The Greater Boston Chamber has once again partnered with Metro Boston on a featured news item.  From time to time, the Metro will offer readers a snapshot of select Chamber speakers and their comments. Last week, Senator Kerry's address to the Government Affairs Forum was featured, and today's edition of the Metro highlighted yesterday's special briefing with Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15123837@N04/sets/72157604706539494/

Southwest’s philosophy:

“You can save people money and make money at the same time.”

On Southwest’s secrets of success:

“We hire great people and treat them like family.  We try our best to care for customers like they’re guests in our home.  We keep our fares low and our operating costs lower and we do that by being safe, efficient and operationally excellent.”

For the article's full text, check out the Metro online.

For photos of the event, click here.


On Monday, Senator John Kerry addressed the Greater Boston Chamber's Government Affairs Forum.

The Senator spoke candidly about
the state of the economy, the war in Iraq, the continuing foreclosure epidemic, and the job potential of the energy industry.

Senator Kerry's address was covered in the 
Boston Heraldas well as the Boston Metro, and will be rebroadcast Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. on 90.9 WBUR.

Click hereto see photos of the event

On Tuesday April 8, the Chamber hosted the Women's Network Breakfast. Marsha Firestone, president of the Womens' Presidents Organization addressed the Chamber membership about women in enterprise.


Photos of the event can be viewed here

Congressman Barney Frank's address to the Greater Boston Chamber's Financial Services Forum in March was covered in the New York Times by columnist Joe Nocera.


 

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 Chamber is a Silver Key sponsor of the Disney Institute's traveling professional development program, "Disney Keys to Excellence."  This full-day interactive workshop will be held at the Boston University School of Management on April 15, 2008.

The Disney Institute was established in 1986 to teach proven Disney success strategies to business executives from all over the world.

The Boston 'Disney Keys" program will showcase four 90-minute sessions:

Leadership, Disney Style - Discover how effective leadership has been the catalyst at Disney to drive employee/customer satisfaction and bottom-line results, from the company's inception to today.

Management, Disney Style - Examine the importance of integrating an organization's corporate culture into selection, training, and care of employees.

Service, Disney Style - Explore world-renowned Disney principles for service excellence.

Loyalty, Disney Style - Learn key practices and principles in building and sustaining loyalty that have made Disney a trusted and revered brand around the world for more than 75 years.

Chamber members receive a discount of $50 off of standard registration fees by using the promotional code:
GBCCNWSE.

For more information, click
here.

At the Chamber's Financial Services Forum this morning, Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, called for increased regulation of financial markets.

The Wall Street Journal noted the Chairman's offer to exchange greater oversight of "credit-creating institutions" for access to the Federal Reserve as a lender of last resort.

The Boston Globe noted Congressman Frank's "renewed" call for expanded regulation.

Bloomberg's Alison Vekshin noted the call for formation of a financial services risk regulator.

CNBC has been debating the proposal all day, and interviewed Congressman Frank here.

Reuters and the CBS News Politico also have the story.

View photos of the event here.

At tomorrow's Financial Services Forum, Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, will deliver a major economic policy address.

As the economy teeters on the edge of recession, Congressman Frank has become a key economic leader.  Given the market turmoil this week, the timing of his speech to the Chamber offers members a unique opportunity to attend yet another news-making event.

The Boston Herald's Jay Fitzgerald offers a brief preview here.

Click here to register for the event.

At yesterday's Government Affairs Forum, House Speaker Sal DiMasi vocalized his opposition to casino gaming in Massachusetts, outlined his new proposal to grow renewable energy jobs in the Commonwealth, and offered his thoughts on changes to municipal government.

With the legislature holding a major casino hearing yesterday after the speech, the Speaker's comments on gaming dominated press coverage.

The Boston Globe covered the speech in today's front page story encompassing the day's casino news. And also laid out the full prepared text.

The Boston Herald ran several articles referencing the Speaker's address, including gambling pieces by Casey Ross and Scott Van Voorhis, as well as an editorial on casinos, a story on the Speaker's plan for municipalities, and editorial thoughts on the Speaker's non-casino ideas.

The Boston Business Journal gives a rundown of the speech.

NECN ran several pieces featuring the address throughout the day. (Here and here).

WCVB Channel 5 did the same. (Here and here). 

The extensive media coverage of the event further solidified the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum as the region'sleading platform for public policy leaders to make news.

In the Speaker's own words, "The Chamber’s Government Affairs breakfasts are a meaningful way for leaders in government to get together with leaders in business to share ideas and work together to improve our great Commonwealth."

View photos of the event here.

House Speaker Sal DiMasi will address the employer community at the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum tomorrow morning, just 2 hours before the legislature's Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technology is set to hold the first official hearing on Governor Patrick's casino gaming legislation.

The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency.  Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at 8:10.  Click here to register.


Diane Patrick at Chamber Women's NetworkAt yesterday's Women's Network program, Diane Patrick, partner at Ropes & Gray and first lady of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, addressed a crowd of more than 300 women business leaders.

Her deeply personal address, in which she discussed her career, her husband's campaign for Governor, and her battle with depression, received a standing ovation and a warm reception in today's papers. 

