The Red Sox are in full swing and the thermometer has hit 90 degrees. That means the official start of the summer season is just around the corner. And the Chamber has a great line-up of events to help you stay active and beat the heat this summer!

Below, please find details on our free events in June and July that will be sure to keep you informed and your network growing. Click on each event to access registration information. And make sure to visit our Events Calendar for the most up-to-date listing of 2008 programs.

We look forward to seeing you over the summer!

Ealier this week, the Chamber hosted a Women’s Network Breakfast program on women’s entrepreneurship.

This special panel discussion was moderated by Candy Brush, chair of the Entrepreneurship Division at Babson College.  Dr. Brush led an open discussion about the fundamentals of successful entrepreneurship with  Anne Bailey Berman, president & CEO of Chadwick Martin Bailey; Donna Latson Gittens, principal at  causemedia; and Kip Hollister, founder & CEO, Hollister, Inc.

More photos of the event can be seen here.

At the Chamber's Life Sciences Forum on Wednesday, Dr. Christoph Westphal , CEO of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals addressed the Chamber membership. He spoke about the future of anti-aging pharmaceuticals and Sirtris’ leading role in their development.

The Boston Herald noted Westphal's enthusiasm about working in the Greater Boston area, " Boston is a great place to launch a life sciences company, because there are many skilled scientists, venture capitalists, lawyers and accountants."

Photos of the event can be viewed here.

The Greater Boston Chamber today announced the 2008 inductees into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.  These outstanding leaders were selected for their significant contributions to the Greater Boston community and will be honored at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on May 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.  The 2008 inductees are:

• Micho Spring, Chair, U.S. Corporate Practice & Weber Shandwick New England, Weber Shandwick Worldwide
• Ted Cutler, Philanthropist and Vice President, The Interface Group – MA
• Lawrence K. Fish, Chairman, Citizens Financial Group
• Peter Meade, former Executive Vice President, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc.

Attracting more than 1,000 business and government leaders, the Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Dinner is a signature event for the region and one of the single largest gatherings of the Greater Boston business community.  The inductees will join a renowned group of current members of the Academy, including business leaders, philanthropists, governors, congressmen, cultural dignitaries, and sports greats.  More information on the Annual Meeting and a list of past inductees are available on bostonchamber.com. 

Micho Spring is chairperson of the U.S. Corporate practice and leads the New England office for Weber Shandwick Worldwide.  She is the former CEO of Boston Telecommunications Company, worked as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Kevin White, and served for four years as Deputy Mayor of the City of Boston.  As a government, civic, and business leader, Spring has helped shape public debate on numerous issues in Boston and beyond.  She has managed numerous political and advocacy campaigns, and is consistently ranked as one of Boston’s most powerful women.

Ted Cutler is an internationally recognized innovator in the travel industry and a leader in Boston’s civic and philanthropic communities, most notably in the fields of education, the arts, and health care. Over the course of several decades, Cutler has become a vital figure in the charitable and non-profit worlds of Greater Boston.  His current endeavors include creating a collaborative arts initiative with many recognized local institutions, serving as co-chair of the campaign for the Greater Boston Food Bank, and chair of the board of the Hebrew College.

Lawrence K. Fish is chairman of Citizens Financial Group (CFG).  Over the past fifteen years under Fish’s leadership, CFG has grown more than 30 fold, now ranking as one of the ten largest banking companies in the United States.  He holds leadership positions in numerous business and community organizations, serving as a director of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Textron, Inc., and a member of the MIT Corporation. Fish also serves as an overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and on the boards of Boston’s Dimock Community Foundation and Rosie’s Place.

Peter Meade is former executive vice president at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, where his leadership and experience were instrumental in strengthening ties with government and in the community.  A longtime leader in Boston’s business and civic life, Meade previously headed the New England Council, spent a decade as a talk show host on WBZ Newsradio 1030, and served as Boston public safety coordinator during federally mandated school desegregation.  He is the chair of the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, chair of the board of trustees at Emerson College, and co-chair of MassInc.

