Agenda
40 Under Forty Nominations
Through Feb. 24: BusinessWest is now accepting nominations for its 20th annual 40 Under Forty awards. The 40 Under Forty program was launched in 2007 by BusinessWest to honor young professionals in in the region, not only for their career achievements, but for their service to the community. Winners hail from a host of different industries; many are advancing the work of long-established businesses, while others have created their own entrepreneurial opportunities. Nominators help BusinessWest identify young professionals in the four counties of Western Mass. who have stories that deserve to be told. Nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2026 are due by Tuesday, Feb. 24. They can be submitted at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form. For more information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].
MathAlive! Exhibition at Springfield Science Museum
Through May 3: On Jan. 24, the Springfield Museums opened Math Alive! at the Springfield Science Museum. On view through May 3, the exhibition brings to life all the different types of mathematics at work, whether in design, application, or use, behind the things kids love most — sports, games, design, entertainment, space, and robotics. Math Alive! uses immersive and innovative technologies to create fun experiences that help visitors understand how math is used in countless ways. Highlights include a downhill race in which visitors ride snowboards and a photo stage on which visitors can capture their own image in a 360-degree action photo, in the style made famous in contemporary action movies. Six themed areas featuring a range of high-tech, mechanical, and multi-media interactive experiences provide challenges that use various types of mathematics as tools to help the visitor compete, design, build, optimize, or just play, depending on the activity. Along the way, animated character guides known as the BotZ help visitors tackle the challenges, explaining the math involved, prompting and encouraging answers, and jumping in if visitors get stuck. Visitors can take the controls to master engineer various aspects of a modern city, jump into a ‘binary dance party,’ or program and control Curiosity, NASA’s Mars rover. Through a wide range of unique, interactive experiences, the exhibit takes math from its native form into the applied worlds of design, engineering, technology, and science.
MassHire Job Expo
Feb. 3: Hundreds of people are expected to attend MassHire Springfield Career Center’s Job Expo at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Forty to 50 companies are expected to attend the event, which will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Employers will be hiring to fill hundreds of openings. Job seekers will have opportunities available in many different industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, social services, education, and banking. The Job Expo is held in Center Court and is open to the public, providing an opportunity for applicants to meet recruiters face to face. Located at 95 Liberty St., MassHire Springfield Career Center served more than 11,000 job seekers and 1,600 business last fiscal year. It provides people with job search assistance and access to skills training, and its business services include no-cost job postings and recruiting events. A list of companies and positions available at the Feb. 3 Job Expo can be found at masshirespringfield.org.
Greenfield Winter Carnival
Feb. 6-8: The Greenfield Recreation Department welcomes the community to experience a winter wonderland during the 104th Winter Carnival. With a theme of “Yeti or Not,” this year’s carnival includes an assortment of beloved traditions. On Friday, Feb. 6, ice carvings will take place throughout the day downtown. Attendees can watch as simple ice blocks are transformed into sparkling masterpieces. A map can be found on the Greenfield Recreation Department website. Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite ice carving by Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. Later in the evening, patrons can enjoy the Greenfield Business Assoc. Downtown Defrost before the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. and the Beacon Field fireworks at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 7, visitors can participate in a variety of activities, from the annual Cribbage Tournament at the John Zon Community Center to a virtual puzzle contest. There will also be free family activities at 20 Sanderson St. and a free Fire and Ice Show at Greenfield Middle School. The evening concludes with the Glow Party at 5:30 p.m. in the Greenfield Middle School cafeteria. Sunday, Feb. 8 features the Winter Carnival’s various competition events at Beacon Field, including Cookie and Chili Bake-offs, the K-9 Keg Pull, and the Cardboard Sled Contest. Visitors can also enjoy a vintage snowmobile display and sleigh rides around Beacon Field. There are also several activities that will take place throughout the weekend, including a Yeti Hunt and Literary Quotes Walk.
