Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Experience Strategy & Design / Brand Strategy / Creative Direction

Reimagining the connective tissue of business in our city.

As one of Boston’s most established civic organizations, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce faced a perception problem: it was seen as traditional, exclusive, and out of step with the evolving business community. We were initially asked to redesign their website, but early discovery work revealed a deeper opportunity—to reimagine the organization’s identity, message, and digital presence for a new generation of leaders.

The Challenge

  • Existing brand and website conveyed formality and exclusivity, alienating young professionals and emerging businesses.

  • Digital presence lacked vitality, failing to reflect the Chamber’s growing momentum and progressive programming.

  • Leadership wanted to modernize—but needed a framework and creative vision to do so credibly.

Approach & Strategy

Discovery & Reframing

  • Conducted stakeholder interviews, competitor audits, and member journey mapping to identify key friction points in perception and engagement.

  • Realized that the term “Chamber” itself carried baggage—connoting hierarchy, not community.

  • Shifted the strategic focus from technology-first to message-first—positioning leadership, new initiatives, and impact stories at the forefront.

Brand Strategy & Identity

  • Developed a new name emphasis (GBCC) and identity system:

  • A bold, modern mark symbolizing connection, momentum, and civic energy.

  • A refreshed visual language using vibrant color, dynamic art direction, and a tone that welcomed rather than gated.

  • Crafted messaging pillars that celebrated next-gen leadership, inclusivity, and urban progress—a clear break from the “old guard” tone of typical chambers.

Digital Experience Design

  • Redefined the website around narrative content, events, and advocacy work—making the Chamber’s impact easy to see and join.

  • Introduced custom UX features for new members: spotlight content, join pathways, and integrations with event programming and newsletters.

  • Designed and implemented responsive mobile-first layouts to support younger audiences and on-the-go engagement.

Campaign Launch

  • Culminated in a bold full-page ad in the Boston Globe, celebrating the new GBCC identity and charter.

  • Aligned creative across web, social, and member outreach to create a high-visibility rollout.

The Impact

  • Positioned the Chamber as a forward-looking convener of emerging and established leaders alike.

  • Helped drive interest and engagement among a younger, more diverse business audience–seeing 2x more participation in live events and a 25% increase in membership.

  • Reinforced internal pride and external credibility—building momentum for new programs and partnerships across the city.

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