This morning, the Greater Boston Chamber held a special Government Affairs Forum with United States Congressman Barney Frank, chair of the House Committee on Financial Services.  As an architect of the $700 billion financial rescue package, Congressman Frank led a discussion on the current financial crisis impacting the United States as well as countries worldwide.  He noted that there may be need for more government action to pull the country out of the serious recession it is now facing.  Congressman Frank provided the audience with a stronger sense of confidence that with the right leadership, we will cycle out of these difficult economic times.

 

This event was covered by the Boston Herald, Boston Globe, and Associated Press.  Images from the event can be viewed here.

 

Don’t miss the Chamber’s next Government Affairs Forum with Cokie Roberts, political commentator, ABC News, senior news analyst, NPR.  For event details and registration, click here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for their continuous sponsorship of the Government Affairs Forum.

On yesterday's episode of “This Week in Business,” Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, joined hosts Paul Guzzi and Mike Nikitas to discuss government's role in today's economy.  In the our 'Cover Story' segment, he predicts the next stimulus package may include some sort of permanent tax relief.

 

Joining Paul&Mike once again in the 'Briefing Room' segment, Congressman Frank talks about worldwide efforts to stem the crisis, and a published report that two Hedge Funds may not comply with the $700 billion rescue bill.

 

On the business beat, Peter Howe looks at why Jetblue is expanding in Massachusetts, and why business leaders in Massachusetts are asking people to vote ‘No’ on Question 1.

 

The October 19 episode of “This Week in Business” features Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.  With hosts Paul Guzzi and Mike Nikitas, Governor Patrick addresses the financial crisis along with recently announced plans to cut the state budget by more than $1 billion and eliminate 1,000 state government jobs.

 

In the next segment, Peter Howe focuses on the local banking industry and why some smaller banks do not want any extra help from the government.

 

On the business beat, Peter Howe takes a look at the presidential candidates’ plans for the economy as well as continued volatility on Wall Street.

 

Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation, was the guest speaker at yesterday’s Greater Boston Chamber Women’s Network Breakfast.  In a room full of more than 200 Chamber members, McKenna spoke about the significant impact that the Wal-Mart Foundation has made worldwide, donating more than $360 million dollars a year.  She also discussed her ideas for improving education through philanthropy noting that a united effort is necessary to achieve change.  McKenna continues her efforts to bring people together from the private, public, and non-profit sectors to consolidate and collaborate on issues that demand attention such as the drop out rate, achievement gap, and affordable housing.

 

This event was featured in yesterday’s Boston Herald.  McKenna also received spotlight in today’s Metro Boston, and again in today’s Boston Herald. 

 

Images from the event can be viewed here.

 

Don’t miss the Chamber’s next Women’s Network Breakfast with United States Representative Niki Tsongas!  For event details and registration, click here.

The Chamber would like to thank PriceWaterhouseCoopers for sponsoring this event. 

The Chamber's September 2008 Monthly Jobs Update shows that Massachusetts lost 3,800 jobs last month.

Other key findings include:

• Massachusetts posted 0.4% job growth over the last 12 months
• Only two of 12 regions added jobs over the last 12 months
• Greater Boston&MetroWest regions grew the fastest
• State remains 93,500 jobs below previous peak
• State financial industry jobs down 0.9% last 12 months; outpaced US rate and ranked 26th among states

Compare this month against previous jobs reports here.

For more information on the Chamber's Job Creation Policy Agenda and ongoing advocacy, please visit the Chamber's Advocacy and Policy page.

On October 16, the Greater Boston Chamber held its 2008 Small Business of the Year Awards.  With nearly 300 guests in attendance, the Chamber honored the achievements of three small businesses and the spirit of one entrepreneur.  Elizabeth Grady and Bakers’ Best both received awards for Business Excellence, Dr. Janet Wolfe of Wolfe Laboratories Inc. received an award for Entrepreneur of the Year, and Hartney Greymont took home the award for Small Business of the Year.  Anthony Silva, business editor and drive-time anchor for WBZ-AM 1030, served as the event’s emcee for the ninth year, and Wyc Grousbeck, managing partner&CEO of the World Champion Boston Celtics, was this year’s keynote speaker.

With the Larry O’Brien Trophy on display, Grousbeck engaged the audience with humor and purpose.  Focusing on achieving success for the Greater Boston region through teamwork and collaboration, Grousbeck noted the critical importance of small business to the region’s economic prosperity.  

