MASSBUYS EXPO 2025: Event Day Recap
Is that your favorite part of MASSBUYS, the networking, relationship building?
Yes, and it's so well organized. Everything is set up beautifully. People are friendly. The staff is friendly. And that comes a long way for us.
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You're listening to WOSD. I'm your host, Layla Palmer, from the OSD Marketing, Engagement and Training team. Thank you for joining us for another installment of WOSD News. In this episode, we'll recap MASSBUYS EXPO 2025 and share some highlights from event day.
On May 1st, the Operational Services Division hosted the MASSBUYS EXPO 2025 at Gillette Stadium. After a memorable event at Gillette last year, many returning exhibitors and Attendees were eager to come back and experience another great day of networking, relationship building, and learning at MASSBUYS.
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Is this your first time at MASSBUYS?
I believe my second time. I think I was here a few years ago.
Okay, so is this your first time at Gillette Stadium then for MASSBUYS?
Yes.
Yes, how are you liking the venue so far?
Great, great venue. It's a nice view out the back there of the stadium and seems to be a good well attended show.
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This year, I got the opportunity to explore the exhibit floor, speak with a variety of Exhibitors and Attendees, and experience firsthand the value of the MASSBUYS EXPO, historically the largest business-to-government event in the Commonwealth.
Early in the day I spoke with this year's Platinum Sponsor, W.B. Mason, who returns to MASSBUYS year after year to connect with new and existing clients in person.
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My name is Gregg Manning. I'm with W.B. Mason. I've been working with the state for about 14 years now. We've been on multiple state contracts for many years. The show's always been fantastic for us to see state agencies, municipalities, and all of the customers that we've been working with for years.
Yeah, so what are you hoping to take away from this year's event?
Well, just continue to have goodwill with the end users that we're working with and get a lot of contacts and let them know who they can contact if they have any questions or needs from us.
Perfect. And are you liking Gillette Stadium this year?
Oh yeah, it's a great place to be.
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They aren't the only business that's buzzing about MASSBUYS. Let's hear from another Exhibitor to learn about their experience at this year's event.
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I'm the Area Business Development Manager for US Foods covering Northern New England. So we're here just representing US Foods and our partnerships with any number of different organizations and customers covering all of New England. So, I’m looking forward to meeting new people. I'm very new here.
Oh yeah, I was going to ask, is this your first time?
It is, it is.
Well, how are you liking it so far?
So far so good. I’ve had great conversations already. So a lot of really nice folks that have great energy and great questions.
Are you liking it at Gillette?
Yes, absolutely. It's gorgeous. This is my first time to Gillette in general. I am blown away. Absolutely beautiful facility.
Well, do you think after this you'll be back?
Oh, 100%.
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There's so much to look forward to when attending the MASSBUYS EXPO! The opportunity to attend informative workshops remains a highlight for Attendees each year. This year, Comptroller William McNamara's presentation on the Commonwealth's new financial accounting solution, Mosaic, was a showstopper with almost 250 Attendees present. In a post-event survey, one Attendee stated, “I only took one workshop. However, I found it extremely informative. Getting to hear why we are moving from MMARS to Mosaic and seeing a demo was helpful. It makes me feel more confident about the upcoming change."
Other popular workshops included informative presentations from Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro, Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, and a session about how the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security is harnessing artificial intelligence to help the Commonwealth.
Back by popular demand, Massachusetts State Police Captain Richard Ridlon shared practical methods for surviving active shooter threats, and Health and Happiness Coach Debbie Lynn Toomey introduced the concept of positive psychology and the science of happiness.
Later in the day, while further exploring the exhibit hall, I was asked to spin the wheel with a group of Exhibitors. I was quickly drawn to their booth at MASSBUYS because of its creativity and interactive features.
This exciting interaction is a testament to the value in attending and exhibiting at MASSBUYS. It's an opportunity for Statewide Contract Vendors to get out in front of public buyers, put a face to the name, and maybe even associate their brand with fun and memorable moments like this. In fact, a survey respondent stated that MASSBUYSs provides a “nice balance of education, networking, and fun.”
Before wrapping up the day, I went to look out over the stadium and the Boston skyline at Gillette Stadium's Lighthouse Experience. I joined a group of enthusiastic Attendees on an elevator from the exhibit floor all the way up to the top of the lighthouse, 22 stories above the field. The view was captivating and a great way to cap off another successful MASSBUYS EXPO.
This concludes today's episode recapping MASSBUYS EXPO 2025.
OSD looks forward to engaging with you on our social media and YouTube channels. Links to those are in the description box. To suggest ideas for future podcasts, email the OSD team at osdoutreach@mass.gov.
This podcast was produced, audio engineered, and edited by me, Layla Palmer. Thank you for joining us.