About the Greater Baltimore Chamber

The Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit 501(c)6 business association that helps local businesses thrive and succeed. We promote local business success through a wide range of services including networking events, enhanced visibility and credibility, access to elected officials and civic leaders, affordable marketing, nonprofit partnerships, advocacy, community partnerships, and support for young professionals. Our work helps businesses thrive, communities flourish, and the economy grow. Our mission is to promote business, enhance economic well-being,
and foster community development. 

The Greater Baltimore Chamber supports local businesses by offering enhanced visibility and credibility. We organize strategic networking events that bring business professionals together to meet and exchange ideas and build valuable relationships. According to a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc., when consumers know that a small business is a member of their local chamber of commerce, they are 44 percent more likely to think favorably of it and 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. Members can display window clings to acknowledge their membership.

The Chamber provides access to elected officials and civic leaders, giving member businesses a voice in the policy-making process. The Chamber is a strong advocate for businesses, working to promote business interests at the local, state, and federal levels. We stay up-to-date on the latest legislative and regulatory developments that impact the business community, and we take action to support policies that benefit our members. This can be especially helpful when it comes to navigating regulations, county zoning, labor laws, minimum wage, transportation, local permits, and taxes, which all influence business operations and costs. The Greater Baltimore Chamber is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, organizations that help keep us informed on behalf of our members at the state and federal levels. We also support member businesses individually when they encounter problems or concerns with county zoning, building permits, inspections, local code enforcement, and more. We can often put members in touch more directly and more quickly with offices and administrators who will assist.

To make marketing more affordable for businesses, the Chamber offers a variety of marketing opportunities at modest rates. This includes showcasing member businesses through various marketing opportunities, such as our robust online directory, our broad-reaching social media channels, e-mail marketing, banner ads, and event sponsorship and recognition. We help member businesses stay top of mind and build stronger brand recognition. These services can help businesses stretch their marketing dollars further and reach a larger audience. Members can take advantage of multiple savings programs on office supplies, utility bills, and even international travel.

In addition to our work with businesses, the Chamber fosters community partnerships that enhance neighborhoods and communities. We work with local organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and implement initiatives that promote community development and revitalization. To learn more about our community advocacy and partner organizations, click the Community Advocacy link above. In addition to these services, the Chamber also connects companies to nonprofit partners, helping them build meaningful relationships and support community initiatives that align with their values. Each year we publish a Nonprofit Directory and distribute it to members and online.

The Greater Baltimore Chamber supports young professionals in the workforce by offering various programs and resources to help them build their skills, expand their network, and advance their careers. This includes access to mentors, leadership opportunities, and educational events that help young professionals stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices. We are growing our Ignite! Young Professionals network.

A Brief Chamber History. Founded in 1977 as the Pikesville Chamber, the chamber served a thriving Pikesville business community that included a strong commercial district and main street. As neighboring Owings Mills grew over the years and businesses sought the support of a business association, they turned to the Pikesville Chamber. As a result, the chamber rebranded as the Pikesville Owings Mills Chamber (POM) with a new logo and an expanded base. By 2019, in the midst of the pandemic, the Board of Directors closely examined the purpose and makeup of the chamber. A study revealed that at least a third of our membership included zip codes outside of Pikesville and Owings Mills. Always dedicated to serving our historic base of Pikesville, in 2021 the Board of Directors voted to a name change that would more accurately reflect our membership. By September 2021, the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce formally announced its new name and geographic reach to include Pikesville, Owings Mills, Reisterstown, and Northwest Baltimore. Our new logo, with bright colors that symbolize a bright future, was designed in 2020 by longtime chamber member Heidi Hiller, Owner of Innovative Party Planners. The upward arrows represent progress, and the building opens its door for business. The barn gestures to Owings Mills and its history as a farm community. The road, like the Chamber, leads to success.

We are honored to be a six-time first-place winner of the Maryland Small Business Week Administration’s “Chamber Challenge Award” as recently as 2022, as well as placed on the Baltimore Business Journal’s 2017 Top Chambers List. We aim to ensure that Pikesville, Owings Mills, Reisterstown & Northwest Baltimore continue to be a premier place for businesses to thrive and residents to work, shop and live. Join us in building a Greater Baltimore.

Learn more about chamber membership.