NORTHAMPTON — Facing the loss of a major sponsorship, the founders and organizers of the fourth annual Northampton Jazz Festival are looking to the community for financial support so that September’s full slate of offerings can continue to be held free of charge. This year’s festival is slated to begin Tuesday, Sept. 2 with various events held each day of the week, leading up to the Saturday, Sept. 6 main festival event from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Northampton. Musicians on tap will include some of the “most cutting-edge players, mostly from the New York scene,” said Tom Reney, host of WFCR’s Jazz a la Mode radio show. Rick Gifford, a founding member of the board of directors, said the cost of the festival is about $35,000 per year: $15,000 for the musicians and another $20,000 in maintenance and set-up costs. This year, the festival lost an annual $10,000 sponsorship from a large corporation due to a change in its funding priorities. Gifford and fellow festival board members are hoping to close the gap with new business sponsorships as well as private donations, which they are seeking from the community at large for the first time. “We’re determined to continue to make it a free concert for participants,” Gifford said. “All of the music that is supported by our sponsors and patrons of the arts is designed to allow people of any walk of life with an interest in jazz to come to the jazz festival and not worry about buying a ticket. Northampton is all about inclusion. That is the mission of the Jazz Festival, too.” To help close the gap, organizers held a private fund-raising party on June 4 in Northampton, raising more than $3,500 and bringing the total needed down to $11,500. “Supporting the festival is supporting the vitality of the region. I am committed to do what I can to continue to keep free and open jazz alive in this Valley,” said Allen Davis, founder of the Davis Financial Group, LLC, in Hadley and a patron of the festival. Willie Hill, director of the Fine Arts Center at UMass Amherst, added that “we must dig as deep as we possibly can to support jazz and pass it on to our children and the next generation, or it will die as an American art form.” Events begin Tuesday, Sept. 2 with a performance by vocalist Giacomo Gates at the Northampton Jazz Workshop at the Loft at the Clarion Hotel at 7:30 p.m. Next, Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4 are Jazz and Food Nights at Popcorn Noir in Easthampton and Sierra Grill in Northampton, starting at 6 p.m., and on Friday, Sept. 5, the ‘Northampton Jazz Strut’ will give music lovers a chance to explore different venues across downtown Northampton and hear a number of local and regional jazz performers. At Saturday’s signature Northampton Jazz Festival event, featured performers will include Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, the Steve Davis Quintet and the Champian Fulton Quartet, the Seamus Blake Band, FlavaEvolution, the Miro Sprague/Marty Jaffe Group, and Hendrik Meurkens/Scott Mullet with the Green Street Trio. The festival will also feature the 12-Mile Meal event (12milemeal.com), a battle between three local chefs who are given locally raised ingredients and must cook a dish on the spot with those ingredients. Participating in this year’s challenge will be Xavier Jones of Viva Fresh Pasta of Northampton, Brian Graham of Johnny’s Tavern in Amherst, and Chef Casey Douglass of Galaxy Restaurant/Lounge in Easthampton. For more information, visit northamptonjazzfestival.org or contact Gifford at (413) 582-7925. Contributions can be sent to Northampton Jazz Festival, P.O. Box 641, Northampton, MA 01060.
Zone Change Spurs New Growth in Agawam
Deborah Dachos says a recently approved ordinance for mixed-use zoning in the Walnut Street Extension area will promote revitalization.
The idea is to make the area into an attractive, walkable, downtown-style location with venues that enhance quality of life for residents of the city, he told BusinessWest, adding that the plan received a major boost early this month when city councilors approved a mixed-use business C zoning change for the area. It relaxes dimensional requirements for buildings and is aimed at encouraging the development of new restaurants, cafés, family-oriented enterprises, and second-story residences.
“Agawam is a great place to live, work, and play, and we want to maintain those attributes and continue to develop them. Our goal is to create an environment that is friendly and can be used by families for entertainment. We don’t have a downtown, and need a place where people can walk and have things to do,” said Cohen, adding that the Walnut Street Extension area had been declining for years, and prior to the zone change, there was no incentive for business owners to improve their property because they were uncertain as to whether they could realize a return on their investments.
Deborah Dachos, director of Planning and Community Development, agreed, and said the new zoning offers an ideal setting for growth and is in line with what business owners and residents want in that section of the city. “The zoning change has finally passed,” she said. “It involved a concerted effort to work with businesses to make the area more user-friendly and less restrictive. We worked hard on the plan, which includes the old Food Mart site and former Ames store building.”
She explained that the downturn in this commercial area began when Food Mart and Ames moved out, leaving both structures in the Springfield Street shopping plaza vacant. The decline was exacerbated after a fire led to the closing of the former Games and Lanes building, which housed a bowling alley. “The Walnut Street commercial area was developed in the ’50s, and the decline occurred over a 10-year period. But the mayor and I made a concerted effort to revitalize the area 12 years ago.”
Progress began after the city sought and gained acceptance from the state to designate the location as an exceptional-opportunity area. The designation made tax-increment financing possible, allowing the city and businesses to agree on a property-tax exemption for up to 20 years, based on a percentage of value added through new construction or significant improvements.
In 2010, city officials also completed an economic-development plan that made the Walnut Street Extension neighborhood a priority. It included the provision for mixed-use zoning, which was refuted by the city council last December before being passed this month.
Parking has been problematic for business owners in the district, but that obstacle is being addressed. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission accepted the city’s application for district technical assistance, and has plans to study parking and pedestrian issues in the area. “Their report will provide the town with the information we need to seek a MassWorks grant of up to $1 million to address the deficits and construct new parking areas. It’s important because business owners have complained that there is inadequate parking,” Dachos said, adding that the study was contingent on getting mixed-use zoning passed.
Inroads to Success
New venues for family entertainment have begun to crop up in the Walnut Extension Street area in the past few years, and several new businesses are expected to open in the future.
Revitalization began when Dave’s Pet Food City purchased the former Ames building about six years ago. The company used about half of the space and put the remainder up for lease.
Stick Time Sports Inc. opened its doors last fall in a portion of the building, offering training for hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse in its complex, which includes two 45-by-85-foot synthetic turf fields, a strength and conditioning space, a fully equipped pro shop, and a birthday party/conference room for special events.
And a new YMCA is scheduled to open in early August in the old Food Mart building. It is under construction, and will be called the Agawam YMCA Wellness and Program Family Center.
“It will offer everything included in a traditional YMCA, with the exception of a swimming pool and basketball gym,” said Kristine Allard, chief operating officer for the YMCA of Greater Springfield. “There will be a fitness center, café, community space, group exercise area, and technical center, as well as a child-development center with projects and activities for children whose parents are exercising or participating in other programs.”
The facility is being built in response to need expressed by residents and city leaders, and will be the first YMCA in New England without a pool and gym. “It’s a groundbreaking concept, and we are extremely excited about it; it will be beautiful and functional and will contribute to the community,” Allard said.
Mayor Richard Cohen says the Walnut Street Extension area is becoming a center for family recreation.
Another major improvement is also anticipated. The former Games and Lanes site at 346-350 Walnut St. Extension, which has been an abandoned eyesore for 13 years, may soon be sold and revitalized, thanks in part to an environmental study completed in March that provided the city with a cost-assessment and remediation plan for the 2.3-acre brownfields site. The building on the property was occupied by Standard Uniform Corp. from 1969 through the late ’80s, and when an underground gasoline tank was removed in 1989, contamination was discovered.
“In the past, developers were reluctant to purchase the property because the cost of cleaning it up was unknown,” Dachos said. “The current owner invested $1 million to do the work, but it was not enough. So in 2012, the city applied for a MassDevelopment grant so prospective buyers would have a better understanding of what needed to be done.”
She told BusinessWest that four parties recently expressed interest in the site, and a Ware couple is pursuing a purchase-and-sale agreement. “They want to make the property into a family entertainment center with a racing theme,” she said, adding that go-kart racing would not have been possible before the mixed-use ordinance passed because the site had been zoned for industrial use.
“Their plan is consistent with other new businesses in the shopping center, which include a tae kwon do training center that opened about 18 months ago and a new Napa Auto Parts store,” Dachos said. “The theme of the Walnut Street Extension area has become family-oriented entertainment and services. A new Dollar General store opened a few months ago at 53 Springfield St., and a Salvation Army Family Store opened about two years ago at 65 Springfield St.”
Cohen said fulfilling his dream plan has taken years of effort, but the vision is finally being realized.
“We have been diligent in pursuing our goal of making this area into a beautiful place for families to enjoy, and we are finally going to be able to see the fruits of our labor,” he explained. “Many people become critical when they see empty buildings, but they don’t know the passion and time it takes to get something to happen. Now that the economy is turning around, there is money for mixed-use zoning from state, federal, and private investors, and a private-public partnership is beginning to take shape.”
Infrastructure improvements that will advance the plan include widening the Morgan Sullivan Bridge from four lanes to five. The bridge connects West Springfield and Agawam, and MassHighway has deemed it structurally and functionally deficient. It approved $12.3 million for bridge reconstruction and remediation of three intersections neighboring the span.
“The bridge is the gateway into the Walnut Street shopping-center area,” Cohen said.
Dachos added that the state has assigned the project to a consultant and it is in the design stage, with construction expected to begin in the winter of 2016-17.
The mayor said these improvements are needed to promote the area and give new businesses the easy commuter access they need to thrive. “There were a lot of pieces of the puzzle that had to be put into place. But everything is finally coming together.”
Other changes are also being made to enhance quality of life in the city. Agawam’s 50-acre School Street Park will undergo a $2 million expansion this year that will include a splash park, disk golf, a volleyball area, a picnic area, walking trails, and a band shell, where open-air concerts can be held during the summer. And a 1.7-mile stretch is being added to the 3.7-mile Connecticut River Walk and Bike Path, which will make the park accessible from the pathway that runs from Springfield into Agawam.
The city will also begin construction on a new dog park this summer, said Cohen, adding that funding for that project comes from a variety of sources. The city received a $237,000 grant from the Stanton Foundation, which was supplemented by $14,000 in Community Preservation Funds and another $10,000 raised by the Agawam Dog Owner’s Group.
In addition, the city recently saw completion of a $4 million project on Main Street that includes new curbing, lights, signs, sidewalks, and traffic signals.
“There are a lot of nice things going on here,” the mayor said, noting that Agawam was designated the second-safest city in the Commonwealth and the 11th-safest in the U.S. in January, based on data from police reports.
Future Outlook
Cohen is happy the City Council voted in favor of mixed-use zoning in the Walnut Street Extension area, and says the future outlook is bright.
“Agawam is a beautiful place, and our convenient location, affordable land and buildings, and low tax rate allow us to build good lives for ourselves and our children. We are proud that this is a safe community with family values and great schools, and the year 2014 bodes very well for Agawam residents,” he said.
“We have learned to be patient and never give up,” the mayor added, “and I hope our dream and vision for the Walnut Street Extension will become a reality that the community will be proud of in the near future.”
Mark Your Calendar with These 20 Happenings
In the mood for some music or theater? Enjoy art or antiques? Feel like trying out some different kinds of food?
The Pioneer Valley offers myriad opportunities to enjoy the summer, so if you’re feeling stir-crazy — or the kids say they’re bored — check out these 20 summer destinations, which only scratch the surface of what’s available in Western Mass. Whether you’re into baseball or fireworks, concerts or dogs, you’re sure to find plenty to do.
Taste of Amherst
Town Common, Amherst
www.facebook.com/tasteofamherst
Admission: Free
June 19-22: Kick off the summer by eating your fill during the four days of the 2014 Taste of Amherst. In addition to food offerings from about 20 town restaurants — most for $5 or under — the event will feature live entertainment by the River, 93.9 FM, as well as fun family events. The Taste runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and is presented by Atkins Farms Country Market, with sponsorship by the Amherst Business Improvement District, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst.
Stearns Square Concert Series
Worthington and Bridge streets, Springfield
(413) 781-1591; www.facebook.com/stearnssquare
Admission: Free
Starting June 26: Thursday evenings heat up in downtown Springfield for another season of concerts in Stearns Square, starting with a visit from Black 47 on June 26, this summer’s kickoff concert. And the bands — from notable local lights to internationally acclaimed acts — just keep coming, including FAT (July 3), the Spin Doctors (July 10), Roomful of Blues (July 17), Diamondback (July 24), Truckstop Troubadors (July 31), Maggie Rose (Aug. 7), John Eddie (Aug. 14), Doug Demings and the Jewel Tones (Aug. 21), and the Smithereens (Aug. 28). All concerts begin at 8 p.m., and there are no opening acts this year. What began 14 years ago as a way to liven up downtown Springfield — it was originally held in the Court Square area — has become a weekly destination for music lovers, people watchers, and scores of motorcyclists. The series is sponsored by the Springfield Business Improvement District.
Williamstown Theatre Festival
1000 Main St., Williamstown
(413) 597-3400; www.wtfestival.org
Admission: $15 and up
July 2 to Aug. 17: Sixty years ago, the leaders of the Williams College drama department and news office conceived of an idea: using the school’s theater for a summer performance program with a resident company. Since then, the festival has attracted such performers as E.G. Marshall, Blythe Danner, Colleen Dewhurst, and Christopher Reeve. This summer, the program will present a range of both classical and original productions, plus other programs like the interactive workshops, post-show Tuesday Talkbacks with company members, and ‘A Festival 4th,’ when actors will celebrate the Fourth of July by gathering at the Williams College Museum of Art to read the Declaration of Independence and the British reply before viewing the college’s noted Founding Documents collection. Williamstown’s classic small-town parade then kicks off on Spring Street at 11 a.m. and ends at the Clark Art Institute for the grand opening of its newly expanded campus.
Clark Art Institute
225 South St., Williamstown
(413) 458-2303; www.clarkart.edu
Admission: Free on July 4; otherwise $20 for adults, free for under 18 and students
Starting July 4: Immediately following the Williamstown parade, enjoy hot dogs, live music, balloons, and other family fun on the museum’s East Lawn before the Clark — which has been closed for an extensive renovation — officially reopens at 1 p.m. Admission is free on grand-opening day. Galleries will be open until 9 p.m., and the Eagles Band will perform at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9. Founded in 1936, the Eagles Band is the oldest continuing performance ensemble in the Berkshires, performing music from the late ’30s through the early ’50s, in styles ranging from traditional brass to contemporary and pop arrangements. Guests are welcome to return throughout the summer (admission $20, students and under 18 free), with new exhibitions including “Make It New: Abstract Paintings from the National Gallery of Art,” which will include Jackson Pollock’s “Lavender Mist,” opening Aug. 2. Perhaps the most impressive work of all is the Clark’s new, 42,650-square-foot Visitor Center — designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Ando, who is known for incorporating landscape into his design. The center boasts new dining facilities, a museum shop, outdoor terraces, and 11,070 square feet of additional special exhibition space. And if you can’t make it to Williamstown on July 4, there’s always…
Monson Summerfest
Main Street, Monson
(413) 267-3649; www.monsonsummerfestinc.com
Admission: Free
July 4: In 1979, a group of parishioners from the town’s Methodist church wanted to start an Independence Day celebration focused on family and community, The first Summerfest was held at the church, featuring food, games, and fun activities. With the overwhelming interest of nonprofit organizations in town, the event immediately grew, and relocated onto Main Street the following year. With the addition of a parade, along with booths, bands, rides, and activities, the event has evolved into an attraction drawing more than 10,000 people every year. The festivities will be preceded this year by a town fireworks display on June 28.
Star Spangled Springfield
Downtown Springfield
(413) 733-3800
Admission: Free
July 4: Speaking of fireworks, what’s a better end to an Independence Day filled with food, family, and outdoor fun than taking in a spectacle of the skies? Springfield’s annual show, starting at 9:30 p.m., is a welcome tradition, but it’s hardly the only one. For example, South Hadley and East Longmeadow have slated their displays for July 3, Old Sturbridge Village will light up the night on July 4, and Westfield and Greenfield have events scheduled for July 5. Many other cities and towns are planning fireworks as well; check with municipal offices for times.
Berkshires Arts Festival
Ski Butternut, 380 State Road, Great Barrington
(845) 355-2400; www.berkshiresartsfestival.com
Admission: $5-$13
July 4-6: Now in its 13th year, the Berkshires Arts Festival has become a regional tradition. Thousands of art lovers and collectors are expected to descend on the Ski Butternut grounds to check out and purchase the creations of more than 175 artists and designers, as well as experiencing theater, music, and dance from local, national, and international acts. Founded by Richard and Joanna Rothbard, owners of An American Craftsman Galleries, the festival attracts top artists from across the U.S. and Canada. Visitors can also participate in interactive events like puppetry and storytelling, all the time enjoying a respite from the sun under tents and in the ski resort’s air-conditioned lodge.
Tanglewood
297 West St., Lenox
(617) 266-1200; www.bso.org
Admission: $21 and up
Starting July 5: Tanglewood has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937, and like previous years, it has a well-stocked slate of concerts in store for the 2014 season, including an All-American Opening Night Gala Concert on July 5 and a special gala concert on July 12, a dance-inspired program featuring both the Boston Symphony and fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center, the BSO’s prestigious summer music academy. This season, Tanglewood will offer a special focus on American music with orchestral, opera, and film presentations in the Koussevitzky Music Shed, and opera, chamber music, and recital programs in Ozawa Hall, which marks its 20th anniversary season in 2014. Check out the website for the extensive roster of shows and events, including a number of non-classical shows, such as Tanglewood regular James Taylor, who perform in the Koussevitzky Music Shed on July 3 and 4, with both performances followed by fireworks displays.
Brimfield Antique Show
Route 20, Brimfield, MA
(413) 283-6149; www.quaboaghills.com
Admission: Free
July 8-13: What began humbly — when a local auctioneer decided to hold open-air auctions on his property, and grew into a successful flea market — eventually began including neighboring properties as it grew. It expanded in the ’80s and ’90s to a one-mile stretch of Route 20 on both sides, and these days, the Brimfield Antique Show is a six-mile stretch of heaven for people to value antiques, collectibles, and flea-market finds. Some 6,000 dealers and close to 1 million total visitors show up at the three annual, week-long events; the first was in May, and the third runs Sept. 2-7. The Brimfield Antique Show labels itself the “Antiques and Collectibles Capital of the United States,” and — judging by its scope and number of visitors — it’s hard to disagree.
