February Message from the President

Good afternoon,  

I hope this message finds you well. To start, I would like to express my thanks to all who attended our recent Rise and Shine Breakfast. It was truly wonderful to see so many of you in attendance, eager to learn about the invaluable resources available to seniors in our community. Your presence and engagement made the event a resounding success.  

Additionally, our recent Chamber Night at UMass Hoops was an absolute delight. It was great to witness Chamber members come together in the spirit of camaraderie, enjoying a thrilling game of basketball while fostering meaningful connections. 

I am looking forward to our exciting upcoming events! First on the horizon is OUTLOOK, our premier legislative and economic forecasting event of the year. Set to take place on March 8 at the MassMutual Center, OUTLOOK is a must-attend for business owners and community leaders alike. I’m thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker for OUTLOOK will be Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll!  

Lt. Governor Driscoll made history alongside Governor Maura Healey as part of the first all-women executive team to lead the state. Lt. Governor Driscoll’s impactful career began as the first female Mayor of Salem in 2006, where she transformed the city’s financial landscape, turning deficits into surpluses while revitalizing downtown, improving schools, and championing inclusive policies. Her collaborative efforts secured significant investments in infrastructure, including a new MBTA station and a leading role in the offshore wind sector.  

Lt. Governor Driscoll’s advocacy extended to LGBTQ rights, veterans’ benefits, immigrant rights, and early education, reflecting her commitment to an inclusive community. With a background in municipal government and law, she is dedicated to creating a progressive Commonwealth that empowers all its residents. 

We are honored to welcome Lt. Governor Driscoll to Western Massachusetts and look forward to her insightful remarks. With a lineup of esteemed speakers including Mayor Domenic Sarno, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate, and a special message from Congressman Neal, OUTLOOK will provide essential insights to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As an added feature this year, we will enjoy a performance of our national anthem by Todd Angilly, the anthem singer for the Boston Bruins. 

Thank you to our current OUTLOOK Platinum Sponsors, The Republican/MassLive, WWLP, Baystate Health, and Health New England; our Reception Sponsor, Wellpoint; our Gold Sponsors, Stand Out Truck, Comcast, and Eversource; and our Silver Sponsor, DoorDash.

Following OUTLOOK, we have the Fill the Food Bank event on March 27, where the Hampden County Chambers of Commerce will unite to combat food insecurity in our region. I am incredibly proud to be part of this collaborative effort, and I invite you to join us in making a difference by contributing to this important cause. Tickets are $25, and guests are asked to bring a shelf-stable contribution of rice or beans or a monetary donation.   

Thank you once again for your commitment to the Springfield Regional Chamber. Your continued support and dedication inspire me each day, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as your President. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant community, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of 2024 has in store for us. 

Warmly,

Diana Szynal  

President, Springfield Regional Chamber