Each of the four honorees followed Grousbeck with brief remarks as they accepted their award. The event is traditionally one of the high points of the Chamber's program calendar, and the 2008 luncheon certainly didn't disappoint.

 

To view images from the event, click here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Sovereign Bank, Verizon, and Boston Globe Media for sponsoring this event.

If you have not yet done so, this is your final opportunity to update your company information for the Greater Boston Chamber’s 2009 Membership Directory.

We ask that you take a moment to confirm your member information as it will appear in the Chamber’s 2009 Membership Directory. Each member will receive a copy of the Greater Boston Chamber Membership Directory in January 2009.

To update your profile, log in to the Members Only found on bostonchamber.com.

We ask that you please update or confirm your company information no later than Friday, October 24, 2008.

In addition, The Chamber Publishing Group will be contacting each member regarding advertising opportunities in the 2009 Directory. Advertising in the Chamber Directory is an excellent way to reach more than 1,700 businesses in the Greater Boston business community.

If you have any questions regarding the Directory, your profile, or your Chamber membership, please contact Sarah McNeeley, member services manager, at (617) 557-7353 or at smcneeley@bostonchamber.com.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and for your continued support of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce!

 

Yesterday, the Greater Boston Chamber hosted a special Government Affairs Forum Transportation Panel that was moderated by Secretary of Transportation, Bernard Cohen.  With comments from Cohen and the event’s four panelists, Dan Grabauskas, general manager, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Alan LeBovidge, executive director, Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; Mike Leone, director of maritime, Massachusetts Port Authority; and Luisa Paiewonsky, commissioner, Massachusetts Highway Department, a discussion emerged on the various advances Massachusetts has made in transportation infrastructure along with the challenges that still remain.  Guest speakers focused on transportation budget cuts, ongoing programs, and planned improvements.  Even in these tough economic times, the panelists reassured Chamber members that the Commonwealth remains committed to transportation.

 

This event was featured in today’s Metro Boston, and also received media spotlight from State House News.

Images from the event can be viewed here.

 

Don’t miss the Chamber’s next Government Affairs Forum with U.S. Congressman Barney Frank!  For event details and registration, click here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for their continuous sponsorship of the Government Affairs Forums.

Do you attend Chamber events? Make sure to stop by the Member Servies Center and arm yourself with the tools you need for the event.

The Member Services Center is the place to pick up attendee lists, as well as the current calendar of events - all of the resources that you need to continue building your professional network.

Before and after Chamber programs, you can find (from left-to-right) Leigh D'Ambra, Mary Beth Morris, and Sarah McNeeley at the Member Services Center. They are there to assist you with questions, and help identify the best ways to maximize your membership.

Visit the Member Services Center and introduce yourself to the team at the following events in October:

• October 16: Small Business of the Year Awards
• October 23: Women's Network Breakfast
• October 28: Chamber Networking Group

For additional questions on membership, visit the Chamber's new Member FAQ page on bostonchamber.com.

Dr. Robert Brown, president of Boston University, spoke at yesterday morning’s Greater Boston Chamber Leading Industries Executive Forum. With nearly 150 members in attendance, Dr. Brown spoke on the importance of enhancing the sense of community between local businesses and the plethora of young talent attending Greater Boston’s academic institutions. He also commented on his commitment to advancing BU’s position as a leading research institution in an effort to strengthen the region’s global standing in higher education. Building on that note, Dr. Brown made a strong proposal to set a collective goal amongst universities and the business community to retain local graduates to further secure economic growth.   

 

This event was featured in today's Metro Boston, and the speech from yesterday’s event can be heard in its entirety on Sunday night, October 19, at 8:00pm on 90.9 WBUR.

Images from the event can be viewed here.  

Don’t miss the Chamber’s next Leading Industries Executive Forum with Richard Meelia, president & CEO of Covidien Ltd. For event details and registration, click here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Citi for their sponsorship of this event.

This episode of "This Week in Business" features Bob Gallery, Massachusetts state president of Bank of America.  With hosts Paul Guzzi and Mike Nikitas, Gallery talks about the financial crisis from a banking perspective discussing how that institution has been impacted.


 Also featured is Andrew Dreyfus, executive vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, who talks about the extension of the Medicaid waiver and the impact of the nation's financial turmoil on the health care industry.