Green River Festival
Greenfield Community College, One College Dr., Greenfield
(413) 773-5463; www.greenriverfestival.com
Admission: Weekend, $75; Saturday, $49.99; Sunday, $34.99
July 12-13: For one weekend every July, Greenfield Community College hosts a high-energy celebration of music; local food, beer, and wine; handmade crafts; and family games and activities — all topped off with four hot-air-balloon launches (rides are available) and a spectacular Saturday-night ‘balloon glow.’ The music is continuous on three stages, and this year features Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band, Lucius, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Trampled by Turtles, Grant Lee Phillips, and more than two dozen other artists. Children under 10 can get in for free, as the family-friendly festival features children’s music performers, a kid’s activity tent, games, circus acts, a Mardi Gras parade, and other surprises. New for 2014 is the Maker’s Market, a collective of fine artisans from across Western Mass., offering an impressive array of handmade crafts and jewelry. The festival began in 1986 as purely a hot-air-balloon affair, but quickly integrated musical entertainment into the event. Now, its one of the most eclectic events in the Valley.
Yidstock
Hampshire College, 893 West St., Amherst
(413) 256-4900; www.yiddishbookcenter.org/yidstock
Admission: Festival pass, $145 for members or $185 general admission; tickets may be purchased for individual events
July 17-20: Boasting an array of films, concerts, lectures, and workshops, Yidstock 2014: The Festival of New Yiddish Music lands in Amherst in mid-July. The third annual Yidstock festival will bring the best in klezmer and new Yiddish music to the stage at the Yiddish Book Center. The festival pass includes admission to all concerts, lectures, and workshops.
The weekend will offer an intriguing glimpse into Jewish roots and jazzy soul music through popular Yiddish bands like the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Klezmatics, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, and more. Friday and Saturday feature dance workshops as well.
New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game
MacKenzie Stadium, 500 Beech St., Holyoke
(413) 533-1100; www.valleybluesox.com
Admission: $5-$8
July 20: The Valley Blue Sox (formerly the Holyoke Blue Sox) continue to bring plenty of baseball excitement to Holyoke and its surroundings, playing in a league that attracts some of the top collegiate talent each summer. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for these guys to really showcase their talent in a professional setting,” General Manager Hunter Golden said. “Major League Baseball is a big believer in our product and the caliber of players we bring. Watch the College World Series, and chances are you’ll see half our roster.” This year MacKenzie will host the league All-Star Game, starting at 12 noon on July 20, but the club will play plenty of other home games into early August — usually featuring giveaways and other promotions — to provide families with a fun, affordable evening out.
Bang on a Can Plays Art
1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams
(413) 662-2111; www.massmoca.org
Admission: Festival pass, $75; individual concerts, $15-$24
July 26 to Aug 2: The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival, a residency program for composers and performers, will take place from July 15 through Aug. 4 at MASS MoCA. The heart of this three-week workshop is a week-long series of 14 concerts running from July 26 to Aug. 2, highlighted by two major Saturday events in the museum’s Hunter Auditorium. The first is David Lang’s “death speaks” on July 26 at 8 p.m., featuring the Bang on a Can All-Stars with special guest Shara Worden. Lang combed through every song by Franz Schubert and pulled out just the moments when Death is a character, speaking directly to us, and then set those texts to new music. On Aug. 2 at 4 p.m., the museum will present the six-hour Bang on a Can Marathon with special guests Steve Reich and Glenn Kotche of Wilco. The festival finale will include more than 50 musicians and composers from around the world, and will feature Steve Reich’s newest composition “Radio Rewrite,” a remix of two songs by Radiohead. Another highlight will be a rare performance of Edgar Varese’s riotous masterpiece “Ionisation,” the first piece ever written for percussion ensemble.
Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival
Court Square, Springfield
(413) 303-0101
Admission: Free
Aug 9: Following in the footsteps of the Hoop City Jazz and Arts Festival, which drew more than 20,000 people to downtown Springfield, is the inaugural Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, intended to celebrate the emergence of Springfield’s Cultural District and promote an arts-driven, community-oriented, and sustainable revitalization of the city. The event will offer a festive atmosphere featuring locally and internationally acclaimed musical artists, a variety of ethnic cuisines and local food producers, and more. This inclusive event aims to bring people from Springfield and the surrounding region together to foster connection, stimulate the local economy, and highlight positive initiatives contributing to the betterment of Springfield’s residents, and uniting the city with the rest of the Pioneer Valley. The festival is being produced by Blues to Green, a nonprofit organization led by Kristin Neville, wife of legendary jazz musician Charles Neville. The organization’s mission is to use music and art to celebrate community and culture, build shared purpose, and catalyze social and environmental change.
Dog Shows at the Eastern States Exposition
1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield
(413) 737-2443; www.thebige.com
Admission: Free
Aug. 20-24: The Big E fairgrounds certainly haven’t gone to the dogs, but it will seem that way for five days in August, when dog shows take over the Better Living Center. The Elm City Kennel Club Dog Show will be in town on Aug. 20 and 24, the Newtown Kennel Club Dog Show will take over on Aug. 21 and 23, while the Northwestern Connecticut Kennel Club Dog Show will make an appearance on Aug. 22. Come see dogs in all breeds compete for best in class and best in show.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
358 George Carter Road, Becket
(413) 243-0745; www.jacobspillow.org
Admission: $50-$150
Aug. 23: In its 82nd season, Jacob’s Pillow has become one of the premier venues for dance in the U.S. Dance enthusiasts will surely marvel at the dozens of free and ticketed recitals performed by celebrated companies from around the world, not to mention Jacob’s Pillow’s other offerings of photography and art exhibits, seminars, discussions, and film screenings. The season concludes on Aug. 23 with the Festival Finale, featuring a performance by the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet or LeeSaar. The ticket also includes entry to a festive after-party, with drinks, desserts, photo-booth fun, and DJ BFG spinning live at the ultimate dance celebration. Proceeds benefit the community programs of Jacob’s Pillow.
Three County Fair
41 Fair St., Northampton
(413) 584-2237; www.threecountyfair.com
Admission: $8-$10
Aug. 29 to Sept. 1: In 1818, the Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society was formed, with the purpose of promoting agriculture, agricultural education, and agricultural science in the Commonwealth. The society relied on exhibitions, displays, competitions, and demonstrations to fulfill its purposes, awarding prizes in agricultural and domestic categories. Almost 200 years later, the society’s original purpose still provides the umbrella under which the Three County Fair is presented to the public. Over time, however, various entertainment events became part of the annual fair, from carnival rides and games to thoroughbred horse racing, horse demonstrations, crafts, and, of course, plenty of food. “Taste the past, enjoy the present,” fair organizers say, and visitors will certainly experience a good deal of both.
Blandford Fair
10 North St., Blandford
(413) 848-0995; www.theblandfordfair.com
Admission: $5-$10
Aug. 29 to Sept. 1: Not much has changed in the 145 years of the Blandford Fair, but that’s what makes it so charming. This Labor Day weekend, at the 147th edition of the event, fairgoers can witness the classic rituals of the giant pumpkin display, the pony draw, and the horseshoe tournament, plus more modern additions, like the fantastically loud chainsaw-carving demonstration and the windshield-smashing demolition derby. With many more exhibits and attractions to offer, a weekend at the Blandford Fair is an ideal way for families to close out the summer.
Old Sturbridge Village Family Fun Days
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA
(800) 733-1830; www.osv.org
Admission: Adults, $24; children, free
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2: Bring the whole family to Old Sturbridge Village on Labor Day weekend, when the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast opens its doors to children for free (normally, youth admission is $8). Guests are invited to play baseball the way early New Englanders did, make a craft, join a game of French & English (tug of war), meet the oxen in training, try their hand at marbling paper, see a puppet show, watch a toy fire-balloon flight, visit the Freeman Farm, stop and see craftsmen at work, and much more. In addition, the weekend will feature appearances by Bob Olson, performing 19th-century magic, as well as the Old Sturbridge Village Singers and the Old Sturbridge Village Dancers. Let your kids step back into the 1830s and enjoy the last summer weekend before school.
Glendi
St. George Cathedral, 22 St. George Road, Springfield
(413) 737-1496; stgeorgecath.org
Admission: Free
Sept. 5-7: Every year, St. George Cathedral offers thousands of visitors the best in traditional Greek foods, pastries, music, dancing, and old-fashioned Greek hospitality. In addition, the festival offers activities for children, tours of the historic St. George Cathedral and Byzantine Chapel, various vendors from across the East Coast, icon workshops, movies in the Glendi Theatre, cooking demonstrations, and a joyful atmosphere that the whole family will enjoy.
Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]
Woman of the Year
The Professional Women’s Chamber of Western Massachusetts honored Carol Fusia Campbell, president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, with its Woman of the Year award in ceremonies on June 3 at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. Left to right from top, Campbell is presented with a key to the city by Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos. Campbell is presented with a citation from Kathy Tobin, president of Friends of the Homless. Campbell poses with, from left, Michelle Depelteau of Sunshine Village, Nancy Mirkin of Florence Savings Bank, and Gina Golash Kos, executive director of Sunshine Village.
Photos by Denise Smith
Fruit of the Vine
Black Birch Vineyard co-owner Ed Hamel (right) recently gave a tour to members of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. The visit to the vineyard in Southampton was part of an Arrive@5 event, where members come together and network at a place of business. Hamel and three other owners opened the vineyard in 2012, making and bottling wine there, as well as sponsoring wine tastings, concerts, and other events.
Dena Hall
Michael Moriarty
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Douglas Bowen
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Linda Ellen Jones
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Monson Savings Bank (MSB) has announced the promotion of Terry Poloski to Mortgage Originator. Poloski joined the bank in December 2011, has more than 30 years of experience in consumer and mortgage lending, and has worked with every aspect of the lending process, including underwriting. She is not only adept at helping her borrowers obtain the right financing package, but also at assisting them with every detail along the way, said Steve Lowell, MSB president, adding, “we are extremely fortunate to have Terry on our team. She embodies the Monson Savings commitment to customer service and is highly qualified to help people find the right financing package for new homes, construction, and refinancing.” Poloski is a member of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.
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Steven Mitus
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Ryan Leap
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FieldEddy Insurance announced the following:
Gina Clark
Sara Goodreau
• Sara Goodreau has been appointed Personal Lines Account Manager. She holds her CISR and CIC designations. Her knowledge of various computer operating systems will benefit Goodreau as a staff trainer, and she will assist with operational tasks.
Carla Dawley
•••••
TD Bank has named Denise Fleming Assistant Vice President and Store Manager of the branch located at 693 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee. She is responsible for new-business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel, and overseeing the day-to-day operations at the store. Fleming has more than eight years of banking experience. Prior to joining TD Bank, she served as a Branch Sales Officer at Rockville Bank in Enfield, Conn. Fleming is a member of the Chicopee Rotary Club and the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.
Denise Fleming
•••••
The YMCA of Greater Springfield announced the following appointments to its board of directors:
• Fran Smith, a veteran of the newspaper advertising and circulation business for 34 years, and currently Advertising Manager at the Republican and masslive.com;
• Mark Smith, Vice President of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management for Smith & Wesson, and previously Director with the Chicag0-based consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal;
• Dan Flynn, Senior Vice President and Marketing Manager at People’s United Bank; and
• Stacey Church, Assistant General Manager of the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• June 27: ACCGS Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place. This event will feature ‘the year in retrospect’ and presentation of the 2014 Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year award. Cost: $40 for members, $60 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• July 9: ERC5 Member Appreciation Night with the Western Mass. Pioneers, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Lusitano Stadium, 400 Winsor St., Ludlow. Enjoy an exhibition game, food, contests, surprises, and more. Reservations are complimentary for ERC5 members, $5 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected]. The ERC5 is an affiliate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
• July 14: ACCGS Annual Golf Tournament at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick. Schedule: 10:30-11:30 a.m., registration/practice; 11 a.m.-noon, course-side lunch; 12:30 p.m., shotgun start. Cost: $600 for a foursome, $150 for an individual golfer, $30 for reception only. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700
• June 19-22: Taste of Amherst 2014. Come enjoy four days of fun at the 2014 Taste of Amherst, on the Amherst Town Common. Live entertainment will be provided by 93.9 the River, fun family events, and more than 20 local restaurants. Hours: Thursday, June 19, 5-9 p.m.; Friday, June 20, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 21, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, June 22, noon-4 p.m.
• June 25: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. New-member reception. Don’t miss this annual event, hosted by all the businesses at 25-35 University Dr.:
Cheryl Nina Salon, Encharter Insurance LLC, J. F. Conlon & Associates, Sawicki Real Estate, and
Ziomek & Ziomek, Attorneys at Law. The Pub will provide food and drink. Sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank.
Tickets: free for new members (if you joined between June 2013 and June 2014), $10 for members, and $15 for non-members.
• July 21: Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 11th Annual Golf Tournament, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Pomeroy Lane, Amherst. Registration and lunch are from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with a shotgun start at noon, and reception and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Cost: $125 per player. Presented by Hampshire Hospitality Group. Co-scholarship sponsor: Cooley Dickinson Health Care. Silver sponsors: Encharter Insurance, J.F. Conlon & Associates, MBA. Lunch sponsor: Davis Financial Group, LLC. Dinner sponsor: Fallon Community Health Plan. Bronze sponsors: Daily Hampshire Gazette, NEPM, Steve Lewis Subaru. Carts sponsor: Taylor Rental. Water sponsor: Atkins Farms Country Market. Towels: Hampshire College.
CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• June 19: Mornings with the Mayor. Chamber members meet with Mayor Rich Kos at a different host business every other month to talk about what’s happening in the city of Chicopee. Submit questions you’d like addressed, by June 16, to [email protected]. For more information, contact the Greater Chicopee Chamber at (413) 594-2101.
• June 25: June Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
• June 26: Member workshop, “E-mail Marketing for Success: Creating Effective Newsletters & Announcements,” 9-11 a.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Sponsored by First American Insurance Agency Inc. E-mail is more important than ever to the communication efforts of businesses and nonprofits everywhere, and to customers, donors, clients, and supporters of those organizations. This session will reveal some simple but effective best practices and considerations for the small-business or nonprofit seeking to make their e-mail newsletters more effective. Attendees of this presentation will learn the different types of newsletters, what to write about in your newsletter or announcement, how to consider using images, subject-line best practices and when to send your newsletter, the importance of understanding how connected e-mail and social media are and how they have to be done together, and what types of additional tools might be useful.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
• June 27: Annual Meeting and Legislative Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at Terrazza Ristorante, Country Club Road, Greenfield. Elected state officials and chamber election of officers. Tickets: $13 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Contact the chamber for more information at (413) 773-5464 or www.franklincc.org.
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• July 10: Netwrking By Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7p.m. Hosted by the Oxbow Water Ski Show Team, 100 Old Springfield Road, Northampton. The program will feature a gala waterski show and networking under the tent on the shores of the Oxbow. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and host beer and wine. Sponsored by Mantis Graphics and William F. Steplar Financial Services. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for future members. RSVP requested.
• July 25: 30th Annual Golf Tournament, at Southampton Country Club, 329 College Highway, Southampton. Scramble format with 9 a.m. shotgun start. Games, contests, and raffles. Team fees include lunch and steak dinner. Major sponsors: Easthampton Savings Bank and Five Star Building Corp. Event sponsors: Innovative Business Systems Inc. and TurningLeaf Design. Opportunities for business exposure include tee sponsors, donations to the golfer’s gift bag, and raffle-prize donations. Team fees: $440; tee sponsorships: $75/$125. This year’s 30th anniversary tournament will honor William Cater Jr., the first golf chairman. Contact the chamber to sign up a team, arrange a sponsorship, or make a raffle or gift prize donation.
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• June 19: “The Art of Small Business: Pricing,” 9-10:30 a.m. Hosted and sponsored by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Special guest: Don Lesser of Pioneer Training. Lesser has been a consultant and business owner for more than 30 years. He will share insights and techniques that have contributed to his success. How do you determine what rate you should charge for your time? What is a livable rate for your work? What is the range of rates for your work in your market? How do you price a job, and how do you cover add-ons and other changes? Do you have separate rates for different types of clients? What about donating services? How do you negotiate rates with a potential client? This workshop covers the process of determining your rate and sticking to it. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• June 20: June Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Ranch Golf Club, 65 Sunnyside Road, Southwick. Sponsors: platinum, First Niagara; gold, United Bank; silver, United Way of Pioneer Valley. Speaker: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion. Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Consider donating a raffle prize. To register, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• June 25: Chamber’s Spring Marketing Speaker Series 3, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Topic: “You’re Social. Now What? Is It Working?” Speaker: Liz Provo, authorized local expert for Constant Contact. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the Chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• June 27: Local Legislative Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. The luncheon is for the chamber communities of Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, Westfield, and Woronoco. The state legislators for each community have been invited to speak. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Cost: TBA. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• July 10: The Chamber’s 37th Annual Pancake Breakfast, 7-11 a.m., at South Middle School, 30 West Silver St., Westfield. Sponsored by: City of Westfield, Walmart, Appalachian Press, Noble VNA, and Peppermill Catering. Highlights: Vendor tables, bounce house, face painting, music, and more. Cost: adults, $6; seniors, $5; children under 12, $3. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
• June 19: Annual Breakfast Meeting, 7-9 a.m., at Chez Josef, Agawam. Sponsored by OMG and Development Associates. The event will kick off with the welcoming of new chairman John Weiss and the incoming WRC board of directors. Cost: $25 for chamber members, $30 for non-members. For more information and for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• August 18: Annual Golf Tournament, at the Ranch Golf Course, Southwick. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost: $125 for golf and dinner. For more information or for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
HOLYOKE — The big night is almost here. BusinessWest’s eighth annual 40 Under Forty Gala is set for June 19 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, where final preparations are underway. More than 650 people are expected for the gala, which has become an early-summer tradition and one of the region’s premier networking events. A few tickets are still available. To order some, or for more information, call (413) 781-8600 or visit www.businesswest.com.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host an entrepreneurship training course for veterans in 12 U.S. cities beginning July 11. Each two-day “Boots to Business: Reboot” event will be led by representatives from SBA’s resource partners and industry experts from Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). The two-day “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” class will teach veterans the fundamentals of business ownership. Participants will learn how to evaluate business concepts, as well as effective strategies for developing a business plan. The program will come to Boston Aug. 5 and 6. “We have a special obligation to serve those who served us so well: our veterans,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras Sweet. “Our armed forces have a track record of producing outstanding leaders. Veterans own nearly 1 in 10 businesses that generate more than $1 trillion in sales a year. SBA’s Boots to Business program has been very popular with our troops and cost-effective, so we’ve decided to adapt the Boots to Business curriculum for veterans. This summer, in 12 cities across America, we will be hosting a series of events for veterans who’ve already made the transition to civilian life.” “Boots to Business: Reboot”’ will adapt the curriculum from SBA’s Boots to Business: From Service to Startup program. A training track within the Department of Defense’s Transition, Goals, Plans, Success (Transition GPS) program, Boots to Business is a three-step program developed to introduce transitioning service members to small-business ownership. In addition to connecting with local resource networks, participants also have an opportunity to take advantage of the counseling and training offered by SBA’s resource partner network, which includes Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE. The Boots to Business program is supported through SBA’s partnership with Syracuse University’s IVMF.
