If you’ve had a chance to sit outside lately—coffee in the morning or something a little stronger in the evening—you know this feeling. It’s that moment where you finally slow down for a minute, start thinking about everything coming up, and instead of feeling overwhelmed, you actually look forward to it. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Beacon Hill Summit and Mayor’s Forum. These events are at the heart of our advocacy work—creating space for our members to be heard, to ask important questions, and to engage directly with the leaders shaping policy and decisions that impact our region. Your participation helps ensure that the voice of our business community is strong and informed. 

Now, it’s time to mix things up. Our Fire & Ice Reception on May 21 is where things turn up a notch. The room has a buzz to it, the drinks are in hand, and everywhere you turn there is something happening. Our cocktail creators bring the heat with drinks that are bold, creative, and worth talking about, with plenty of zero proof options in the mix. The food is just as memorable, and the conversations seem to build on themselves as the night goes on. Throughout the evening, our nonprofit table sponsors will be woven into the experience, giving you the opportunity to learn more about their work through meaningful, natural conversation. 

June is one of the few times we actually stop and say it out loud. Who is doing the work. Who stuck with it. Who made something better than it was before. That is really what our Springfield Regional Chamber Spotlight and Annual Meeting: Recognizing the People Behind the Progress on June 10 is about. 

This year, we are recognizing Dawn DiStefano, President and CEO of Square One and Chair of our Board of Directors, as the Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year. Dawn is someone who sees something through. After the 2011 tornado, she did not just help bring Square One back to Springfield’s South End. She helped build something that feels intentional, something that works better for the families who walk through those doors every day. It is the kind of effort that takes time, patience, and a real commitment to getting it right. It’s a great evening to step away from the day-to-day, connect with others who care about our region, and recognize work that truly matters. 

We will wrap up the month with our June Rise & Shine Breakfast at Barnes Air National Guard Base on June 26, and this one brings a little extra energy. There is nothing quite like seeing the jets up close and hearing directly from the people behind the missions. It gives you a whole new appreciation for the level of skill, coordination, and purpose that comes with it. You will hear from leadership at Barnes about the role they play not just in national defense, but in our regional economy and workforce as well. 

Until then, I hope to see you at Fire & Ice, where we can mix a few great conversations in with something refreshing in hand.