How the Commonwealth Competes

Year 3 of the MTF
Competitiveness Index

October 8, 2026 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce – Hybrid

Overview

Be in the room for a special event in partnership with the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Attendees will hear from Doug Howgate, President of the MA Taxpayers Foundation, 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.

Measuring our Competitive Edge

Join MTF and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to discuss MTF’s 3rd Annual Competitiveness Index (and companion poll). This hybrid event will feature brief presentations on this year’s Index and Poll from Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the MassINC Polling Group. The presentation will be followed by a panel of experts, moderated by Jim Rooney, to discuss the factors that will determine the state’s economic success – for residents and employers

During our event, MTF and the MassINC Polling Group will present on their findings. That presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on the current state of competitiveness in Massachusetts and what it should mean for public policy in the year ahead.

Questions? Contact us.

Angelica Medina

Senior Program Manager

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Angelica

Speakers

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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Travis A. McCready

Head of Industries, Leasing Advisory Chair, Global Life Sciences Advisory Board, JLL

Travis McCready is the head of industries leasing advisory in the Americas for JLL, one of the largest commercial real estate advisories in the world. In this capacity,…Read more

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James E. Rooney

President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

James E. Rooney is President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most influential business association. With Rooney’s…Read more

James E. Rooney is President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the region’s most influential business association.

With Rooney’s commitment and leadership, the Greater Boston Chamber is now the leading convener, voice, and advocate for the region. Strategizing with government leaders, private companies, and public institutions to strengthen the state’s competitiveness, Rooney advances the future of commerce with public policies and legislation that champions dynamic and resilient people, communities, and workplaces.

Before leading the Chamber, Rooney served as executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) while leading the management teams of four MCCA-owned facilities. Prior, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor’s cabinet to move forward all aspects of city governance.

Rooney started his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager. He served one year as the MBTA’s Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition. Using his transportation financing expertise, Rooney led one of the nation’s largest transportation projects, the $15 billion “Big Dig” Central Artery highway project, and he served as Chief Financial Officer at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

Rooney serves in leadership positions on several boards of directors, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and the Committee of 100, Immediate Past Chair of the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), Co-Chair of the Madison Park Steering Committee, and Member of the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). Rooney continues to be recognized for his professional and civic contributions, including being named to the list of 100 Most Influential Bostonians by Boston Magazine numerous times, receiving the City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for advocacy of the immigrant community, and he was honored with the PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry.

Born and raised in South Boston, Rooney attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, where he served as President of his graduating class. He graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management.

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Brooke Thomson

President & CEO, Associated Industries of Massachusetts

Brooke Thomson is the President & CEO of AIM. Prior to assuming the presidency, Brooke led the Government Affairs team where she was responsible for designing…Read more

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Get Involved

EXPLORE OUR INITIATIVES:

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

2026 Government Affairs Forum | Mayor Michelle Wu

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

Member Engagement

Series

Maximize Your Membership | December 2026

Membership Directory

Discover fellow Chamber members.

Upcoming Events

Stay Involved

Talent & Workforce

Young Bostonians Collective

Women’s Leadership Program

Massachusetts Apprentice Network

Boston’s Future Leaders

Partnership with Boston Public Schools

Leadership Accelerator: Building Trust, Influence, and Presence

Policy & Impact

GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

Business Climate

Climate & Energy

Health Care

Housing & Development

Talent

Transportation

Year 3 of the MTF
Competitiveness Index