Click here to register for the Chamber's 99th Annual Meeting on May 14.

As we begin the New Year,the Chamber is pleased to announce the opening of our new office at 265 Franklin Street, 12th Floor. We look forward to continuing to serve our members from our new location. Phones, faxes, and e-mails remain the same. Click here for directions.

We are also delighted to offer our members another exciting year of programs and events. Take a look at some of the upcoming Chamber events below, and be sure to visit bostonchamber.com for the most up-to-date listing of 2008 programs.

Remember, Chamber membership extends to every employee in your organization. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact Jody Kieval, Director of Member Services, at jkieval@bostonchamber.com or 617-557-7344. I look forward to seeing you in 2008!

At yesterday's Leading Industries Executive Forum, the Chamber hosted Martin Sullivan, president & CEO of AIG, the world’s leading global insurance and financial services organization.  Just the third CEO in the 88-year history of AIG, Sullivan joined the company more than 35 years ago as a 17-year old office clerk.  He was named vice chairman and co-chief operating officer of AIG in 2002, and took over as president & CEO in 2005.

Sullivan has brought an open and inclusive management style to AIG, and helped quell unease among regulators and investors.  He has made AIG into a role model of governance reform and disclosure, improved transparency, and used his three decades of experience at the company to refine the corporate culture. Sullivan has now refocused one of the world’s first global companies (AIG was founded in Shanghai in 1919) on international expansion, and is working to open new markets in China, India, Russia, and Brazil.

His speech at yesterday's event (which can be heard on 90.9 WBUR on Sunday, January 6, at 8:00 p.m.), focused on globalization, financial service regulation, crisis management, and increasing shareholder value.

View photos of the event here, and be sure to listen to WBUR on Sunday, January 6, at 8:00 p.m.

The Chamber today announced the winners of its 2008 Pinnacle Awards. 

Honoring the accomplishments of eight women in Greater Boston who have achieved excellence in business and management, the Pinnacle Awards will take place on January 24, at the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel.

The awards luncheon will feature Lisa Hughes, anchor at WBZ-TV, as the master of ceremonies.

This year’s honorees will be recognized for their accomplishments in the following categories:

• Achievement in Entrepreneurship: Kip Hollister, Founder & CEO, Hollister, Inc.;
• Achievement in Management, Private Sector:  Maura Banta, Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs Regional Manager, IBM;
• Achievement in Management, Government: Leslie Kirwan, Secretary of Administration & Finance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
• Achievement in Management, Non-Profit: Catherine D’Amato, President & CEO, The Greater Boston Food Bank;
• Achievement in the Professions: Paula Johnson, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of Women’s Health, Brigham & Women’s Hospital;
• Excellence in Arts & Education: Dr. Jacqueline Weis Liebergott, President, Emerson College;
• Emerging Executive: Kim Steimle, EVP, Marketing, Business Development & Community Relations, Suffolk Construction Company, Inc.; and
• Lifetime Achievement: Natalie Jacobson, Former Anchor, WCVB-TV, Channel 5

“This year’s honorees exemplify excellence in their respective fields and their commitment to the region’s civic community is nothing short of remarkable,” said Paul Guzzi, president and CEO of the Chamber.  “Each recipient is an inspiration to women aspiring to lead in business, government, academia, and media, and the Chamber looks forward to honoring them in January.”

To register for the event, click here.

Now in its 14th year, the Pinnacle Awards are presented by the Women’s Network of the Greater Boston Chamber. The awards honor women for outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhance the quality of life in the region.

The Women’s Network was founded in 1994 to promote and expand economic opportunities throughout the Greater Boston region for all women in business through shared leadership and expertise. The Women’s Network offers programs that provide career enrichment and development opportunities for women at all professional levels, spotlight the accomplishments of women, and promote the positive influence that women have upon the Greater Boston region.