AGAWAM — Chez Joseph announced the appointment of Pamela Vadnais as the new sales and marketing manager. She is responsible for business development and coordinating marketing initiatives on behalf of Chez Josef’s comprehensive event-planning and hosting services, including weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, retirement parties, proms, fund-raising events, awards, banquets, holiday functions, corporate events, and more. “Pam has extensive experience in the hospitality industry,” said Marc Sparks, president and CEO of Chez Josef. “She brings a goal-oriented approach to event planning, inviting our guests to envision the event, and she works strategically to make those visions a reality.” Vadnais is a veteran of the hospitality industry with more than 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Chez Josef, she spent more than 10 years as a catering and events coordinator at a local country club and was a program officer and development assistant for the Jimmy Fund. Vadnais is a long-time Western Mass. resident and a graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham. Additionally, she is active in her community and has held several industry-related positions, including concession manager for a performing-arts center. She is currently a chairwoman for the annual parish fund-raising picnic for St. John the Baptist Church in Ludlow. “Pam’s previous experience coordinating catering is very beneficial for our guests here at Chez Josef,” said Executive Chef Marcel Ouimet. “Food is always a central element to any event, and she really understands how to tie in the details like flavors and presentation. Her skills complement our existing staff, and I’m excited to see how she will help us grow.”
HOLYOKE — Banker & Tradesman has named Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, a Community Bank Hero. In awarding that honor, the publication said it goes to individuals who show “an exceptional dedication to service and investment in their community.” Bowen and the others were recognized at a special reception to honor those in the industry who have gone above and beyond to better their organization and their community. Since becoming president and CEO of PeoplesBank in 2007, Bowen and his leadership team have led a culture change at the bank. That shift defined a triple bottom line for the bank: going forward, enhanced financial performance would be linked to community and employee engagement as well as environmental sustainability. The team focused on developing new and higher levels of employee engagement and involvement by creating life-work balance initiatives, a management-development program, employee-led think tanks, and employee-recognition events. PeoplesBank associates have volunteered an average of 6,000 hours each year for charitable causes, and 48 of the bank’s officers serve on the boards and committees of 115 nonprofit organizations. The bank has also donated more than $5 million to local charitable and civic organizations and financed more than $70 million in wind, hydroelectric, and solar energy projects. PeoplesBank, having built three LEED-registered offices, is also a leader in green construction. “I am proud to say that, when I look around at work, I see heroes — PeoplesBank associates doing remarkable things for our customers, the community, and our organization every day,” Bowen said in accepting the award.
Partnerships Anchor Easthampton’s Development
Jessica Allan says Easthampton will soon have three breweries, thanks to the quality of its water and improvements in infrastructure.
“One hand helps the other here, and partnerships between the city and private business owners have spearheaded revitalization,” she explained. “Public funding has encouraged business owners to make investments, which is how our story began.”
Town Planner Jessica Allan agrees.
“The city finds money through grants for infrastructure, and as a result, private business owners use their own money to make improvements to their property,” she noted. “Things have happened in Easthampton because the community and city have worked together to improve different areas. Our arts community has also formed collaborations to help Easthampton gain recognition in and outside of the Pioneer Valley.
“In the past, Easthampton had a really strong manufacturing base. It is still happening within the mills, but in a creative way,” she continued, citing enterprises that include furniture makers and a high-end wrapping-paper business whose clients include New York City boutiques.
She pointed to the Pleasant Street mills project that is now underway as a good example of a public-private partnership. Several years ago, Michael Michon, who owns Mill 180; Will Bundy, who owns the Eastworks Mill; and James Witmer, who owns the Brickyard Mill, approached the city for help. “They told us they had tenants who wanted to move into their buildings but were hesitant due to the lack of parking,” Allan said, adding that the trio had the idea of connecting their buildings and flipping the entrances, so they would open facing the Manhan Rail Trail instead of on Pleasant Street, because there was space there for a new parking lot.
The owners paid for the design, which includes 440 parking spaces, trees, and lighting. “The city did its part by applying for a MassWorks grant. The city received $2.75 million in October 2012 for the first phase of the project, and a second $1.5 million a year later to increase the parking capacity,” Allan said.
Money from the first grant will pay for an upgrade of the water lines as well as burying the electric lines. “We’re really dealing with safety issues,” Allan said. “The original water lines are still there, and the fire-suppression system doesn’t have enough pressure. There will also be new lateral connections to each building, so, if there is a problem in one building, it won’t affect the others. And burying the electric lines is helpful to the fire department.”
All those involved said Western Mass Electric Co. is a key player in the undertaking and that the utility made additional investments outside the area to some of their substations so the mills can get the power they need.
Cadieux says the project has been challenging, and Allan has held weekly construction meetings with representatives from city departments, the mill owners, the design consultant and engineering team, WMECO, and the construction contractor.
“The project is really complex, and a number of easements were needed,” she said. “But the end result will be rewarding and will spawn new economic activity. And the mill owners have spent millions on their buildings in anticipation of being able to fill in their empty space.”
Cadieux agrees. “It’s absolutely fantastic to have all these groups working together,” she said. “The project is very important to everyone involved.”
Ongoing Collaborations
Cadieux said the city’s history of partnerships began 15 years ago on Cottage Street when a buyer wanted to purchase the former 9,000-square-foot Majestic Theater, which was an eyesore that had been closed for years.
“But the owner of the theater insisted that he would not sell to the man unless he also bought the parking lot across the street. He couldn’t afford both properties, but the city was able to help by purchasing the lot with state funds,” she explained. “It was advantageous to both sides because the city needed more parking. And since that time, the city has received a great deal of state funding for infrastructure improvements. As a result, many restaurants and businesses have gone into space on the street.”
The city’s next major project is aimed at helping downtown businesses as well as providing people with a new recreational outlet. It’s called the Nashawannuck Pond Promenade Park, and will finally bring to fruition an idea that was born about a decade ago. The park is in the design stages, and, thanks in part to a $400,000 grant from the state, construction is expected to begin this summer.
“The 30-acre pond is in the heart of the community and will provide a gathering space for residents and visitors,” Allan said, as she viewed the peaceful body of water from the mayor’s office windows.
“The park will be the gateway to the cultural district on Cottage Street and will make Easthampton a destination location. We want to attract tourism and bring foot traffic downtown,” she told BusinessWest, adding that this is another example of how public funding spurs economic development in the city.
Mayor Karen Cadieux says Easthampton is flourishing due to its diverse economy.
She added that the city is also looking at streamlining its permitting process and has partnered with the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce to develop a workshop for first-time business owners. “In the past two years, ten new businesses have applied for permits downtown, and we are filling in vacant storefronts,” she said.
Allan explained that increased interest in space downtown is related to Easthampton City Arts+ and the events it sponsors, such as monthly art walks, which are very popular.
The formation of that organization resulted from yet another collaboration, this one between Easthampton City Arts and the Easthampton Cultural Council, which shared office space and coordinated events at Old Town Hall with a shared mission before they merged and became ECA+.
The group has worked with the city on a variety of occasions, and last year it was successful in its bid to have Cottage Street designated by the state as its 16th cultural district. “The effort was spearheaded by ECA+,” Allan said, adding that the city applied for the designation from the Mass. Cultural Council in January 2013.
The mayor says these partnerships are beneficial. “It’s exciting to have all of this happening in one community, and the growth that is taking place due to partnerships between the city, private businesses, and the arts community makes Easthampton unique.
“Again, it’s a matter of people working hand in hand,” Cadieux continued. “The arts community stimulates art growth, which attracts businesses to the city, and that results in our diversity.”
Fifty affordable-housing units called Cottage Square Apartments are also under construction in a long-abandoned building at 15 Cottage St. “It was our largest tax title and was purchased by a developer three years ago. The city supported the developer’s idea, and the project was permitted under special zoning,” Cadieux explained, referring to Easthampton’s so-called “smart-growth zoning,” which allows for denser development downtown. The mayor added that the city procured $200,000 in Community Preservation Act monies, which has helped the owner leverage additional state and federal funding.
Improvements to infrastructure, as well as the city’s pure water, which comes from the Barnes Aquifer, have also played a role in attracting three breweries to the city over the past three years. The Abandoned Building Brewery was created through a renovation of 2,700 square feet in the Brickyard Mill; the Ford Hill Brewery and Hop Farm, located in a 9,500-square-foot building on three acres less than a mile away, is expected to be operational by the end of the year; and New City Brewing, which is not yet open, has chosen Mill 180 as its home.
Bright Future
Cadieux said partnerships will continue to take center stage in Easthampton. “Things have happened here because the business community and the city have worked together. We are committed to working collaboratively with our business and arts community and do all we can to foster partnerships.
“As a result,” she concluded, “we are flourishing — which is exciting, especially during these economic times.”
UMass to Enhance Fan Experience with Mullins Center Upgrades
AMHERST — UMass Amherst, along with Global Spectrum, one of the nation’s leading public-assembly-facility management companies, recently unveiled plans for a series of renovations at the school’s Mullins Center, a 10,000-seat, multi-purpose entertainment and sports venue, designed to enhance the fan experience. Renovations include the installation of new, dynamic LED sports lighting for the arena and new upholstery for 3,594 seats. Additional, 7,705 seats will have cup holders installed. Universal Electric Co. and Ephesus Lighting have been awarded the bid to replace the existing high-intensity-discharge lighting with LED sports lighting. Ephesus focuses on commercial, industrial, and entertainment lighting that is vibrant and sustainable. With the new lighting in place, fans in the Mullins Center or watching events on HDTV will have a brighter, sharper view of the performance. In addition, the LED sports lighting will cut the venue’s energy costs by 50% to 75% for each event. The new upholstery in all padded seats will provide an upgraded appearance and more comfort. Finally, patrons at every permanent seat will have a secure place to put their drinks. The entire project is expected to be completed by the beginning of August. “These building enhancements are going to take our fans’ experience to a new level,” said Brian Caputo, assistant general manager and director of Operations at the Mullins Center. “Our new partnership with Ephesus Lighting and the upgraded seats will jump-start the 2014 sports season.”
Gaming Commission Revises Licensing Schedule for Casinos
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission recently released a revised schedule for licensing up to three casinos in the Commonwealth. In Western Mass., the commission still anticipates announcing whether MGM Resorts International gets approval for a Springfield casino on June 13. In Greater Boston, the commission anticipates deciding whether Wynn Resorts’ Everett project or Mohegan Sun’s Revere proposal will get the sole license by Aug. 29 at the earliest or Sept. 12 at the latest. In the southeastern part of the state, the commission expects to complete the application process by late September and issue a license in early 2015. MGM Resorts International is the sole company contending for the sole gaming license to be awarded in Western Mass. after city officials favored the project over a proposal by Penn National Gaming, and after residents of West Springfield and Palmer voted to reject gaming developments by Hard Rock International and Mohegan Sun, respectively. MGM has proposed an $800 million project in Springfield’s South End.
Employment Picture Improves in Massachusetts
BOSTON — The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for April dropped in 20 labor-market areas and rose in two areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the year, unemployment rates fell in 21 areas, and one area remained unchanged. The preliminary statewide unadjusted unemployment rate estimate for April was 5.6%, down 1.0% from March. Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was also down 1.0% from the April 2013 rate of 6.6%. During April, all 12 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains. The largest job gains were in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Springfield, Barnstable, Worcester, and Framingham areas. The seasonally adjusted statewide April unemployment rate, released on May 15, was 6.0%, down 0.3% over the month and down 1.0% over the year. Springfield’s unemployment rate fell to 8.9% in April from 10.2% in March on both an increase in the number of people working and a shrinking labor force. The city’s unemployment rate was 10.4% a year ago. As a region, Greater Springfield saw a one-month employment gain of 1.9%, a gain of 5,600 jobs for a new total of 292,000.
State Marks Completion of Pittsfield Armory Energy Project
PITTSFIELD — State officials recently joined military and public-utility representatives to celebrate the completion of an energy-efficiency project at the Pittsfield Armory as part of the Commonwealth’s Accelerated Energy Program (AEP), and to recognize the effects of energy projects at several Pittsfield court facilities and the Berkshire County House of Correction. The AEP was launched by the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) in 2012, with the goal of initiating energy-efficiency projects at 700 state sites in 700 days. To date, energy projects have already been completed or initiated at 535 of these sites. “The partnership between DOER and DCAMM is yielding significant results for state agencies and helping us meet the Commonwealth’s energy, environmental, and economic goals,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “The AEP investment of more than $12 million in the Berkshires is taking a serious bite out of electricity and natural-gas use, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.” Added DCAMM Commissioner Carole Cornelison, “the Accelerated Energy Program has helped to define Massachusetts as a national leader in energy efficiency and conservation, having put in place projects that are already yielding $4.3 million in annual savings. In addition to extraordinary savings, the economic and environmental benefits of projects like this will have a lasting and significant impact across the Commonwealth.” The armory is one of 29 state facilities in the Berkshires and one of 39 military sites across the Commonwealth undergoing energy-efficiency retrofits under the AEP. The $90,000 Pittsfield Armory project is expected to reduce energy consumption by nearly 59% and lower energy bills by 57% each year, while eliminating more than 40 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually, a 58% reduction. It includes the installation of high-efficiency lighting, lighting controls, occupancy sensors, vending-machine controls, high-efficiency electric motors, and energy-management-system upgrades. The project will receive more than $17,000 in Mass Save incentives from Northeast Utilities and Berkshire Gas and will reduce energy costs by more than $10,000 per year. Energy-efficiency projects at the 39 military sites across Massachusetts will result in annual energy-cost savings of more than $265,000 and reduce GHG emissions by about 890 metric tons, equivalent to the emissions from 185 cars. Across the Berkshires, the AEP will invest more than $12 million in energy-efficiency projects at more than two dozen state sites, resulting in annual energy-cost reductions at these facilities of more than $900,000. Efficiency projects are taking place at a diverse range of facilities, including courthouses, community colleges, offices, transportation depots, and police stations. “I’m passionate about energy-efficiency initiatives and cannot be more pleased to learn of this partnership, which will yield tremendous savings throughout our city,” said state Sen. Benjamin Downing, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy.
Patrick Administration Launches Solar Initiatives
BOSTON — The Patrick administration recently announced it is accepting applications for the second phase of the Commonwealth’s RPS Solar Carve-Out Program, referred to as SREC-II. The program is designed to meet the governor’s goal of reaching 1,600 megawatts of installed solar capacity by 2020. “I am proud of the work we have done together to make Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions,” Patrick said. “This program will allow the solar industry in Massachusetts to continue to flourish and make solar energy more accessible for businesses, municipalities, and homeowners across the Commonwealth.” The new program aims to ensure steady annual growth, control ratepayer costs, and encourage ground-mounted solar projects on landfill and brownfield sites and residential rooftop solar. “The solar industry in Massachusetts has seen tremendous success since Gov. Patrick took office in 2007,” said state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “There is now more than 140 times the amount of installed solar than there was in 2007, and SREC-II will continue our efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, create clean-energy jobs, and make Massachusetts more energy-independent.” Incentives from the first phase of the SREC program led to the broad adoption of solar across businesses, homes, and institutions and helped to grow the amount of solar from 3 megawatts installed when Patrick first took office to 496 megawatts today. In 2013, Massachusetts met the governor’s initial goal of 250 megawatts four years early. Currently, 349 of the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns have at least one solar installation. In January, the Patrick administration announced the creation of a residential solar loan program, expected to launch in late summer or fall 2014 to complement SREC-II. “This program extends Massachusetts’ leadership in solar energy as well as our efforts to address climate change. It further illustrates that doing the right thing for the environment is also the right thing to do economically,” said state Sen. Benjamin Downing, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy.
AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• June 4: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by Springfield College at the Richard Flynn Campus Union. Topic: “Inspiring a Creative Corporate Culture.” Reservations are $20 for members, $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 12: ERC5 Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Blake Dining Commons, Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. Reservations are $20 for members, $25 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 26: ACCGS Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield. The year in retrospect, and presentation of the 2014 Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year award. Reservations are $40 for members, $60 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700
• June 19-22: Taste of Amherst 2014. Come enjoy four days of fun at the 2014 Taste of Amherst, on the Amherst Town Common. Live entertainment will be provided by 93.9 the River, fun family events, and more than 20 local restaurants. Eat, play, dance, and celebrate all of what Amherst has to offer. Hours: Thursday, June 19, 5-9 p.m.; Friday, June 20, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 21, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, June 22, noon-4 p.m.
• June 25: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. New Member Reception. Don’t miss this annual event, hosted by all the businesses at 25-35 University Dr.:
Cheryl Nina Salon, Encharter Insurance LLC, J. F. Conlon & Associates, Sawicki Real Estate, and
Ziomek & Ziomek, Attorneys at Law. The Pub will provide food and drink. Sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank.
Tickets: Free for new members (if you joined between June 2013 and June 2014), $10 for members, and $15 for non-members.
• July 21: Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 11th Annual Golf Tournament, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Pomeroy Lane, Amherst. Registration and lunch are from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with a shotgun start at noon, and reception and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Cost: $125 per player. Presented by Hampshire Hospitality Group. Co-scholarship sponsor: Cooley Dickinson Health Care. Silver sponsors: Encharter Insurance, J.F. Conlon & Associates, MBA. Dinner sponsor: Fallon Community Health Plan. Lunch sponsor: Davis Financial Group, LLC. Bronze sponsors: Daily Hampshire Gazette, NEPM, Steve Lewis Subaru. Carts sponsor: Taylor Rental. Water sponsor: Atkins Farms Country Market. Towels: Hampshire College.
CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• June 25: June Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
• June 4: Member workshop, “Grow Your Business with E-mail Marketing and Social Media,” 9-11 a.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Sponsored by First American Insurance Agency Inc. Free for members, this workshop is designed to give small businesses and nonprofit organizations some simple ideas for growing their customer, prospect, or member network by using e-mail and social-media marketing. We will discuss what type of content to use in your campaigns; how to get more people to stop and read your messages; how to get more action, or reaction, to your messages and offers; why using images on social-media channels creates higher engagement; and why your content should be mobile-friendly. You’ll learn what it means to run effective e-mail and/or social-media marketing campaigns and what tools you can use to measure the success of your efforts without spending lots of time or money. Participants will leave with a workbook full of ideas for timing their messages, how to write a winning subject line, what kinds of offers or content they want to try, and how best to approach their next outreach project. This is a great workshop for beginners in online marketing looking to accomplish more in less time with a small budget.
• June 26: Member workshop, “E-mail Marketing for Success: Creating Effective Newsletters & Announcements,” 9-11 a.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Sponsored by First American Insurance Agency Inc. At the heart of small-business marketing are the campaigns that drive action — collections of marketing activities that help a small business or organization achieve its goals and objectives. Newsletters and announcements have become a core component of those campaign choices. E-mail is more important than ever to the communication efforts of businesses and nonprofits everywhere, and to customers, donors, clients, and supporters of those organizations. This session will reveal some simple but effective best practices and considerations for the small-business or nonprofit seeking to make their e-mail newsletters more effective. Attendees of this presentation will learn the different types of newsletters; what to write about in your newsletter or announcement and how to consider using images; subject-line best practices and when to send your newsletter; the importance of understanding how connected e-mail and social media are, and how they have to be done together; and what types of additional tools might be useful. Join us and learn some great new strategies to help your e-mail and social-media efforts be more effective components of one of the core campaign types, newsletters and announcements.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
• June 6: First Friday in Greenfield, 5-8 p.m. “Gotta Bee Downtown!” — a bee celebration. Live music, discounts, refreshments, art. All are welcome for free. Contact the chamber for more information at (413) 773-5464; www.franklincc.org
• June 27: Annual Meeting and Legislative Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at Terrazza Ristorante, Country Club Road, Greenfield. Elected state officials and chamber election of officers. Tickets: $13 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Contact the chamber for more information at (413) 773-5464 or www.franklincc.org
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• June 12: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., North Country Landscapes and Garden Center, One Main Road (Route 66), Westhampton. Sponsored by Innovative Business Systems. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and host beer and wine. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for future members.
• June 16: Move the Mountain Networking Event, 4:30-7 p.m., at Holyoke Country Club, Country Club Road (off Route 5), Holyoke. Join with Greater Easthampton and Greater Holyoke chamber members as we ‘move the mountain’ to network together. Presented by the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. Door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, and cash bar. Cost: $10 for Greater Easthampton and Holyoke chamber members, $15 for non-members.
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• June 4: Arrive@ 5, 5-7 p.m., at Black Birch Vineyard. Sponsored by Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, the Creative, and viz-bang! Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at [email protected].
• June 19: “The Art of Small Business: Pricing,” 9-10:30 a.m. Hosted and sponsored by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Special guest: Don Lesser of Pioneer Training. Lesser has been a consultant and business owner for more than 30 years. His companies have grown and shrunk and grown again, and the nature of his business has changed over the years. “The Art of Small Business” contains the insights and techniques that have contributed to his success. Highlights: Apple never discounts. Clothing stores build in a series of discounts to the initial price. Consulting companies use various techniques to avoid quoting an hourly rate. Law firms typically quote an hourly rate and stick to it. How do you determine what rate you should charge for your time? Too high, and you scare clients away; too low, and your clients undervalue your work. There is an art to setting a price for your work. What is a livable rate for your work? What is the range of rates for your work in your market? How do you price a job, and how do you cover add-ons and other changes? Do you have separate rates for different types of clients? What about donating services? How do you negotiate rates with a potential client? This workshop covers the process of determining your rate and sticking to it. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
NORTHAMPTON AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
• June 12: Nonprofit Board Fair, 5 p.m. at the Smith College Conference Center, 51 College Lane, Northampton. Learn about, connect with, and help lead local nonprofits. Nonprofits count on volunteers like you to lead them to success. The United Way of Hampshire County and NAYP have once again partnered to host the Nonprofit Board Fair, a signature event featuring nonprofits throughout the Pioneer Valley whose leadership will be on hand to talk to interested candidates about serving on their organizations’ boards of directors. There will be a variety of organizations from large to small, representing a mix of essential services, including economic security, community building, children and education, the environment, health and disabilities, elder care, the arts, and advocacy and access. This event is ideal for younger professionals seeking this type of engagement for the first time, as well as seasoned professionals with prior board experience.
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• June 11: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at Westfield Bank, 462 College Highway, Southwick. Sponsored by Pro Tours & Cruises of Southwick. Great connection opportunities. Complimentary refreshments provided. Walk-ins are welcome. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members (cash at the door). To register. call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• June 12: Chamber’s Spring Marketing Speaker Series 2, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Topic: “E-mail Marketing for Success: Creating Effective Newsletters & Announcements.” Speaker: Liz Provo, authorized local expert for Constant Contact. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• June 20: June Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Ranch Golf Club, 65 Sunnyside Road, Southwick. Sponsors: platinum, First Niagara; gold, United Bank; silver, United Way of Pioneer Valley. Speaker: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion. Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Consider donating a raffle prize. To register, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• June 25: Chamber’s Spring Marketing Speaker Series 3, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Topic: “You’re Social. Now What? Is It Working?” Speaker: Liz Provo, authorized local expert for Constant Contact. Cost: Free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the Chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• June 27: Local Legislative Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. The luncheon is for the chamber communities of Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, Westfield, and Woronoco. The state legislators for each community have been invited to speak. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Cost: TBA. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310
• June 3: PWC Woman of the Year, 5:30 p.m., at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Honoring Carol Campbell, president, CEO, and founder of Chicopee Industrial Contractors. Reservations cost $55. Register online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 10: PWC Ladies Night Member Reception, 5-7 p.m., at Fathers & Sons, 989 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Enjoy complimentary wine and refreshments. Reservations are free. To register, e-mail Dawn Creighton at [email protected].
WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
• June 11: Wicked Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., at Six Flags New England. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants. These events bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. For more information or for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• June 19: Annual Breakfast Meeting, 7-9 a.m., at Chez Josef, Agawam. Sponsored by OMG and Development Associates. The event will kick off with the welcoming of new chairman John Weiss and the incoming WRC board of directors. Cost: $25 for chamber members, $30 for non-members. For more information and for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• August 18: Annual Golf Tournament, at the Ranch Golf Course, Southwick. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost: $125 for golf and dinner. For more information or for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
Communication Strategies in Higher Education
June 13: Whether for college marketing, recruiting, advising, retention, or even alumni engagement, having strong and well-designed communication plans are the key to reaching your target market. How do colleges and universities integrate the new and old methods of marketing, getting results that lead to success? What role does key messaging and institutional brand play in effective marketing efforts? As part of Bay Path College’s Hot Topics in Higher Education series, Sarah Coen, vice president of Noel-Levitz, will present “Hit Your Target Market: Develop Communication Strategies that Really Work,” navigating the often-chaotic world of communications and marketing by sharing strategies and plans that yield positive results. The 8 a.m. event at the college’s Blake Commons is preceded by a 7:30 breakfast. A recognized leader in higher-education consulting, Noel-Levitz is committed to helping institutions meet their goals for enrollment and student success. During its 40-year history, more than 2,800 campus clients throughout North America and beyond have invited Noel-Levitz to collaborate with them. Coen offers nearly two decades of experience in new-student recruitment, financial aid, orientation, and staff development. She is especially adept at developing and implementing comprehensive communication plans for managing new-student enrollment and at applying predictive modeling toward enrollment management. She has served more than 30 institutions in the U.S. and Canada during her consulting career with Noel-Levitz, focusing primarily on inquiry-pool development, relationship management, communication-flow development, database management, campus-visit programming, staff development, and financial-aid strategy. The event is free and open to the public, although registration is strongly advised. To join the conversation via Twitter, use #bpctopics. For those unable to attend in person, there is an option at registration for virtual participation. For more information, visit graduate.baypath.edu.
BusinessWest 40 Under Forty
June 19: The eighth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. The program has become a prestigious honor in the Western Mass. business community, and the gala has become one of the region’s most anticipated spring events. An independent panel of judges chose this year’s class from more than 150 nominations, a record. Their stories were presented in the April 21 issue, and may also be read online at BusinessWest.com. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues, but tickets cost $65, and they typically sell out quickly. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600.
Mutton & Mead Medieval Festival
June 21-22: Experience old England in New England with the fourth annual Mutton & Mead Medieval Festival, which returns to 210 Turners Falls Road in Montague on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. A benefit for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Montague Common Hall, the festival transports fairgoers to the adventurous days of Robin Hood with two full days of fun for all ages, featuring 65 artisans and 40 hours of entertainment including knights jousting on horseback, whimsical stage shows, dancers, jesters, fairies, and unique musical acts not seen anywhere else. The festival also features a children’s area which hosts activities for kids throughout the day as well as puppeteers and medieval characters. The event brings the medieval world to life with re-enactors demonstrating skills such as cooking, textile arts, blacksmithing, and swordplay. Attendees will also have a chance to feast on delicacies including turkey legs, roasted lamb, mead, beer, and ale. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 children and seniors. Children under 6 are free. Parking is $5 per car.
Leadership Skills for Supervisors, Managers
July 24: Ensure the future of your organization by providing leadership skills for your supervisors and managers. The Principles of Leadership II series, sponsored by the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast, emphasizes team-building skills. Participants will learn how to develop high-performance teams, lead change, and take their time-management and interpersonal skills to the next level. The series follows on the heels of Principles of Leadership I, which focused on the one-to-one relationship between the supervisor or manager and each of his or her direct reports. Participants in Principles of Leadership II, which begins on July 24, must complete five core programs — on topics ranging from team dysfunction to problem-solving skills; from time management to emotional intelligence — to receive the certificate of completion. To register, contact Sue Miller, director of Learning and Development at the Employers Assoc., at [email protected] or (877) 662-6444, ext. 3013.
Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 29: BusinessWest will present its fourth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. The business-to-business show, which last year drew more than 2,000 visitors, will feature more than 100 booths, seminars, and Show Floor Theater presentations; breakfast and lunch programs; and a day-capping Expo Social. Details about specific events, programs, and featured speakers will be printed in future issues of BusinessWest. Comcast Business will again be Presenting Sponsor, while the social will be sponsored by Northwestern Mutual. Current Silver Sponsors are Health New England and DIF Design, and additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600.
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.
CHICOPEE
Scott Allan Collection Inc., 87 Bay State Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Scott A. Bieda, same. Clothing and apparel.
Stucco Works Inc., 49 Dakota Dr., Chicopee, MA 01013. Vasiliy Zverev, same. Masonry.
EAST LONGMEADOW
West of the River Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc., 143 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Robert MacDonald, 65 Apricot Hill Lane, West Springfield, MA 01089. To promote, develop, sponsor, and assist in the betterment of the business community of West Springfield and Agawam through fundraising, educational, vocational, and other efforts and activities, including charitable activities.
HADLEY
R. Christopher & Associates Inc., 31 East Hadley Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Traeci J. Stevens, same. Security conflicts.
LONGMEADOW
Stevens Blair Recruiting Inc., 32 Edgewood Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Caroline Krafcik, same. Consulting and healthcare marketing research services.
LENOX
Prevista Inc., 2 Pinecrest Dr., Lenox, MA 01240. Leisl M. Moriarty, same. Meeting, event, and program consultation and management.
NORTH ADAMS
Tarm Tax Services Inc., 131 Ashland St., Ste. 250, North Adams, MA 01247. Tara J. Ferriter, 17 Willow St., North Adams, MA 01247. Tax preparation, taxpayer representation, and bookkeeping.
NORTHAMPTON
Western Mass FC Inc., 16 Dana St., Northampton, MA 01060. Jonathan A. Scagel, 32 Pleasant View Dr., Hatfield, MA 01038. To offer high quality, competitive sports teams and instruction to the children of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Including but not limited to fundraising and sponsorship of said sports teams and any and all other lawful purposes.
SHEFFIELD
Smarter 1 Inc., 742 Barnum St., Sheffield, MA 01257. Donald Reinauer, same. Manufacture and sale of computer and telephone equipment.
SOUTHAMPTON
Western Mass Spray Foam Inc., 37 Maple St., Southampton, MA 01073. John L. Meunier, same. Insulation services.
SOUTHWICK
Pro Tour & Cruises Inc., 194 South Longyard Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Kasie Provencal, same. Tours and cruises.
SPRINGFIELD
Pioneer Films Inc., 83 Ontario St., Springfield, MA 01104. Angel Martinez, same. To inspire the community through the art of filmmaking. We will promote events to audition members of the community to join us in producing: biographies, documentaries, short films, and feature length films.
WESTFIELD
MMC Specialty Roofing Inc., 50 Valley View Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Donald M. Wurster, same. Construction and roofing.
VP Transport Inc., 121 B Otis St., Westfield, MA 01085. Valeriy Pozhar, same. Trucking.
AMHERST — UMass Amherst, along with Global Spectrum, one of the nation’s leading public-assembly-facility management companies, recently unveiled plans for a series of renovations at the school’s Mullins Center, a 10,000-seat, multi-purpose entertainment and sports venue, designed to enhance the fan experience. Renovations include the installation of new, dynamic LED sports lighting for the arena and new upholstery for 3,594 seats. Additional, 7,705 seats will have cup holders installed. Universal Electric Co. and Ephesus Lighting have been awarded the bid to replace the existing high-intensity-discharge lighting with LED sports lighting. Ephesus focuses on commercial, industrial, and entertainment lighting that is vibrant and sustainable. With the new lighting in place, fans in the Mullins Center or watching events on HDTV will have a brighter, sharper view of the performance. In addition, the LED sports lighting will cut the venue’s energy costs by 50% to 75% for each event. The new upholstery in all padded seats will provide an upgraded appearance and more comfort. Finally, patrons at every permanent seat will have a secure place to put their drinks. The entire project is expected to be completed by the beginning of August. “These building enhancements are going to take our fans’ experience to a new level,” said Brian Caputo, assistant general manager and director of Operations at the Mullins Center. “Our new partnership with Ephesus Lighting and the upgraded seats will jump-start the 2014 sports season.”
Massachusetts Export Center Helps Firms Do Business Overseas
To Ann Pieroway, the statistics speak volumes.
Take, for example, the fact that Massachusetts companies exported more than $26.8 billion in goods last year — a 4.63% increase over 2012 — and ranks as the 17th-highest exporting state in the U.S.
Or that the Bay State ranks second nationally in seafood exports, third in medical-device exports, and fourth in the U.S. in high-tech exports. Or that 28% of the state’s manufacturing workers depend on international exports for their jobs, which ranks fourth nationally.
Those achievements don’t happen in a vacuum, said Pieroway, regional director of the Western Mass. office of the Mass. Export Center (MEC).
“We have a very simple mission: to help companies throughout the Commonwealth achieve success in global markets and contribute to economic growth in our state,” she said. “The goal is to maintain jobs or grow jobs.”
It does so by providing a range of resources to client companies, from counseling and technical assistance to market research and assessment, to a wide range of training programs to help businesses navigate the tricky, hyper-regulated world of exports. As for the center’s effectiveness, Pieroway said, the numbers speak loudly there, too.
“For our latest impact study, we sent out a questionnaire to our clients — significant clients, not just somebody we’ve answered questions for,” she explained. Almost 70% responded, and reported $240 million in financial return from their dealings with the MEC in 2011. “That’s not total exports; that $240 million for 2011 is their increase in export sales due to the help they’ve received from the Massachusetts Export Center.”
With a background in offshore manufacturing, Pieroway has been involved in the export arena since 1983, when she was appointed to the governor’s International Trade Council.
“Back then, there were 27 different groups that had their fingers in international trade, but no one primary group,” she said, explaining the germination of the MEC. Paula Murphy, who still serves as statewide director, got the program running 20 years ago, and Pieroway came on board soon after. “We’re a specialty center of the Mass. Small Business Development Center Network, which put the funding in.”
Ann Pieroway says the success of the Massachusetts Export Center can be measured in the additional dollars exporters bring into the Bay State.
The state contributes as well, Pieroway said, and studies show that, for every tax dollar it kicks in, $4 is pumped back into the state economy. “So we don’t get cut; we’ve always been level-funded. We put out an impact study that goes to all legislators, and everyone can see what we do — $240 million is a lot of money.”
She also noted that the $2.2 trillion in overall U.S. exports accounts for 9.8 million jobs. “Supposedly, every time you get a $125,000 increase in export sales, a job is created somewhere in the network. That’s very important to us here in the Valley.”
Helping Hands
While Pieroway wasn’t at liberty to name specific clients, she did cite a broad range of services the agency provides, including:
Export counseling and technical assistance. These services are customized to each client’s needs, and might include:
• Export planning and preparation;
• Assessment of export readiness;
• Export strategy and international business-plan development;
• Assessment and selection of target export markets;
• International sales and marketing;
• Identification and qualification of overseas customers and partners;
• International payment and financing;
• Export logistics, including shipping, documentation, terms, and controls;
• North American Free Trade Agreement compliance and eligibility; and
• Working with export service providers, such as international banks, law firms, and freight forwarders.
International market research and assessment. The center has access to a wealth of information on export markets. Examples of research provided to clients include:
• General information on doing business in different countries;
• Demographic, economic, political, and cultural information on different countries;
• Market size, characteristics, and trends;
• Trade barriers and regulatory issues;
• Detailed statistical information on U.S. exports by state, product, and country.
International business-development assistance. Through the center’s partnership with other state and federal government agencies, companies can take advantage of specific programs to market their products and services internationally. These services include:
• International business-plan development;
• Assessment and selection of target export markets;
• Guidance on international sales, marketing, and distribution-channel development and management;
• Identification and qualification of overseas customers and partners;
• Participation in overseas trade shows and missions; and
• Connections with state and federal overseas offices for in-country support.