 Once again, Peter Howe joins Mike Nikitas and Paul Guzzi for the “Business Beat” to discuss the credit crunch and its impact on both state government and higher education.

 This week’s “On the Record” segment looks at the financial rescue package that the Senate gave new life to on Wednesday (10/1/08) after the stinging House defeat.

 

Paul Guzzi, president & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, discusses the effect the crisis has had on Boston businesses.

Yesterday, Deborah Dunsire, president & CEO of Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, addressed nearly 160 Chamber members at the Life Sciences Forum. With an outstanding ability to connect with the audience, Dunsire spoke about the impact of the merger of Millennium and Takeda. She focused on the importance of talented workers in the life sciences field, and the need for stronger K-12 science education. Dunsire also addressed the critical importance of the state’s billion-dollar investment in the life sciences industry given today’s difficult economy.

 

The event was covered by the Boston Globe, and images from the event can be viewed here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Weber Shandwick for sponsoring this Life Sciences Forum.

Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray addressed nearly 300 Chamber members at the Government Affairs Forum. During the breakfast, Murray unveiled details of a $250 million bond fund - dubbed "I-Cubed" - aimed at creating new jobs by financing targeted business development programs. He also assured the audience that he fully expected the current administration to seek re-election in 2010.

The event was covered by the Boston Herald and featured in today's Metro Boston. The speech can be heard in its entirety Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. on 90.9 WBUR.
For images from the breakfast, please click here.

Don't miss the Chamber's next Government Affairs Forum breakfast, a special panel discussion moderated by Massachusetts Transporation Secretary Bernard Cohen entitled "Roadmap for Success: The Critical Importance of Transportation & Infrastructure in Massachusetts." Panelists will include leaders from the Commonwealth's network of transportation agencies, including the MBTA, MassPort, the Massachusetts Highway Department, and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. For event details and registration, click here.

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for their continued sponsorship of the Government Affairs Forum.

Earlier today, more than 70 women gathered for a Women’s Network Roundtable at the UMass Club. The session, entitled “Networking for Results,” was facilitated by Dr. Stacy Blake-Beard, associate professor at the Simmons School of Management. All participants created a network map in order to analyze their network and help work their way towards a specific goal. Dr. Blake-Beard walked the group through their maps to determine where they had gaps, and shared useful tips and strategies to fill those gaps and achieve their goals. She also dispelled myths about traditional networking and taught participants how to make the most of their networking opportunities.

Click here to find out more about the Women’s Network Roundtable series.

The Chamber would like to thank Simmons School of Management for generously sponsoring the event.

Yesterday, the Greater Boston Chamber hosted a unique event at the InterContinental Hotel.  This Special Leadership Panel discussion focused on how Greater Boston can strengthen the diversity of its workforce and student population.  With moderator Karen Holmes Ward and guest speakers Dr. Ronald Crutcher, Beverly Edgehill, Lawrence Fish, and Steven Crosby, the program highlighted recent strides the region has made in creating a more inclusive community.

Click here to view the high-res images from the event.

Yesterday, the Chamber hosted a Women’s Network Breakfast panel at the Colonnade Hotel to kick off their fall programs.  With insight from moderator Gail Deegan and panelists Regina Pisa, Karen Kruck, and Deborah Re, nearly 270 guests were in attendance.  This breakfast series spotlights the accomplishments of leading female professionals and is one of the Chamber’s most enriching programs.

 

Click here to view the high-res images from the event.

 

The Chamber would like to thank MS&L for generously sponsoring this event.

This episode of “This Week in Business” features Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville who discusses the challenges and rewards of taking on the daunting task of “fixing” education in the Bay State.

Also featured is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Insurance Authority Jon Kingsdale who discusses the progress of the state’s new health care initiative.  Kingsdale reports that the plan will end up costing the state more money, but that the care is far superior to the free health care previously provided.

Peter Howe joins hosts Paul Guzzi and Mike Nikitas in the “Business Beat” to report on American Airlines and their new in-flight e-mail service.  He also discusses the MIT students who cracked the MBTA code.

This week’s “On the Record” segment reveals that the Boston hotel industry is expected to make out pretty well in the coming year even though the outlook for the economy is poor and travel and tourism are down.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce president Paul Guzzi discusses key elements to keeping Boston's hotel industry thriving.