Throughout the Chamber's 100 year history, there has been a small, special group of legendary leaders who have come to epitomize the soul and the spirit of Boston. 

They have come from both the public and private sectors, and made an enduring mark on our community.  

At the Centennial Celebration on May 19,2009, the Chamber honored two of these leaders who have brought business and government together for the benefit of Boston.

In the private sector we recognized Jack Connors, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Hill Holliday, chairman of Partners Healthcare, and a towering figure in the business community. 

And in the public sector we honored Mayor Tom Menino – soon to be Boston’s longest serving Mayor, a champion of education, and one of the great political figures in the city’s history.

Jack and Tom are iconic figures, not only for what they have accomplished in business and government, but for their continued leadership in our community.

In recognition of the critical need for collaboration in order to advance Greater Boston's economic and community priorities, The Chamber presented its first Collaborative Leadership Award at the Centennial Celebration. 

There aren’t many individuals who can serve in a Republican Governor’s cabinet, and on a Democratic Governor’s transition team;

Who can be part of a Republican administration in Washington, and be on the host committee for a Democratic National Convention in Boston;

Who can work as an attorney at one of Boston’s most prominent law firms, and become president of one of its most prestigious universities.

But such is the bridge-building talent of Gloria Larson. 

In her various roles in government, law, and academia, Gloria has achieved great success for Greater Boston by working with leaders from all points of view. 

And some of Boston’s other business leaders told us more…




For her unique capacity to bring people together – the Chamber presented Gloria Larson with its very first collaborative leadership award.

Peter Lynch is known throughout the world for his tremendous success at Fidelity’s Magellan Fund. 

For 19 years under Peter’s leadership, Magellan leveraged the strength of average people and transformed the way that working class Americans viewed investing. 

At its peak, one in every 100 Americans was a Magellan investor, and Peter’s two books on investing, “One Up on Wall Street,” and “Beat the Street” have each sold more than a million copies.

And yet, for countless organizations in Greater Boston, Peter’s greatest achievements came after he retired from Magellan in 1990, and devoted himself to providing educational opportunities for inner-city students. 

Over the past 20 years, the Lynch foundation has raised more than $125 million in endowments and scholarships for countless organizations including the Catholic Schools Foundation, Boston College, Teach for America, Partners in Health, First Night, and the Special Olympics. 

And those who have worked with Peter in these efforts told us more…




In honor of his passion for education and all he has done for Boston’s youth, the Chamber welcomed Peter Lynch into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.

For more than a decade, Linda Whitlock was focused on one goal: helping Boston’s youth realize their full potential.

She succeeded on a level that few could have imagined, raising the Boys & Girls Club of Boston to a new level of effectiveness and impacting the lives of countless thousands of children.

During her decade at the helm of the Club, Linda nearly doubled the number of youths served by its programs to more than 14,000. 
And she increased the endowment from less than $2 million to more than $20 million. 

Linda created a more open, outward looking organization, with key supporters throughout the ranks of business and government. 

And, perhaps most importantly, those leaders continue to believe in her vision for the future of Boston’s youth.

Those who are close to Linda told us more…




For her passionate commitment to future generations of Bostonians, the CHamber welcomed Linda Whitlock into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians.    

The honoree profile videos from the Chamber's recent Centennial Celebration are now available online at bostonchamber.com.

With the continued outbreaks of H1N1 (Swine Flu) across the U.S. and in Massachusetts, businesses throughout the Greater Boston region are being encouraged to develop contingency plans.  While it is important not to overreact, the Chamber recommends that Chamber members monitor the following websites for the latest information on this virus and its impact on our region.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Boston Public Health Commission

United States Government Pandemic Flu Website

Center for Disease Control

World Health Organization

Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides a comprehensive fact sheet on the H1N1 virus, here.
 
The Chamber will continue to keep our members updated on the latest swine flu information as it becomes available, in order to ensure that Greater Boston employers are uniquely prepared to successfully manage a pandemic.

Don’t miss an opportunity to nominate a “rising star” from your company to join the Chamber’s 2009 Class of Boston’s Future Leaders!

One of the premiere professional development programs offered to Chamber members, Boston's Future Leaders identifies, engages, and develops Greater Boston's future business, civic, and government leaders. Those selected for the 2009 class will participate in a one-and-a-half-day program at Harvard Business School and and a day-long program at Suffolk University Sawyer Business School, as well as numerous leadership forums and networking receptions held throughout the year.

Applications for the 2009 Boston's Future Leaders class are now available. Nominate an individual from your organization today! For application forms and details, click here.

And to learn more about the Chamber's professional development initiatives, contact the Member Services team.

Chamber events attract hundreds of members from each of our region’s leading industries. Arm yourself with the most important networking tool of all: an attendee list. Contact the Member Services team prior to the event, or swing by the Member Services Center at the event, to get an attendee list.

We already have more than 450 attendees signed up for next week’s Government Affairs Forum with Mayor Menino, and over 250 for the Women’s Network Breakfast with Trudy Sullivan. There's still time to register!

Contact us if you are curious to see who will be in the room at each of these events.

Are you a new Chamber member? Or maybe you are long-time member of the Chamber looking for new ways to get involved? Well consider attending the Chamber’s free Member Orientation on November 13 at the downtown UMass Club.

At this informative program, you will learn about all of the opportunities available to you and every employee in your company through your Chamber membership. And the staff of the Chamber is on-hand to answer any questions you might have, from public policy to programs and events to marketing opportunities. So spend an hour with the Chamber staff and leave with new ideas for your company, as well as many new contacts from the region’s business community.

Click on the link below to register, and we hope to see you there!

 

Thursday, November 13
UMass Club, 225 Franklin Street, 33rd Floor
7:45 a.m. Registration&Networking
8:10-9:00 a.m. Program
Free program. Members only.
Click here to register

 

Not a Chamber member, but interested in attending member orientation and learning more about Chamber membership? Contact Karen O’Sullivan, senior director of business development, for more information.

During these challenging economic times, the Chamber is focused on working with members to enhance their business.  As you work to balance the needs of your company with fiscal prudence, we want to offer you a unique, efficient, and cost-effective marketing opportunity available only to members.  

 

For a limited time, we are reducing the annual rate of our exclusive Online Business Directory Category Sponsorship to $250 - a 50% reduction.  This special offer allows our member companies to position themselves atop the online business directory listing for specific industries for one full year. 

 

The Chamber's online business directory receives thousands of visitors each month from employers, tourists, and consumers looking for Greater Boston's best companies and services.  With the launch of the new bostonchamber.com, we have already seen our visitor numbers increase, along with the visibility of the directory and our member companies.

 

With this small investment, the Chamber will provide you with category exclusive visibility for your company for one calendar year - making the most of your marketing dollars.

 

For more information, click here.  If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please reply directly to this email.  This special opportunity will be offered until Friday, November 7, 2008, and on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Esdale, marketing communications manager, at (617) 557-7325 or at desdale@bostonchamber.com.

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!

 

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.

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.

June 24	Chamber Networking Group
	Location: Rebecca's Cafe at One Beacon
	The Chamber Networking Group provides a more intimate forum for small- to medium-size member companies looking to expand their network of business contacts, generate new business leads, and learn the most effective strategies for networking. Members take part in facilitated networking sessions and break-out group discussions, and have the opportunity to develop new relationships.
	Sponsored by FedEx; Hosted by Rebecca's Cafe
July 9	Boston After Five
	Location: Bank of America Pavilion
	At these informal after-hours receptions, Chamber members have the opportunity to meet and network with other members of the business community. Meet potential clients and colleagues and enjoy the warm summer weather from one of the city's leading entertainment venues.
	Hosted by Live Nation
July 17	Member Orientation
	Location: UMass Club
	All Chamber members who are interested in increasing their involvement are invited to attend this breakfast meeting. This informative program will cover all of the opportunities available to you through your Chamber membership. You will leave this breakfast with new ideas for your company, as well as many new contacts. If you're new to the Chamber, this is a great opportunity to meet fellow Chamber members and the Chamber staff, and learn how best to get engaged.
	Hosted by UMass Club
July 22	Annual Business Showcase
	Location: Back Bay Events Center
	The second annual Business Showcase is a unique opportunity for Chamber members to connect with Greater Boston’s outstanding small businesses. The Business Showcase will allow exhibitors and attendees to generate qualified leads in multiple industries in the Greater Boston region and network with our small business community.
	Sponsored by Back Bay Events Center