Export training programs. Partners for Trade, the state’s official export training initiative, is a regional collaborative between the Massachusetts Export Center, chambers of commerce, trade associations, economic-development agencies, and the private sector, working together to present frequent seminars on international trade.
Partners for Trade programs offer Massachusetts companies an overview of topics like international marketing, legal issues, export logistics, international distribution, and others, including country-specific and industry-specific export issues. Much of the training is provided by international trade experts from the private sector, including international business lawyers, export consultants, freight forwarders, international bankers, and international business executives from area companies. On average, more than 1,000 companies participate in the Partners for Trade program each year.
The Massachusetts Export Resource Center. Launched in 2012, the MERC offers a wide range of instructional and practical information on exporting, including training modules, video guides, workbooks, and templates.
The bottom line, Pieroway said, is that the MEC deals in information — lots of it.
“When I first started this job 19 years ago, we used to get reports from the Department of Commerce monthly, and we would send requests to Amherst; our research people would send us a stack of paper like this to take to our clients,” she said, spreading her hands a foot apart. “We no longer have a research department; we do all our own research, or have our interns do research. The things available today were nowhere near available 20 years ago; it’s all Internet research now.”
That information is invaluable to companies navigating the often-thorny, heavily regulated world of international business. Pieroway told of a seven-month-long effort to help a client send a product to China. “Anything going to China gets extra scrutiny. They finally allowed it, with all kinds of conditions. I just pray this company adheres to those conditions.
“We’ve helped companies in every industry there is,” she added, “from agriculture to guns to butternut squash to cosmetics to precision machining — you name it,” she said. And whether a client needs a license or legal assistance or any of a host of other requests, “I connect them with somebody who can help them. We have a wonderful network of support across the Commonwealth.”
Ship Shape
The day she spoke with BusinessWest, Pieroway was preparing for a Partners for Trade seminar in Holyoke called “Fundamentals of Exporting.”
“We want people to have a basic understanding of the process. For some people it’s daunting — there’s a little more paperwork going international — but we achieve results the same way you would domestically: research your client and find out who they are.”
The MEC recently launched another program, called Compliance Alliance, a forum for exporting firms that offers:
• Periodic briefings that address a variety of regulatory compliance issues and provide an opportunity for exporters to network and share best practices with one another;
• Conferences and seminars that provide in-depth training across a broad range of compliance and operational issues. Speakers include exporters, law firms, consulting firms and representatives from government export regulatory authorities;
• An e-newsletter containing updates about current compliance issues and events; and
• Online resources, such as a member directory, a compliance resource library, and a job board.
That word ‘compliance’ comes up often for a reason, Pieroway said, adding that the federal government has tried to simplify international trade, but those efforts have often just made it more difficult.
“We’re doing a lot more webinars, so a lot more people can participate, from all across the country,” she said. “We’re known for our compliance training. We know what companies are going through, and we do a lot of hand holding here.”
That hand-holding has led to national recognition, especially in 2008, when the agency won both the Presidential E Award for excellence in exporting — the highest honor the federal government issues in the exporting arena — and the SBA’s Service Excellence and Innovation Award.
“This year, we won the SBA award for the state and for the region,” Pieroway said. “We feel we should have won the national award, too. I think they thought we’d won too much.”
A 2010 survey found that more than 11,000 Masschusetts companies were exporting goods — about 90% of them small and medium-sized businesses. Along with all the other resources the MEC provides, Pieroway boils a company’s international-trade success down to a strong commitment — of people and resources — by top management.
“You’ve got to have someone in charge of this,” she said, reflecting back to when a company’s compliance ‘expert’ was often a secretary tasked with figuring out how to move product out of the country. “So they became the experts. Now there’s more emphasis on training.”
Pieroway conceded that most companies still get involved in exporting by being reactive, not proactive — for example, when foreign buyers take an interest in a product at a trade show. But the world has been shrinking, so to speak, for a long time, and opportunities abound in other countries for businesses willing to seek it out and learn the ins and outs of exporting. And that takes work.
“You cannot do international business sitting in your chair in your office; you have to leave the country to be really successful,” she said. “It depends on your commitment — of time, personnel, and money.”
Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]
Fourth Annual Western Mass. Business Expo Set for Oct. 29
When BusinessWest first presented the Western Mass. Business Expo in October 2011, the immediate goals were to catch the region’s attention, re-energize a concept that had become stale over time, and lay the groundwork for an event that would become an important part of the fall landscape in Greater Springfield.
Three and a half years later, it’s safe to say that those goals have been met.
Indeed, the term ‘Expo’ has become part of the local lexicon, attendance continues to grow with each edition of the show, and the level of energy on the show floor at MassMutual Center continues to increase.
Keeping the needle moving in these directions is a daunting challenge, but this was the assignment BusinessWest gladly accepted in late 2010, said Kate Campiti, the magazine’s associate publisher and sales manager, and it’s one that continues to motivate the staff.
“Continuous improvement — that’s a phrase you hear in businesses large and small and across all sectors; it’s what enables companies to succeed in an ultra-competitive environment,” she said. “And continuous improvement applies to this show as well. It’s not a goal — it’s a mandate from the business community.”
With that in mind, planning for this year’s Expo, which is expected to feature more than 150 exhibitors and draw more than 2,500 attendees, began days after the curtain came down on the 2013 event, said Campiti, adding that a number of component parts of the show are falling into place.
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield and the Professional Women’s Chamber will again stage the breakfast and lunch programs, respectively, she noted, while Northwestern Mutual has signed on as sponsor of the popular day-capping Expo Social, ensuring that it will continue to be one of the best networking events of the year.
“The Expo has been very successful with its basic mission of bringing the business community together — to learn, network, share experiences and ideas, and create some momentum for the region,” said Kate Kane, managing director of the Springfield office of Northwestern Mutual, as she explained her company’s participation as social sponsor. “Our company is all about community, so we saw this as a natural fit for us, a way to bring businesses together and celebrate the many good things happening here.”
As Kane mentioned, education is an important facet of the Expo. Over the years, the event has featured insightful keynote speakers, panel discussions, and seminar leaders, and more of the same is on tap for 2014.
In the weeks and months ahead, details of specific show programs will be presented in this space. In the meantime, area business leaders, educators, and nonprofit managers are invited to submit proposals for seminars and Show Floor Theater presentations that they can lead.
Previous seminars and special presentations have been offered on subjects ranging from social media to one local business leader’s conquest of Mount Everest; from Obamacare to working with Millennials. Presentations should be 45 minutes in length, be interactive, and give business owners and managers insight they can take back to their office or plant. The deadline for submissions is June 20. They may be sent to [email protected].
In addition to Northwestern Mutual and presenting sponsor Comcast Business, a number of other area companies have signed on as Expo sponsors. These include silver sponsors Health New England, Johnson & Hill Staffing, and DIF Design, and education sponsor, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available, said Campiti.
For more information on the Expo, to register for the show, or to purchase a booth, call (413) 781-8600, e-mail [email protected], or visit wmbexpo.com.
The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of May 2014.
AGAWAM
Ayotte Tree Service
4 Independence Road
Joshua Ayotte
Bancroft Bridals
967 Springfield St.
Mark Kendall
J.L. Cleaning Company
43 Royal St.
Lyudmila Barisov
CHICOPEE
Albee & Sons Contracting
32 Providence St.
David Albee
Chicopee Scrap and Auto Recycling
235 Meadow St.
Patel Hemant-Kumar
Emerald Cleaning Service
33 Leclair St.
Juan Garcia
Nelson’s Home Improvement
18 Beeler Ave.
Nelson Pantoja Jr.
Sofia Amelia Home
34 Madison St.
Sofia Hoyle
Tri-State Roofing Systems Inc.
788 Sheridan St.
Jon J. Hambley
GREENFIELD
Crown Mediation
298 High St.
Juanita Thomas
End Grain Artistry
181 Deerfield St.
Alexander Giguere
Four Corners Fine Wine and Spirits
402 Federal St.
Steven Schechterle
Replay
231 Main St.
Alan Cadran
Western Mass Roller Derby
1385 Bernardston Road
Katherine Skipper
Wiley and Russell Manufacturing
40 Russell St.
David Brock
PALMER
AJC Mechanical, LLC
1008 Baptist Hill St.
Lawrence Caputo Jr.
Computer Training of America
1448 North Main St.
Thomas Gingras
JWB Enterprises
37 Ware St.
Jason Bessette
Marlene’s Beauty Salon
1461 North Main St.
Jean Ciuka
Palmer Recycling Corporation
2 Fenton St.
Pamela Douthwright
Trackside Motors, LLC
1316 Main St.
William Davis
SOUTHWICK
Berkshire Kitchens & Baths
8 Evergreen St.
Dean Porter
Coyote Vapors
51 Tannery Road
Stephen Kostusiak
Cruise Planners
2 Lauren Lane
Denise Edinger
Hair of the Dog
610 College Highway
Jennie Tierney
SPRINGFIELD
413 Video Productions
40 Edgewood St.
Aaron Williams
A. Diamond Investment
371 Sunrise Terrace
Virginia Sally
ACC Business
351 Bridge St.
Michael R. Weitz
Adalia Couture
33 Villa Parkway
Dania K. Scott
Angel House of Magic
224 Talmadge Dr.
Angel M. Mojica
APC Repair
132 Bellevue Ave.
David Krisna
Asadero Del Caribe
2757 Main St.
Isidro Rodriguez
Avenue Six Luxury Apparel
17 Eldridge St.
Sasha Feliciano
B2Z Mini Mart
468 Bridge St.
Muhammad Bilal
Body Parts Finder
45 Cambridge St.
David Grant
Brofloe Music Group
143 Main St.
Eric Newkirk
Brother’s Market
106 Oak Grove Ave.
Christian Jimenez
Buen Provecho Restaurant
30 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Mildred I. Cruz
Business Buying Solutions
2358 Wilbraham Road
Joseph A. Monzillo
Coastline Automotive
501 St. James Ave.
Beris F. Gouldbourne
D. Johnson
64 Fernald St.
Derek Johnson
Del’s Repair Service
53 Sunrise Terrace
Delmar R. Hermany
Dillweedz Café
91 State St.
Hai X. Nguyen
Drona, LLC
477 Boston Road
Ramchandra Parekh
Fast Hands
426 Sumner Ave.
Jermaine Cowell
Findik Corporation
1350 Allen St.
Omer Karaarslan
First Class Custom Carpentry
440 Sumner Ave.
Dane R. Stillson
Fresh Homes
94 Jonquil Dr.
Dana Botta-Arroyo
Garvey Landscaping
448 Tinkham Road
Dennis Garvey
Gemini Barbershop
45 Pearl St.
Benjamin Parrilla
JK Tiles
27 Devens St.
Jan Kochman
Wicked Flyboarding
25 Acrebrook Road
Richard Daniel
YMM Services Inc.
295 Allen St.
Yasir Osman
WESTFIELD
JR Cleaning Service
18 Dubois St.
Jesus Felix
Lecrenski Brothers Inc.
14 Delmont Ave.
Dana Lecrenski
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Affiance-Events
93 Charles Ave.
Angela Cooper
Beauty & Nail Supply
366 Memorial Ave.
Long H. Ly
C & N Renovations
174 Birnie Ave.
Christopher Guyette
Construction Design Solutions
514 Morgan Road
Michael Mason
M & S Transportation
171 Falmouth Road
Mark C. Masi
Moreau Distributing
1583 Riverdale St.
Robert W. Moreau
Native Lands
919 Elm St.
Stephen C. Piatt
Primitive Friends Country
235 Forest Glen
Erin Rogers
Thibault Fuel, LLC
41 Chapin St.
Rene Thibault
Turkish Cultural Center
507 Union St.
Arif Yilmar
AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• May 21: Capital Matchmaking/Business Coaching, 1-4 p.m., at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. This is a business borrower and lender matchmaking event, ideal for small businesses. Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Common Capital, in cooperation with the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. Reservations are complimentary, but required. Contact Oreste Varela at [email protected] or (413) 785-0484 for information.
• May 27: ACCGS Pastries, Politics & Policy, 8-9 a.m., at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Designed for political and policy junkies, featuring a policy expert and member of the Patrick administration. Reservations are $15 for members, $25 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 4: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by Springfield College at the Richard Flynn Campus Union. Topic: “Inspiring a Creative Corporate Culture.” Reservations are $20 for members, $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 12: ERC5 Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Blake Dining Commons, Bay Path College, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. Reservations are $20 for members, $25 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 26: ACCGS Annual Meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield. The year in retrospect, and presentation of the 2014 Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year award. Reservations are $40 for members, $60 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700
• May 28: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. at Amherst Laser and Skin Care Center, 264 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.
• June 19-22: Taste of Amherst 2014. Come enjoy four days of fun at the 2014 Taste of Amherst, on the Amherst Town Common. Live entertainment will be provided by 93.9 the River, fun family events, and more than 20 local restaurants. Eat, play, dance, and celebrate all of what Amherst has to offer. Hours: Thursday, June 19, 5-9 p.m.; Friday, June 20, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 21, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, June 22, noon-4 p.m.
• June 25: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. New Member Reception. Don’t miss this annual event, hosted by all the businesses at 25-35 University Dr.: Cheryl Nina Salon, Encharter Insurance LLC, J. F. Conlon & Associates, Sawicki Real Estate, and Ziomek & Ziomek, Attorneys at Law. The Pub will provide food and drink. Sponsored by Greenfield Savings Bank. Tickets: Free for new members (if you joined between June 2013 and June 2014), $10 for members, and $15 for non-members.
• July 21: Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 11th Annual Golf Tournament, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Pomeroy Lane, Amherst. Registration and lunch are from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with a shotgun start at noon, and reception and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Cost: $125 per player. Presented by Hampshire Hospitality Group. Co-scholarship sponsor: Cooley Dickinson Health Care. Silver sponsors: Encharter Insurance, J.F. Conlon & Associates, MBA. Dinner sponsor: Fallon Community Health Plan. Lunch sponsor: Davis Financial Group, LLC. Bronze sponsors: Daily Hampshire Gazette, NEPM, Steve Lewis Subaru. Carts sponsor: Taylor Rental. Water sponsor: Atkins Farms Country Market. Towels: Hampshire College.
CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• May 28: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. Tickets: $20 for members, $26 for non-members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
• June 25: June Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. Tickets: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
• June 4: Member workshop, “Grow Your Business with E-mail Marketing and Social Media,” 9-11 a.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Sponsored by First American Insurance Agency Inc. Free for members, this workshop is designed to give small businesses and nonprofit organizations some simple ideas for growing their customer, prospect, or member network by using e-mail and social-media marketing. We will discuss what type of content to use in your campaigns; how to get more people to stop and read your messages; how to get more action, or reaction, to your messages and offers; why using images on social-media channels creates higher engagement; and why your content should be mobile-friendly. You’ll learn what it means to run effective e-mail and/or social-media marketing campaigns and what tools you can use to measure the success of your efforts without spending lots of time or money. Participants will leave with a workbook full of ideas for timing their messages, how to write a winning subject line, what kinds of offers or content they want to try, and how best to approach their next outreach project. This is a great workshop for beginners in online marketing looking to accomplish more in less time with a small budget.
• June 26: Member workshop, “E-mail Marketing for Success: Creating Effective Newsletters & Announcements,” 9-11 a.m., at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Sponsored by First American Insurance Agency Inc. At the heart of small-business marketing are the campaigns that drive action — collections of marketing activities that help a small business or organization achieve its goals and objectives. Newsletters and announcements have become a core component of those campaign choices. E-mail is more important than ever to the communication efforts of businesses and nonprofits everywhere, and to customers, donors, clients, and supporters of those organizations. This session will reveal some simple but effective best practices and considerations for the small-business or nonprofit seeking to make their e-mail newsletters more effective. Attendees of this presentation will learn the different types of newsletters; what to write about in your newsletter or announcement and how to consider using images; subject-line best practices and when to send your newsletter; the importance of understanding how connected e-mail and social media are, and how they have to be done together; and what types of additional tools might be useful. Join us and learn some great new strategies to help your e-mail and social-media efforts be more effective components of one of the core campaign types, newsletters and announcements.
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
• June 6: First Friday in Greenfield, 5-8 p.m. “Gotta Bee Downtown!” — a bee celebration. Live music, discounts, refreshments, art. All are welcome for free. Contact the chamber for more information at (413) 773-5464; www.franklincc.org
• June 27: Annual Meeting and Legislative Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at Terrazza Ristorante, Country Club Road, Greenfield. Elected state officials and chamber election of officers. Tickets: $13 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Contact the chamber for more information at (413) 773-5464 or www.franklincc.org
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• June 12: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., North Country Landscapes and Garden Center, One Main Road (Route 66), Westhampton. Sponsored by Innovative Business Systems. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and host beer and wine. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for future members.
• June 16: Move the Mountain Networking Event, 4:30-7 p.m., at Holyoke Country Club, Country Club Road (off Route 5), Holyoke. Join with Greater Easthampton and Greater Holyoke chamber members as we ‘move the mountain’ to network together. Presented by the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. Door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, and cash bar. Cost: $10 for Greater Easthampton and Holyoke chamber members, $15 for non-members.
GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• May 19: 46th Annual Chamber Cup 2014 Golf Tournament, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m.; shotgun start at noon (scramble format); dinner following game with elaborate food stations catered by the Log Cabin. Cost: $125 per player includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. Dinner only: $25. Winner awards, raffles, and cash prizes follow dinner. Tournament sponsors: the Log Cabin and PeoplesBank. Corporate sponsors: Dowd Insurance, Goss & McLain Insurance Agency, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Mountain View Landscapes, Holyoke Medical Center, People’s United Bank, and Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll. For reservations, call the chamber Office at (413) 534-3376 or register online at holyokechamber.com.
• May 28: Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., at the Delaney House. Sponsored by the Greater Holyoke Chamber Corporate Leaders. The program will be followed by the presentation of the Fifield Award celebrating the volunteer of the year. Join elected officials as they award various proclamations to the esteemed recipient. Networking and cocktails begin at 5; business meeting and elections are at 5:30, followed by dinner at 6. The program will include the chamber’s plan for 2014-15, an overview of how the chamber is working for its members, and a salute to new members. Admission: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. The public is invited to attend.
