BACC Holds Annual Meeting

On Wednesday, November 28^th, the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) hosted its Annual Meeting & Networking Dinner at Tuscan Kitchen. Business professionals from the area gathered to gain insight on the BACC’s programs and how it supports its membership and communities. While attendees enjoyed their meals, Chamber executives discussed the BACC’s progress and strategies for success in the future.

Over the past 12 months, the BACC supported 190 events, saw tremendous growth and expanded reach with 1/3 of its members now located beyond Burlington. The organization worked on numerous initiatives with local educational institutions to develop programs matching the needs of area employers. The partnerships included Middlesex Community College and Shawsheen Valley Technical High School to develop workforce training and education programs, specifically addressing the shortage of workers in the culinary and hospitality industries. The chamber also partnered with Burlington High school to support their career exploration, job shadowing and internship programs. The BACC is also collaborating with Northeastern University’s Innovation Campus to help spinoff companies relocate and remain in the area.

The evening’s Keynote Speaker, Tom Leyden, Sports Director at Boston 25 News, highlighted his experience in sports media coverage. In recalling anecdotes from his career, from covering Michigan State’s Rose Bowl win in 2014, to following the 2018 Boston Red Sox to a World Series Title, Leyden stressed the importance of teamwork in every success story he’s witnessed. “Taking advantage of each other’s strengths puts you in a position to do well,”, stated Leyden. The BACC prides itself on personifying this exact concept. “This organization is about taking common challenges head on by creating partnerships that generate results. The BACC is successful because of our phenomenal team that makes all this happen”, stated Rick Parker, BACC President.

The BACC also prides itself on the success of its public-private partnership initiatives, which would not be possible without the support of State Representative Ken Gordon, and Middlesex 3 Executive Director Stephanie Cronin. Both Gordon and Cronin received a “Public-Private Partnership” award from the Chamber for their work in providing a transportation solution in the Greater-Burlington Area. Gordon was “honored to be recognized. Working with the BACC has been a rewarding experience, because every day we’re working to get things done. We’re able to show tangible success in solving problems, whether it’s transportation, licensing or workforce training. It’s because of the BACC that businesses and residents know there are folks working for their interests.”

Other subjects of note include the BACC’s Charitable Partnership Program, which has raised more than $66,000 in the past two years for local beneficiaries. The BACC Scholarship Program surpassed the $100,000 mark thanks to the generous members who value contributing to students’ higher education.

The BACC would like to thank the Meeting’s sponsors, without whom the event would not have been possible: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, The District Burlington, Oracle, Riemer & Braunstein. Thank you also to Tuscan Kitchen for a beautiful evening and phenomenal dinner.