The Chamber works to provide valuable, timely information, educational programs, and professional training opportunities for our membership and the community.
Learn more about our educational programs including Government: It’s Your Business, Women in Business Conferences, Servant Leadership Classes, Youth Leadership Bedford County, Community Reading Day, Educator in the Workplace, BASICS Career Programs, Technology Events, Agri-Business Education Events, Distinguished Speaker Series, Health & Wellness Symposium, and more.
Learn more by clicking the menu below or download these membership documents:
The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Allegany College of Maryland to offer ongoing programs and resources for the business community. These no-or-low cost sessions provide enrichment for small businesses as well as networking opportunities and more. Sponsorships of these programs are available. Call the Chamber Office or search the Chamber calendar to learn more about recent and/or upcoming events.
The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee plans events throughout the year to educate the business community and the general public about important legislative issues. These events bring elected and appointed officials as well as other experts together to share ideas for the benefit of our region. Scheduled annual events include:
- Legislators Reception
- State Legislators’ Luncheon
- State of the County Breakfast or Luncheon
- Breakfast with Congressman Joyce
- State of the Economy Breakfast
- Small Games of Chance Workshop
The committee also plans meet-the-candidates events and debates as elections warrant. While the Chamber does not take political stance or endorse candidates, we do work to make sure the business community has the opportunity to make informed decisions in the voting booth.
GIYB events offer sponsorship and networking possibilities above and beyond their educational value. Call the Chamber office to register for our next event, or to learn more about sponsoring our Government Affairs Speaker Series.
The Chamber’s Spring and Fall Women in Business Conferences have become the region’s premier events for professional women of the Bedford County region: a day of networking, education and enlightenment. Drawing attendees from throughout the state, the event, which sells out at 150 guests, offers keynote speakers and panels, breakout sessions, networking, vendor displays, gift bags, breakfast and lunch and much more. Hosted by the Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Spa, special overnight room rates are available.
Call the Chamber for more information: 814.623.2233 or Click here for details.
Quarterly membership meetings offer networking opportunities over breakfast of lunch, recognition of new members, and featured speakers who share updates on topics of interest for area businesses. Win-win-win!
Leadership Bedford County is a year-long “class” dedicated to education and servant leadership. Participants meet for a 2-day retreat to kick off the class in September and then get together monthly to explore various aspects of the Bedford County Region. The class meets business leaders from many backgrounds, including History & Heritage, Education, Economic Development, Health & Human Services, Agriculture, Recreation & Tourism, Government and the Judicial System. They also take part in a Regional Leadership Session with classes from neighboring counties.
Often defined as a “life-changing” experience, Leadership Bedford County also provides valuable networking opportunities, and class members often say they cultivate deep friendships with those who share in their experiences. For more information, call Rick Smith: 814.623.2233. Click here to learn more.
XLBC, or Extreme Leadership Bedford County is the NEXT LEVEL of Servant Leadership experiences in the Bedford County region. Designed to offer extreme flexibility, this program is offered as a series of individual sessions, divided into morning and afternoon programs. Attendees are invited to come when you can, leave when you have to; with the chance to take part in as much of each session as possible.
XLBC is of particular interest to graduates of the traditional Leadership Bedford County program, but is open to anyone in community. For more information, call Kellie Goodman Shaffer at 814.623.2233
Youth Leadership Bedford County is the 10th-grade version of the adult program. Students throughout the county apply during their 9th grade year to take part in this 9-month class. Students participate in a summertime retreat and then gather for one school day per month to explore the county as well as key leadership components. Students gain valuable skills including public speaking, cooperating with others and much more. They also meet with community and business leaders throughout the program as they explore many facets of Bedford County. The teens often site friendships and a new appreciation for their home county as some of the highlights of their experiences. Businesses may sponsor a student or other aspects of the program. For more information, call Sarah Ferrari: 814.623.2233
Business at Breakfast & Lunch-n-Learn events provide opportunities for Chamber members to share their expertise, experience and talents with one another. Whether you sponsor and present a program or attend one of these interesting events, the connections made and information shared is of value to all. Call the Chamber to learn more: 814.623.2233.
BASICS = Business and Schools Investing in Cooperative Solutions. This program is designed to help prepare today’s students for the career opportunities that await them. Educators and business leaders come together to discuss important issues impacting students. Events under the BASICS umbrella include: Youth Leadership Bedford County, Community Reading Day Literacy Program, Steps to Success, Pursuit of Excellence Soft Skills Development, Showcase Career Fair, and more. For more information, or to get involved, call: 814.623.2233.
Steps to Success is a day-long conference for Bedford & Fulton County High School students designed to help them gain the tools to obtain and succeed in their first job opportunities. Held at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Forbes Road Conference Center, the day includes presentations by business and human resource professionals, mock interviews, and a job fair featuring local companies, educational institutions and even military recruiters. Businesses may exhibit and/or sponsor this event, held the last Wednesday of February. Call Gwen Querry for more information at 814.623.2233
A literacy initiative of the Chamber and Bedford County Chamber Foundation. Business leaders volunteer to read to pre-K thru 3rd grade classes throughout Bedford County. They also spend some time with the young students discussing their careers and the value of reading to their success. Participation opportunities include volunteer slots as well as bookmark sponsorships.
Touch a Truck is an interactive career exploration experience for 3rd and 4th graders. Students visit dozens of vehicles at the Bedford County Airport with the opportunity to sit in the drivers’ seats, watch demonstrations and learn about the many careers relative to anything with wheels. Corporate sponsors and exhibitors make this event, a highlight for young students, possible.
A unique career exploration experience for all of the county’s 5th graders. Students visit dozens of interactive exhibits at the Bedford County Airport, meeting area professionals, who give them a hands-on look at a wide array of careers. Corporate sponsors and exhibitors make this event possible.
The county’s 7th graders gather at the Bedford County Fairgrounds for a full day of exploring the many career avenues available through the county’s largest industry: agriculture. From farm management to tractors and equipment, marketing, biotechnology, forestry and so much more.. this unique career exploration experience is supported by dozens of partners from the agri-business community.
The Business Community & Career Showcase is the county’s largest career fair, with morning (senior high) and afternoon (junior high) sessions for more than 1,000 students from all of the area’s school districts. The event helps to cultivate the workforce of the future by exposing students to a sampling of careers within more than 50 participating businesses/exhibits at the Bedford County Airport.