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• May 19: Bitcoin Informational Seminar, 3-4 p.m., at the Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. Sponsor: Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. Special guest: Jesse Vanek. In this seminar, we will cut through the hype and examine basic Bitcoin concepts, including a review of arguments for and against this powerful, often misunderstood, and potentially disruptive new technology. Designed for those who wish to better understand the potential risks and rewards of using, investing in, and accepting Bitcoin as payment for goods and services, this class is intended to provide a sound introduction that enables participants to make informed decisions about Bitcoin, for the benefit of themselves and their businesses. The program is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, call (413) 584-1900 or e-mail [email protected].
• June 4: Arrive@ 5, 5-7 p.m., at Black Birch Vineyard. Sponsored by Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, the Creative, and viz-bang! Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at [email protected].
• June 19: “The Art of Small Business: Pricing,” 9-10:30 a.m. Hosted and sponsored by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Special guest: Don Lesser of Pioneer Training. Lesser has been a consultant and business owner for more than 30 years. His companies have grown and shrunk and grown again, and the nature of his business has changed over the years. “The Art of Small Business” contains the insights and techniques that have contributed to his success. Highlights: Apple never discounts. Clothing stores build in a series of discounts to the initial price. Consulting companies use various techniques to avoid quoting an hourly rate. Law firms typically quote an hourly rate and stick to it. How do you determine what rate you should charge for your time? Too high, and you scare clients away; too low, and your clients undervalue your work. There is an art to setting a price for your work. What is a livable rate for your work? What is the range of rates for your work in your market? How do you price a job, and how do you cover add-ons and other changes? Do you have separate rates for different types of clients? What about donating services? How do you negotiate rates with a potential client? This workshop covers the process of determining your rate and sticking to it. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
NORTHAMPTON AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
• June 12: Nonprofit Board Fair, 5 p.m. at the Smith College Conference Center, 51 College Lane, Northampton. Learn about, connect with, and help lead local nonprofits. Nonprofits count on volunteers like you to lead them to success. The United Way of Hampshire County and NAYP have once again partnered to host the Nonprofit Board Fair, a signature event featuring nonprofits throughout the Pioneer Valley whose leadership will be on hand to talk to interested candidates about serving on their organizations’ boards of directors. There will be a variety of organizations from large to small, representing a mix of essential services, including economic security, community building, children and education, the environment, health and disabilities, elder care, the arts, and advocacy and access. This event is ideal for younger professionals seeking this type of engagement for the first time, as well as seasoned professionals with prior board experience.
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• May 19: “Prime Rib & Poker!” Annual Golf Tournament, at Shaker Farms Country Club. Registration is a 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11. Visit the chamber’s website’s for information on this annual event. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call Pam at the chamber office for more information at (413) 568-1618.
• June 2: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at Baystate Dental, 29 Broad St., Westfield. Join Mayor Dan Knapik for an informal talk about Westfield. Free and open to the public, but call Pam at the chamber to register at (413) 568-1618.
• June 11: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at Westfield Bank, 462 College Highway, Southwick. Sponsored by Pro Tours & Cruises of Southwick. Great connection opportunities. Complimentary refreshments provided. Walk-ins are welcome. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members (cash at the door). To register. call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• June 12: Chamber’s Spring Marketing Speaker Series 2, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Topic: “E-mail Marketing for Success: Creating Effective Newsletters & Announcements.” Speaker: Liz Provo, authorized local expert for Constant Contact. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• June 20: June Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Ranch Golf Club, 65 Sunnyside Road, Southwick. Sponsors: platinum, First Niagara; gold, United Bank; silver, United Way of Pioneer Valley. Speaker: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion. Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Consider donating a raffle prize. To register, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• June 25: Chamber’s Spring Marketing Speaker Series 3, 8:30-11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 39 Southampton Road, Westfield. Topic: “You’re Social. Now What? Is It Working?” Speaker: Liz Provo, authorized local expert for Constant Contact. Cost: Free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the Chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• June 27: Local Legislative Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. The luncheon is for the chamber communities of Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, Westfield, and Woronoco. The state legislators for each community have been invited to speak. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Cost: TBA. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310
• June 3: PWC Woman of the Year, 5:30 p.m., at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Honoring Carol Campbell, president, CEO, and founder of Chicopee Industrial Contractors. Reservations cost $55. Register online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• June 10: PWC Ladies Night Member Reception, 5-7 p.m., at Fathers & Sons, 989 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Enjoy complimentary wine and refreshments. Reservations are free. To register, e-mail Dawn Creighton at [email protected].
WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
• May 21: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., Kaptain Jimmy’s in Agawam. You must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note that we cannot invoice you for these events. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• June 11: Wicked Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., at Six Flags New England. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants. These events bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. For more information or for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• June 19: Annual Breakfast Meeting, 7-9 a.m., at Chez Josef, Agawam. Sponsored by OMG and Development Associates. The event will kick off with the welcoming of new chairman John Weiss and the incoming WRC board of directors. Cost: $25 for chamber members, $30 for non-members. For more information and for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
• August 18: Annual Golf Tournament, at the Ranch Golf Course, Southwick. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost: $125 for golf and dinner. For more information or for tickets, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
40 Under Forty
June 19: The eighth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. The program has become a prestigious honor in the Western Mass. business community, and the gala has become one of the region’s most anticipated spring events. An independent panel of judges chose this year’s class from more than 150 nominations, a record. Their stories were presented in the April 21 issue, and may also be read online here. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues, but tickets cost $65, and they typically sell out quickly. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600.
Leadership Skills Program
July 24: Ensure the future of your organization by providing leadership skills for your supervisors and managers. The Principles of Leadership II series, sponsored by the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast, emphasizes team-building skills. Participants will learn how to develop high-performance teams, lead change, and take their time-management and interpersonal skills to the next level. The series follows on the heels of Principles of Leadership I, which focused on the one-to-one relationship between the supervisor or manager and each of his or her direct reports. Participants in Principles of Leadership II, which begins on July 24, must complete five core programs — on topics ranging from team dysfunction to problem-solving skills; from time management to emotional intelligence — to receive the certificate of completion. To register, contact Sue Miller, director of Learning and Development at the Employers Assoc., at [email protected] or (877) 662-6444, ext. 3013.
Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 29: BusinessWest will present its fourth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. The business-to-business show, which last year drew more than 2,000 visitors, will feature more than 100 booths, seminars, and Show Floor Theater presentations; breakfast and lunch programs; and a day-capping Expo Social. Details about specific events, programs, and featured speakers will be printed in future issues of BusinessWest, including page 11 of this issue. Comcast Business will again be presenting sponsor, while the social will be sponsored by Northwestern Mutual, and the Isenberg School of Managment at UMass Amherst will be education sponsor. Current silver sponsors are Health New England, DIF Design, and Johnson & Hill Staffing, and additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600.
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• May 7: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. “Handicapping the Gubernatorial Elections with Political Consultant Anthony Cignoli.” Saluting Skoler Abbott & Presser, P.C. on its 50th anniversary and A.G. Miller Co. Inc. on its 100th anniversary. Reservations are $20 for members, $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• May 14: ERC Feast in the East, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road, Longmeadow. Local restaurants showcase their signature dishes. Cost: $25. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• May 21: Capital Matchmaking/Business Coaching, 1-4 p.m., at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Business borrower and lender matchmaking event, ideal for small businesses. Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Common Capital, in cooperation with the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. Reservations are complimentary, but required. Contact Oreste Varela at [email protected] or (413) 785-0484 for details.
• May 27: ACCGS Pastries, Politics & Policy, 8-9 a.m., at TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Designed for political and policy junkies, featuring a policy expert and member of the Patrick administration. Reservations are $15 for members, $25 for general admission, and may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
• May 14: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m., at Western MA Family Golf Center, 294 Russell St., Hadley. Try the golf simulator and mini-golf, or just enjoy watching and networking. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.
• May 28: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. at Amherst Laser and Skin Care Center, 264 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.
CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• May 21: 48th annual George Ryan & Stanley Kokoszka Golf Tournament, 10 a.m. start, at Chicopee Country Club. Cost: $125 per golfer.
• May 22: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at WWLP-22News, One Broadcast Center, Chicopee. Tickets: $10 for pre-registered members, $15 for non-members.
• May 28: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. at Elms College. Tickets: $20 for members, $26 for non-members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• May 8: Networking by Night. Call 527-9414 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• May 14: Economic Development Breakfast/Valley Venture Mentors, at Dean Technical High School, 1045 Main St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Ferriter Law and Dowd Insurance. Valley Venture Mentors provides key support to entrepreneurs and startups, connecting them to the mentors they need to grow their business. Breakfast will be followed by a tour of Dean Tech. Cost: $20 for chamber members, $ 30 for the public. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 for more information, or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
• May 19: 46th annual Chamber Cup 2014 Golf Tournament, at Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m., tee off at noon (scramble format), dinner afterward with elaborate food stations catered by the Log Cabin. Cost: $125 per player includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. Dinner only: $25. Winner awards, raffles, and cash prizes follow dinner. Tournament sponsors: Log Cabin and PeoplesBank. Corporate Sponsors: Dowd Insurance, Goss & McLain Insurance Agency, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Mountain View Landscapes, Holyoke Medical Center, People’s United Bank, and Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll. Call the chamber office at (413) 534-3376 or register online at holyokechamber.com.
• May 28: Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., at the Delaney House. Sponsored by the Greater Holyoke of Chamber Corporate Leaders. The program is followed by the presentation of the Fifield Award celebrating the volunteer of the year; join elected officials as they award various proclamations to the esteemed recipient. Networking and cocktails at 5, business meeting and elections at 5:30, dinner at 6. The program will include the chamber’s plan for 2014-15, an overview of how the chamber is working for members, and a salute to new members. Admission: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. The public is invited to attend.
• May 21: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Hotel D., 1 Country Club Way, Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Saving Bank and hosted by chamber members. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• May 7: Arrive@ 5, 5-7 p.m., at King & Cushman, 176 King St., Northampton. Sponsored by Applied Mortgage Services Corp., King Auto Body, and Goggins Real Estate. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at [email protected].
• May 15: “Art of Small Business” series, “Managing Consultants,” 9-10:30 a.m., at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St. Guest speaker: Don Lesser of Pioneer Training. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
• May 19: Bitcoin Informational Seminar, 3-4 p.m. at Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. Sponsored by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. Guest speaker: Jesse Vanek. This seminar examines basic Bitcoin concepts, including arguments for and against this powerful, often-misunderstood, and potentially disruptive new technology. Cost: free, but pre-registration is required. To register, call (413) 584-1900 or e-mail [email protected].
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• May 14: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at the Noble & Cooley Center for Historical Preservation, 42 Water St., Granville. Bring a prospective member for free. Cost: $10 for members $15 cash at the door for non-members. Your first After 5 is free. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• May 19: 53rd annual Golf Tournament, featuring prime rib and poker, at Shaker Farms Country Club. Registration is at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call Pam at the chamber office for more information at (413) 568-1618, or visit the chamber website.
Wistariahurst Plant Sale
May 17: The Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners and the Wistariahurst Gardeners will present their annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gardeners will share the bounty of their gardens with the gardening public, and are hoping to have a good selection of trees and shrubs this year. They will also sell house plants, annuals, perennials, and more. The plants are divisions, not cuttings or seedlings, which, while small, will grow quickly to mature size. Attendees are encourages to bring their own wagons or carts to make carrying purchases more convenient. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions and conduct soil tests for $1 per sample. Free parking will be available in the lot behind the Holyoke Senior Center. The plant sale is free and open to the public. Mini house tours of Wistariahurst Museum will also take place during the plant sale, between 9 a.m. and noon, for $3. There will also be a sneak preview of panels from the exhibition “A Genius for Place: American Landscapes of the Country Place Era,” an exhibit of historical landscapes representing the chronological development of an important movement in American landscape design, which opens the next day, May 18, at 1 p.m.
40 Under Forty
June 19: The eighth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. The program has become a prestigious honor in the Western Mass. business community, and the gala has become one of the region’s most anticipated spring events. An independent panel of judges chose this year’s class from more than 150 nominations, a record. Their stories were presented in the April 21 issue, and may also be read online at businesswest.com. More details on the gala will be revealed in upcoming issues, but tickets cost $65, and they typically sell out quickly. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600.
Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 29: BusinessWest Magazine will present the Fourth Annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downmtown Springfield. The business-to-business show, which last year drew more than 2,000 visitors, will feature more than 100 booths, seminars and Show Floor Theater presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and a day-capping Expo Social. Details about specific events, programs, and featured speakers will be printed in future issues of BusinessWest. Comcast Business will again be Presenting Sponsor, while the social will be sponsored by Northwestern Mutual. Current Silver Sponsors are Health New England and DIF Design, and additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600.
Tavern on the Hill Owners Are Providing Much More Than Scenery
By KEVIN FLANDERS
Lawrence and Amy Guyette say they take pride in making not just good food, but strong community connections.
That was a line from a Republican review of the Tavern on the Hill restaurant from several years ago. Many other things were written, of course, about this establishment located in the shadow of Mount Tom near the Easthampton-Holyoke line — regarding the food, the service, and the experience.
But that single line has lived on at this landmark, and over the years it has become equal parts unofficial slogan, rallying cry, and mission statement.
That’s because the view is, well, spectacular. It’s a draw, and it’s probably what people will remember most from a visit to this eatery on Route 141. But, while powerful, the scenery is generally not enough to bring people back, said Lawrence Guyette, a long-time restaurateur who bought the property — operating then as a sandwich and ice-cream shop — with his father-in-law, Jim Cooper, in 2005.
“Growing up in Easthampton, I knew this location was different than anything else in the area, a really cool place for a restaurant. When we found out it was available, we were really excited to purchase it,” said Guyette, who serves as owner-chef. From the beginning, he added, he understood that quality food and service, not the view out the windows or from the parking lot, would generate repeat business.
And because he’s been able to provide those tangibles, the tavern has enjoyed solid success over the past decade, despite a mostly sluggish economy and a host of other challenges.
Cooper died in 2013, but his legacy is carried on each day by his son-in-law and his daughter, Amy Guyette, the restaurant’s general manager. Running the business as a family gives them a great deal of pride, but most rewarding to the Guyettes are the community connections the restaurant has enabled them to make, a reflection of Cooper’s mentality.
“He was always really active with the restaurant,” Amy said of her father. “He loved helping the guests with anything they needed, even parking their cars in the lot. He always wore Hawaiian shirts, so our staff will have a special day coming up where we all wear Hawaiian shirts to work.”
Like most local restaurant owners, the Guyettes have faced challenges over the last few years in competing for customers. With new establishments recently opening in the area and national chain restaurants continuing to benefit from massive marketing campaigns, the competition is exceedingly stiff in the restaurant industry.
“Two years ago was a peak for us, the best we’ve done so far; everything was firing on all cylinders, and business was fantastic,” Lawrence said. “Since then, we’ve seen a dip in the last year. A few new restaurants have opened lately, which makes it a little tougher for everyone in the business. Overall, things seem to be starting to improve again lately, especially for dinner.”
A restaurant-business veteran for nearly 30 years, he understands the importance of constantly adapting and improving to provide guests with a quality experience year after year. Oftentimes, those improvements appear on the menu, especially when special requests are made. Guyette has been experimenting with smoked ribs in recent months, much to the delight of those who’ve tried them, and he also added burgers to the dinner menu a few weeks ago.
“We had so many requests for burgers that we decided to put them on the dinner menu,” he said. “It’s a new addition that has worked out really well for us.”
The Guyettes are also contemplating a weekly steak night, with various selections available to guests. They are still in the process of working out the details, but it’s likely the concept will become reality.
For this issue and BusinessWest’s annual Restaurant Guide, we ventured up Route 141 for the view, but, more importantly, for an in-depth look at an evolving entrepreneurial success story.
Peaking Their Interest
Depending on when they grew up in town, Easthampton residents have differing childhood memories of the property where Tavern on the Hill stands.
Way back in the Roaring Twenties, a small establishment called the Green Candle Inn served as a popular stop for travelers navigating up the mountain. Two decades later, in 1944, The Old Mill became a local favorite for its sandwiches, its pinball machine, and, of course, the panoramic view.
The Guyettes know the view from their restaurant is an initial draw for some, but food and service keep patrons coming back.
“We used to always talk about what it would be like to own the place and have our own restaurant up here,” she said. “Anyone in this area knows about the place and the view, so that’s definitely a big plus.”
Operating on a minimal budget, Cooper and the Guyettes spent two months renovating the building before opening the restaurant to guests.
Over the years, the menu has evolved somewhat, but has focused on what’s known in the business as ‘creative American.’ Dinner options include everything from grilled salmon to pasta jambalaya; blackened beef tips to several burger options, including one named after the mountain next door. Prices range from $11 to $27.
In addition to its lunch and dinner service, the restaurant also regularly hosts private functions, with about 50 such events augmenting business each year. Lawrence said he’s seen a rise in the number of private events booked in recent years, particularly after-funeral functions.
“It’s always helpful when individuals or business owners recommend us to their family and friends. That really helps us secure additional events,” he said.
The view certainly helps with the task of filling the dining room with people and the calendar with events, but the Guyettes stressed repeatedly that much more is needed to succeed in an ultra-competitive marketplace where an ever-more-demanding dining public has myriad options.
Thus, they put the accent on building relationships and earning the trust of customers — as well as repeat business — through consistently reliable service.
“The relationships are definitely the best part of the business,” Amy said. “I love having relationships with our customers and getting to see their kids grow up. Maintaining great relationships with the staff is huge as well; we’re all a family here.”
Indeed, one tenet of this industry is that no establishment can survive for very long without a solid staff. The Guyettes recognize the importance of not only hiring experienced staff members, but keeping them in the Tavern on the Hill family.
One server and almost the entire kitchen staff have remained with the restaurant since 2005, a difficult feat to accomplish in an industry known for frequent turnover. Amy described hiring qualified, dependable staff members as one of the lesser-known challenges in the business, a challenge she prefers to avoid by aiming to keep the staff intact.
“It definitely isn’t easy to find people you can really count on. You want to hang on to those people when you get them,” she said.
Tavern on the Hill boasts a staff of up to 50 people during its busiest summer months, including bartenders to work the indoor bar and the outdoor setup on the deck.
