MD Chamber of Commerce kicking off annual business policy conference

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Oct 18, 2004 by Debra Siedt

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce kicks off its annual business policy conference tomorrow in Cambridge, picking up the Getting Dangerous theme mentioned by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. after the last legislative session.

The idea behind the theme is an effort to make businesses become more engaged and more powerful in legislative issues in 2005.

Approximately 300 people are expected to attend the conference, which focuses on major legislative topics, including medical malpractice, unemployment insurance, higher education and the state budget.

The chamber is trying to get the business community more engaged with what goes on in Annapolis, said William R. Burns, communications director for the chamber. We're trying to involve them early before the session starts so they're ready.

Ehrlich first made the call for business to get dangerous on April 22 at a legislative review session held by Maryland Business for Responsive Government, a pro-business political research organization. Ehrlich urged businesses to get more involved, lobby their local legislators and speak up on issues of importance to business.

When there is legislation that business owners may or may not be opposed to, they need to speak up as well, said Shareese N. DeLeaver, spokeswoman for Ehrlich. To maintain Maryland's business-friendly environment is something the state can't shoulder alone.

Conference attendees have the opportunity to attend several panel sessions tomorrow and Wednesday that include members from the business community, the Legislature, state agencies and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Anne Arundel, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, D-Calvert and Prince George's and Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan are all expected to speak at the conference.

We picked issues that were going to be the most prevalent, said Burns. Some may be under the radar, but are critically important.

After each panel session, attendees will have the opportunity for an informal question-and-answer session. Businesses will also be able to interact with panelists at informal events, including two luncheons sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Columbia Bank, The University System of Maryland Foundation and The University of Maryland College Park Foundation. Giant Food Inc., MedImmune and Capitol Strategies LLC will also sponsor a reception, dinner and after-dinner reception tomorrow.

We will have General Assembly leadership at the luncheon, said Burns. These are opportunities for less-structured interaction with leaders.

One of the most popular panels, according to Burns, is the media panel that highlights the politics of Annapolis and legislative sessions. Media representatives were chosen based on chamber membership and previous political reporting experience, and include two columnists from The Gazette, the publisher from Afro-American Newspapers and the news director for WYPR-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate in Baltimore.

Members get a kick out of hearing from political watchers, said Burns. The business community likes to hear the political view and hear about stuff that's going on.

The conference will also have a panel discussion on grassroots lobbying to coach businesses on how to communicate with legislators.

We want to open up the channels between the business community and legislators, said Burns. We're trying to hit issues from every angle imaginable so members can get an in-depth look on critical issues.