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 joining for 2023, please fill out this application form . You will be invoiced for your dues after your application has been reviewed.
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 2022)
President: Kola Akindele
Vice President : Joseph Corazzini
Membership: Adriana Vaccaro
Secretary: Echo Louissant
Events: Michelle Memnon
Programs: Michelle Memnon
DPR Liaison: Stefanie Silva
Sponsored by 
2023 DPR Events
Thursday, February 16 | 8am-10am
LOCATION: Chamber Conference Room
Exclusive to DPR members only.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
LOCATION: TBD
Open to DPR members and invited guests.
Annual Networking, Awards, & Recognition Event
Thursday, September 14 | 4:30pm-6:30pm
LOCATION: TBD
Open to the public.
Free for DPR members; $25 for non-members
Welcome to the City Nomination form;
Award eligibility and criteria FAQs;
BIPOC Business and/or Community Emerging Leader Nomination;
BIPOC Leader and/or Community Leader Nomination
Educational Event
Thursday, November 16 | 8am-10
LOCATION: TBD
Free for members; $25 for DPR non-members/Chamber Members; $40 non-DPR member/non-chamber members
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 Manufacturing Roundtable established a legislative agenda targeting programs impacting the industry. Through the Chamber’s advocacy we secured $440.6M in funding for the following:
• Regional Economic Development Organization Grants – $650,000
• Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership – $2M
• Workforce Training Fund Grants – $22.2M
• The Innovation Institute – $2M
• Precision Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund – $1.25M
• Massachusetts Life Sciences Center – $12.5M
Sponsored by
Construction & Real Estate Roundtable
Worcester is experiencing unprecedented growth in construction and development. We’re affordable, we’re accessible and we have investors who know it. To capitalize on this momentum, the Chamber has convened this group to establish a legislative agenda and create a climate where development is embraced and barriers impacting it are minimized.
Comprised of construction companies, architects, tradespeople, commercial lenders, and developers in both the public and private sectors, the Chamber’s Construction Roundtable works to understand the challenges and needs of this industry sector – from workforce, to legislative, to regulatory.
Sponsored by
Financial Services Roundtable
The Financial Services Roundtable forum is an opportunity for bankers, accountants, mortgage companies, others in the industry and invited guests to:
• 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 the financial services industry
• Discuss workforce needs
• Learn about new initiatives and programs that support the region’s financial services sector
• Network with other industry professionals
Sponsorship Available (More info)
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