Agenda

Difference Makers Nominations

Through Dec. 22: BusinessWest is now accepting nominations for its 18th annual Difference Makers awards. BusinessWest launched the Difference Makers program in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are positively impacting the communities of Western Mass. As previous honorees have shown, there are many ways to make a difference within our community, such as working on initiatives aimed at improving quality of life; succeeding in business, public service, or education; inspiring others to get involved; and making an imaginative effort to help solve societal issues. Nominations for the Difference Makers class of 2025 are due by Monday, Dec. 22 and can be submitted at businesswest.com/difference-makers-nomination-form. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

MGM Springfield Tree Lighting

Nov. 28: MGM Springfield will usher in the holiday season with its annual tree lighting ceremony, marking the opening of Holiday Winter Wonderland on Armory Square, featuring the city’s only outdoor skating rink. Festivities kick off at 5:15 p.m. with special appearances by the New England Patriots cheerleaders, Pat the Patriot, Red Sox mascot Wally, the Springfield Thunderbirds’ own Boomer, and Santa Claus himself. At 5:30 p.m., MGM Springfield will welcome Westfield native and The Voice semifinalist Madison Curbelo as she performs holiday favorites from the Armory Square Stage. Visitors can enjoy a hot chocolate or festive adult beverages available in our outdoor Lion’s Den winter cabin, located next to the skating rink. Local favorite Jeannie’s Weenies will be serving up its signature all-beef hot dogs with fresh toppings, plant-based options, and sweets. A brief welcome program will begin at 6 p.m., led by the MGM Springfield team and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The official tree lighting and grand opening of the skating rink will immediately follow. Throughout the season, MGM Springfield invites guests to enjoy a festive experience at Armory Square, including a coordinated holiday tree light and music show with magical snow, that will be on display every hour, on the hour, from 2 to 10 p.m., seven days a week. This season, the ice skating rink will remain open until Jan. 4, 2026. Tickets for the ice rink can be purchased in person.

Holiday Marketplace, Festival of Wreaths

Dec. 5-7: A holiday tradition continues at Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) with Holiday Marketplace, featuring a preview party and Gallery of Wreaths. The festivities begin Dec. 5 in BBG’s Center House from 5 to 7 p.m. The party includes early wreath-buying opportunities, live music, hors d’oeuvres and a raw bar, and festive libations. This is a pre-registered event. Admission is $75 for members and $100 for non-members. The Marketplace runs Dec. 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature artisan vendors from throughout the region as well as a collection of one-of-a-kind designer wreaths, an assortment of holiday-blooming amaryllis and paperwhites in decorative and clay containers, succulent arrangements, garlands, hanging terrariums, and other gift items. The weekend festivities will include live music, s’mores around a campfire, and hot drinks from the Best Damn Espresso coffee truck.

Women of Impact

Dec. 9: BusinessWest will celebrate its eighth annual Women of Impact cohort at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. To purchase tickets, visit www.businesswest.com/eventcalendar/womenof-impact-2025. The class of 2025, featured in the Oct. 27 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com, includes Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and Director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank; Tracy Friedenberg, executive director of Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Chelsea Kline, executive director of Cancer Connection; Ayanna Crawford, president of AC Consulting and Media Services; Rania Kfuri, vice president for Philanthropy, Sales, and Marketing at Glenmeadow; Angelina Ramirez, CEO of Stavros Center for Independent Living; Amanda Sanderson, executive director of Resilience Center of Franklin County; and Sarah Rose Stack, lecturer of Public Relations at UMass Amherst. The event is presented by Country Bank and TommyCar Auto Group and sponsored by Bacon Wilson, P.C.

Berkshire County Development Alliance Winter Mixer

Dec. 9: The Berkshire County Development Alliance (BCDA) will host an informal networking mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing Co., located at 1 School St., Pittsfield. All are invited to drop by after work, grab a drink, and connect with fellow development professionals, volunteers, and community members from across Berkshire County. This get-together is a relaxed way to meet new people, share ideas, make connections, and learn about what others are working on in the area — no pitches or presentations required. The event is free to attend. Light snacks and drinks are available for purchase from Hot Plate. RSVP is requested by Dec. 5 at [email protected], but walk-ins are welcome. Visit bit.ly/4cDsUjA to learn more.

Follow My Steps Foundation Annual Gala

Dec. 14: Follow My Steps Foundation announced its annual gala, Stepping Into 2026, will be held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. This event will bring together community leaders, partners, supporters, and youth to celebrate the strides made over the past year and to rally support for future expansion of the foundation’s mentorship, career readiness, and financial literacy programs. The event will also introduce the Pioneers for Change Award, recognizing exemplary changemakers whose actions resonate with Follow My Steps’ mission. Guests will enjoy a catered dinner, live entertainment, and uplifting stories about the youth served by the foundation. The evening also marks the launch of a community giving campaign, aiming to raise $10,000 in individual contributions that fuel mentorship, education, and empowerment initiatives throughout the year. Early bird tickets (through Nov. 14) cost $55 for adults and $27.50 for children. General admission tickets (Nov. 15-30) cost $65 for adults and $32.50 for children. Final admission tickets (Dec. 1-14): cost $75 for adults and $37.50 for children. Visit www.followmysteps.org/steppinginto2026 to purchase tickets. Businesses and community partners are also invited to join as sponsors of the Stepping Into 2026 Gala. Five tiered sponsorship levels — copper, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum — offer meaningful opportunities to align one’s brand with youth empowerment and community advancement. Each level includes a range of benefits such as brand visibility across digital and print channels, recognition during the event, logo placement, program ads, reserved tickets, and social media promotion.