The Chamber Celebrates Opportunities to Connect and Convene for Impact in 2023

Our Chamber has made significant changes this year, including implementing a five-year strategic plan, Chamber 2028: Amplify. Advocate. Grow. (abbr. Chamber 2028), and emphasizing the priorities that come with it.

As part of this new strategic framework, the Chamber has reaffirmed our position as a connector and convenor to our regional business and civic community.

In preparation for the new year, we reflect on the many opportunities the Chamber created to unite our members, stakeholders, and partners to drive a lasting impact in our region. Here are some highlights:

Putting opportunities for small, diverse, and middle market businesses at the forefront

Building a robust community for diverse and middle market businesses is a key initiative of Chamber 2028. We strive to connect our members with the right resources to take their business to the next level, fostering inclusive economic growth in the communities they serve.

The Chamber convenes small, diverse, and middle market members to grow their networks and make valuable connections through initiatives such as the Diverse Procurement Collaborative Network (DPCN), the CEO Access Network, and the Middle Market Growth Network (MMGN) – providing continued opportunities to increase our regional business community’s focus on supplier diversity spend, expand the density of Philadelphia’s minority business ecosystem, connect small business owners with established executives in their field, and accelerate the growth of middle market companies in our region.

Ensuring the business community has a seat at the table

Advocacy for a more competitive business climate is central to our work within Chamber 2028. This year, the Chamber leaned in to ensure the members of our community have the chance to partake in the policymaking process at the local and state levels.

We have created opportunities to convene business owners to share their stories with policymakers. With a unified voice, we have come together as the Inclusive Growth Coalition (IGC), led by the city’s diverse chambers, to advocate before Philadelphia’s City Council for policies that create jobs, foster business attraction and expansion, enrich our vibrant urban tapestry, and uplift residents across Greater Philadelphia.

As we look ahead to a new era of leadership in our city that 2024 will bring, the Chamber stands ready to harness our collective voice and partner with Mayor-elect Parker and all City Councilmembers to build a clean, safe, and prosperous Philadelphia for all.

Building bridges that grow our talent pipeline

Growing our regional talent pool has been a top priority of the Chamber and is another focus of Chamber 2028, supported by our talent work. The Chamber is dedicated to connecting industries and the organizations that nurture and train our current and future workforce. Through the Greater Philadelphia Talent Network, we will continue to bring together local employers, training institutions, colleges, and universities to create real solutions to support the region’s talent needs and drive positive outcomes.

The Chamber’s Young Professionals Council (YPC) offers engagement opportunities connecting ambitious, visionary young people with a strong, diverse network of peers, mentors, and regional business and civic leaders.

The Greater Philadelphia region is also a recipient of the EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge and was awarded a $23M grant allowing for the design and implementation of a streamlined regional workforce training system. The Chamber is proud to have participated in this application process led by Philadelphia Works in partnership with the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce, Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), and economic development entities from Philadelphia (PIDC), Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Berks Counties.

Building gateways to explore apprenticeship programs is another integral piece to developing our city’s talent and providing entrance to career opportunities. ApprenticeshipPHL, operated by Philadelphia Works, is a public/private collaborative of cross-sector stakeholders advancing apprenticeship as a powerful engine for regional prosperity, and the Philadelphia Apprentice Network convenes local employers to share ideas on apprenticeship programs with their peers in business, education, and government.

For five years, the Chamber has convened member companies in the growing life sciences industry to address their talent needs. We’ve been pleased to collaborate on innovative programs coming to life and thriving, such as the award-winning Biomedical Technician Training Program: Aseptic Manufacturing, developed in partnership with The Wistar Institute, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), PIDC, and Philadelphia Works. This program is one of many aimed at helping everyday Philadelphians receive the training they need to launch family-sustaining careers in this growth sector.

Fostering collaboration to advance our regional competitiveness

In October 2023, the Chamber celebrated the Biden-Harris Administration’s designations of two new federal hubs that will bring tremendous growth to our region: the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) and the Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub.

MACH2, which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, will receive $750M in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to drive clean manufacturing and jobs to support a clean energy future.

The Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub will harness our region’s life sciences resources, research and development expertise, and clinical trial infrastructure to advance end-to-end precision medicine in areas that include cell and gene therapy, medical devices, artificial intelligence and robots, 3-D printing, nanotechnology, vaccines, and biomanufacturing.

The Chamber is proud to collaborate with our regional partners to secure federal funding for these hubs, which will advance Greater Philadelphia’s global competitiveness, create workforce solutions, and deliver groundbreaking innovations and interventions.

Harnessing our power as a connector and convener

Together with our members, stakeholders, and partners, the Chamber will continue to serve as a connector and convener, shaping the future of our region as we realize our bold vision: the Greater Philadelphia region is a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth.

Engage with our team in 2024

The Chamber team wishes you a happy new year and would like to hear from you! If you are interested in learning more or collaborating on any of the initiatives or work outlined in this article, please contact: