Automation & Robotics BR+E Close-Out Forum: A Sector Celebration with Strategic Purpose
In June 2025, the City of Cambridge hosted a culminating event for its Automation & Robotics Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project, a strategic, invitation-only forum that brought together local businesses and economic development leaders to validate key research findings and collaboratively shape the next phase of economic growth. This high-impact event was not only a celebration of sector engagement but also a launchpad for continued collaboration, innovation, and investment in one of Cambridge’s fastest-growing industries.
The event served multiple purposes: (1) to share the results of the extensive sector-wide BR+E survey; (2) to validate emerging themes and ensure they still reflected current business realities; (3) to co-develop priority action items for Phase 2 implementation; and (4) to elevate the visibility of Cambridge’s automation and robotics cluster to internal and external stakeholders. Attendees included representatives from 20 participating businesses and City staff.
The forum format featured an engaging presentation of the final BR+E report, interactive discussions that encouraged business leaders to identify concrete next steps and networking opportunities. The City’s Economic Development team used this platform to promote Cambridge’s role as a national hub for advanced automation and signal its commitment to evidence-based, business-driven planning.
Key outcomes from the event included strong validation of the BR+E findings and a clear mandate from businesses to pursue specific next steps, such as: organizing targeted sector roundtables, engaging post-secondary institutions on improving co-op and apprenticeship program alignment, developing a cluster map to visualize supply chain relationships, and advocating for export support amid recent U.S. trade challenges. These priorities now form the foundation of Phase 2 of the project and are embedded in the City’s broader Economic Development Action Plan.
This event succeeded in achieving both its promotional and strategic goals. Businesses felt recognized, supported, and heard. City leadership demonstrated transparency and responsiveness. And the event format ensured relevance and high engagement. While the event was held in person, it included hybrid-ready materials and was structured with modular, repeatable components that can be adapted for virtual sessions in future phases.
The target audience was senior decision-makers in Cambridge’s automation and robotics sector, many of whom rarely had the opportunity to engage with peers in a facilitated setting. This format allowed for cross-business networking, new partnership exploration, and direct connection to City staff.
Sustainability was embedded both in messaging and in outcomes. The event focused on long-term sector resilience, with sessions on workforce development, sustainable technology adoption, and regional branding. By turning a traditional close-out into a meaningful engagement platform, the City has reinforced its role as a connector, convener, and champion for local industry.
This event stands as a model for how municipalities can merge engagement and promotion into one powerful moment with lasting impact.