The Member Services team is here to help you and every employee in your company take advantage of these opportunities. If you have any questions regarding your membership or how your company can get more involved with the Chamber, please don't hesitate to call Sarah McNeeley at (617) 557-7353 or send an e-mail to smcneeley@bostonchamber.com. 

We look forward to seeing you over the summer!

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.

In today's edition of the Metro, Chamber president & CEO Paul Guzzi talked to AIG's Ron Willett about his company, Boston, and pond hockey.

Ron began his career as a sales representative in the Accident & Health Division of

 
AIG, and has held positions of increasing responsibility in several different divisions over the past 15 years.  He was named vice president in April of 2006, and is now responsible for all of AIG’s Fortune 500 business (across all product lines) in the Northeast.  Ron lives in Marblehead with his wife Jacquie and their 5 year old son Brendan.

PG: If you were recruiting someone to work for you, what would be your number one selling point about the company you work for?

RW: AIG is a powerhouse Financial Services company with $1 Trillion in Assets and the most professional and talented people in the business.  We are the largest insurance company in the World.

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

RW:  I grew up here (Hyannis), so my favorite thing about working in Boston is being home.  The connections that I have established throughout my life are all still in play.  Boston is more of a big town than a city. 

PG: Favorite place to take a client for lunch?

RW: Mr. Dooley's.
 
PG:  Tell us something we should know about you.
 
RW: Every January my Brother (John), some good friends, and I travel out to Minneapolis to play in the US Pond Hockey Championships.

Read the full interview 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!

 

 

On January 2, 2008, the Chamber will officially open its new office at: 265 Franklin Street, 12th Floor. All phones, faxes, and email addresses will remain the same.

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!

New Chamber members, as well as existing Chamber members who are interested in increasing their involvement, are invited to attend our upcoming Member Orientation. This informative program will cover all of the opportunities available to you through your Chamber membership.  You will leave this breakfast with new ideas for your company, as well as many new contacts.

Chamber Member Orientation Details

Date: Tuesday, November 13th

Time: Registration and Networking: 7:45 a.m. Program: 8:10 - 9:00 a.m.

Location: Chamber Offices, 75 State Street, 2nd Floor

This program is free, but open to members only.

Click here to register.

This morning the Chamber hosted a Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) breakfast with Charlie Baker, president & CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

The BFL program is only a few years old – otherwise it would almost certainly count Charlie among its alumni. He joined the Weld administration at the age of 33, and by 37 was Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance – serving as the state’s chief budget writer and Governor Weld’s closest advisor.

After winning wide acclaim for his work in state government, Charlie took the reigns at Harvard Pilgrim – rescuing the company from near bankruptcy and leading it to the top of national rankings for health care plans.

His address this morning was ideally suited to the BFL members and alumni in attendance.  Charlie spoke about being a leader, and used examples from his own life to illustrate the path one takes to get there:

• He noted the importance of either having a mentor or a model – someone you can watch, interact with, and learn from;
• The need to be patient and persistent – to open a 10th door if nine have been slammed in your face;
• The value of having a plan;
• The ability to learn from mistakes and not repeat them; and
• The great benefit of having a little luck.

Aside from sharing his experience and views on leadership, Charlie also offered some valuable advice to the dozens of Boston’s Future Leaders in the room:

• Leadership is more about who you are than what you do – the key is to really know yourself.
• Push past your limits, take risks, and do things that are uncomfortable, and you will expand your horizons and grow as a leader.
• Know and respect those around you. Build teams, connect with employees, and learn from both your superiors and your subordinates.

If Charlie’s career is any indication, following his advice just may present Boston’s Future Leaders with great opportunities for further development and success.