The Maryland Chamber of Commerce will celebrate our 40th Anniversary tonight during the Annual Membership Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Awards Dinner.

Here is a list of founding Maryland Chamber members who have been with the organization for all 40 years:

• Allegheny Energy
• Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce
• Bank of America
• Black & Decker Corporation
• Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
• CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of MD
• Constellation Energy
• Delmarva Power
• Dorchester Chamber of Commerce
• Exxon Mobile Corporation
• Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Baltimore Committee
• Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Washington Board of Trade
• Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce
• Howard County Chamber of Commerce
• Jamison Door Company
• Kent County Chamber of Commerce
• LaFarge North America Inc.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Marriott International, Inc.
• Maryland Highway Contractors Association
• Maryland Hospital Association, Inc.
• McCormick & Co., Inc.
• Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
• M&T Bank
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Ocean Pines Area Chamber of Commerce
• Olney Chamber of Commerce
• Pepco Holdings, Inc.
• Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce
• Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce
• Random House, Inc.
• Restaurant Association of Maryland, Inc.
• Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce
• Saul Ewing LLP
• Steffey & Findley, Inc.
• Talbot County Chamber of Commerce
• Verizon Maryland, Inc.
• Volvo Powertrain North America
• Washington Gas

Here is a brief list of milestones from the Maryland Chamber’s first 40 years:

1965- A group of business people hold the first legislative conference.

November 1968 - The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is formed in Baltimore.

August 1975 - The Maryland Chamber moves its headquarters to Annapolis.

August 1985 - The Maryland Manufacturers Association merges with the Maryland Chamber.

August 1991 - Maryland Economic Growth Associates merges with the Maryland Chamber.

June 1992 - Maryland Chamber launches Leadership Maryland.

1992 - Maryland Chamber founds the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education.

May 2000 - Maryland Chamber initiates the Maryland Business Hall of Fame to recognize outstanding business leaders.

June 2000- Maryland Chamber launches the Maryland Small Business of the Year Awards Program in Partnership with local chambers of commerce throughout the state.

November 2000 - Maryland Chamber creates the Business Philanthropy Awards to recognize the business community’s commitment to the community.

November 2001 - Maryland Chamber launches its online grassroots advocacy program to make it easier for members to communicate with their elected officials.

July 2006 - Maryland Chamber launches online voter education and get-out-the-vote program.