As the days get longer and our calendar fills with moments of progress, I’m filled with gratitude for everyone who helped make this past month so impactful. Whether you traveled with us to Beacon Hill, conversed with city officials at our Mayor’s Forum, or learned something about optimizing your workplace at our Workforce Development Pathways Event, I appreciate your time and efforts in bringing a fresh energy and perspective to our community. 

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our Beacon Hill Summit on April 30. I’m especially grateful to Senator Adam Gomez and Representative Carlos Gonzalez for their leadership and dedication to making this event such a success. We also deeply appreciate Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and all the incredible speakers and officials who shared their perspectives and time with us. Your participation and thoughtful contributions made this event truly impactful, and we couldn’t have asked for a better display of the collaboration and commitment that strengthens our community. 

And we’re not slowing down! We’re gearing up for one of our most anticipated events of the season—our Fire & Ice Reception—on Thursday, May 22, at the Marriott Springfield Downtown. It’s always such a fun evening, filled with great conversations, rooftop views, delicious bites, and member-crafted cocktails (including zero-proof options for everyone to enjoy). This year, we’re also highlighting the incredible work of some of our nonprofit members. I hope you’ll stop by their tables and learn more about how they’re making a difference in our communities. 

To mark the end of our Spring event season, we will hold our newly named Springfield Regional Chamber Spotlight and Annual Meeting: Recognizing the People Behind the Progress on June 11. It’s our chance to come together and celebrate everything we’ve achieved as a Chamber community. We’ll elect our Board of Directors, recognize outstanding contributions from across our region, and honor this year’s Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year, Rich Tettemer—a name many of you know and trust as a result of his incredible 37-year career at WWLP 22News. 

Get ready for some creative cocktails, lively conversations, and a night full of fun surprises. Whether you're here for the drinks, the connections, or just a good time, the Fire & Ice Reception is the place to be. Let’s shake things up a bit and make it an unforgettable evening!