‘The Mission-Rich Experience Live’
Feb. 12-13: — Mission-Rich Academy will host its first-ever live intensive, “The Mission-Rich Experience Live,” bringing nonprofit leaders and micro-business owners from across the country to Western Mass. for a two-day, high-touch leadership intensive. Founded by LaTonia Monroe Naylor, a leadership strategist, author, and longtime regional leader, the intensive reflects more than an event — it represents decades of community-centered leadership. The two-day convening is designed to help mission-driven leaders strengthen funding access, build sustainable systems, and lead with clarity — particularly during a time of uncertainty. Attendance is intentionally limited to preserve depth of training, with participants leaving with proven frameworks, strategic clarity, and a practical plan they can begin implementing immediately. In addition to national participation, Mission-Rich Academy will award 10 leadership scholarships to cover full general admission for Springfield-based micro-businesses, supported through a community partnership with the Latino Economic Development Corp. (LEDC). Tickets are now available, with general admission and VIP options available. Because space is limited and pre-event bonus trainings are offered on a one-time basis, early registration is encouraged. Partnership and sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations and businesses interested in supporting leadership development and long-term community impact. For event details and ticket information, visit www.missionrichexperience.com.
Charley’s Tropical Bar & Board Game Palace
Feb. 13-14: The Shea Theater and Eggtooth Productions will present Charley’s Tropical Bar & Board Game Palace, a pop-up bar and immersive experience, at 71 Ave. A, Turners Falls. “Welcome to Charley’s — a moment’s escape to a cozy, analog bar replete with tabletop games, music, cocktails, and cozy community vibes — and, for the adventurous, an unexpected journey into the mind of its owner,” said John Bechtold, the creator of the piece. “Meet Charley, its fictional owner, who has invited you into his nostalgic bar full of 1990s mixtapes and warm memories. Set in the time capsule of the pre-2000s, we invite you to surrender your phone and your cares to an evening of live performances and more than a few immersive rewards along the way.” Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 or sliding scale, in advance at sheatheater.org or at the door
Springfield Leadership Institute
Feb. 19 to April 30: The Springfield Regional Chamber recently announced that applications are open for the 2026 Springfield Leadership Institute, an exclusive program designed to empower emerging and established leaders with the advanced skills and insights needed to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape. The program will run on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. This year’s program features a cutting-edge curriculum delivered by professors from Western New England University (WNE). Participants will develop advanced skills in strategic thinking, decision making, and change management while honing their abilities in effective communication and team building. The curriculum covers emerging issues such as AI, digital media, and business analytics in leadership, and helps leaders to develop an organizational culture and personal mindset that fosters innovation and collaboration while promoting ethical business practices. This program is designed to empower executives to lead with confidence, vision, and integrity in increasingly complex and competitive environments. Participants in the 2026 Springfield Leadership Institute will also receive an invitation to enroll in a complimentary graduate course at the WNE College of Business upon completing the program, a benefit available only to institute graduates. Visit business.springfieldregionalchamber.com/eventcalendar to apply.
Shining Stars Gala
Feb. 27: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2026 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen and inspire their community. This year’s honorees are Al Picard as the Ernest Laflamme Jr. Citizen of the Year, HB Real Estate as Business of the Year, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry as Nonprofit of the Year, and Heather Leclerc at Volunteer of the Year. The 41st annual Shining Stars Gala takes place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights on Memorial Drive. Tickets cost $75 per person and are on sale now. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 594-2101.
Difference Makers Gala
April 7: Tickets are now on sale for the 18th annual Difference Makers awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025 will be announced in the Feb. 16 issue of BusinessWest. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 or 12 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-2026-tickets. The 18th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli and Westfield Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. The Difference Makers program was launched in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley. For more information on tickets or sponsorships, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].
Outlook 2026
March 6: The Springfield Regional Chamber announced that Susan Collins, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, will serve as the keynote speaker for Outlook 2026, taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Collins contributes to the Federal Open Market Committee’s deliberations on U.S. monetary policy and brings timely insight into the economic forces affecting businesses and communities across New England and the nation. Since taking office in 2022, she has led the Boston Fed’s work in economic research, financial stability, community development, and financial innovation. A nationally respected macroeconomist, Collins previously served as dean and provost at the University of Michigan and as a professor at Georgetown University and Harvard University. She was recently recognized by thr American Economic Assoc. as one of its Distinguished Fellows for 2025. Outlook 2026 will bring together business leaders and policymakers to explore what lies ahead from local, state, and federal perspectives. Visit business.springfieldregionalchamber.com/eventcalendar to register.
Difference Makers Gala
April 7: Tickets are now on sale for the 18th annual Difference Makers awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025 will be announced in the Feb. 16 issue of BusinessWest. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 or 12 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-2026-tickets. The 18th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli and Westfield Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. The Difference Makers program was launched in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley. For more information on tickets or sponsorships, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Marketing and Events manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].
