By Linda Zahn, CEO

The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is excited about our Shop Local program! We’re kicking this initiative into gear with a mission statement that says it quite well – “to encourage local people to support local business and strengthen our community.” Pretty soon, you’ll see participating Chamber of Commerce members with ballot boxes on their counters and decals on their doors to identify them as participants in the program.

The ballot boxes are for the quarterly drawings that will be a part of Shop Local. Not only will the winner be able to enjoy a great prize, but also be able to identify a charity to receive a substantial donation. This is a community-wide effort designed to educate greater Severna Park residents about the importance of patronizing local businesses, especially the businesses that continually contribute products or services to local non-profit organizations, schools, churches and sports teams. It’s definitely a win-win program for the Greater Severna Park community. If you have questions, please call Linda Zahn at the Chamber 410-647-3900 or Dana Eckert atBankAnnapolis 410-518-6885. You can also e-mail the Chamber at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Watch for the delivery of our 2012 Greater Severna Park Business and Community Guide at your home. This publication features the work of local artist Patricia Truitt on the front cover, and is a handy and comprehensive community reference piece. Not only is there a copy in print, but you’ll be able to access it online by going to www.severnaparkchamber.com for the flip-book version. We credit Bay Mediafor theirexcellent work in producing this year’s guide.

The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is a premier networking organization, with six active referral groups, and a variety of events designed to impart information and build relationships. We definitely see the value of joint events with other organizations as a way to help our members. One such event will be the Joint Business Exchange Breakfast on Feb. 16 at La Fontaine Bleu in Glen Burnie. A number of organizations will be participating in this event and the cost is $25 for members in advance and $45 at the door (and non-member rate). There will be a buffet, door prizes and a literature display table. Call if you’d like to register for this event.

On Feb. 29, Robert Haywood, Publisher for Annapolis Home Magazine, will be our “Business Bites” presenter. His topic will be “10 tips for Getting Your Story Published” and we’ll be at Brian Boru for this luncheon topic. We have a Business Bites event most months, and try to provide a great topic to go along with a tasty lunch. Our topics range from business etiquette and organizational skills to technology. In March, our program will be about mobilizing your marketing with QR codes. Helping educate our businesses-people to do their best and keep up with trends in the marketplace is one of our missions. With that in mind, we also hold a monthly Business Development program with morning coffee presentations at Ledo Pizza and Pasta. The March program is on cybersecurityand what you should know. Do you know some of the critical components of cybersecurity that most businesses and private citizen need to consider?If you’d like to learn more about this topic join us on March 13 at 8:00am at Ledo Pizza and Pasta of Severna Park. There is no fee to attend, but an RSVP is requested to 410-647-3900.

Watch for information soon on that great Severna Park tradition, the annual Independence Day Parade, scheduled for July 4!