Mayor Cherelle L. Parker officially launches Mayor’s Business Roundtables

Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Philadelphia witnessed Mayor Parker unveil the details of another of her initiatives for the city. Parker was joined at City Hall by unions, trade associations, community leaders, and stakeholders as she announced her latest initiative, designed to revitalize City business and put to rest Philadelphia’s reputation for having an unfriendly business culture.
Parker’s New initiative, called the “Business Roundtable,” is comprised of 12 committees, each focusing on a specific industry or a certain aspect of doing business. Parker also laid out a schedule of meetings to provide feedback and advise the city of growth and more. Throughout her presentation, Parker’s energy, enthusiasm, and pride could be felt by everyone in attendance.
Referencing Parker’s energy and enthusiasm, Mo Rushdy, one of the city’s top real estate developers, said, “What I do best is talk to a lot of people. I get the pulse of what people are thinking, all the way from the neighborhoods to owners of multimillion-dollar businesses. There’s one thing we can all agree on, which is that this mayor is serious about having Philadelphia open for business.”
Parker said while she emphasized seeking growth that’s not what keeps her up at night. “If businesses do not succeed, Philadelphia cannot thrive because businesses cannot create jobs that gainfully employ, pay a living wage, offer retirement security, offer health care…None of that is available to the people of our great city if businesses do not succeed, “ said Parker.
Stating that she was inspired by some of the partnerships created by Mayor Vi Lyles in Charlotte, North Carolina, Parker says she hopes the Roundtable’s discussions will help improve the city’s competitiveness in various sectors.
“We’re going to remove the red tape and streamline processes by listening to the people who have real experiences making payroll and running businesses that keep our city afloat,“ said Parker.
Led by Director Donovan West, the Mayor’s Business Roundtables will be chaired by Della Clark, President of The Enterprise Center, Ryan Boyer, Business Manager, Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council, and Gregory Segall, CEO Versa Capital.
“This initiative is more than just a forum; it’s the foundation of a direct and proactive relationship between the Parker Administration and the business community,” said Donovan West, Director of the Mayor’s Business Roundtables. “By working together, we can develop policies and legislation that not only improve the ease of doing business in Philadelphia but also ensure that every entrepreneur and company, regardless of size, can thrive here.”
Key Deliverables of the Mayor’s Business Roundtables Include:
 Enhancing business engagement by proactively engaging the broader business and governmental communities to improve the ease of doing business in and with the city.
 Building a strong alliance between the Parker Administration and the business community, focusing on the Mayor’s vision and goals, and fostering open dialog to address key areas of interest.
 Structured collaboration through the establishment of an Executive Committee, Expert Advisor Committee, and Industry-Sector roundtables focusing on critical areas such as Equitable Capital, Center City Rejuvenation, Chamber of Commerce, Eds and Meds, Health Insurance, Life Sciences and Biotech, Sports and Entertainment, and Workforce Development.
 Supporting Business-Services Departments by assisting the City’s Commerce Department and all other business-services departments to achieve shared objectives, such as connecting and accelerating access to government resources and working with industry for responsive policy solutions.
 Influencing and shaping policy development through the implementation of an inclusive and business-centered approach to source solutions, policy, and legislative ideas to revitalize Philadelphia’s economy.
“From the very beginning, I’ve made it clear that my goal is to unite our city, break down bureaucratic silos, and build the capacity to move at the speed of business,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Making Philadelphia a more attractive place for businesses to start up, grow, and thrive starts with listening and convening with our partners throughout the business community. My vision of a business-friendly Parker Administration starts with these Roundtables, and I cannot wait to get started.”