What Howard County Businesses Gain from Business Appreciation Week
Running a business comes with plenty of opportunities and challenges. Business Appreciation Week gives Howard County businesses a direct way to share both with the people working to support the local business community.
From September 28 through October 2, 2026, Ambassador teams will visit businesses across Howard County during Business Appreciation Week. The goal is simple: hear directly from businesses about what is working, where they are growing and what challenges they are facing.
Businesses of all industries and sizes are encouraged to participate.
Bring Howard County Directly to Your Business
Instead of asking business owners to come to another meeting, Business Appreciation Week brings the conversation to them.
Participating businesses receive an in-person visit from a Howard County Ambassador team. Teams include Howard County department heads, government officials, community organization leaders and members of our team.
The visit gives you an opportunity to talk about your business, including recent growth, accomplishments, plans and challenges. It also creates a direct connection with people and organizations that work with businesses throughout Howard County.
For us, those conversations matter. They help us better understand what businesses are experiencing and where there may be opportunities to improve the business climate in Howard County.
Tell Us What Your Business Needs
Business Appreciation Week is about listening.
Maybe your company is preparing to expand. Maybe you are having trouble finding workers, navigating a process or identifying resources. Or maybe business is going well and you want Howard County to understand what has helped your company succeed.
These visits give you an opportunity to share that experience directly.
The information businesses provide during Business Appreciation Week helps us understand common needs, identify challenges and better connect companies with available resources.
Our content standards call for HCEDA initiatives to emphasize the practical value businesses receive from programs and resources rather than simply describing what we administer. Business Appreciation Week puts that principle into practice by starting with the experiences and needs of local businesses.
Get Recognition for Your Business
Participating businesses also receive recognition for their contributions to Howard County.
Each participating business will receive:
- An in-person visit from a Howard County Ambassador team
- A Certificate of Appreciation
- Photos that may be featured on our Flickr account and/or social media
Business Appreciation Week gives us another opportunity to recognize the companies, entrepreneurs and employees behind Howard County’s business community while learning more about their work.
Who Should Participate in Business Appreciation Week?
Business Appreciation Week is open to Howard County businesses of all industries and sizes.
You do not need to be a large employer or have a major announcement to participate. The purpose of the week is to understand the experiences of businesses throughout the County.
If you have something you want Howard County to know about doing business here, this is your opportunity to share it.
Register for a Business Appreciation Week Visit
Business visits will take place September 28 through October 2, 2026, with appointments available during the following times:
- Monday: 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1–5 p.m. (afternoon only)
- Thursday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Space is limited, and registration closes Monday, August 31.
Please register for only one appointment per business.
See Business Appreciation Week in Action
Want to see what a Business Appreciation Week visit looks like? Explore photos from previous years to see the businesses, Ambassador teams and conversations that have taken place across Howard County.
Check out photos from 2025, 2024, and 2023 Business Appreciation Week visits on our Flickr account and see how businesses across industries and throughout the County have participated.
Continue the Conversation at the Business Resource Expo
Business Appreciation Week may bring resources directly to your business, but the connections do not have to end with your visit.
Businesses can also register for the Business Resource Expo, bringing together resources and connections to help local businesses find support and information.
Register for the Business Resource Expo today!