WORCESTER

Worcester chamber event features 'Game Changers'

Lisa Eckelbecker
lisa.eckelbecker@telegram.com

WORCESTER – A congressman and a construction executive will be the keynote speakers Friday at Game Changers 2017, a business conference organized by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, will be the breakfast keynote speaker, and Anthony Consigli, chief executive officer of Consigli Construction Co. Inc. of Milford, will speak during lunch.

The event marks the second year that the chamber has organized a Game Changers conference after discontinuing the more traditional annual business expo it once produced. The theme of this year's conference aims to explore how Worcester might capitalize on the region's business, technology and academic assets.

In addition to speeches, the conference will feature panel discussions on Worcester’s life science industry, investing in Central Massachusetts, how disruptive start-up businesses are operating in the region, legal issues regarding non-compete agreements, the local environment for start-up businesses, and how Worcester enterprises can attract and retain the workers they need.

Panel speakers scheduled to attend include Robert K. Coughlin, president and chief executive of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council; Charles Hipwood, a vice president at the venture capital firm MassVentures; Paul Wengender, founder and managing director of Greater Good Imperial Brewing; Ben Pleat, founder of the social app Doorbell for residential properties; and representatives from local law firms, small businesses, academic centers and other employers.

The conference will run from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. The cost for chamber members is $35 for breakfast, $55 for lunch and $75 for both meals. The cost for nonmembers is $100 for both breakfast and lunch. Reservations are required by noon Thursday. Contact ehoubre@worcesterchamber.org.

There is no charge to attend the panel discussions.