Boston Herald Cover March 12, 2008The Boston Herald's
Christine McConville lauded her "courage", while The Boston Globe's Matt Viser detailed how she had "climbed back" from depression.

Click here to view photos from the event.

To learn more about the Chamber's Women's Network, visit bostonchamber.com.



Every year since 1983, the Greater Boston Chamber has had the privilege of inducting some of our region’s most accomplished leaders into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.

Meet one of the 2008 honorees: Micho Spring, chair, U.S. Corporate Practice & Weber Shandwick New England, Weber Shandwick Worldwide.

Micho is one of the most respected leaders in Greater Boston. The president of the New England office of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, she utilizes her extensive experience to establish and execute targeted communications initiatives for her clients and respond to public policy challenges. Micho previously served as chief of staff to Boston Mayor Kevin White. A native of Cuba and longtime Massachusetts resident, her unique experience and perspective adds to her vision as a public and private sector leader.

A force in the government, business, and civic communities, Micho has helped shape public debate on numerous issues in Boston and beyond. She has managed numerous political and advocacy campaigns, and is a frequent independent media commentator. On multiple occasions she has been named one of the “20 Most Powerful Women in Boston” by Boston Magazine.

Micho holds numerous board memberships including the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, The Boston Foundation, and the Massachusetts Women's Forum. She is also a past member of the board of trustees of Partners HealthCare, the board of directors of Brigham & Women's Hospital, the board of trustees of Catholic Charities, and director of Citizens Bank of Massachusetts.

We hope you will be able to join the Greater Boston business community at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Dinner on May 14th as we induct Micho Spring into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.


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.


This morning the Chamber hosted an Economic Outlook Breakfast with Sovereign Bank. 


This annual event featured the presentation of results from Sovereign's survey of Chamber members on the economy, as well as a panel discussion featuring Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill, John Fish, president & CEO of Suffolk Construction, and Ellen Zane, president & CEO of Tufts-New England Medical Center.


View photos of the event here.

 



On Wednesday, May 14, the Chamber’s 99th Annual Meeting & Dinner will be held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

Please join us as we inaugurate our new chair, Gloria Larson, president of Bentley College and the first woman to chair the Chamber in our distinguished history.

The Annual Meeting is the premier event on our program calendar, and is recognized as one of the largest gatherings of business leaders in the region. We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to connect and celebrate with fellow business leaders.

For more information on purchasing a table or registering for the event, click here.

 


Yesterday, the Chamber Women's Network hosted a breakfast discussion panel with some of Greater Boston's most successful professional women.



Carol Fulp, vice president of community relations at John Hancock Financial Services, Joanne Jaxtimer, senior vice president & director of public affairs at Bank of New York Mellon, and Geri Denterlein, president, Denterlein Worldwide and author of  "The Power Chicks’ Guide to Boston," shared their thoughts on how emerging professional women can find their way to the top of the Boston business community.

For photos of the event, click here.


This morning Attorney General Martha Coakley addressed Chamber members at the Government Affairs Forum.


For photos of the event, click here.

For more information on the event, click here


At yesterday's Pinnacle Awards Luncheon, the Chamber's Women's Network honored eight outstanding women for their business and civic contributions. 


 
For photos of the event, click here.

For more information on the event, click here.


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.

Jan. 24

2008 Pinnacle Awards

Emceed by WBZ-TV News Anchor Lisa Hughes, the annual Pinnacle Awards luncheon will honor eight outstanding women leaders for their accomplishments in business and management, including Natalie Jacobson, who will be accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jan. 29

Government Affairs Forum

 

Attorney General Martha Coakley, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

Regarded as one of the Chamber's premiere event series, the monthly Government Affairs Forum connects business and government. Join business leaders from a wide range of industries at the first Government Affairs Forum of 2008, featuring Attorney General Martha Coakely.
 

Feb. 5

Women's Network Breakfast
 

"Boston’s Leading Women: The Female Executive’s Inside Track to Success"

 

This special panel discussion will bring focus to the professional insights of three of our region's most esteemed female professionals:
       ●  Geri Denterlein, President,
         Denterlein Worldwide
       ●  Carol Fulp, Vice President of Community Relations,
           John Hancock Financial Services
       ●  Joanne Jaxtimer, Senior Vice President
           and Director of Public Affairs,
           The Bank of New York Mellon

 

 

Mar. 18

Government Affairs Forum

 

Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

Join other senior-level business executives at the March Government Affairs Forum to gain valuable insight from Speaker Sal DiMasi, build a strong network within the business and government communities, and engage in important policy issues that impact your industry.

 

 

Mar. 26

Life Sciences Forum

 

Christoph Westphal, M.D., Ph.D. , CEO and Vice Chair, Sirtris Pharmaceuticals

 

The Chamber’s Life Sciences Forum features industry leaders from the biotechnology and life sciences sectors, and highlights emerging trends, best practices, and new initiatives that are emerging in this vital industry.


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!

 

 


Mayor Menino's December 11 address to the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum is now available as a podcast on bostonchamber.com.

Click here to download.