October 1, 2026

FINAL CHANCE TO SUMBIT NOMINATIONS

There are so many incredible retail stores and restaurants in MA who could be deserving of this recognition. Help us find our 2026 winners!  

CLICK HERE  to nominate your business and all those you love as well.   You do not need to be a RAM member to nominate or to win.
 

Help us try to lower your energy bills!

Click here to register.

Massachusetts has some of the highest energy prices in the nation. But if you join the fight now, there's a chance to effect real, meaningful reform to lower costs. Join us for a brief virtual event to hear from energy expert Bob Rio about how the business community can fight back and prevent the legislature from making the same mistakes that led to skyrocketing energy bills.

This event is FREE, but advanced registration is required.

The House and Senate are ironing out the differences between two pieces of legislation that will directly impact your energy bills. The current scenario: Do you want to see more of the same, high-cost expenses that cause your bills to spike every summer and winter? Or do you want to see meaningful reform that will cut bloated programs like Mass Save and begin reducing the fees that are driving up your bills?

Those pushing for the status quo are loud, arguing Massachusetts needs to be less reliant on fossil fuels despite the higher costs for businesses and residents. That is why we need business owners like you to join us for this quick, important meeting. This is the business community’s opportunity to really make a difference in the energy debate to help lower skyrocketing bills.

Details

When: Wednesday, October 7 | 9 am ET

Where: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
(A join link will be sent before the event.)

Who: Bob Rio, The Mass Energy Bill Guy

Guest Article by Robert Rio

Shock to the System: The $300 Billion Price Tag to Electrify Massachusetts Homes

This summer, I wrote about the Commonwealth’s history of struggling to manage electricity costs. In part 2, I tackle how much electrification and decommissioning our natural gas system could cost us.

Anyone who owns a home has probably remodeled it or considered remodeling it over the years. Maybe update that old kitchen or add a family room.

My wife and I have. Normally, the process starts with meeting a builder to understand the scope of work and develop a budget. At this point, cost is not a limiting factor. Obviously, we need those imported fixtures for the new kitchen and the custom storage and the wet bar for the family room. That weirdly photogenic couple on TV who remodel an entire house in a weekend said so.

That’s usually when reality sets in.

Click here to keep reading

Executive Insights: 2026 Massachusetts
Ballot Questions Overview

Date & Time
Oct 15, 2026 09:00 AM

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Massachusetts voters will consider nine statewide ballot questions this November, covering a wide range of policy issues with potential implications for residents, employers, and the Commonwealth. On Thursday, October 15, the Massachusetts High Technology Council, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership will host a virtual Executive Insights: 2026 Massachusetts Ballot Questions Overview to help members understand what is on the ballot before Election Day. This briefing, which is presented as part of the MassVision2050 Executive Insights series, will provide a neutral, informational review of all nine statewide ballot questions.

The Retail Doctor: Bob Phibbs to Keynote
RAMAE Awards Luncheon

Bob Phibbs, known as the Retail Doctor, has spent more than thirty years helping retailers, manufacturers, and hospitality brands sell more. He founded The Retail Doctor in 1994 after rising from the sales floor to corporate officer, franchisor, and entrepreneur.

Today he trains sales teams, keynotes retail conferences worldwide, and shows brick-and-mortar stores how to turn browsers into buyers. Visit him at RetailDoc.com

In this presentation, you'll discover how to engage your customers, make bigger sales, and earn the profits you seek. You'll be inspired to upgrade the way you do business. Bob will provide insight into: creative ways to reinvent your customer experience;  how to increase your value through people, not price; and how to attract and train employees.
 
For more information and to register for the luncheon, click here.