How the Commonwealth Competes:
Measuring our Competitive Edge

October 9, 2024 10:00 am – 11:00 am Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce or Virtual

Event Details

Thank you for joining us for a special event in partnership with the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Attendees heard from Doug Howgate, MA Taxpayers Foundation President, and a panel of business leaders on strategies to bolster the competitiveness and sustained economic success of Boston and the Commonwealth.

Tickets

Free and open to the public.

How the Commonwealth Competes: Measuring our Competitive Edge

Our region’s competitiveness involves important and intersecting economic, political, and social factors. With a highly mobile workforce, public transit and housing challenges, and high cost of living, many people, communities, and businesses are choosing to move away from Massachusetts in favor of more affordable cities and states. However, when our competitive edge is strategically strengthened, we can meaningfully attract and retain our community and successfully compete against competitor states.

The first annual Massachusetts Competitiveness Index, released by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, with support from Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, analyzes and compares Massachusetts to the rest of the nation and key competitor states across 26 metrics. During our event, Doug Howgate, MA Taxpayers Foundation President, shared a presentation of the Competitiveness Index. Following the presentation, a panel of business leaders and experts discussed strategies to bolster the competitiveness and sustained economic success of Boston and the Commonwealth.

Questions? Contact us.

Angelica Medina

Senior Program Manager

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Angelica

Speakers

Sara Fraim

CEO, Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council

Sara is the CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MTLC), a technology association representing over 200 technology companies in Massachusetts….Read more

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Doug Howgate

President, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

Doug Howgate is President at the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. Doug began as President in January of 2023, after two years as the Foundation’s Executive…Read more

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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.

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Jane Steinmetz

Boston Office Managing Principal, EY

Jane is the Atlantic market leader, collaborating with managing partners across EY’s upstate NY, Greater Philadelphia, Greater DC and New England offices. She…Read more

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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

Series

2025 Government Affairs Forum | State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

Member Engagement

Maximize Your Membership

Unlock Value

Membership Directory

Discover fellow Chamber members.

Upcoming Events

Stay Involved

Talent & Workforce

City Awake

Boston’s Future Leaders

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

Partnership with Boston Public Schools

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Transportation

Foundation

How the Commonwealth Competes:
Measuring our Competitive Edge