The Greater Philadelphia region’s middle market businesses, which range from $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue and represent a variety of industries, significantly impact our regional economy and beyond. According to the National Center for the Middle Market’s 2020-2022 Impact Report, Greater Philadelphia’s middle market firms drove the Northeast region’s growth, creating more new jobs than peers in their region and across the country. In our region, the Chamber’s Middle Market Growth Network (MMGN) is one of the leading drivers in expanding the middle market sector.  

Currently in its eighth year, the MMGN brings together key stakeholders and top middle market executives committed to creating and sustaining long-term success for middle market companies. As a network, these executives are working through the Chamber to accelerate growth by leveraging regional assets and strengthening connectivity. Chamber members who join the MMGN align themselves with a healthy, vibrant ecosystem of trusted middle market leaders from across the region, exposure and visibility, and access to new opportunities, relevant ideas, and additional resources for their businesses.  

The MMGN continues to grow under the stewardship of volunteer leaders – expanding from 90 members in 2021 to over 220 members as of March 2024 and growing. This fiscal year, the MMGN has convened nearly 270 middle market professionals over five engagement opportunities. The network is headed by Chamber members and Co-chairs Michael Araten, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Drive Ventures, and Chuck Zwicker, President & Chief Operating Officer, Weidenhammer. 

In alignment with Chamber 2028, which identifies the middle market as a key segment of focus, the MMGN’s vision is to make Greater Philadelphia a top U.S. region for the middle market with sustained, double-digit growth. Achieving these goals is what guides the MMGN toward its vision:  

  • Promoting business growth as well as providing networking opportunities for middle market companies to build mutually beneficial relationships. 
  • Developing social capital among middle market executives in the region. 
  • Enhancing opportunities for growth-oriented small and mid-size businesses to increase their competitiveness and develop strategies for growth. 
  • Advocating at the federal, state, and local levels to make it easier to do business in the region and create a competitive advantage. 
  • Building awareness and informing middle market companies and key stakeholders about the importance of the middle market to our region’s growth and prosperity. 

High-level priorities for the MMGN encompass growth strategy, talent and culture, and financial management. As a key focus area, growth strategy centers on opportunities for market expansion, such as strengthening sales force productivity, marketing and communications, and exploring innovation for new goods and services that spur business growth.

Talent and culture, specifically workforce talent and DEI, are being prioritized as the MMGN reinforces its collaboration with the Chamber’s Talent Network, Diverse Procurement Collaborative Network, and CEO Access Network, to name a few, as it strives to immerse these vital frameworks into our region’s middle market DNA. This priority area aims to inform how businesses can grow through attracting, retaining, and developing high-quality talent – while focusing on challenges and opportunities unique to middle market companies.

The financial management priority area offers middle market businesses a strategic sound board for capital allocation, the best indicators of financial growth, and potential cost-efficiencies available to middle market companies. 

Engage with the MMGN 

If you are interested in connecting with our region’s growing middle market sector and its leaders, join the MMGN in person on Thursday, May 23, 2024, for our Mingle with the Middle Market networking reception. Taking place at the Sheraton Downtown, our region’s most influential middle market professionals and fellow Chamber members will convene for an evening of networking and cultivating meaningful relationships to drive business growth. We will be joined by members of the Chamber’s newly launched Greater Philadelphia Talent Network. Workforce development non-profits, community colleges, and four-year institutions of higher learning representatives will be present, as we aim to better connect the region’s talent ecosystem and provide responsive talent solutions for our middle market members.  

If you are a middle market leader, join us on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, for our final Middle Market Executive Roundtable of the fiscal year, focusing on how the middle market can leverage AI technology. Lastly, stay tuned for an opportunity to join a July 2024 gathering of mid-market leaders. If you would like to learn more about the MMGN, attend the June Executive Roundtable, or get involved, please contact Gabe Procaccino, Director, Member Engagement, at gprocaccino@chamberphl.com.