The Chamber and several other business groups have teamed up with IBM to provide local minority and women entrepreneurs and businesses with a free online business toolkit to help them start or grow their businesses.

The small business toolkit enables entrepreneurs and small businesses to learn how to implement sustainable business management practices needed for growth in areas such as finance, accounting, international business, marketing, human resources or legal. 

The Toolkit is a partnership between IBM and IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, and it was recently expanded in the U.S. to serve underserved communities such as Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and women-owned businesses.

"Successful small businesses can create jobs and are vital to the state of Massachusetts' growth,” said Chamber CEO Paul Guzzi. “The SME Toolkit is a high quality website provided by IBM and the IFC that can serve as a great resource to help the survival and growth of our small businesses.” 

In Massachusetts there are over 650,000 small businesses accounting for over 1 million jobs in the state's economy.  While small businesses generated between 60 to 80 percent of the new jobs annually in the U.S. over the past decade, they can be disadvantaged by the lack of access to resources such as skills, knowledge and information that larger businesses routinely use to grow and succeed.

Among the Toolkit's specially designed free tools are:

• An online calculator that helps small businesses determine their readiness for financing
• Free software to build a web site
• Free business forms used for employee performance evaluations
• Community tools such as online conferencing, blog capability, group calendars, survey and quiz builders to help small businesses make decisions, and
• A multilingual business directory to help small businesses link locally, regionally and globally.

Small businesses can also receive business training delivered via classroom workshops and partnerships with local support providers.  The Toolkit can also help small businesses go global by providing detailed market access, investment and trade information for the 64 countries most exported to countries.

The Toolkit was launched by IFC in 2002.  IBM has dedicated more than $1.6 million to transform the Toolkit and rebuild it on an innovative open source platform using top talent in IBM research.  The Toolkit includes new Web 2.0 features such as live chat, online forums, business directories and survey capabilities to create a community where small and medium sized business can collaborate – anywhere around the world.

‘CEO Summit: The Globalization Challenge’ will air tonight at 8 p.m. on NECN and at 10 p.m. on WBUR - 90.9 FM.  This year’s CEO Summit will feature a senior-level discussion among four of the region’s most influential industry leaders, as well as an interview with Governor Deval Patrick, on the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization. 
 
This year’s ‘CEO Summit’ panelists are:

• Henri Termeer, Chairman, President & CEO, Genzyme
• Bob Pozen, Chairman, MFS Investment Management
• Chip Bergh, Group President, Global Grooming, Procter & Gamble
• Larry Bacow, President, Tufts University

Chamber president and CEO Paul Guzzi and his co-host RD Sahl of NECN and will elicit insight from these top executives, and ask them for specific recommendations for our government leaders that will help our companies succeed in the global economy. 

Be sure to tune in tonight at 8:00 p.m. on NECN, or at 10:00 p.m. on WBUR - 90.9 FM.

In a senior-level discussion that includes an interview with Governor Deval Patrick, four of the region’s most influential industry leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization. 

‘CEO Summit: The Globalization Challenge’ will air Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 8:00 p.m. on NECN and at 10:00 p.m. on 90.9 WBUR. 

The ‘CEO Summit’ panelists are:

• Henri Termeer, Chairman, President & CEO, Genzyme
• Bob Pozen, Chairman, MFS Investment Management
• Chip Bergh, President, Group President, Global Personal Care, Procter & Gamble
• Larry Bacow, President, Tufts University

From outsourcing to international trade, from the movement of capital to the integration of financial markets, globalization is a phenomenon that has spawned countless books, articles, and business school case studies.  But what impact is it having on Massachusetts companies?  How is Massachusetts faring against our competitor states and countries?  Are we dealing effectively with the challenges it presents, and seizing its opportunities? 

‘CEO Summit: The Globalization Challenge’ will address these questions and more.  Co-hosted by RD Sahl, principal anchor at NECN, and Paul Guzzi, president and CEO of the Chamber, the summit will elicit insight from some of the region’s top executives.  It will also ask the panelists for specific recommendations for state and federal government that will help our companies succeed in the global economy. 

