Today, we’ll take a closer look at the Small Business of the Year Awards finalists in the 51 to 200 employee category.

Choptank Transport is a logistics services company located in Caroline County that specializes in truckload freight, refrigerated transport and frozen freight. Founded in 1984 as a one-truck operation, Choptank has matured into a fully integrated sales, logistics and warehousing operation with over 100,000 square feet of space in Preston, Maryland.

Choptank Transport has had exceptional growth and success, adding 25+ jobs since it won the Chamber’s 2008 Small Business of the Year Award in the 11-50 employee category. The company’s growth is a result of its keen focus on customer service, innovative practices and visionary thinking.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce supports Choptank Transport’s nomination.

Honest Tea is a bottled organic tea company, now a part of The Coca-Cola Company as an independent operating unit.

Honest Tea was the first to introduce a certified organic bottled tea and a Fair Trade CertifiedTM bottled tea. The company has an average growth rate of 60% since it’s founding in 1998.

The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce supports Honest Tea’s nomination.

M-Edge makes tablet, e-reader and smartphone accessories and sells it to major retailers including Best Buy, Target, Walmart and Staples.

M-Edge was founded in 2006 as a solution to the growing demand in fashionable and protective accessories for e-readers. Since its inception, M-Edge’s product offerings grew rapidly to include several lines of accessories for the most popular e-reader and tablet devices on the market, including iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and the Kindle and Nook family of devices.

The West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce supports M-Edge’s nomination.

We’ll recognize all the finalists and announce the winners on June 7, at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve. Learn more here.

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The Maryland Chamber will award its second annual Maryland Public Service Award to William E. “Brit” Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, during a reception on Wednesday, September 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in College Park, MD.

Dr. Kirwan will be honored for his years of leadership and the work he’s done to strengthen the relationship between the state’s public universities and the business community. Under Kirwan’s leadership, USM has aligned its resources to:

• Advance Maryland’s competitiveness in the new economy.
• Focus on workforce needs in the areas of health care, cyber security, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Attract research dollars and collaborate with the business community to improve technology transfer and the commercialization of university research.
• Expand the capacity of regional career centers.
• Maximize the use of community colleges and increase online education.

Registration is $60 per person. Register online or contact Kristen Solis at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or ksolis@mdchamber.org.

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Today, we’re taking a closer look at our second group of finalists for the Small Business of the Year Awards, the 11 to 50 employee category.

Aegis Mobile creates tailored solutions that help organizations protect their brand and enhance internal operations. It offers a full suite of mobile enterprise solutions including strategy consulting, mobile commerce site development and custom integration with the systems businesses use everyday.

Aegis Mobile started with one person in 2006 and now is a 37-person organization providing compliance, consulting and mobile enterprise solutions to companies around the world. The company was also recognized as the 2011 Tech Firm of the Year by the Tech Council of Maryland.

The Tech Council of Maryland supported Aegis Mobile’s nomination.

Chesapeake Testing provides ballistic experimentation and non-destructive testing services in support of munitions and protection systems research, certification, and compliance testing.

Chesapeake Testing has sustained double digit growth in revenue and employee strength every year since opening in 2006.

The Harford County Chamber of Commerce supported Chesapeake Testing’s nomination.

Hartman Executive Advisors is an IT advisory firm, providing a wide range of strategic planning, assessment, business improvement and IT leadership services to growing companies and organizations.

Hartman Business Technology created a unique business model. Small and mid-size businesses owners often can’t afford, or don’t need, the services of a full-time Chief Information Officer. Hartman believes these businesses can’t afford to be without strategic IT leadership. So, the company was founded to provide small businesses the same level of strategic technology expertise available to large corporations.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce supported Hartman Business Technology’s nomination.

We’ll recognize all the finalists and announce the winners on June 7, at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve. Learn more here.

