Signature Events

The Chamber hosts 60 programs and events a year for members to develop and build those important business relationships with one another. We are well known for hosting the most well attended events and the best resource for networking in the region. Please note that the Chamber continually adds events throughout the year. Signature events include:

Chamber Super Bowling (January)

Strikes and spares is the name of the game at this fun and unique after-hours networking event. Chamber members and young business professionals spend a fun-filled evening of bowling and networking. No bowling experience necessary. It’s not how you bowl, it’s how you roll at this event. Registrants will be mixed and matched with other Chamber members making it easy for you to build new business relationships while knocking down pins. Registration includes bowling, shoe rental, delicious appetizers, cash bar and chances to win prizes.

Speed Networking (February)

Speed Networking is the premier networking opportunity for business professionals to meet face to face to generate leads and initiate new business relationships. Participants are placed in multiple rounds of networking tables to meet one-on-one, promote their business/organization, and exchange contact information.

Legislative Breakfast (March)

The Legislative breakfast provides Chamber members the opportunity to interact with their elected officials and have a discussion on the key issues that impact their business, the economy, and communities. Corporate leaders, town officials, and small business owners attend this event.

International Women’s Day (March)

Women in business professionals are invited to experience a networking event that will feature samples of wine, beer, desserts, chocolate, appetizers, and shopping with local businesses. The Chamber will also present its annual Business Forward Females Leadership award to a woman for her outstanding leadership, business, and community contributions.

Business Expo (April)

Business Expo is the largest trade show in the I-495/MetroWest Region. There is no greater business to business trade show in the 495/MetroWest region that will put your company in front of hundreds of contacts to forge new relationships, raise awareness of your company, and fill your sales pipeline with valuable prospects that may be looking for your products or services.

Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration (May)

The Annual Meeting draws small business professionals and the most respected and influential business leaders, government officials, and civic leadership from the Corridor 9/495 region. The Chamber presents our prestigious awards to Chamber members for their business and leadership achievements and features a prominent keynote speaker.

Annual School/Business Partnership Golf Tournament (June)

This tournament is a sell-out event and attendees includes small business professionals and corporate players who enjoy one of the finest golfing experiences of the year. Tournament includes 18 holes of golf, continental breakfast, boxed lunch, BBQ, raffle prizes drawings, hole-in-one contest prizes, live auction, and one complimentary beer or wine. Event is held at Juniper Hills Golf Course and tournament proceeds benefits the Chamber’s scholarship program for graduating high school seniors and fosters business development programs for Chamber members.

Summer Networking BBQ (August)

The Chamber gets all fired up for you to get to know the people of the Corridor 9/495 Chamber business community at our Summer Networking BBQ held on the courtyard of the Willows at Westborough. You will enjoy delicious food, cash bar, and some good ole’ fashion fun with teambuilding challenges for a chance to win prizes.

Annual Community Service Day (September)

Business professionals of the Chamber will spend a half day apple picking, sorting, and bagging apples at Prospect Hill Farm, owned and operated by the Community Harvest Project in Harvard, Mass. All apples are donated to the hunger relief networks of the Community Harvest Project.

Mega-Business After Hours Networking (September)

This regional networking event helps you get connected with business professionals from both Corridor 9/495 and Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. You will enjoy delicious appetizers, cash bar, and exchanging business cards with the people you will meet.

Annual Ladies Golf Outing & Clinic (September)

This event is a day of camaraderie and golf for women. Women of all skill levels are welcome to play. A golf clinic is available for new golfers and seasoned golfers looking to brush up on your skills. Event includes 9-holes of golf, lunch, golf clinic, and chances to win prizes. Proceeds support the programs of Business Forward Females, the women in business networking group of the Chamber.

The Great B.A.S.H

The Great B.A.S.H. is the Business And Social Hour of the year with 6 Chambers uniting together to bring its members a networking event like no other! Business professionals hailing from Worcester County, 495/MetroWest region, and North Central Massachusetts are invited to attend this networking event to open the door to new business connections. The event is held at The Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg and is known as one of the best “foodie” events of the year! Cash bar is available and chances to win prizes. Bring plenty of your business cards to exchange with the people you will meet

Eat, Drink & Be Local

This event is a showcase of the diverse culinary offerings and beverage industries in the Corridor 9/495 region and surrounding areas. Attendees will be able to eat and drink their way through fabulous bites and divine libations from the region’s best food eateries and spirits in the region. This event is open to both members of the Chamber and the public and positions company exhibitors and sponsors in front of a diverse audience with the business and community residents that attends this event.

Holiday Snowball (December)

The SnowBall is the Chamber’s member holiday celebration and high energy networking event of the year well-known for its large attendance, festive program, and “Best of Business” showcase prize tables. The program includes chances to win 75+ raffle prizes, 50-bottle wine collection, and multiple cash prize drawings totaling $5,000 along with an Ugly Sweater Contest, festive entertainment, and buffet dinner.

Upcoming Events

See Calendar

What Our Members Say

Kevin Russell

I’d like to take a moment and thank the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce for being top notch organization. I’ve had the privilege of working with several chambers in multiple states and can assure you that Corridor Nine is in a league of its own. The thorough communication we receive; the support; the constant hosting of events for businesses to showcase their offerings, and their leadership, are value-added for any business. We’re happy and proud to be associated with the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce.

