Roundtable Forums
The Chamber’s roundtable initiatives provide our members with opportunities to share the issues you face as you operate your business, to seek support from each other, and to learn about programs and benefits to assist you. Your input helps to shape the Chamber’s public policy agenda as well as determining the stances that we take on specific policy initiatives resulting in a direct impact on your business.
Diverse Professionals Roundtable
MISSION STATEMENT | The Diverse Professionals Roundtable (DPR) is a professional program of the Chamber, committed to the development of professional and personal relationships among senior leaders of racial and ethnic diversity in Central Massachusetts. The program is a resource for the vibrant business, educational, and civic communities of the region on diversity-related issues critical to building inclusive organizations and peaceful communities. DPR has a separate membership from the broader Chamber membership. If you are interested in subscribing to the DPR event mailing list, please reach out to Stefanie.
Through roundtable discussions and planned events targeted to advancing diversity and encouraging underrepresented emerging professionals, DPR members grow and expand their influence and make a positive impact on the Worcester community.
Diverse Business Directory, City of Worcester
DPR Executive Committee (Effective September 2023)
President: Kola Akindele
Vice President : Joseph Corazzini
Membership: Adriana Vaccaro
Programs: Michelle Memnon
DPR Liaison: Stefanie Silva
Sponsored by 
2024 DPR Events
Thursday, February 15 | 8am-10am
LOCATION: Chamber Conference Room
Exclusive to DPR committee members only.
Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 9am-11am
LOCATION: TBD
Keynote Speaker: TBD
Annual Networking, Awards, & Recognition Event
Thursday, September 19 | 5:00pm-7:00pm
LOCATION: The Hanover Insurance Group
Open to the public.
Award eligibility and criteria FAQs;
Thursday, November 14 | 9am-11am
LOCATION: WPI Higgins House
Health Care Roundtable
Whether it’s at the caring hands of a provider, selecting insurance coverage, or weaving our way through myriad choices, we all experience our health care system. And it’s changing at lightening fast speed. This roundtable takes a comprehensive view of the industry to help the business and provider communities understand how we can work together to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
Comprised of providers, insurance professionals, and public and private partners, they work to understand the challenges and needs of the health care sector and to keep members appraised of important changes and ways to control health care spending.
Sponsored by
Human Resources Roundtable
The Human Resources Roundtable meets quarterly to bring together HR professionals from small-large businesses to discuss best practices in talent recruitment and retention; employment law updates; compliance training; and other hot topics and pressing issues for employers.
Sponsored by
Manufacturing Roundtable
The Central Massachusetts economy has been built on manufacturing for generations. Today, our regional economy’s foundation is still built on manufacturing, but with the newer additions to the economy of biomanufacturing, advanced and additive manufacturing, and research and development.
The Manufacturing Roundtable is focused on networking, advocacy, and discussion of important issues among manufacturing sector leaders who are a part of the Chamber. The Manufacturing Roundtable has featured speakers from regional organizations and manufacturing innovators like MassMEP, Solvus Global, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, AIS, and more. The goal of the group is to develop business for our manufacturers, advocate on their behalf, and make useful connections.
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Construction & Real Estate Roundtable
The hills of Worcester are alive with the sounds of construction. The face of the city has changed dramatically for the better in the past decade thanks to increased levels of investment in the city, spearheaded by economic development initiatives from the Chamber.
The Construction & Real Estate Roundtable offers our members in the construction and real estate industries an opportunity to connect, discuss, and advocate in the midst of a fast-moving real estate market that has been recognized as one of the hottest markets in the country. Speakers and topics at past roundtables include tax credit equity and incentive consultants, MassDEP, the Chief Development Officer for the City of Worcester, the City of Worcester’s Department of Sustainability and Resilience, the President and CEO of MassHousing, building performance consultants, and many more regional organizations and government agencies.
Sponsored by
Nonprofit Roundtable
The Nonprofit Roundtable forum is an opportunity for individuals in the industry and invited guests to:
• Exchange ideas and share updates and best practices
• Participate in an open discussion about the issues that impact the nonprofit sector
• Discuss workforce needs
• Learn about new initiatives and programs that support the region’s financial services sector
• Network with other industry professionals
Sponsored by
The Chamber’s roundtable forums are opportunities for area professionals in a variety of industry sectors and invited guests to:
Manufacturing Roundtable meeting at Saint-Gobain Abrasives
· Exchange ideas and share updates and best practices in the industry
· Set a legislative agenda
· Participate in an open discussion about the issues that impact specific industries
· Discuss workforce needs
· Learn about new initiatives and programs that support the region’s different sectors
· Network with other industry professionals
To become involved in a roundtable, please contact the Chamber at 508.753.2924 or info@worcesterchamber.org