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John Hopkins University installed solar panels on top of seven Hopkins buildings. The panels will produce almost one million kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy each year. Read More

Steven Fretwell joined The Bozzuto Group as Director of Learning and Development. Fretwell will be responsible for creating innovative training strategies and professional development programs for all six Bozzuto companies. Read More

Kristin H.R. Franceschi, partner in DLA Piper’s Baltimore office, was named to The Daily Record’s 2012 list of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. Read More

NuStar Energy L.P. moved up to No. 377 on the list of FORTUNE 500, the annual ranking of the largest corporations in the United States. Read More

McDaniel College is launching a new Master of Science degree in public administration to begin in the fall of 2012. The program is being offered entirely online. McDaniel’s new graduate program in public administration prepares leaders in government and nonprofit organizations. Read More

We post a roundup of Maryland Chamber member news every Friday. Send your news to news@mdchamber.org.

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The Maryland Chamber will hold its Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 7, at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve. The event will celebrate small business success. We will showcase our awards finalists and announce the winners. In addition, Duff Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes, and star of the Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes!” will be the keynote speaker.

In the weeks preceding the event, we wanted to tell you a little more about our finalists. We’ll begin today with the finalists in the 1-10 employee category:

The ELOCEN Group, LLC is a minority woman-owned program management firm providing consulting services for project management, real estate support, construction management, information technology, design, relocation management, facilities management and logistics support.

Founded in 2006, ELOCEN has achieved outstanding growth by delivering completed projects on time and under budget. The company’s strong leadership and relentless focus on client needs has helped it build a stellar client roster

The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce supported The ELOCEN Group, LLC’s nomination.

Fenestra Technologies Corporation invents creative IT research and development solutions to complex business problems.

Since its founding in 1996, notable projects include helping the U.S. Census Bureau in a business redesign that saved taxpayers more than $1.6 million and building the digital archives of the future for the National Archives.

The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce supported Fenestra Technologies Corporation’s nomination.

The Law Office of Jane Frankel Sims, LLC is a woman-owned business that provides a sensible approach to complex legal issues like estates and trusts.

Since its founding five years ago, the firm has consistently increased by 20-25% in both clients and revenue. The Law Office of Jane Frankel Sims has implemented a project to go “paperless,” to leverage technology and render the firm’s activities more environmentally friendly and efficient.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce supported the Law Office of Jane Frankel Sims, LLC’s nomination.

For more information about the June 7 Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon, click here.

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Trade shows may not be at the top of your radar for attracting new customers, but with a little help you can develop a trade show strategy to gain prospects and build your business.

Last week, I attended Millennium Marketing Solutions Expo and sat in on the trade show seminar, where Marketing Consultant Michael Romeo shared some excellent ideas. Here are a few tips:

Set a goal – Always set a goal on how many trade show exhibitions you want to go to and which ones to attend.

Research – Do your research by checking out the history of the event.

Booth Identity – Trade shows are just like other marketing strategies, when setting up a booth, you should have a clear concept on your booth identity. What is the message you want to portray to potential customers?

Love your brand – Do not just sit behind the exhibit table on your phone. The purpose of a trade show is to interact with potential new customers and to sell your brand.

Giveaways – Everyone loves giveaways! Do grand prize drawings. This encourages potential customers to come back and makes a great impact with a perceived valued gift.

Handouts and collateral – Be sure to hand out brochures, sales sheets, promotions, coupons and most importantly business cards.

Follow up – This is an important piece that most people forget – Romeo said 79% of leads are ignored. Be sure to take notes, send a handwritten thank you card and convert prospects to customers.

Here are a few statistics from Merchant Circle that will help you understand why trade shows are a good marketing tool:

• 14% of B2B marketing budgets go to tradeshows.
• 91% of attendees say trade shows impact decisions.
• 83% of attendees are decision makers or have an influence.

A trade show gives your company the opportunity to standout from the faceless number of other similar businesses online and through direct mail. Visit Millennium Marketing Solution’s website for more information on how to use and add tradeshows/booths to your marketing plan.

There is still time to be a part of our Small Business Trade Show during the Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon on June 7. The trade show will feature exhibitors with products and services tailored to meet the needs of small and mid-sized businesses. If you’re interested in exhibiting, contact Greg Buckler at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or gbuckler@mdchamber.org.

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The Maryland Chamber’s Business Development Council’s BDC On the Road series will continue with meetings at Loyola University Maryland and UPS.

