Government Affairs Forum:

Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

March 21, 2024 9:45 am – 11:00 am Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

Event Details

Thank you for joining our second Government Affairs Forum of the year featuring Speaker Mariano.

Attendees heard from the Massachusetts Speaker of the House, Representative Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy), at the Chamber’s Government Affairs Forum.

Tickets

Individual Member/Government Rate: $75
Member/Government Table of 10: $750
Individual Non-member: $120
Non-member Table of 10: $1,200

Government Affairs Forum

Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs Forum of 2024 where Speaker Ronald Mariano addressed the Chamber’s business community.

Speaker Mariano has represented the 3rd Norfolk District, comprised of Quincy, Weymouth, and Holbrook in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1991. He was elected Speaker of the House in December 2020 after serving as Majority Leader since 2011. Throughout his career, Speaker Mariano has been a driving force behind groundbreaking legislation related to health care, criminal justice, gun control, and clean energy.

Attendees heard Speaker Mariano’s policy priorities and strategies to strengthen the communities and economy of Massachusetts.

Questions? Contact us.

Angelica Medina

Senior Program Manager

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Angelica

Speakers

House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano

House Speaker, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Representative Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy) has represented the 3rd Norfolk District, comprised of Quincy, Weymouth, and Holbrook in the Massachusetts House of Representatives…Read more

Representative Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy) has represented the 3rd Norfolk District, comprised of Quincy, Weymouth, and Holbrook in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1991. He was elected Speaker of the House in December 2020 after serving as Majority Leader since 2011.

Throughout his career, Speaker Mariano has been a driving force behind groundbreaking legislation related to health care, criminal justice, gun control, and education. Serving as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services, Speaker Mariano was a key architect of the Commonwealth’s landmark health care reform of 2006, which went on to serve as a model for the Affordable Care Act. He was also a principal proponent of transitioning the state’s automobile insurance market to managed competition in 2008.

As Assistant Majority Leader and then Majority Leader, Speaker Mariano led many of the House’s conference committee negotiations for bills that established school accountability standards, contained health care cost growth, reformed the criminal justice system, created an adult use marijuana industry, and regulated ride-sharing services. Speaker Mariano was the lead negotiator in Massachusetts’ 2014 gun safety reform and the subsequent ban on bump stocks, which have made Massachusetts a national leader in gun safety. Throughout his career he has been an ardent proponent of LGBTQ rights, civil rights, and ensuring access to reproductive justice and women’s health care. Most recently, Speaker Mariano led the House’s efforts to reduce barriers to access telehealth services and to provide a financial lifeline to struggling community hospitals.

Speaker Mariano is a lifelong resident of Quincy Point and is married to Eve Powell, a retired Quincy Public School teacher. He attended Quincy Public Schools, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He taught in the Quincy Public Schools for 12 years and served as a member of the Quincy School Committee for 18 years. He is a lifelong basketball fan and coached Quincy Youth Basketball for many years.

James E. Rooney

President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

James E. Rooney is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, one of the region’s leading business associations. Under…Read more

James E. Rooney is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, one of the region’s leading business associations. Under Rooney’s guidance, the Boston Chamber has become the leading voice of the business community on public policy issues, weighing in on important matters such as our region’s public transportation infrastructure, economic mobility, health care costs, workforce development and policy regarding our state’s competitiveness. In addition, Rooney has focused on broadening the Chamber’s membership, including introducing new programs and initiatives designed to attract and retain next generation leaders, minority-owned and small businesses.

Prior to joining the Chamber in 2015, Rooney was executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority for nearly 15 years, overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and leading the management teams of four MCCA owned facilities in Massachusetts. Before moving to the MCCA in 2001, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor’s cabinet and playing a critical role in all aspects of city governance including education, public safety, public works and transportation. He began his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the nation’s fourth largest transit system, where he spent 18 years, starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager. He also served one year as the MBTA’s Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition. During the 1990s, Rooney served in senior positions at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Central Artery Project, Boston’s $15 billion “Big Dig” highway project. Rooney has served in leadership positions on several boards of directors and currently sits on professional and non-profit boards including the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) North American Advisory Board/Mexico Tourism Board, Vice Chair of the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), The Partnership, Inc., and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC).

