, call for more information, or visit our website at www.severnaparkchamber.com.