By Brooke Thomson
President & CEO

One of the primary reasons that Massachusetts employers join Associated Industries of Massachusetts is for the opportunity to speak directly to public officials about the commonwealth’s economy.

We take that responsibility seriously. AIM members in 2025 have had the opportunity to interact with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Speaker of the Massachusetts House Ronald Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, US Rep. Lori Trahan, the two chairs of the budget-writing Committee on Ways and Means and multiple cabinet secretaries in charge of housing, transportation and education.

And, of course, Governor Maura Healey has elected for the past three years to outline her economic and business agenda to a gathering of hundreds of AIM members in January. I am pleased to announce that the governor will continue that tradition as she keynotes the 2026 Annual Massachusetts Business Address on January 29 at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel.

The Massachusetts Business Address, which follows by several days the State of the Commonwealth speech, allows AIM members to hear directly from governor about the state of business in Massachusetts and her policy strategies to grow the economy. Governor Healey typically touches on issues ranging from taxes to housing to the overall cost of doing business.

But this annual event is much more than a speech. Governor Healey brings along a host of senior administration officials – including the Lieutenant Governor and cabinet secretaries – who remain after the formal program to speak with employers and answer their questions. That means a manufacturer in Springfield can have a meaningful conversation with the Secretary of Economic Development while a hospitality company from the Cape has the opportunity interact with Lt. Governor Driscoll.

AIM has spent the past 110 years harnessing the power and reach of Massachusetts employers acting together to support responsible public policy. After all, the 3,400 members of AIM embody the intelligence, ingenuity and work ethic that make Massachusetts unique. The January event with Governor Healey and her top staff presents a unique opportunity for companies of all sizes and industries to make their voices heard in the debate over the economic future of the commonwealth.

One caveat – this event sells out every year, and we end up turning people away. Please register early. The event runs from 8-10 am with networking from 8-9 and the program from 9-10.

REGISTER FOR THE ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS ADDRESS

I look forward to speaking with you on January 29.