The Boston chapter for the Association of Corporate Growth has launched a new event that highlights Boston’s local business market, but with some added flair and celebration. (For our follow up on the event, see below or visit the video page.)

Roughly 600 dealmakers from across the country are slated to arrive in Beantown in time for ACG Boston’s annual DealFest Northeast taking place on June 18 at the historic Cyclorama Building in the city’s South End. This year, the format will have the feel of a neighborhood block party. Aligning the walls will be a variety of craft beers and select wines for those in attendance to sample before the main event begins the next day.

At the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel on June 19, DealSource Select prompts investment bankers, private equity investors, limited partners, corporate development professionals and lenders active in the middle market to meet each other and get deals done, explains Peter Alternative, president of ACG Boston, who was elected to the post in January. 

The day tees off with a peer-to-peer corporate development breakfast, before a slate of pre-planned meetings take place. In the midst of the intense “speed-dating” type schedule, DealSource Select will also feature a lunch break with guest speaker Peter “Rico” Petrocelli, a Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer turned business owner. (For a video interview with Petrocelli, see "Rico Petrocelli Discusses Jump from Boston Red Sox to Entrepreneur.")

Petrocelli played his entire career as a third baseman for the Red Sox, retiring at the end of the 1976 season. In 1992, Petrocelli managed the Pawtucket Red Sox minor league baseball team, leading the club to the International League playoffs.

He went on to start Petrocelli Marketing Group, which sells customizable promotional products and shirts. He also runs Petrocelli Sports Inc., a website that services memorabilia and celebrity bookings for Boston sports fans.

DealSource is just the latest step the ACG chapter is taking to amplify Boston's identity as a hub for leaders, business and networking opportunities.

For more, see "Meet 5 Northeast ACG Chapters: Boston" and "Private Equity Speed Dating."