President and CEO Report President An
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Upcoming Events Sports and Events Marketing Advisory Council Formed In late 2020, the GBC formed the Sports and Events Marketing Advisory Council to actively support and promote the economic benefit of Baltimore’s major sports teamsNewsmaker —the Orioles andSpeaker Ravens Series — and other with major Police sports Commissioner and entertainment Michael events. HarrisonThe council will assist in efforts to attract and market major sporting andPublic entertainment Safety events in Baltimore in the Greater - Does Baltimore Progress region. LieFormer Ahead? Board Chair Paul A. Tiburzi, Esq. will lead the new council, which will become actively engaged in supporting and promoting Baltimore’s major sports franchises and other goals in 2021. March 4, 2020 • 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. program President and CEO Report Greater Baltimore Committee, 111 S. Calvert Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202 President and CEO's Report Advocacy StudentsOne of the of hallmarkslocal history of the know GBC that during in 1955 its 65-year – 65 years history ago has – been83 Baltimore the ability business to bring leaders, private-sector including leadership, luminaries ofin thenovative time suchapproaches as developer and collaboration James W. Rouse to address and attorneypublic challenges Clarence facing W. Miles, the Esq.,Greate launchedr Baltimore the region. Greater Baltimore City Baltimore Women’s Advisory Board: Fearless Leadership: Baltimore Committee as an “action-oriented” organization dedicated to providing private-sector solutions to public-sectorI’m proud to reportchallenges. that despite the disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the GBC was successfully able to pivot and remain as active as ever on these fronts and more in 2020. The GBC created the Baltimore City GovernmentTake Risks and Ethic ands Refor Abandonm Task Force Your in Comfort2020 to take Zone an active - Sold role inOut the debate surrounding major structural changes to Baltimore City government. Chaired by Charles O. Monk II, Baltimore Office Managing Partner, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, WhatAs detailed is sometimes in this missed,report, thehowever, GBC is is poised just how to close action-oriented out its 65th the year organization with a num wasber ofin strongits formative successes. years, a the task force evaluated a number of charter amendmentsMarch 18, 2020 proposed • 7:30 by a.m. members registration, of the Baltimore 8 a.m. program City Council. that would restructure legacyThese ofinclude: achievement that continues today. the operations of city government, as well as bills to improve ethics and transparency in city government. More than 15 proposals to change 901 S. Bond Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21231 Issues the GBC tackled in its early years included the development of Charles Center, expedited construction the existing government structure were considered by the Baltimore City Council. With guidance provided by the Task Force, the GBC shared its This event is sold out, call the GBC at 410-727-2820 to be added to the waitlist. of• the Jones Voicing Falls its commitmentExpressway, expansionto working ofon Friendship one of the mostAirport, important construction issues todayof the – Baltimore the need toCivic address Center racial and positions on most of the proposals, including highlighting the need for a Charter Review Commission to thoroughly examine major structural creationeq ofuity the and Maryland social justice Transit Authority. All of these were transformational projects for Baltimore City and the changes. An amendment to require a Charter Review Commission passed, and was approved by the voters in the November General Election. region. • Launching the Covid-19 Business Recovery Advisory Council to advocate for support at the local, state and 65th Annual Meeting federal levels for small and minority businesses and to provide education and resources to assist companies State and Region If theseto projects recover alone from the were economic the GBC’s challenges only achievements, caused by the some pandemic might say they were enough. But the GBC has May 11, 2020 • 5:30 p.m. never rested on its laurels and today it continues to take on with urgency many complex issues, such as fighting for equitable state transportation funding for the region, helping improve public safety in Baltimore City, GBC Active on Key Issues in 2020 LegislativeRenaissance Session Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 • Releasing the report, Preparing for the Future: A Regional Workforce Development Initiative, which identifies the As it does annually, the GBC took an active role in the 2020 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly, which started in January with workingtop to 20 enhance family-supporting minority and occupations women-owned in business businesses sectors thatand areensuring expected adequate to see the workforce greatest training job growth for thein knowledge-based jobs that will fuel tthehe nextregion’s decade future and economy. sets forth recommendations to ensure that our region is prepared to meet the growth two new presiding officers, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 90-day session adjourned early - on March 18 rather than April 6. DespiteGBC the shortened Golf Classic session, the GBC remained engaged with legislators and policy This action-oriented culture is very much alive in the GBC’s 65th anniversary year – a milestone the GBC will be celebrating at its Annual proposals, and submitted testimony on 102 proposed bills. Key policy proposals the GBC was actively engaged with included: •Meeting Educating on May and 11. informing We anticipate voters aboutmore thethan election 1,000 will for Mayorattend and this City year’s Council event. President July 15, 2020 • 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. program • Engaging in efforts to enhance transportation and mobility in the Greater Baltimore region GBC Backs Blueprint for Maryland’s Future with Recommendations It’s important to keep in mind as we look back on the organization’s history and ahead to the work in 2020 that the GBC’s core strength lies Greystone Golf Course, 2115 White Hall Road, White Hall, MD 21161 House Bill 1300, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future—Implementation, passed the legislature at the close of session but was vetoed by Governor •in its Advocating ability to bring and being private the sector voice ofleadership, business on innovative major policies thinking, and issuesand collaboration before the Maryland to address General tough Assembly public-sector during challenges the 2020 session, facing the Larry Hogan. If the legislature overrides the veto, the bill would establish in law the policies and accountability recommendations of the entireinc ludingregion public– Baltimore education City reform,and Anne public Arundel, safety, Baltimore, transportation Carroll, and Harford a plan to and renovate Howard Pimlico counties. Race Course and preserve the running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (a.k.a. the Kirwan Commission), which made numerous recommendations to overhaul That leadership, innovative thinking, and collaboration emanates from GBC’s Board of Directors and the many committed GBC members who funding formulas and requirements for education. With an eye on accountability, achievability and economic development, the GBC supported Allparticipate of this work on positionscommittees, the task GBC forces, to have programs an engaged and andwhom active attend year GBC ahead. events. Programs, With this projects in mind, and the initiatives GBC remains on the even horizon more include:committed the legislation with recommendations that sought to address a number of concerns, including funding and accountability. than ever to its vision and mission: • Organizational focus on racial equity and social justice Vision: Greater Baltimore — Baltimore City and the five surrounding counties, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties GBC Supports Public Safety Proposals • Actively engaging in policy discussions before the Maryland General Assembly during its upcoming 90-day session, which begins January 13, The GBC supported numerous public safety proposals and played a central role in demonstrating the business community’s commitment to — willespecially be recognized proposals as that a leader advance in the or globalhinder economy.the region’s economic competitiveness reducing crime during the 2020 legislative session. Key legislation that passed included strengthened witness intimidation laws and increased • Mission:Engaging The withmission Baltimore of the GreaterCity’s newly Baltimore elected Committee officials, including is to improve Mayor the Brandon business Scott, climate City of Council the Greater President Baltimore Nick Mosby,region byComptroller organizing Bill its Henry penalties for failure to report the loss or theft of a gun. Legislation to establish the Law Enforcement Coordinating Council to ensure corporateand newly and electedcivic leadership city council to develop members solutions to ensure to thethe problemsGBC and businessthat affect community the region’s are competitiveness influential in discussions and viability. to drive economic growth, interagency communications and intelligence sharing and a bill to create 10 micro-zones to target high-crime areas were vetoed by the job creation and a successful recovery from the pandemic Governor. The GBC plans