Agenda

Women of Impact Nominations

Through Sept. 4: BusinessWest is now accepting nominations for the eighth annual Women of Impact awards. Nominations for the Women of Impact class of 2025 are due by Thursday, Sept. 4. They can be submitted at businesswest.com/women-of-impact-nominations. In 2018, BusinessWest created the Women of Impact program as a way to honor women in the region who are making an impact and creating positive change. There are many different ways to do this. While nominees can hail from the world of business, they can also emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit community, public service, law enforcement, education, social work, the mentorship community, a combination of these — in short, the program recognizes inspirational women on any level. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

Discounted Big E Tickets

Through Sept. 10: Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 50 locations in nine states, announced the return of its Big E ticket presale. Now through Sept. 10, customers can purchase one-day tickets to the Big E at discounted prices at select Rocky’s locations: $16 for adults and $10 for children. Beginning Sept. 11, tickets will still be available at participating stores, but at regular pricing. Participating locations include Agawam, East Longmeadow, Holden, Ludlow, Northborough, Palmer, South Hadley, Springfield, Westfield, and Worcester, as well as Stamford and Vernon, Conn.

Instant Issues Luncheon

Sept. 10: The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts will present its first Instant Issues lunchtime discussion of the 2025-26 program year with Javier Corrales, Dwight W. Morrow 1895 professor of Political Science and department chair of Political Science at Amherst College. He will present “Autocracy Rising: How Venezuela Transitioned to Authoritarianism” from noon to 1 p.m. at 1350 Main St., ninth floor gallery, in downtown Springfield. Corrales, a frequent World Affairs Council speaker, coined the term ‘autocratic legalism’ in 2015 to explain how Venezuela transitioned to authoritarianism by using the legal system to impose autocracy. Corrales is the author of many publications; his most recent book is Autocracy Rising: How Venezuela Transitioned to Authoritarianism, published in 2022. Admission is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Lunches can be reserved for $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Box lunches include a choice of sandwich (turkey, tuna, roast beef, or vegetarian), deli salad, cookie, chips, and soda or water. Attendees may bring their own lunch or choose not to eat. Registration deadline for a lunch provided is Friday, Sept. 5. Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/instant-issues-how-venezuela-transitioned-to-authoritarianism-tickets-1549642084189?aff=oddtdtcreator to register.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Breakfast

Sept. 12: The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade board invites the community to its Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Wyckoff Country Club, located at 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. This celebratory breakfast gathering will honor the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with an uplifting morning of cultural pride, community connection, and inspirational messages. The event will include breakfast, music, a guest entertainment act, and an opportunity for networking among local leaders, professionals, and community members. Guests will hear from Springfield Puerto Rican Parade board members Ed Nuñez and Wilfredo Lopez, local community leaders, and Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, who will offer remarks recognizing the importance of Puerto Rican heritage and the contributions of the broader Latino community in Western Mass. This kickoff sets the stage for the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade, which will take place on Sunday, Sept. 14 in downtown Springfield. Admission is $40 per ticket, with sponsorship-level options. For more information or to RSVP, email Jayne Melendez at [email protected].

Tim Welch Memorial Golf Tournament

Sept. 14: The Tim Welch Memorial Golf Tournament, Tee Off for Tim, will be held at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield. Check-in starts at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Tim Welch, a Holyoke native who died unexpectedly in November, was a project manager for Tandem Mechanical. He had been a plumber for 20 years and was known for mentoring apprentice plumbers. Welch’s family is carrying on his legacy and paying tribute to his love of golf with a tournament that will raise funds for the Tim Welch Memorial Scholarship, to be awarded to a graduate of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School who is pursuing a journeyman’s license in plumbing. As part of the day’s activities, golfers can try their swing at the Pipe Wrench Putt, using Welch’s pipe wrench to try to sink the ball. Sponsorships at all levels and raffle prizes are still being accepted. To donate or register a foursome, email [email protected] or visit the Tee Off for Tim Facebook page.

EANE Fall Conference Events

Sept. 25, Oct. 23: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) announced two upcoming conference events to support organizational learning in the New England region. HR Connect: Leading Change in a New Era will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25 at MGM Springfield. This conference invites human resources professionals and business leaders to learn more about HR best practices, innovations in compensation and benefits, and the new skills required for creating compliant people policies. Plus, that will be National HR Professionals week, and EANE is celebrating the many talents and contributions of HR professionals across the region. Safety Leadership for Your Workplace will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Marriott in Springfield. Attendees will experience a full day of presentations, including Dick Flynt from the National Safety Council, OSHA, certified safety professional Dan Williams, and the team from Protective Advanced Safety Services. Qualified Massachusetts employers can apply for reimbursement for conference fees using the MA Express Program. To learn more or register for these events, visit www.eane.org or email Allison Ebner at [email protected].

Party with 1 Purpose

Oct. 4: After a sold-out debut that earned national recognition from Breakthrough T1D as one of the Top New Fundraising Events of 2024, Party with 1 Purpose will return to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Chaired by David Fontaine Jr. and Sarah Fontaine, the gala unites community leaders, local families, and businesses in support of Breakthrough T1D’s mission to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). Guests will enjoy an evening on Center Court featuring live music, an energetic auction, inspiring stories from local T1D families, and opportunities to directly fund life-changing research. This year’s Fund a Cure will shine a spotlight on the Kouflie family and their son Braden, who was diagnosed with T1D at age 7. The Kouflies will share their journey of navigating the daily challenges of diabetes while holding onto hope for a cure, giving guests a personal look at why Breakthrough T1D’s research is so critical. Sponsorships and tickets are available at www.breakthrought1d.org/ctma/wmassgala2025.