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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

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          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

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          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

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          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

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          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

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          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).

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          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

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          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.

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          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.

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          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 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.

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          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

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

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          Talent
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

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

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          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
          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          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
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
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        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          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 more than 25 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
          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

          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
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
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PACESETTERS SUCCESS STORY

Servicing the Community Through Partnership: Casablanca Services Inc. & the BPDA

BPDA and Casablanca Services

Building a Partnership

 

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), a Pacesetter since 2021, has successfully contracted with Casablanca Services Inc., a minority-owned landscaping firm located in Everett, MA.  Casablanca Services was founded in 2004 by Yacine Ibrahimi, a Northeastern University graduate, who saw an unmet need in the community. Casablanca’s partnership with the BPDA began in 2021 and reflects how effective relationships can be between an anchor company and an MBE when developed through intentional and sustained contact. Speaking about the communication of expectations and overall experience of contracting with the BPDA, Ibrahimi states, “Working with the City of Boston and the BPDA was really great. They were very helpful, and we felt included in every step.”

Since first engaging with the BPDA in 2019, Casablanca’s partnership and relationship with the BPDA’s Real Estate department has flourished through multiple interactions. Casablanca first connected with BPDA staff at a specialized pre-bid conference for a citywide snow removal contract held by the BPDA and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. At this conference, Casablanca made a connection with Laura Melle, the Deputy Director of Real Estate of the BPDA. Melle began to share relevant contract bid opportunities for landscaping, lot clearing, and snow removal operations, of which Casablanca had expertise. Casablanca also provided valuable feedback on making procurements more accessible to new partners.

Winning the Bid

 

In 2020 the BPDA re-opened the Citywide Snow Removal contract. Upon receiving the contract opportunities, Casablanca requested specific information on how to best respond to the contract proposals. Ibrahimi states that, “The BPDA Real Estate team led by Laura Melle were very helpful about any questions and concerns we had regarding the bidding process and the nature of the work. It made the process easier to understand and to bid properly.” Casablanca did not win, but they responded to another Invitation for Bid (IFB) from the BPDA in 2021 and won the contract for Downtown Waterfront Landscaping & Maintenance.

Casablanca’s responsiveness and high-quality work earned them a contract for a term of up to three years with a total value maximum of $240,000. Robert Springer, the Vendor and Supplier Diversity Specialist at the BPDA states that, “Their quality service and communication has ensured that the Central Wharf and Long Wharf are maintained in a timely and thoughtful manner.”

The Downtown Waterfront Landscaping & Maintenance contract allowed Casablanca to hire more staff, including several women, who are typically underrepresented in this field. They also invested in new equipment that will help them focus on landscaping opportunities in addition to their snow removal services.

When another snow removal opportunity arose in 2022, Casablanca’s competitive bid won a BPDA contract for Snow Removal in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, with a 3-year term and budget of up to $675,000.  Casablanca has also responded to other opportunities with both the BPDA, and the City of Boston and they were recently awarded contracts for two snow-clearing “zones” through Public Works.

snow removal Boston

Lessons Learned

 

The strength of the partnership between the BPDA and Casablanca rests on several lessons learned throughout the contracting period. Through conversations with Casablanca, the BPDA learned that in composing requests for proposal (RFPs) or IFBs, it is important to 1) provide pricing from previous procurements and 2) get feedback from vendors on the scope, costs, equipment, and other requirements. The BPDA hosted virtual Requests for Information (RFI) roundtables to achieve this, demonstrating their commitment to engaging diverse business owners.

To diversify the opportunities for disadvantaged firms of different sizes and maturity levels the BPDA created an ecosystem of small, medium, and large contracts, with different requirements, so that vendors can progressively grow over time. For example, with approximately only a $20 million property management budget, the BPDA has roughly 25 contracts that are multi-year agreements for services ranging from landscaping and snow removal contracts to masonry and trash removal, plus small-dollar purchase orders. In developing their supplier diversity practices in such ways, the BPDA has learned that success happens over the course of several years and requires patience.

Casablanca demonstrated the tenacity and responsiveness to contract with the BPDA. Ibrahimi believes the well-organized information delivery and open communication of the BPDA made the bidding experience positive and inclusive. Networking and attending procurement information sessions can increase visibility and leverage the possibilities of meeting face to face with procurement officers. Progress in supplier diversity occurs one contract at a time, through strong communication and relationship building. The partnership between the BPDA and Casablanca shows the impact of intentional contracting and its impacts on both the supplier’s ability to scale and the community’s access to reliable, diversified services.

Casablanca Services team
Members of the Casablanca Services, Inc. team

For more Economic Inclusion stories from the Chamber, click here.

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