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          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Series
          Transportation First | State of the Airport

          The Transportation First Series offers a platform to discuss the challenges faced by our region, with the input of experts and changemakers.

          06/12/2025

          2:45pm - 4:30pm

          Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • 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

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          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
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          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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        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
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        • About Us
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          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

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Chamber Announces 2017 Annual Meeting Theme, Speaker and Honorees

March 24, 2017

Boston, MA – The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the theme, honorees and keynote speaker for the 2017 Annual Meeting to be held on May 8 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. This year’s Annual Meeting theme is ROI: Return on Influence. The Greater Boston Chamber will celebrate the business community and its leaders, individuals who are committed to sharing their success to build a better Greater Boston. The event’s speakers and honorees were chosen because they have each invested their time, talents, and influence to build a stronger region.

The keynote speaker for the event is Kenneth R. Feinberg, founder and managing partner of Feinberg Rozen, LLP, and one of the nation’s leading experts in alternative dispute resolution. He served as the pro-bono Administrator of the One Fund Boston Victim Relief Fund and as Special Master for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, among many other high-profile victim relief funds.

Our 2017 inductees into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians include Joyce and Bill Cummings, founders of Cummings Properties, Cummings Foundation, Inc. and New Horizons Senior Communities; Sandra & Paul Edgerley, trustees of the Edgerley Family Foundation; and Carol Fulp, President & CEO of The Partnership, Inc. These five distinguished, successful business leaders have committed their professional and personal lives to making Greater Boston a place where all people can thrive.

The Greater Boston economy continues to thrive, thanks in large part to the success of our diverse and collaborative business community and its leaders, who are not only invested in growing their own organizations, but also in ensuring that Greater Boston’s success can be enjoyed by all,” said James E. Rooney, president & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber. “Our 2017 Distinguished Bostonians are all highly regarded Greater Boston business leaders who have influenced positive change, improved lives, and made a tremendous difference throughout our region, and the return has been immeasurable. I look forward to celebrating their incredibly powerful work, and the good work of the entire business community, on May 8.

Joyce and Bill Cummings are the founders of the commercial real estate company, Cummings Properties. They are also the founders of Cummings Foundation, Inc., which has awarded more than $140 million in grants to Greater Boston nonprofits, and New Horizons Senior Communities, which provide homes for more than 500 Massachusetts seniors. They were the first Massachusetts couple to sign The Giving Pledge, a national philanthropic organization founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet, through which the world’s wealthiest individuals and families make a commitment to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

Sandra and Paul Edgerley are trustees of the Edgerley Family Foundation. Paul is a Senior Advisor to Bain Capital after serving as a Managing Director of the firm from 1990-2016. Sandy is currently chair of the Boston Foundation and previously served as the chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Over the past 25 years, the Edgerleys combined have served on more than 25 nonprofit boards, primarily supporting Massachusetts organizations focused on education and opportunities for youth.

Carol Fulp is President and CEO of The Partnership, Inc., New England’s premier organization dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of the region by attracting, developing, retaining, and convening multicultural professionals. She sits on a number of corporate and nonprofit boards, and is a significant contributor to the Greater Boston business and civic communities. She is also a former United Nations Ambassador, appointed by President Obama in 2010.

Read more about our honorees online here.

The 2017 Annual Meeting will be jointly chaired by Amy Latimer, President of TD Garden and Darren Donovan, Office Managing Partner, Boston for KPMG. The event is a signature event for the region, and one of the largest gatherings of the Greater Boston business community, attracting more than 1,700 business, government and civic leaders. The inductees will join an accomplished group of Academy members, including business leaders, philanthropists, local and national elected officials, cultural dignitaries, and sports greats. More information on the Annual Meeting and a list of past inductees are available online.

Katie Hauser

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

[email protected]
617-557-7354

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Boston, MA 02110
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