In addition to relationships with customers and staff, the Guyettes also believe in establishing them with the community as well. They believe restaurant owners have a responsibility to be active in civic life, a belief evidenced by their continued commitment to community service.
Tavern on the Hill has served as a sponsor for several area sports teams in the past decade, in addition to donating raffle prizes to the Southampton Athletic Assoc. and Boys and Girls Clubs in Chicopee and Holyoke.
Moreover, as the president of Easthampton Friends of Football — an organization that has been striving to build a new football field for high-school and youth teams — Amy has been committed to working with city leaders to help secure Community Preservation Act funding for the project.
“I feel like it’s an obligation for us to support the community that supports us every day,” she said. “If people come out and spend their money here, then we have an obligation to put money back into their communities.”
As both the owner of the restaurant and a chef who prepares meals there, Lawrence Guyette has been thrilled by the support Tavern on the Hill has received from the community. He sees it every day, from the lunch regulars to a sometimes surprising dinner guest.
“You never know who’s going to come through those doors,” he said. “You always meet different people — firefighters, police officers, the mayor, people who have dinner here with their families or a quick lunch meeting — and it’s pretty special to have a chance to get to know so many members of the community. We really appreciate all of the support we get.”
View to the Future
One can certainly see a long way from the tavern, out over Easthampton and other towns to the west.
One thing you can’t see, obviously, is the future; no one in any business can do that.
What the Guyettes are trying to do is anticipate it, and be ready for the likelihood that it will include an increasingly challenging environment in which to operate and even more choices for the dining public.
Which means they have to work even harder on that unofficial mission statement and make sure the line from that aforementioned restaurant review remains as true as the day it was written.
Simply put, the view must always be just gravy.
Convention & Visitors Bureau Sees Regional Potential in Casino
Mary Kay Wydra says a casino will draw people to downtown Springfield, but will also boost tourism across the entire region.
“We have 260 members, and not all of them are for it,” said Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB). “Big brands like Six Flags and Yankee Candle are very much for it, but among the smaller businesses, many of them remain concerned about what a casino will do to business.”
However, well before MGM Resorts International staked its claim with the only viable, community-supported casino proposal remaining in Western Mass., Wydra and her bureau were enthusiastically on board, choosing to focus on what MGM could do for the region’s tourism, convention, and entertainment industry, not to it.
“The Convention & Visitors Bureau has been looking at the whole gaming issue for years, watching it and seeing how things would unfold, and we were really proactive in making sure that any of the applicants being considered for Western Mass. were willing to work collaboratively with the bureau,” she told BusinessWest. “We’re thrilled that MGM is the last man standing, if you will, because we see the value of their brand coming into our region.”
The two parties recently formalized this sense of optimism by entering into a marketing partnership. Essentially, both the GSCVB and MGM Springfield have hammered out a written agreement aimed at bolstering tourism-related businesses across the Pioneer Valley.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for tourism in the Pioneer Valley,” Wydra said. “A partner with the brand recognition and resources of MGM can really help change the landscape when it comes to tourism promotion in our region. We’re delighted to have them as partners; the MGM team has been extremely professional and clearly dedicated to establishing a working relationship that is mutually beneficial. It’s going to be a powerful, productive partnership, and we’re eager to get started.”
Mike Mathis, president of MGM Springfield, was equally enthusiastic. “This is an organic partnership between entities that understand each other,” he noted. “The GSCVB drives tourism throughout the Pioneer Valley, and MGM Springfield is primed to be an anchor attraction in the region’s urban core.”
While it’s not a done deal — the state Gaming Commission is expected to approve MGM’s license this month, but casino opponents are waging a fight to overturn the state’s casino law in a November referendum — the probability of a Springfield casino has Wydra and her team excited, and MGM’s willingness to establish a partnership with the bureau is just another positive development.
Inside Out
Early in the game, the GSCVB reached out to all four casino developers that proposed detailed projects in Western Mass. However, a proposal by Penn National Gaming for Springfield’s North End died when Mayor Domenic Sarno backed MGM’s South End development, and Hard Rock International’s West Springfield proposal and Mohegan Sun’s plan for a Palmer casino were both killed in voter referendums last fall.
Wydra said she was delighted that MGM was the sole remaining player, due partly to its basic concept, which has been referred to as an ‘inside-out’ or ‘outward-facing’ casino.
Mike Mathis says MGM’s marketing partnership with the GSCVB makes sense because they share a goal of drawing visitors to the region.
The Springfield model — a smaller version of MGM’s successful City Center flagship property in Las Vegas, which is especially popular with families — puts the amenities around the gaming floor, with multiple points of entry, and will tie in neighboring venues like Symphony Hall and the MassMutual Center, so that casino visitors can enjoy the restaurants and entertainment without having to enter the actual gaming hall.
“What we like about the MGM product is that inside-out casino, and we like their brand,” Wydra said, even though she needed to learn about it first. “When I first heard MGM was coming into the market, I didn’t know they were a casino company. I thought they were an entertainment company.”
The more she learned, the more intrigued she was, and she preferred a Springfield location to a casino in Palmer. “The fact that it’s right in the heart of our service area is very appealing,” she said. “Palmer is a bit more removed and more of a trek to get there.”
But a Springfield-based casino, even one that actively tries to connect with its downtown community, isn’t an end in itself, she told BusinessWest, which is why the bureau forged a marketing agreement with MGM, in an effort to raise all boats in the local tourism industry. Included in that agreement are:
• Cross-promotion. MGM has committed to marketing efforts coordinated through the GSCVB that will identify and promote other Pioneer Valley tourism entities via on-site signage, exposure on social media, newsletter mentions, reciprocal home-page web links, and more.
“Honestly, we see a casino coming here as a way to extend people’s stay,” Wydra said. “If they’re coming for two or three days, maybe they can stay three or four, and see other things the area has to offer.”
• Additional circulation of a visitor guide. MGM will undertake the costs of printing thousands of additional copies of the bureau-produced Guide to the Pioneer Valley for placement in its hotel rooms, concierge desks, and other key locations.
“It’s a 110-page publication that lists other attractions, hotels, restaurants, and a calendar of events,” she said. “So we’ll be working with them to let their visitors know what else there is to do.”
• Enhanced marketing efforts. MGM has agreed to provide resources dedicated to promoting Springfield and the overall region through active participation on ‘TEAM Springfield,’ a cooperative convention-sales effort with the MassMutual Center.
“We meet every two to three weeks, trying to get meetings and conventions to come into the region,” Wydra explained. “I really see a tremendous benefit to bringing MGM into that equation. They dominate the convention market in Vegas; they’re attracting national conventions there based on the infrastructure they have.” Ideally, she added, TEAM Springfield could tap into that database and connect with the New England or northeast affiliates of those organizations.
Just the Start
In short, Wydra said, “we see great opportunity to co-promote and leverage their brand and marketing assets to benefit the Pioneer Valley’s entire hospitality industry, especially our many small businesses.”
Handled correctly, she added, the region should see an influx of new visitors, who will come here to do more than just gamble. And all four of the bureau’s areas of emphasis — leisure, conventions, tour operators, and sports — could share that benefit.
Take tour groups, for example. “Casinos are ideal for the group tour market, so we’re very confident we can sell MGM to that market.” As for sports, casinos often host billiards and darts tournaments, boxing matches, and other competitions.
The partnership agreement — which was hatched out in a series of meetings between MGM Springfield officials and the GSCVB’s gaming subcommittee — will take effect one year prior to the casino’s formal opening, and lays out only the bare bones of marketing possibilities, said Wydra, who said the parties will also consider some kind of regional shuttle service between attractions if they see potential in such an effort.
“Really, the agreement we put in place is the minimum,” she told BusinessWest. “As we start working together and determine the demand and demographics coming in, new opportunities will unfold.”
Some of those opportunities may be difficult to predict now; dropping an $800 million development onto 14.5 acres in downtown Springfield will certainly open some unexpected doors. And Wydra is confident that the entire Pioneer Valley will benefit from opening them.
“From the meetings I’ve had with them, I know they’re savvy professionals and dedicated people, and we’re looking forward to having the opportunity to work closely with them,” she said.
While it’s natural for some tourism businesses to be anxious about the project, she said, the bureau has long looked at it simply as a new attraction — albeit a significant one. She sees MGM as much more than that now, thanks to its cross-promotion potential and national convention clout.
“A lot of people, when this thing didn’t move through the Statehouse quickly, got negative about it,” she added. “But I think the legislators did a great job creating the legislation, and this will work for all businesses in the region, encouraging the casinos to have deals with other entertainment venues.”
Those connections are critical, Wydra said, if a region wants a casino to be a regional tourism engine, and not just a gaming island to itself.
“I presented at a Mass. Gaming Commission meeting when there were still three applicants in the Western Mass. area,” she said. “While all that was getting figured out — the host community agreements, the referendum questions — we were also talking to the Gaming Commission make sure tourism was a priority when they were evaluating all the proposals.”
Even then, she liked what she was hearing from MGM. “We know tourism is important to this developer. And we really do believe they’re going to reach into the community and the whole region.”
Joseph Bednar may be reached at [email protected]
Sheraton Springfield Excels at Helping Groups Get Down to Business
Ernie Taddei, left, and Paul Marcelina say business travelers appreciate the 18,000-square-foot 4 Fitness Health Club at the Sheraton Springfield.
But general manager Paul Marcelina says that what sets its apart from its competitors is the fact that every hotel associate is steeped in the “five human truths,” which allow them to meet the basic emotional needs that all human beings share.
“Our goal is to create an emotional connection with our guests. We all want to belong, feel special, be understood, reach our fullest potential, and be in control,” said Marcelina, citing the results of a study conducted by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide in 2009 that changed the hotel’s culture.
“We consider ourselves to be friends of our guests, which is reflected back to us every day in our guest-comment cards. Every guest and every trip is different, and we are aware of the needs and time constraints of weekday business travelers as well as the needs of social travelers here on weekends,” he added.
Although the hotel has its share of tourists, about 60% of its annual revenue comes from business groups, whose members travel from throughout New England and beyond. “We’re the largest hotel west of Boston, north of New Haven, and south of Montreal,” said Peter Picknelly, president of Monarch Enterprises and owner of the Sheraton Springfield.
The hotel is part of the Monarch Place complex, which includes a 25-story tower that contains 400,000 square feet of office space as well as a parking garage for 200 vehicles. “It adds to our appeal,” said Ernie Taddei, regional director of sales and marketing for the hotel, explaining that many business travelers who stay at the Sheraton have meetings scheduled in Monarch Place.
But there are other features that make the hotel a sought-after location for business gatherings. “We have 30,000 square feet of meeting space, and everything a business needs is under one roof, which is difficult to find outside of Boston or New York City,” Marcelina said. “We know we are competing with hotels in Hartford, Boston, and Philadelphia, so we spend time figuring out how to attract businesses to Springfield and this hotel.”
He told BusinessWest that meetings can be held concurrently in spaces that can accommodate from two to 1,000 people, or 100 8×10 pipe-and-drape booths. In addition, the Grand Ballroom can serve dinner to 1,000 people at one time, while cocktail hours for up to 2,100 people can be held on the first three floors of the atrium.
Other perks include state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, as well as LCD projectors and specialty AV items available from hotel vendors. “Our vendors stay on the property during the entire convention, to make sure everything is done correctly,” Taddei said, adding that the hotel’s recently upgraded sound system “allows people to hear perfectly from one end of a convention space to the other.”
The Sheraton has also developed close relationships with many local attractions, which allows guests to purchase discounted tickets to basketball games or other events, and Taddei said these tickets are often made available to people staying there for several nights.
“It’s not just about the rate and meeting room, it’s about what we can do to make a stay more enjoyable,” he said. “We don’t want our guests to be bored.”
In addition, the hotel’s full banquet kitchen allows event planners to customize menus and match the décor of the dining room to a chosen theme. Food offerings are also frequently expanded, and hotel salespeople sample dishes on the menu and provide input. For example, after a recent sampling of hors d’oeuvres created for a wedding party, officials decided to offer them to business groups.
The Sheraton, which averages about 200,000 guests per year, has also made major upgrades to its Internet technology, which allows guests to operate several devices at the same time in their rooms. There is also ‘the Link,’ an area found in all Sheraton hotels that offers guests computer use and a copier and printer at no cost in a comfortable setting.
Staying Power
Bartender Carmine Capuano says cocktail hours for up to 2,100 guests can be held on the first three floors of the Sheraton Springfield’s atrium.
But due to its architectural design, changing the environment was no easy feat.
“Our atrium is visible from all floors, and it was very challenging to complete the renovations without bothering our guests,” Marcelina said, explaining that scaffolding had to be built from the second to 12th floors.
But today, people delight in looking up to the top of the glass ceiling or down to the lower floors, depending on where their room is located. The view is enhanced by special lighting along the outer wall of every floor, which is programmed to change colors every few seconds.
“It’s a special visual effect, and large conventions or parties can select colors that match the theme of their convention,” Taddei said. “Lighting is important, and we can also splash colors on the ballroom floor to match a business’ taste, which is nice for a company meeting and also nice for social functions such as a wedding.”
Another bonus is the hotel’s 18,000-square-foot 4 Fitness health center. “It’s the largest hotel health center in Massachusetts and has state-of-the-art equipment, a sauna, racquetball courts, and spinning classes,” Taddei said.
A large swimming pool beneath a domed glass ceiling and adjacent outdoor sunbathing area add to the appeal, and as a result, the hotel also caters to annual meetings and events held by religious groups, sports groups, youth groups, and other groups that often take part in competitions at the nearby MassMutual Center.
But despite outstanding physical amenities and a good location, hotel officials say what separates them from their competition, and results in repeat business, goes back to their focus on “human truths” and the behavior of hotel associates.
“We can say that we have nicer artwork or a warmer pool, but that is not going to make the difference between a good or exceptional experience,” Picknelly said. “What we do starts from the time a person arrives at the front desk and continues until they leave. But getting to that point is not an easy task. It takes a collaborative effort by all of our associates.”
To that end, great attention is paid to detail. Each employee’s name tag includes a hobby or interest, which often sparks conversations with guests. And associates are schooled to notice things such as a guest wearing a Red Sox cap and ask questions related to such items.
“We don’t consider the check-in process part of a transaction; it’s a welcome service that is all about engagement and interaction and is part of the warmth connected to our core values,” said Marcelina, adding that, when guests leave, they are asked about their stay and invited to return. “The connection we make is what separates us from our competition.”
Employees are also trained to take notice of details in guest rooms. For example, Marcelina said, if someone from the cleaning staff notices a guest has an empty Diet Coke in their trash can or an empty Hershey’s candy wrapper, he or she can replace the items with a note that tells the guest to enjoy them and their stay.
Taddei has been with the hotel since 2009 and said many guests come to Springfield to enjoy local attractions, which range from the Basketball Hall of Fame to Six Flags New England and the Big E.
“We are lucky to have them in our backyard,” Picknelly agreed.
But the atmosphere in the hotel changes in response to the day of the week and who is staying there. In fact, Picknelly likens it to a transformer.
“Monday through Friday, we cater to a business clientele,” he explained. “But on Friday afternoon, we transform into a leisure hotel, which means we adopt a different culture.”
That includes offering breakfast later in the morning for guests who want to sleep in, longer pool hours with more attendants on duty, and other measures designed to make hotel stays memorable and relaxing for guests of all ages.
Picknelly said small things are important and uses the example of newspapers to make his point. “My son gets all of his news from the Internet, while I prefer a real newspaper,” he said. So, newspapers are delivered to each guest’s room early each morning.
The hotel’s theme is the fall season in New England. “The artwork was commissioned, and every guest room has a piece twice the size that you would normally find in a hotel room,” Picknelly said. There is also a large mural over the main entrance to the grand ballroom depicting three scenes that reflect Springfield’s history and attractions.
But hotel executives stress that the reason people choose the Sheraton and return there is because of the service, and all new associates participate in the Sheraton Service Culture Training.
“It allows our associates to understand the diverse needs of our guests and also allows them to exceed their expectations,” said Marcelina. “We listen to the people who stay here because we want them to feel they belong, which goes back to the human truths.”
For example, when the hotel stopped serving dinner in the sports lounge, it was quickly reinstated due to demand, as was popcorn in the bar when another snack was substituted.
Meaningful Interactions
Marcelina said people have many choices when it comes to choosing a hotel. “But when you know the person behind the desk cares about you and looks forward to seeing you again, it makes a difference. And we feel this way about everyone who stays here.”
Indeed, the culture, combined with recent upgrades, have proven to be a recipe for success. “A lot of our conventions are repeat business, and we are already holding space as far out as 2017,” Taddei said. “We are selected over other places even when our location isn’t as convenient. People choose us because of our consistency and because our staff is trained to make sure they have a memorable experience.”
Marcelina said the formula is simple. “It goes back to the human truths,” meaning every guest leaves feeling special and cared about.
Maura McCaffrey Takes the Helm at Health New England
Maura McCaffrey remembers reading the want ad in her Sunday paper — Health New England was looking for a clinical pharmacist — and thinking this was a job she really wanted.
She had gotten to know many members of the staff at the Springfield-based health-insurance provider while working as a sales representative and then regional account executive for the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, and had come to respect the company’s culture and team-focused way of doing business.
But there were some complications to making this career move. Indeed, McCaffrey and her family were living 75 miles east of Springfield at the time. Her twin sons were 4 years old. She had an office in her home, made her own hours, and drove a company car she would have to relinquish.
After some soul searching, though, she decided to apply, with the thinking that this was very likely to be a short-term assignment, a line or two on her résumé, and merely the latest example of what she described as a career-long pattern of being able to put personal fears and insecurities aside and take some risks to advance professionally. “My plan was to figure out what I could about managed care, and I thought I would be here 18 months, two years at the most.”
It didn’t work out that way, and she told BusinessWest that she knew this would be the case early, probably on her first day at HNE. But she didn’t tell her husband that until well after those 18 months she had originally given herself to figure out if this was going to work.
“I told my husband, ‘I have to apply for this job, I have to work at Health New England — this is my opportunity to find out what this company is all about,’” she recalled. “And he said, ‘well, that’s a little impulsive; you just read a newspaper, we live 90 minutes away. You want to take that job and make that commute?’
