Salem Biz Town Hall Set To Bring Businesses, City Partners Together

SALEM, MA — Salem businesses will have a place to connect with city and community partners next month when the first Salem Biz Town Hall is held at the Peabody Essex Museum.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce will be one of the hosts of the event, scheduled for Tuesday, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at PEM. Other hosts include Creative Collective, Salem Main Streets, Destination Salem, the Salem Partnership and the City of Salem.

The concept began with Creative Collective and is designed to bring a wide range of Salem businesses and institutions together in one room. The gathering is described as reaching from Highland Avenue to Pickering Wharf, downtown to Vinnin Square, and including makers, restaurants, retailers, real estate interests, institutions and city representatives.

The goal is to improve communication and reduce barriers between businesses, the groups that support them and the city. In the announcement, the chamber said the intention is "stronger communication, fewer friction points, and a clearer path to getting things done" across those relationships.

The morning will begin with networking, coffee and a "Connect-the-Dots board" from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The chamber said that board is meant to highlight "what you have, what you need, what you offer."

From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., attendees can expect brief updates from each host organization, followed by a curated question-and-answer session based on questions submitted during registration.

The event will end with open tabling and follow-up conversations with each host from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Attendance is free and registration is required. Registrants will also have a chance to submit a topic or question for the Q&A.