Member Benefits Why You Should Become a Member of the GBBCC: Your involvement in the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce (GBBCC) is important to the continued development of your business, specifically, and the progressive economic development of our community at large. Membership in the GBBCC will provide access to advantages designed to meet and support the needs of business in the areas of promotions, networking, advertising, education/training, and legislative representation. Some specific benefits to be realized are: Active Participation in GBBCC activities: As a GBBCC member, you will be part of a dynamic, solution driven organization. The GBBCC will act as a change agent to promote cooperative efforts that will effect resolution to key business issues and garner mutually beneficial working relationships between members and presenting opportunities. Members are strongly encouraged to participate in committee work designed to achieve organizational goals and objectives and to increase the business standing of the membership. GBBCC Membership Directory: Each request received from consumers for products and or services will be referred to GBBCC members in an effort to build clientele, increase traffic and provide capacity building experiences. The membership will be published in a directory listing all members to be used throughout the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area by individuals, small businesses, corporations, public and private organizations, as a convenient reference for products and services. (Membership Services Committee) GBBCC Quarterly Newsletter: A quarterly newsletter will be provided to all members in an effort to maintain clear, concise and up-to-date communication with the membership and the business community at large, to keep everyone informed. The newsletter will include information on GBBCC events, programs, activities, feature success stories, member profiles and "A Message from the President." (Public Relations Committee) Business and Economic Development: GBBCC is committed to the success of the membership and our goal is to harness the power of the available resources represented within the organization and by those expressing their support of the organization by developing partnerships for capacity building, cooperative relationships for education and training opportunities, and identify how these resources can provide guidance and direction for members traveling along the pathway to success. This potential partnering will create greater opportunities for access to larger contracts and pave the way to the submission of an increased number of RFP's. (Business and Economic Development Committee) Tourism and Hospitality: GBBCC is positioned to pursue the identification and recruitment of Black conventions and tourists to Baltimore. At the same time the GBBCC will provide information to refer business to supportive hospitality industry contracting opportunities for GBBCC members. The purpose of this exercise is to create and develop relationships with local meeting planners and event coordinators, securing and or preparing information promotional materials and other necessary items to attract Black conventions, conferences, events, annual meetings and other mainstream activities to Baltimore. The goal is to increase the economic opportunities created by these conventions, conferences, and events for GBBCC membership businesses to take full advantage by providing the necessary and varied support required of these visiting groups. The diversity of the businesses represented by the GBBCC will create a "one stop to shop" effect and allow the general business community to identify and locate MBE, WBE and DBE qualified businesses to meet their minority participation requirements and or goals. (Tourism and Hospitality Committee) Education/Training: GBBCC is an organization that fosters an exceptional business development culture. Regular presentations, workshops, and or seminars will be held to perpetuate the pursuit of excellence in all that we undertake. Small businesses will have the opportunity to develop coaching and mentoring relationships with the experienced business owners who have sustained success over the years. The experienced businesses will have the opportunity to explore expansion of their services, new and different ideas, and activities. The membership will experience a greater exposure to information regarding process and procedure, acceptable business protocol, how to navigate the maze of doing business with government entities, how to access cutting edge industry leaders and more to be identified as needed. (Education and Training Committee) Legislative Liaison: GBBCC reaches out to the local city, state and federal elected officials to create and develop cooperative and functional relationships that are mutually beneficial in nature. The express purpose of these relationships is to facilitate communication that is designed to keep the members and the business community informed of activities, issues and developments that will have or will have the potential to have an impact on them or their community. The GBBCC agenda is intended to support business friendly legislators and legislation. Additionally, this working rapport will serve as a unifying factor to encourage reinvestment in the greater Baltimore Black business community. (Public Policy committee) Special Projects/Events: GBBCC plans to create, develop, and host regular special projects and events designed to heighten the exposure of the organization throughout the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and provide networking opportunities by inviting guests to participate. The proceeds from these activities will provide a mechanism for subsidizing educational activities for the members at no additional cost. The objective of this effort is to increase awareness and involvement of the Black small businesses and area corporations fostering support for the GBBCC overall. There will also be an annual event to recognize progressive business achievement in terms of 1) capacity building, 2) credentialing; 3) significant increase in job creation for the community; and 4) contract awards that strengthen their overall economic position in an industry. (Special Projects and Events Committee) Annual Membership Requirements and Dues: The individual membership requires that the applicant complete the membership application in its entirety and remit the appropriate amount of funds for an individual membership. The minimum requirements for a business membership are to submit your complete the membership application in its entirety, and remit the appropriate amount of funds for your business size. Dues are due and payable annually from February 1 through 8.         Membership Benefits