“‘CEO Summit: The Globalization Challenge’ is a rare opportunity for NECN’s 3.7 million viewers to better understand the implications and opportunities of globalization and how this phenomenon is impacting Massachusetts,” said Philip S. Balboni, founder and president of NECN.  “We look forward to sharing this high-level discussion with our New England audience.”

Be sure to tune in to NECN on Tuesday, November 20, at 8:00 p.m., or to 90.9 WBUR at 10:00 p.m.

History and education were top of mind for MassPort's Anthony Guerriero in today's Metro interview with Chamber CEO Paul Guzzi.

Anthony began his professional career as a legislative aide for State Senator Tom Birmingham (D-Chelsea). He became District Director in 1992 when Birmingham became Senate President, and handled all policy and constituent issues in the Senator’s district. Anthony joined Massport in 2003, and serves as the agency’s point person with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation and the community. He has also been a Senior Visiting Instructor in the History Department at Salem State College for the past ten years.

PG: What is your favorite thing about working in Boston?

AG: I love the little streets, and the overall historic theme of Boston. In addition, I believe that Boston’s great diversity is its greatest strength!  I love to people watch, and look at those that make-up our constituency in Massachusetts.  No other state can compare for what Massachusetts has to offer in the field of education, medicine, and the bio-medical industry.  Plus having the 2007 World Series Champions is a nice bonus.

PG: Favorite place to take a client for lunch?

AG: As a public employee, I am not allowed to take a client to lunch. However, I love the 21st Amendment up on Beacon Hill. A great atmosphere with terrific food!

PG: If you could have any job in Boston, other than your own, what would it be and why?

AG: Other than being the General Manager of the Red Sox, I would have to say an administrator in higher education. I am a teacher by professional incarnation and love working with students.  I was very fortunate to have had positive experiences during my years at both Salem State and UMass, and I would use my professional experience to affect change positively in an education setting.  Working with students is exciting.  It would also be exciting to work on policy that helps improve their education experience.  What is most gratifying as a teacher is witnessing a student develop both intellectually and as an adults.

PG: What reading material is on your nightstand?

AG: Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond, Eisenhower on Leadership by Alan Axelrod, and The Adams-Jefferson Letters by Lester Cappon.

PG: Tell us something we should know about you.

AG: I love to cook, but history is my passion.  I truly believe that we can learn from the past and I enjoy reading and learning about the events that have shaped our nation.  When you read a good biography about a person you admire, you slowly come to realize that they are human too, that they have struggled but have succeeded.  What I have learned is that luck might play a small part, but perseverance is the key to one’s success.

Read the full interview here.

As the calendar turns to November, the Chamber is busy putting the final touches on the 2008 Membership Directory.  

If you haven’t verified your contact information, please take a brief moment to confirm your free listing as it will appear in the Directory.  You can access this information through the password-protected "Members Only" portal on bostonchamber.com.  

The deadline for all updates is Monday, November 5. Remember, the annual directory will be distributed to each of our 1,700+ member companies in January.If you have any questions, or if you have misplaced your password, give us a call at 617-557-7353 and we'll be happy to offer our assistance. 

Remember, everyday the Member Services department is working for you!

In today's Boston Globe, Lisa Wangsness highlights the growing prominence of the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum as a platform for government officials to make major announcements:

"The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's monthly breakfast meetings provide a high-profile forum for politicians to say something dramatic, or else, to say it dramatically.

House speaker Thomas M. Finneran once addressed the chamber with Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in the background. Senate president Robert E. Travaglini kicked off the healthcare debate in a chamber speech. Governor Deval Patrick and House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi took dueling positions on corporate tax code changes in speeches to the chamber earlier this year, triggering months of friction."

