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          A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Special Event
          Talent and Competitiveness in 2025: Finding Opportunity in Uncertain Times

          Join the Chamber and Massachusetts Business Roundtable for a deep dive into employer insights, featuring analysis from McKinsey and a panel of experts.

          06/26/2025

          11:00am - 12:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on June 26, 2025.

          06/26/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
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          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

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          • Pacesetters
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        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
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          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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Boston leads coalition of 200+ Chambers supporting arts and culture

August 6, 2020

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce lead a group of 205 chambers of commerce representing all 50 states in urging Congressional leaders to take action to support the arts and culture industry.

To view or dowload the full text of the letter click here.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided much-needed relief to many businesses, however, in practice, there are critical gaps in the CARES Act that failed to meet the needs of important organizations in our communities. An American Alliance of Museums survey found that nearly a third of museums surveyed fear possible permanent closure as soon as this Fall.[1] Americans for the Arts estimates the total economic impact on Arts & Culture organizations to be $9.1 billion in losses to date, with an additional $10.4 billion  in event-related spending by arts consumers at local businesses (restaurants, lodging, retail) due to the loss of more than 327 million visitors since the start of the crisis.[2] If cultural institutions like aquariums, zoos, performance centers, and museums are to survive this crisis, we request that the U.S. Congress work swiftly to enact the following provisions:

  • Increase the allocation to at least $6 billion for the Institute of Museums and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide direct economic relief for non-profit museums, aquariums, zoos and performing arts centers.  This funding should be used to provide grants for operational support, distance learning, and pandemic recovery planning and implementation.
  • Require the Federal Reserve to broaden their nonprofit lending facility under the Main Street Lending Program to specifically benefit mid-size nonprofits to those with more than 500 employees, and a loan forgiveness option.
  • Increase and extend the Paycheck Protection Program and loan forgiveness provisions in the CARES Act by enabling a second round of funding for all non-profits – including zoos, aquariums, museums, and performing arts centers with greater than 500 employees.
  • Expand the universal charitable deduction provision by enacting the provisions of S. 4032/H.R. 7324 to increase the amount to one-third of the standard deduction, allow all taxpayers to claim the deduction on both 2019 and 2020 returns including through amended 2019 returns, and extend the charitable deduction provided by the CARES Act through 2021.

Collectively, the nation’s performing arts centers, museums, zoos, and aquariums are losing nearly $33 million dollars a day due to closures and are in desperate need of significant federal support to continue to employ many thousands of people, rebuild our nation’s tourism industry, and simply survive the months to come.[3] As cash-based businesses, their economic stability depends on revenue generated from visitors. To date, more than 62,000 employees have been laid off, nearly 50,000 furloughed and an addition 8,000 jobs remain unfilled due to hiring freezes in the arts and culture sector.[4] Over and above losses in earned revenue and unremitted expenses, these organizations are projecting a decline in charitable contributions as donors reassess their capacity to give.

These institutions are important to every community, exposing residents to creativity and education and enhancing their quality of life. Critically, as they are often the destination for visitors from surrounding communities, these institutions also serve as economic drivers responsible for drawing patronage to surrounding small businesses.

Combined, the items listed above represent the minimum required support mechanisms to ensure that Americans still have these venerable and treasured places of learning, inspiration, and connection in our communities when better days return, and we are all able to leave our homes, travel to favorite destinations, and spend time with our family and friends.

Sincerely,

Alaska

Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce

Alabama

Mobile Area Chamber

Arkansas

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Little Rock Regional Chamber

Arizona

Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce

Greater Phoenix Chamber

Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Visit Tucson

California

Bay Area Council

Berkeley Chamber of Commerce

Carmel Chamber of Commerce

Coronado Chamber of Commerce

Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Goleta Valley Historical Society

Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce

La Habra Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles Area Chamber

Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Business Council

Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce

Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce

San Diego Asian Business Association

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce

Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

Yuba Sutter Chamber of Commerce

Colorado

Aurora Chamber of Commerce

Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

Connecticut

Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut

Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce

Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce

Metro Hartford Alliance

Delaware

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

Florida

Amplify Clearwater

ChamberSOUTH

Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce

Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Orlando Economic Partnership

Seminole County Chamber

St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce

Tampa Bay Chamber

Georgia

Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Hawai’i

Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce

Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii

Iowa

DuBuque Area Chamber of Commerce

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Iowa City Area Business Partnership

Idaho

Boise Metro Chamber

Illinois

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce

Oak Park – River Forest Chamber of Commerce

Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce

Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce

Indiana

Indy Chamber

Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce

Kansas

Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau

Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

Kentucky

Fleming County Chamber of Commerce

Greater Louisville Inc.

Marion County Chamber of Commerce

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce

Louisiana

Baton Rouge Area Chamber

Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

Massachusetts

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce

Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce

Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce

Stoneham Chamber of Commerce

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

Maryland

Greater Baltimore Committee

Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

Maine

Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Michigan

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber

Detroit Regional Chamber

Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce

Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce

Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce

Minnesota

MPLS Regional Chamber

Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

Missouri

Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce

South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce

Mississippi

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce

Montana

Billings Chamber of Commerce

West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce

 

 

North Carolina

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

Charlotte Regional Business Alliance

Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce

Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce

Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce

North Dakota

Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC

Minot Area Chamber of Commerce

Nebraska

Greater Omaha Chamber

Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

New Hampshire

Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

Greater Manchester Chamber

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

New Jersey

Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Somerset County Business Partnership

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce

The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber

New Mexico

Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Nevada

The Reno+Sparks Chamber of Commerce

Urban Chamber of Commerce

Urban Chamber of Commerce

Vegas Chamber

New York

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Capital Region Chamber

Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce

Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

Greater Utica Chamber

Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce

Queens Chamber of Commerce

Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

Visit Rochester

Ohio

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce

Greater Akron Chamber

Greater Cleveland Partnership

Licking County Chamber of Commerce

Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce

Oklahoma

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

Tulsa Regional Chamber

Oregon

Portland Business Alliance

Pennsylvania

Allentown Chamber of Commerce

Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce

Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation

Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

East Penn Area Chamber of Commerce

Easton Area Chamber of Commerce

Emmaus Main Street Partners

Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership

Greater Bath Area Chamber of Commerce

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce

Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Nazareth Business Council

Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce

Phillipsburg Area Chamber of Commerce

Pocono Chamber of Commerce

Southern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce

Western Lehigh Chamber of Commerce

Rhode Island

Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce

Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

South Carolina

Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce

Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce

Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Greater Cayce – West Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitor Center

Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Greenville Chamber of Commerce

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

South Dakota

Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce

Tennessee

Chattanooga Area Chamber

Greater Memphis Chamber

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Texas

Brownsville Chamber of Commerce

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

Greater Houston Partnership

Laredo Chamber of Commerce

Lubbock Chamber of Commerce

McAllen Chamber of Commerce

Rio Grande Valley Partnership

San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

Utah

Salt Lake Chamber

Virginia

ChamberRVA

Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Vermont

Burlington Chamber of Commerce

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce

Washington

Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Thurston County Chamber

Wisconsin

Envision Greater Fond du Lac

Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce

West Virginia

Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce

West Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Wyoming

Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce

Wyoming State Chamber of Commerce

 

[1] American Alliance of Museums: United States May Lose One-Third of All Museums, Survey Shows

[2] Americans for the Arts: Economic Impact of Coronavirus on the Arts and Culture Sector

[3] American Alliance of Museums: Advocacy Alert

[4] Americans for the Arts: The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on the Arts and Culture Sector

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