The Chamber has just confirmed the date of the 100th Annual Meeting and Dinner! The historic event will be held on May 19, 2009 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
 
Mark you calendars now, as this promises to be a memorable evening. We hope to see you there!

To see pictures from this year's Annual Meeting and Dinner, click here.

On Wednesday night, the Chamber hosted approximately 250 members for a night of networking at Fenway Park, home of the 2007 World Series Champions! After the reception, Chamber members enjoyed a 6-3 Red Sox victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Jason Varitek hit his seventh home run of the season, and Bartolo Colon picked up his 150th career victory as the Red Sox extended their lead in the American League East.

For images from the reception, click here.

The Chamber would like to thank the sponors of 2008 Night at the Red Sox: Fitcorp, Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, and Videre Conferencing.

Senate President Therese Murray was the featured speaker at yesterday's Government Affairs Forum. During the breakfast, Murray focused her remarks on the legislative efforts to grow jobs in Massachusetts. She touched on numerous topics, from the life sciences bill to the effort to repeal the state income tax. For more details on the speech, click here.

Murray's remarks were also covered by the Boston Herald, Boston Business Journal, and WBZ-TV. Murray also commented on the presidential race, which was covered by boston.com.

For a complete set of high-resolution images from yesterday's breakfast, click here

Murray's speech will be re-broadcast on 90.9 WBUR-FM on Sunday, June 15 at 8 p.m.

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

Yesterday, syndicated radio host and media entrepreneur, Mel Robbins addressed the Greater Boston Chamber Women's Network. In her speech, Mel discussed what she calls the Momentum Factor; using principles of Momentum to get over yourself and get things done.

Quoted remarks from today's Metro can be seen here.
Photos of the event can be viewed here.

Last week, State Treasurer Timothy Cahill addressed the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum.

In his speech, Cahill discussed the Massachusetts economy, with a special focus on state spending, pensions, transportation borrowing, and casino gambling.

Additional coverage by the Boston Herald can be seen here.
Quoted remarks made by the treasurer can be seen here in the Metro.
Photos from the event can be seen here.

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.

The Greater Boston Chamber's Annual Meeting & Dinner is just two days away! On Wednesday, May 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place we hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to connect and celebrate with nearly 1,500 fellow business leaders from every industry across Massachusetts!

Some of the region's most prominent organizations will be in attendance. Companies supporting the Chamber's 99th Annual Meeting & Dinner as lead sponsors include: 

• Citizens Bank
• Constellation NewEnergy
• Eastern Bank
• Microsoft
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA
• Bank of America
• Northeastern University
• Bingham McCutchen LLP
• Partners HealthCare System
• National Grid
• Citibank North America
• Iron Mountain, Inc.
• Procter & Gamble
• The Boston Globe
• Goodwin Procter LLP
• Edgewater Technology
• Boston Culinary Group
• State Street Corporation
• Ropes & Gray
• SBLI
• Bentley College
• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Suffolk Construction Co.
• Bank of New York Mellon
• Interface Group - MA
• Boston University
• KPMG LLP
• Mass. Convention Center Authority
• Weber Shandwick Worldwide

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. I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to connect and celebrate with fellow business leaders.

Click here to register for the Chamber's 99th Annual Meeting & Dinner!

The podcast of Senator Kerry's address to the Chamber's Government Affairs Forum is now available on bostonchamber.com.

The Senator's speech, given on April 14, 2008, was rebroadcast on Sunday, April 20, on 90.9 WBUR.

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

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: Peter Meade, former executive vice president, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc.

Peter is chair of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, and chair of the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Emerson College. He serves on the Board of Directors for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League of New England, The New England Council, AAA of Southern New England, and the Lenny Zakim Fund. 

Peter recently retired as executive vice president of corporate affairs at Blue Cross. Throughout his many years of service, he built lasting relationships with community groups, government officials, business and religious leaders, and the media. He continues to play a significant role in the economic, political, and civic life of Boston and New England.

Prior to joining Blue Cross, Peter served as president and CEO of The New England Council, and as vice president at Warner Amex Cable Communications. From 1983 to 1992, he gained a reputation for astute political analysis and commentary as a radio and television talk show host at WBZ NewsRadio and WBZ-TV. Peter provided a lively, interactive forum for discussion with presidents, heads of state, renowned authors, and local and national politicians. A dedicated public servant, he also served under Boston Mayor Kevin White as public safety coordinator and commissioner of parks and recreation in the 1970’s.

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 Peter Meade into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.

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: Larry Fish, chairman, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. and RBS Americas.

Under Larry’s leadership since 1992, Citizens Financial Group has grown more than 30 fold, now ranking as one of the ten largest commercial bank holding companies in the United States in total assets and deposits.  Prior to joining Citizens in 1992, Larry led the fight to revive the ailing Bank of New England Corporation during 1990 and 1991. He began his career in banking at Bank of Boston in 1972 where he was responsible for operations in Brazil, Japan, and the Asia-Pacific region and headed New England Banking.

A leader in both the business and civic communities, Larry holds leadership positions in numerous companies and community organizations.  He serves as a director of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Textron, Inc., and a member of the MIT Corporation. Larry also serves as an overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and on the boards of Boston’s Dimock Community Foundation and Rosie’s Place.

Larry is also working to address the critical issues of immigration and urban poverty, and serves as a volunteer at inner-city organizations in Boston and Providence.  He has chaired numerous capital campaigns, including major initiatives to assist The Vietnamese Community Center, a facility for non-profit agencies that provide economic development and social services to Boston's 20,000 Vietnamese refugee and immigrant families.

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 Larry Fish into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.

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: Ted Cutler, philanthropist and vice president, The Interface Group - MA.

Ted is an internationally recognized innovator in the travel industry and a leader in Greater Boston’s civic and philanthropic communities, most notably in the fields of education, the arts, and health care.  He is the founder of GWV International travel company, an organization that helped revolutionize the charter travel and entertainment industries. Today, Cutler serves as vice president and a member of the Board of Directors of The Interface Group – Massachusetts.

Over the course of several decades, Cutler has become a force in the charitable and non-profit worlds of New England. His current endeavors include serving as co-chair of the campaign for the Greater Boston Food Bank and chair of the board of the Hebrew College. Cutler is a Trustee Emeritus of the Citi Center for the Performing Arts and past chairman of Emerson College and the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston.

In 1999, Cutler and his wife Joan made a lead gift toward the restoration of the Majestic Theatre at Emerson College, which reopened in 2003 as the Cutler Majestic Theatre. Cutler also led a campaign to fund new facilities for Emerson’s award winning, student-run radio station, WERS (88.9 FM). 

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 Ted Cutler into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.

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.

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.

At 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. 

The 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 14^th 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.