Kevin Russell

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Donna Cox

I can truthfully say I wouldn’t be the owner of a successful business without the support and opportunities I’ve received from Corridor Nine. I have been a member of the Chamber for 25+ years, when my husband and I started our first business. We became Ambassadors, members of the Board, and I joined the School/Business Partnership Committee (SBPC), which became a passion. I never imagined then that one day, I would be the long-time Chair of the SBPC and would have served a term as the Chair of the Board of Directors. I have made valuable business contacts as a result of my Chamber membership, but even more importantly, since I joined the Chamber, I’ve done business with friends: my personal and business lawyers, my banker, my accountant, even my vet are all friends from the Chamber. When I joined, the last thing that you would ever have found me doing was speaking in front of a group. Because of the opportunities I’ve been given to develop personally and professionally as a business leader at the Chamber, I speak regularly in front of hundreds of Chamber members at events.

Donna Cox, Owner

Cox Tutoring Group

David Bagdon

Having been a member of Corridor Nine for well over 20 years, I can say without hesitation that it has been the most valuable business association I have ever been involved with. My involvement has exposed me to literally hundreds of new and potential customers. Although I’m certain my involvement has caused a significant jump in my business… I’m just as pleased to say it has also rewarded me with a long list of new connections and some very special friends. I can say from experience that those who are willing to invest their time and effort in Corridor Nine will find rewards that pay them back many times over.

David Bagdon, Publisher

Community Advocate Newspaper

Ryan Fitzgerald

As a new Chamber member, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was such a nice surprise to receive an inbound call from a Chamber member that she heard about us through the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce. Everyone I have met has been extremely helpful and welcoming. I look forward to getting to know more chamber members and really appreciate the referral.

Ryan Fitzgerald, Business Development Executive

City Wide Maintenance

Dawne Dragonetti

I would like to thank Corridor Nine for doing such a fabulous job running such an amazing organization. Every time BBBS staff members have been to a Corridor Nine event there we have met amazing people and have formed some great relationships. Usually whenever anyone sees BBBS coming at them they get nervous and you can see them thinking – Oh boy! What do they want. Not at Corridor Nine – especially the BFF group! Everyone knows the important work we do and will bend over backwards to help us out. Thank You!!!!

Dawne Dragonetti, Corporate & Site-Based Interview and Match Support Specialist

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass / Metrowest, Inc

Jennifer Richtsmeier

It is an overwhelmingly gratifying experience to be amongst 100+ talented and brilliant women from the community each and every month as we support and learn from one another at Business Forward Females (BFF) luncheons. I feel SO empowered by the AMAZING speakers and the women in the room. Now that I have been to 4 or more BFF events, this has become my FAVORITE day of the month!

Jennifer Richtsmeier, MSW, CDP, Marketing Director & Community Service Representative

Home Instead Senior Care

Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk

As a Health Care services company, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care works with many Chambers of Commerce across the New England states, and the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce is definitely one of the best. Their programs are both relevant and substantive which makes for a packed room at any Corridor Nine forum. As a team, they are masters of mass communication and (best of all) they are a pleasure to work with. I marvel at their ability to effectively connect with and support so many different constituencies – from CEO’s to those just entering the work force….no one does it better than Corridor Nine!

Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk

Emily M. Cabrera

Being a member of Corridor Nine impacts our business and our community nearly every day. Being active is key. One of the first things I learned was “Don’t think about what the Chamber can do for you, think about what you can do for the Chamber.” And it’s true! I joined the young professional group, Hype9, and my first event was pulling weeds with a group at the Community Harvest Project (how would that possibly impact our business?). I met a few new people, not thinking that anything would come from it. A few weeks later, a gentleman I met called me with a lead for a holiday gift card sale. That sale resulted in over $3,000; just because I met him at this event (pulling weeds!). I’ve also realized, it’s quality over quantity. Building more meaningful relationships one-on-one is much for useful than trying to collect the most business cards. Every meeting I go to, someone tells me that they have recently visited the restaurant, and that’s amazing!

Emily M. Cabrera, Regional Marketing Coordinator

Uno Pizzeria & Grill, Westborough

Dr. Joseph Sawyer

Corridor Nine’s School/Business Partnership Committee is a stellar example of collaboration between the local business community and local schools. Schools in the Corridor Nine region benefit from the mini-grant program that provides funds that turn educators’ innovative ideas into reality, while high-achieving graduating high school students benefit from valuable financial assistance through the Corridor Nine scholarship program. Perhaps more importantly, the School/Business Partnership connects business and school leaders so that they may learn from each other about key topics and collaborate to support the critically important work of educating the next generation.

Dr. Joseph Sawyer

Superintendent of Schools, Shrewsbury

James P. Desrosiers

What am I most thankful for in 2014? Joining the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to meeting a group of business people who are professional, committed, helpful, and fun…my training and coaching company engaged with six new clients, resulting in GROWTHco’s best revenue date so far! And 2015 is showing to already have 65% of our sales goal booked. Again, thank you so much!!!!!!

James P. Desrosiers

M.M., Owner

Kevin Russell

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Donna Cox

Donna Cox, Owner

Cox Tutoring Group

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