The President of the powerful Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce will be honored at a celebration of Irish American small business acumen organized by the Irish Echo

James E. Rooney is recognized as a key player in the unprecedented resurgence of Boston business over the past decade. Prior to joining the Chamber in 2015, Rooney was executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority for nearly 15 years, overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and leading the management teams of four MCCA owned facilities in Massachusetts. Before moving to the MCCA in 2001, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to the late Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino

The Irish Small Business-Big Impact Awards which will attract standout Irish American small business leaders from across the US are scheduled for Boston's landmark Seaport Hotel on Friday 3 May.

The second annual gala celebration, hosted by the Irish Echo, will build on the success of the inaugural awards last year in Philadelphia which was supported by the city's Irish American Business Chamber and Network.

Among the Small Business owners honored at last year's gala — which was addressed by City of Brotherly Love Mayor Jim Kenney — were Keith Carney of FedNet in Washington D.C. which provides broadcast feed from all Capitol Hill events, Crossing Vineyards and Winery of Pennsylvania founder Christine O'Donnell, Kathleen Brunner Acumen Analytics of Philadelphia and serial entrepreneur Dan Scott Cronin of Chorus Communications in New York. 

Nominated companies must have five or more people but less than 100 and be led by an Irish American businessperson. US subsidiaries or partner companies of businesses headquartered in Ireland are also eligible. Nominees will have displayed entrepreneurial can-do to make their enterprises stand out in their field. While representing myriad sectors, they will share a common commitment to business excellence and pride in their Irish heritage. 

Online nominations are now open via the Irish Echo website

This article was submitted to the IrishCentral contributors network by a member of the global Irish community. To become an IrishCentral contributor click here.