Rooney has been recognized many times throughout his career for both professional and civic contributions including, a PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry and a City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for leadership and advocacy for immigrant advancement and diversity. In 2018, Rooney was named one of Boston’s Top 10 Most Influential People by Boston Magazine, and one of the “Power 50” executives who made the biggest impact on Greater Boston’s business community and the region’s overall economy by the Boston Business Journal.

Rooney grew up in South Boston and attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, graduating as president of his class. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management.

Agenda

9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Registration & Networking

Guests arrive, sign in at registration, and network with fellow attendees.

10:10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Keynote Speech

House Speaker Ron Mariano gives annual address to the business community.

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Fireside Chat / Q&A

Chamber President & CEO, James E. Rooney, moderates a fireside chat and the audience Q&A with House Speaker Ron Mariano.

Press & Media

Press & Media

Press and media covering the event should RSVP to Casey Baines

FAQs

What is included in my registration?

Access to a welcoming community of professionals over a great conversation and morning refreshments!

What should I bring?

An interest in connecting and networking with other professionals. Oh, and don’t forget business cards.

What should I wear?

Please come dressed for your day!

When should I arrive?

Registration begins a 9:30 a.m., with program starting promptly at 10 a.m.

Do I need to register in advance?

We have a limited number of tickets available for this event due to capacity limits. Government Affair Forum events are some of the Chamber’s most popular and we recommend registering in advance to secure your spot!

COVID-19 POLICY

The Department of Health and Human Services lifted the Presidential Declaration of a National Public Health Emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11, 2023. Therefore, COVID-19 will no longer be considered a national health emergency. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce will continue to monitor trends and act accordingly based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

Your health and safety remain our top priority while attending programs, events, and meetings. COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are strongly recommended. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce still follows exposure guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

If you feel ill or learn of an exposure before an event or meeting, whether with COVID-19 symptoms or others, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider.

*Please note -If the venue or host of the program has additional policies or protocols, we will adhere to them and notify attendees in advance.

Series Sponsor

Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

606 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210

Get Directions

All cancellations must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the event to avoid being charged or to receive a refund.

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce encourages persons with disabilities to participate, and engage fully, in its programs and events.

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including but not limited to, listening devices, closed captioning, large print, wheelchair access, allergies and environmental sensitivities, or if you have any questions about the venue, event format, or virtual platform, please contact us.

Become a Member

About Us

Get to Know the Chamber

Member Benefits

Grow Your Business

Membership Directory

Not sure if you’re a member?

Events & Networking

WHAT’S NEXT

Upcoming Events

Engage & Learn

FEATURED EVENT

Premier Event

2026 Pinnacle Awards

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

Member Engagement

Maximize Your Membership

Register Now

Membership Directory

Discover fellow Chamber members.

Upcoming Events

Stay Involved

Talent & Workforce

City Awake

Boston’s Future Leaders

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Women’s Leadership Program

Partnership with Boston Public Schools

Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Transportation

Foundation

Our Mission

Expanding Opportunity

Foundation Initiatives

Programming That Empowers

Upcoming Events

Get Involved

Become a Member

About Us

Get to Know the Chamber

Member Benefits

Grow Your Business

Membership Directory

Not sure if you’re a member?

Events & Networking

WHAT’S NEXT

Upcoming Events

Engage & Learn

FEATURED EVENT

Premier Event

2026 Pinnacle Awards

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

Member Engagement

Maximize Your Membership

Register Now

Membership Directory

Discover fellow Chamber members.

Upcoming Events

Stay Involved

Talent & Workforce

City Awake

Boston’s Future Leaders

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Women’s Leadership Program

Partnership with Boston Public Schools

Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent