GBC Unveils Multi-Year Agenda For Transformative Change At Annual Meeting

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, held a highly successful 2023 Annual Meeting today, May 25, 2023, at the Baltimore Peninsula. The event marked the first annual meeting since the GBC’s merger with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB) last year, further strengthening the organization’s mission to drive regional progress and collaboration.

Attended by over 700 of the Greater Baltimore Region’s top leaders from among the business, technology, education, real estate, and civic communities, the 2023 Annual Meeting was an opportunity for the GBC to unite key stakeholders and unveil its multi-year agenda. Under the theme of “Transformative Change,” the event featured a brand-new format designed to foster celebration and engagement. Guests enjoyed an open floor plan, interactive activations, and an array of Baltimore-themed cuisine and cocktails from minority- and women-owned vendors.

“Our vision is clear: to create transformative change that propels our community toward equitable economic growth, enhanced infrastructure, and strengthened collaboration,” said GBC President & CEO Mark Anthony Thomas. “We are committed to building consensus, amplifying our dynamic regional assets, and driving strategic investments that benefit all residents and businesses. Together, with our partners and stakeholders, we will forge a path where Greater Baltimore shines as a world-class destination for opportunity and innovation.”

“The GBC 2023 Annual Meeting was a resounding success, showcasing the power of collaboration and shared vision,” said Greater Baltimore Committee Board President and University of Maryland Medical System President Dr. Mohan Suntha. “We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with our esteemed partners and stakeholders to drive inclusive economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and foster collaboration in the Greater Baltimore Region.”

Under Armour Executive Chair and Brand Chief Kevin Plank and MAG Partners CEO MaryAnne Gilmartin were among several business leaders who attended and delivered remarks during the event, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, and several other Baltimore-area elected officials also in attendance to celebrate the Multi-Year Agenda, which includes 12 initiatives to support the organization’s combined role in shaping the region’s econonmic future and driving collective impact for the more than 500 businesses and organizations committed to the region.

The event also served as the first public introduction of GBC’s new leadership: Board Chair President Dr. Mohan Suntha – who succeeded Immediate Past Chair Calvin Butler as the 35th Board Chair in the organization’s history this past March – and new President & CEO Mark Anthony Thomas who joined the Committee in December of 2022 after a nationwide leadership search.

With the new leadership for the organization in place, work will now shift to enacting the GBC’s visionary multi-year agenda, aimed at propelling the Greater Baltimore Region toward a thriving future of inclusive growth and development. The agenda centers on 12 initiatives focused on three critical areas: (1) Economic Opportunity, (2) Transportation & Infrastructure, and (3) Collective Impact. The specific steps of the Multi-Year Agenda include:

Economic Opportunity:

  • Partnering with a national research firm to develop a ten-year economic opportunity strategy to build consensus for the region’s future.
  • Developing the Greater Baltimore brand to amplify the region’s dynamic regional assets and civic progress.
  • Partnering with economic, community, and development leaders to ensure stratetgic investments in the region are successful.
  • Pursuing game-changing opportunities and federal funding to advance equitable growth.
  • Partnering with the public sector to support local, domestic, and foreign direct investment and expansion in the region.

Transportation & Infrastructure:

  • Advancing Baltimore’s Transit Future Campaign
  • Advancing major infrastructure investments in the region to better connect our communities and accelerate long-term opportunity.

Collective Impact:

  • Reducing gun violence.
  • Supporting Baltimore police officer retention and recruitment.
  • Tackling the vacancy issue in Baltimore City and supporting neighborhood redevelopment.
  • Supporting local hiring and procurement.
  • Increasing entrepreneurship and the ease of doing business in the region.

During the event, Thomas officially named TIP Strategies, Inc., an Austin-based consulting and advisory firm led by President Tracye McDaniel, to develop a comprehensive 10-year Regional Economic Opportunity Strategy following an extensive nationwide search that began with the issuance of an RFP by the organization this past April. McDaniel, a widely recognized strategist with experience in all facets of economic development and destination marketing, will lead a team of economic development thought leaders who will work closely with the organization over the next several months to create a bold economic opportunity agenda that will deliver a thriving economic environment for all the region’s diverse communities and businesses.

The GBC also provided a first look at two mood board prototypes developed in collaboration with Mindgrub Technologies, a Baltimore-based firm known for its innovative digital solutions. The new GBC website will roll out in earnest later this year.

ABOUT THE GREATER BALTIMORE COMMITTEE

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, providing insightful economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. Comprised of more than 500 organizations, including large, mid-size, and small companies, nonprofits, foundations, and educational and healthcare institutions, the GBC is dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Greater Baltimore region. For more information, visit gbc.org.