BDC On the Road is a series of small group meetings that provide senior executives from small and minority owned businesses the opportunity to network with some of the region’s top leaders. The events also provide attendees the opportunity to learn how small and minority owned companies can compete for business with some of the state’s large and mid-sized companies and institutions.

Upcoming meetings include:

• June 5  - with Loyola University Maryland’s Dean of the Sellinger School of Business, Karyl B. Leggio, Ph. D., and Director, Student Administrative Services/Disbursements, Mike Mansfield.
• October 11 – after the summer break, BDC on the Road will continue with UPS.

The Business Development Council is the Chamber’s committee that works to assist small, medium-size and minority-owned businesses to grow and prosper. If you’d like to attend an upcoming meeting or would like more information, contact Greg Buckler at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or gbuckler@mdchamber.org.

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Towson University’s College of Business and Economics and the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland will hold a supply chain management forum on Thursday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the University’s West Village Commons. The forum, entitled Supply Chain 2020, will focus on emerging opportunities and challenges in the ever-increasing globalization of the industry. Read More

Andrea Hendler joined Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland as Senior Manager of the Board Leadership Program. Hendler will coordinate the education and leadership development programs for participants from BVU’s 60 member companies and will work with BVU’s network of 300 local nonprofits to provide them with qualified volunteer leaders. Read More

Safeway received high scores from the advocacy group, Greenpace, in its annual ranking of retailers regarding seafood sustainability. Read More

DLA Piper promoted Michael O’Day and Ian Taylor, attorneys in the Litigation and Arbitration practice in its Baltimore office, to partner. Worldwide, DLA Piper promoted 58 lawyers to its partnership across a wide spectrum of practice areas throughout 15 countries. Read More

We post a roundup of Maryland Chamber member news every Friday. Send your news to news@mdchamber.org.

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Terry Butler (right) with Maryland Chamber Chairman Bill Riley, Principal with Reznick Group.

This month, we recognize Terry Butler of Expense Reduction Analysts. Terry is an active member of the Membership Committee and the Business Development Council.

He leads the Business Development Council subcommittee that plans the BDC on the Road events, which are designed to give small and minority owned businesses the opportunity to network with some of the region’s top leaders and learn how to do business with their companies. Under Terry’s guidance, the program has blossomed into one of the Council’s most successful programs.

Terry is also one of the 12 Maryland Chamber members who have recruited a new member in 2012. In addition, he serves as a Chamber Ambassador. Ambassadors are a group of our most active, knowledgable members who reach out to new members on the Chamber’s behalf to help ensure they get the most from their Maryland Chamber membership.

Thank you, Terry, for all you do to help the Chamber succeed.

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Maryland Chamber Chairman Bill Riley thanked the Chamber’s top membership recruiters during the organization’s Annual Meeting Monday. So far this year, we’ve had 12 members recruit new members, led by Washington REIT’s Tom Morey, The Growth Coach’s Susan Katz, Mind Over Machines’ Marjorie Cota and John and Mary Lou Coyle from Coyle Studios. The complete list is below.

Thomas Morey, Washington REIT 6
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
DiamondRock Hospitality Company
LaSalle Hotel Properties
American Capital Agency Corp
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
RLJ Lodging Trust

Susan Katz. The Growth Coach 4
Jones Dykstra and Associates, Inc.
Law Office of Jane Frankel Sims, LLC
BLK Accounting & Consulting, LLC
Spence & Buckler, P.C.

Marjorie Cota, Mind Over Machines 2
Trading Partners International LLC
Avon Protection Systems, Inc.

John & Mary Lou Coyle, Coyle Studios 2
Media 924, LLC
Promaneer

Timothy Adams, Systems Application & Technologies, Inc. 1
Aerojet

Nathan Beil, KCI Technologies, Inc. 1
Tech International Corp

Terry Butler, Expense Reduction Analysts 1
iData Medical Documentation

Drew Cobbs, Maryland Petroleum Council 1
Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation

Buddy Emerson, M&T Bank 1
Bon Secours Baltimore Health System

Scott Nicholson, The Columbia Bank 1
PCI Strategic Management

William Riley, Reznick Group 1
RBC Wealth Management

Marge Thomas, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake 1
Maryland Family Network

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