Pikesville Chamber of Commerce Changing its Name

PIKESVILLE, Md. –The Pikesville Chamber of Commerce has announced plans to change its name to best reflect the communities it serves – now and in the future.

Effective Oct. 10, the 40-year-old nonprofit will operate as the Pikesville-Owings Mills Regional Chamber of Commerce. The name change is in recognition of the Chamber’s membership geographic base and the development of a five-year strategic plan.

“We included the word “regional” in the name to the highlight widest possible footprint for the future, but our representation of the Pikesville community will not diminish whatsoever,” said Chamber Chairman Mark Pressman. “Our roots will stay here.”

Incorporated in 1977, the Chamber started with 30 members in the downtown Pikesville retail community. It has gradually expanded to serve those living and working in Pikesville, as well as those in nearby neighborhoods - with the second largest concentration in Owings Mills.

“Our growth is evolutionary, not revolutionary,” Pressman added. “The name change simply reflects that we have become the lifeblood and central address of Pikesville and beyond.”

Today with 350 members and growing, the Chamber is “dedicated to the commercial, political and communal enhancement of Pikesville and the surrounding areas.” In the past seven years, it has been honored as a five-time 1st place winner and two-time 2nd place winner of the Maryland Small Business Week Administration's "Chamber Challenge Award.”

“We are the largest, strongest and widest representative business organization in the local area that has the deepest impact for positive success, and our new name will reflect that,” said Chamber President Jessica Normington.

“When national and regional chain businesses research local chambers to support and aid their growth to the area from a distance, the new name will attract their attention and accurately represent the total footprint we serve,” said Chamber Vice Chairman Dave Pyser. “Also, as political districts overlap, our relationship with local, state and federal officials gives us the opportunity to discuss larger issues.”

Current Chamber initiatives include partnering with Baltimore County on the revitalization plan for the Pikesville Armory, as well as assisting with the development and continued redevelopment of Owings Mills Station, Foundry Row, Metro Centre at Owings Mills and the St. Thomas Shopping Center.

Community businesses and residents can continue to count on the Chamber for signature events such as: the Pikesville Farmers’ Market (at Pomona Square, Tuesdays from May through October), the Fall Festival (taking place Oct. 7 at Pikesville High School), the spring 2019 Taste of Pikesville culinary fundraiser (which also benefits the Baltimore Hunger Project), the summer 2019 Miles that Matter Pikesville 5K (which also benefits the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults) and the semiannual Legislative Breakfast featuring our local senators and delegates.

Additionally, the Chamber will continue to operate the beer & wine garden at Twilight Thursdays at Foundry Row in Owings Mills this summer and host Brown Bag and Meet & Eat networking lunch events throughout the area, from Pikesville to Owings Mills to Randallstown to Reisterstown. It also hopes to expand its scholarship program to include Owings Mills schools.

“Our goal is to ensure that Pikesville, Owings Mills and the surrounding areas continue to be a premier place for businesses to thrive and residents to work, shop and live,” Normington added. “It’s all about building a vibrant community.”

The name change and new logo will be rolled out in conjunction with the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Oct. 10. The website and collateral materials will be updated over the next couple of months. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.pikesvillechamber.org.