Seminars

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce hosts and co-hosts workshops that are intended to help our members to grow their business.

Current Offerings for 2023:

4-part Professional Development Series: Geared toward our early-and mid-career professionals, this 4-part series explores the soft skills not always offered in professional development seminars. 

Part One – January – Natural Networking

Part Two – April – Motivation in the Face of “No”

Part Three – July – How to Manage Your Career when you face a Hard-Left Turn

Part Four – November – Effective Strategies for SMART Goal-Setting

Series sponsored by Supporting Strategies and the Hampton Inn & Suites. Thank you! 

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FYIs (Monthly Member-Expert Led Lunch-n-Learns) 

Held during the final week of each month, a GGCC member offers a free seminar at the GGCC conference room. Details regarding any provided snacks or refreshments will be included on the events calendar. Some seminars are brown-bag.

  • September 2023: Personal Branding with Philippa Channer, Channer Consulting – using your headshot in your personal branding.
  • October 2023: People side of Finance with Rebecca Cathcart, Randy Scritchfield & Associates – build a stronger relationship to your financial professional, and the dos and don’ts of financial conversations.
  • November 2023: Holiday Wellness with Rachelle Rohner, Rohner Health – navigate the ins and outs of the holiday season when it comes to your wellness.
  • January 2024: Utility Costs Savings for your Business with Joe Tabeling from CQI Associates – learn about our Chamber’s energy Co-op program, which on average saves members the cost of their GGCC annual dues investment or more!

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Coming Later in 2024:

  • Cohort #2 of the GGCC Pathways to Success Program for Female and Minority Business Owners

This free program is designed for women and minority business owners to enhance their business by more fully engaging with formal networking opportunities through the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. Through strategic workshops, business resource groups, networking events and Chamber membership, participants will gain new skills and relationships increase the value of their business. We have two tracks available. One for business owners who are just starting out and another for new business owners who are ready to expand.

26 Business owners participated in and graduated from Cohort #1 in 2022 – Congratulations! Cohort #1 was funded by a grant from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), and was offered in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and teh MD Womens Business Center.  Cohort #2 will form in mid-2023 and GGCC is currently seeking funding sponsors. 

  • 8-part series: How to write a business plan (or a better business plan!)
  • Tables for 12: discussion of best practices, concerns, and questions from business owners/operators in the community who serve in similar roles at their respective companies (ie: CEOs, Finance Directors, Nonprofit Executives, Marketing Directors, etc)