The Globe's observation comes on the heels of yesterday's event with Senate President Therese Murray (listen to the rebroadcast Sunday at 8:00 pm on 90.9 WBUR), and doesn't even mention recent newsmaking announcements by Treasurer Cahill, Mayor Menino, and Congressman Barney Frank - all of whom used the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum to present major new ideas to the business community. (Listen to podcasts of all these events here.)

Next month we approach the event a bit differently - with former presidential advisor and current Kennedy School of Government professor David Gergen as our featured speaker - before Mayor Menino returns to the podium in December.

Be sure to keep an eye on our Government Affairs Forum page for other upcoming events, and take advantage of the opportunity to connect with government leaders as they announce breaking news.

Tomorrow, the Chamber will host its 23rd annual Small Business of the Year (SBOY) awards luncheon at 12:00 pm at the Sheraton Boston.

This year’s Small Business of the Year, Cafco Construction Management Inc., is a Boston-based construction management and general contracting firm specializing in a variety of development ventures. For nearly 20 years Cafco has built a solid reputation in the construction industry with a unique customer-driven approach and has been trusted with the construction needs of the best and brightest of New England.

Receiving this year’s Award for Business Excellence is The Piantedosi Baking Company, a third generation family-owned business.  A turn-of-the-century horse and buggy distributor turned national commercial bread operation, Piantedosi offers its customers big company capabilities with small company attention.  The company operates with the goal of being the premier bread-baker of the U.S. and employs more than 200 people from 19 different countries.

Dr. Ian Lane Davis, CEO & Founder of Mad Doc Software, LLC, will be honored with the first-ever Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  Dr. Davis is widely acknowledged as one of the top artificial intelligence experts in the video game industry and has consulted some of the world’s leading game developers, including Microsoft Game Studios, Disney Interactive, and Universal Games.  He founded Mad Doc in 1999, and the company is now responsible for more than 10 million units in the game market worldwide.

The SBOY Awards recognize the entrepreneurial achievements of Greater Boston’s smaller for-profit companies who have gross revenues over $1 million and display strong financial performance, achievement in management, workplace excellence, product innovation, and community and social responsibility.

Winners were selected from a large pool of qualified applicants that was first narrowed down to nine semi-finalists, from which a group of finalists was selected. The SBOY selection committee made site visits to the finalists to gain first-hand knowledge of their operations.  Previous winners of the SBOY Awards include Stacy’s Pita Chip Company, Finagle a Bagel, Boston Duck Tours, Gentle Giant Moving Company, Nantucket Nectars, and J.P. Licks. 

WBZ's Anthony Silva will moderate the event, and Au Bon Pain president & CEO Sue Morelli will be the keynote speaker.

Be sure to save the date, Wednesday, May 14, 2008 for the Chamber's 99th Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting is the high point of the Chamber’s program calendar and among the largest gatherings of business leaders in Greater Boston, attracting more than 1,000 attendees. A highlight of the program is the induction of one or more accomplished citizens into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.

Click here to see a full list of Distinguished Bostonians.

During the first week of the fall season, the Member Services department is focusing on verifying important member information prior to printing the Chamber's 2008 Membership Directory.

The annual directory will be distributed to each of our 1,700+ member companies in January. If you haven't already, please take a brief moment to confirm your information as it will appear in the directory.

You can access this information through the password-protected "Members Only" portal on bostonchamber.com. Don't know your password? Give us a call at 617-557-7353 and we'll be happy to offer our assistance.

Don't miss this important business development opportunity!

Today the Greater Boston Chamber officially enters the blogosphere. This new online initiative will serve as a hub of information for Greater Boston’s business community, and offer the latest Chamber news to members, the media, and government officials.

Beginning this morning, blog.bostonchamber.com will be your best source for:

• Chamber press statements and releases
• Public Policy positions and testimony
• Opinion pieces from Chamber leadership
• The Chamber’s new Massachusetts Jobs Update
• Major program announcements
• Important member information
• Interviews with Boston’s Future Leaders
• This Week in Business guest listings
• And much more

So be sure to check back often, or subscribe to our RSS feed and be notified whenever a new post is added.