“I said I thought it would be worth it for 18 months,” she went on. “Three years later, my husband said, ‘you’re either all in on this and we’re going to move the family, or you’re going to find something else.’ And I said, ‘I’m all in — I just haven’t finished learning everything I want to learn from Health New England.’”
In the decade since, she’s gone from all in to all the way to the top.
Indeed, she recently succeeded Peter Straley as president and CEO, completing a succession process that began heating up over the past several months as Straley let his intention to retire be known, but has actually been a work in progress for several years.
As she talked with BusinessWest about her ascension, one that has quickly made HNE one of the largest women-led business in the region, McCaffrey said the company essentially put her on a path to the CEO’s office, and she took it, along with many more of those risks she described earlier.
There were several changes to the title on the business card along the way — she served as everything from Pharmacy Services manager to vice president of Marketing, Business Development & Medicare to chief executive officer — and that learning process she described earlier never stopped, and it won’t now that she has the corner office, she said.
Looking forward, McCaffrey said there are a number of challenges facing the healthcare industry and payers such as HNE, especially when it comes to controlling the cost of care and, overall, making the community healthier.
These two missions go hand in hand, she said, adding that the industry must somehow move from its current, and highly inefficient, fee-for-service model to one that rewards providers for keeping people from getting sick, not simply treating them when they take ill.
And one of the keys to progress is inspiring individuals to take responsibility for their own health, she went on.
For this issue, BusinessWest talked at length with McCaffrey about everything from that path she took to the CEO’s office to the factors that are keeping more women from gaining such a title, to the prospects for real — and effective change — in the business of providing affordable healthcare.
Exercise in Firm Leadership
When it comes to taking control of one’s health, McCaffrey, like her predecessor, practices what she preaches.
She said she’s generally up by 4 each morning and starts her day with exercise, for a minimum of 10 minutes, but usually much more. She’s at her desk by 6 or 6:30 — “that’s my best thinking time” — and quite often, that desk sits three and a half feet in the air.
Indeed, McCaffrey’s workspace includes a desk leaf complete with a small motor that elevates it to a height by which she can work while standing, which, she states, is far more healthy than sitting for eight or 10 hours.
“I sit in meetings all day, which isn’t good for you,” she noted, “so I stand when I’m doing e-mails and other work.”
How McCaffrey, the proud daughter of Irish immigrants who came to this country in the early ’60s, arrived at the CEO’s office with the so-called ‘standing desk’ is an intriguing story, one that begins at an old-fashioned corner drugstore in her hometown of Leominster, roughly 20 miles north of Worcester.
There, after school, she worked the soda fountain, scooped ice cream, served coffee, sold cigarettes and lottery tickets, and, when the pharmacist was busy, would go out back and help him fill prescriptions, usually doing the paperwork in this era before computers.
Eventually, the store’s owner tried to convince her to attend pharmacy school — and had to keep on trying, because she was initially, and continually, resistant to that idea.
“I said, ‘are you crazy? How would I ever know all these prescriptions and all this stuff?’” she recalled, adding that the pharmacist eventually tried to persuade her by highlighting the job-security aspects of the profession — one has to be licensed to do this work — and when that didn’t work, he focused on financial security and schedule flexibility.
“But again, I said, ‘thanks, but no thanks,’” she went on, adding that he finally sold her when he said she could attend UConn or the University of Rhode Island and pay in-state tuition because Massachusetts didn’t have a public pharmacy school. That was welcome news because she was paying for college herself.
As she was graduating from URI, the pharmacist who started her down this road was selling his five stores to CVS, but he essentially made McCaffrey part of the deal, so she worked for that chain for several years, and thoroughly enjoyed the work.
“I loved every minute of it — it was a phenomenal career,” she told BusinessWest. “You saw when people were getting healthier or better, or they’d share stories about their families — it was a great job, and I had a great team to work with.”
Part of that job was to do community-support programs, where she would speak on behalf of CVS and talk about the benefit of pharmacists or educate the public about their medications. And in the course of doing so, she became acquainted with people in the pharmaceutical industry, who encouraged her to join them.
Eventually — after being reminded that, if this didn’t work out, she could go back to pharmacy work — she made the leap, joining Eli Lilly first as a senior sales representative and then as a regional account executive, handling much of Central and Western Mass. and working with companies like HNE.
And this brings us back to that want ad she read in the Sunday paper, and the learning that she wanted to continue.
Healthy Outlook
As she talked about her first years with HNE, McCaffrey said there were plenty of learning opportunities, which eventually exposed her to every department in the company, the people who worked in them, and the processes for achieving continuous improvement and growth.
“They allowed me to take on opportunities that were stretch-risk assignments for departments where I had no idea, technically, what they did,” she explained. “But I knew I could work with people and I could help manage people, and we could get to the outcomes. And I also knew that, if you gave me time and let me sit down and work with people, I could understand the department and what they were doing.
“One of these was the call center,” she went on, “and later, it was enrollment, provider relations, and credentialing. I didn’t have a strong background in those departments, the people here are team players, but it’s all about collaboration; they’re OK if you’re not the world’s leading expert on call centers — as long as you’re willing to jump in, learn about it, look for opportunities to improve, and take care to develop the people on these teams, which I was.”
Taking full advantage of the opportunities given her, McCaffrey started moving up the ladder, from clinical pharmacist to Pharmacy Services manager to director of Pharmacy & Service Operations to vice president of Pharmacy & Service Operations. Then came another one of the exercises in risk-taking — assuming a new position essentially created for her: vice president of Marketing & Business Development.
“I had some marketing background from Eli Lilly — they put us through great training programs, but I didn’t go to college for marketing,” she explained, adding that she leaned on those who did to help build the HNE brand, while also engaging in business-development initiatives, such as launching the Medicare and Medicaid product lines.
After six years in that role, she was promoted to COO, another newly created position, which included everything she was already doing, in addition to sales and a new IT department.
By the spring of 2013, she found herself spending more and more time at Baystate Health — HNE’s parent company — working with its CEO, Mark Tolosky, and board members, and filling in for Straley at a number of meetings and events. Late that summer, not long after Straley made clear his intention to retire and the timeline to do so, Tolosky offered her the CEO’s job. She took over early last month.
Her new office is slightly larger than the one she’s occupied the past few years, and the responsibilities are certainly greater, but McCaffrey said her management style and her approach to working with others within the company won’t change.
When asked to describe it, she returned to that word ‘collaboration,’ which she described as the opposite of dictating, which is certainly not her style.
“I believe that, if you get teams to work together, you get a better product than if just one person is in a dictatorship role,” she said. “But, likewise, you can’t be afraid to make decisions; you need someone who can be decisive and, with either limited data or as much data as you have, make those decisions.
“More importantly, my leadership style is based on what we call our high-performance culture,” she went on, adding that there are three steps to creating it:
• Make sure employees know and understand that they are responsible for their own performance;
• Likewise, employees are responsible for the success of those who are critical to helping them get their job done, what the company calls ‘shareholders’; and
• Make it clear that employees have to give up their own agendas for the good of the company.
“You need to develop core relationships with the people you work with,” she went on. “To me, that’s the cornerstone of the high-performance culture we have here; you must develop relationships, even with the most challenging people, the people that are most difficult for you, the people who have opposite personalities than you. My expectation is that you will then understand where someone is coming from and empathize, put yourself in their shoes.”
Future Tense
Teamwork and a high-performance culture has enabled HNE to outperform competitors that are exponentially larger, said McCaffrey, and those qualities will be needed moving forward as the landscape for health plans becomes ever more challenging.
Looking ahead, she said that change is necessary — that aforementioned shift from the traditional pay-per-service model to one that rewards providers for keeping people from getting sick — and that it is happening, albeit not as quickly as most people would like.
“If we’re changing the way we practice medicine, from the fee-for-service, do-more-and-you-get-paid-more world, to one of population management and being responsible for a global budget for people, while at all times maintaining the highest-quality care possible … that’s not going to happen overnight,” she said. “But can I look out on Western Mass. and see flickers of positive behavior? I absolutely can.”
“But even with continued progress in population management, the real key to creating a healthier community will be to inspire people to take control of their own health and well-being,” said McCaffrey.
“That’s a challenge for every provider that interacts with someone; it’s a challenge for every disease-management group,” she told BusinessWest. “How do you convince someone that wearing a pedometer and walking 10,000 steps a day is really a good thing? They can read the material, they understand that, and they understand that, if they eat McDonald’s three times a week, that’s not good for their heart. Moving from knowing something to doing something, or not doing something, is the key.”
Now one of the few women in top-leadership positions among the region’s largest employers, McCaffrey was asked about these numbers and whether they are likely to change.
She said they might, if the business community becomes more willing to give women such opportunities and, more importantly, if women are willing to take the risks and do the hard work necessary to seize those opportunities.
“Women have to be willing to take risks and put themselves out there,” she said, adding that this goes for men as well. “If you want to sit back and hope that someone comes to you someday and says ‘would you like to be a CEO?’ then the chances of that happening are slim to none.
“But if you’re willing to manage your fears and your insecurities and say, ‘I don’t know how to manage a call center, but I know how to manage people, and if you know how to do that part of a job, the technical aspects will take care of themselves,’ then you can get the role you want — there’s no doubt in my mind,” she went on. “You have to be able to put aside those fears and say, ‘I can do this.’ You can’t be afraid; you can’t let fear hold you back.”
Bottom Line
It’s been a very intriguing 10 years for both the healthcare industry and McCaffrey since she told her husband she was “all in” on Health New England.
She’s shown repeatedly that she’s able to put aside those fears and insecurities she mentioned and not only reach for opportunities, but grasp them as well.
This is a philosophy that she believes permeates the entire company, and she’s intent on keeping it that way, as evidenced by the language in a global e-mail she sent to the staff just after she officially took over as CEO.
“I said that I was excited about what’s in store for us,” she recalled. “I said that there are times of change still ahead, and that if we keep to the core of who and what our company is, we can look at this change as opportunity and growth for the company.”
And as she goes about that assignment, she can certainly lead by example.
George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]
Friendly’s Restaurants Honored for Commitment to Easter Seals Programs
WINDSOR, Conn. — Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut recently honored Friendly’s Restaurants with the Corporate Leadership Award. The presentation was made at a Friendly’s restaurant in Springfield on April 15. Enfield and Manchester, Conn. stores were also recognized for their fund-raising success to benefit Easter Seals programs and services. Friendly’s has been raising money for Easter Seals since 1981 through coupon promotions featuring Valentine- and Halloween-themed offers and special events. Cumulatively, the Cones for Kids campaign has raised more than $28 million for Easter Seals, supporting recreational and social programs that give children with disabilities a sense of independence and accomplishment. The staying power of the program is testament to the commitment of both Friendly’s employees and customers, the company said. This year’s campaign featured two new elements. For a $2 donation to Easter Seals, children could receive a kid’s meal served on a Friendly’s Frisbee, and for a $1 donation, guests could get a discount card good for 10% off all purchases through May 18. Friendly’s restaurants also funded the update and redesign of Easter Seals’ award-winning disability-awareness curriculum, Friends Who Care. The program gives students the opportunity to learn what is involved when someone has a disability and how they adapt to live life, go to school, or work as independently as possible. “We’re proud to partner with Easter Seals and engage our employees, restaurant guests, and local communities in our cause,” said John Maguire, CEO and president of Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC. “We know that contributions to Easter Seals create life-changing solutions so that children with disabilities can live, learn, work and play.” Added Allen Gouse, president and CEO of Easter Seals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut, “Easter Seals recognizes Friendly’s Restaurants’ generosity, caring, and commitment, and that is why they are so deserving of this year’s Corporate Leadership Award.”
Big Y Donates $30,000 to Wounded Warrior Project
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. announced that it has donated $30,000 to the national Wounded Warrior Project 2013 Believe in Heroes campaign. Wounded Warriors of Jacksonville, Fla. is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 2003 to honor and empower wounded soldiers. Its Believe in Heroes campaign provides financial and emotional support and tools to the more than 44,000 servicemen and women who have been wounded in recent military conflicts. Its ultimate goal is to provide assistance so that these soldiers can thrive and achieve personal and professional success. This is the third year that Big Y has been part of Wounded Warriors. To date, it has donated a total of $100,000. Through a partnership with the Acosta Food brokerage company, Big Y promoted the Believe in Heroes campaign through weekly specials in its ads and stores last fall. This initiative helped to raise the public’s awareness of Wounded Warriors’ unique and direct programs and services that meet the needs of those injured in service to their country. “Being an American-owned company, it is important for us to support our military in their fight to preserve our freedoms,” said Michael D’Amour, the supermarket chain’s executive vice president. We’re grateful to Big Y’s employee and customer families for their support of this important campaign.”
1550 Main Named Building of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Building Owners and Managers Assoc. (BOMA) has presented 1550 Main in Springfield with its Outstanding Building of the Year award in the Government category of the Middle Atlantic Conference. This is the second consecutive year the redevelopment of the former federal building has won the award. MassDevelopment purchased and undertook the renovation of the former federal office building in 2009 as part of a strategy to revitalize downtown Springfield. The redevelopment of 1550 Main, completed in 2010, included the creation of 130,000 square feet of office space; renovation of the central plaza with new plantings and seating; new entrances, lighting, and signs; lobby and atrium renovations; elevator modernization and replacement; restroom upgrades; and exterior envelope repairs. The building is more than 90% leased. “We are grateful and honored that BOMA has recognized our efforts to transform 1550 Main into a vibrant part of downtown Springfield,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “The building has played a key role in the city’s business and arts communities and will continue to increase economic activities in Springfield.”
STCC Introduces Interpreter Program
SPRINGFIELD — The need for medical and community interpreters is rapidly increasing, and so is the demand for trained professionals in the field. The Center for Business and Technology at Springfield Technical Community College will offer a nine-week certificate program designed to prepare individuals for an entry-level career as a medical and community interpreter. The program, developed and offered in collaboration with TransFluenci, a regional leader in translation and interpretation services, will prepare new and experienced interpreters to work in hospitals, health clinics, law offices, governmental agencies, and more, following the standards and ethics of the profession. The program meets the requirements of the International Medical Interpreters Assoc. for national certification. The program is open to all languages, but students must be able to fully comprehend and communicate in both English and at least one other language. Because a selective interview is required before acceptance, students must register well in advance. The college will issue the Medical and Community Interpreting Certificate upon satisfactory completion of this program, and participants receiving the certificate will be given the opportunity to interview with Global Link Translations & Interpreting Services for potential employment as interpreters. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., starting May 28. Space is limited, and applications are now being accepted. Interested individuals should visit www.stcc.edu/wd or call (413) 755-4502 for details and registration information.
Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day
April 26: Breast-cancer survivors, their families, and friends are invited to celebrate life together at the 17th annual Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day on Saturday, April 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. Former WNBA player and breast-cancer survivor Edna Campbell will deliver the keynote address, titled “Bouncing Back,” at the popular event sponsored by Rays of Hope. Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer during her second season. After retiring from the WNBA four years later, Campbell became a nurse and now travels across the country sharing her story of survival while encouraging women to have regular breast exams and inspiring those who’ve been diagnosed. In addition to the keynote address, participants will be able to select two workshops from a number of topics, including “Breast Reconstruction,” “Coping Strategies for Caregivers,” “Personal Safety Tips,” “Let Your Yoga Dance,” “Advances in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer,” “Mindful Eating,” “Unclutter Your Life and Start Living,” and “The Joy of Card Making.” Two sessions will be offered in Spanish only: “Recomendaciones Sobre Seguridad Personal” and “Promoviendo la Caminata de Rays of Hope.” As part of this year’s Survivors’ Day, there will be a special art exhibit made up of artwork completed by participants in the Rays of Hope-sponsored “Art from the Heart” program facilitated by art therapist and silk artist Pat Hayes. The program — a series of art-therapy workshops offered twice a year — provides a creative outlet for women to work in watercolor, precious metal, clay, and other media. A continental breakfast and buffet luncheon will be served. The cost is $35 per person, with the remaining cost underwritten by Rays of Hope. Parking will be validated for the Civic Center Parking Garage only. For more information or to request a registration form, call (413) 794-9556.
Journey Around the World for Literacy
April 30: Link to Libraries invites you to travel to India, Asia, Latin America, France, Ireland, and Italy — all within the Delaney House and D. Hotel and Suites. A selection of ballrooms and suites will be transformed into different global destinations, complete with costumes, cuisine, décor, and local flavor. The event, which runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Delaney House on Route 5 in Holyoke, costs $25 per person, which includes multiple food stations.
An optional $10 buys unlimited sampling at specialty drink stations.
There will also be a cash bar. Funds will benefit literacy programs through Link to Libraries. To register, send a check,
payable to Link to Libraries Inc., to the following address: Link to Libraries, Attn. Karen Blinderman, Registrar, P.O. Box 958,
West Springfield, MA 01090. Your check is your reservation.
Not Just Business as Usual
May 1: The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation’s Not Just Business as Usual event is a key networking event for business leaders in Western Mass. This annual celebration, in its fifth year, is a celebration of innovative thinking which gives participants the opportunity to learn from business experts while raising significant funding for the STCC WORKS scholarship program. It will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A cocktail and networking reception will be run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner and keynote speaker to follow from 7 to 9 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Alan Robinson, award-winning author and associate dean of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Robinson will discuss his latest book, The Idea-Driven Organization: Unlocking the Power in Bottom-Up Ideas. Tickets are $175 each or $1,500 for a table of 10. For additional information contact Christina Tuohey, STCC’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at (413) 755-4475 or [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit www.stcc.edu/njbau.
40 Under Forty
June 19: The eighth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, honoring 40 of the region’s rising stars under 40 years old. Tickets to the gala cost $65, and they typically sell out quickly. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600.
Western Mass.Business Expo
Oct. 29: BusinessWest Magazine will present the Fourth Annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downmtown Springfield. The business-to-business show, which last year drew more than 2,000 visitors, will feature more than 100 booths, seminars and Show Floor Theater presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and a day-capping Expo Social. Details about specific events, programs, and featured speakers will be printed in future issues of BusinessWest. Comcast Business will again be Presenting Sponsor, while the social will be sponsored by Northwestern Mutual. Current Silver Sponsors are Health New England and DIF Design, and additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600.
ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• April 30: ACCGS Beacon Hill Summit, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by Sen. Gale Candaras. Hear from key legislators, members of the Patrick administration, and our local delegation. Cost: $180, including transportation, lunch at the Union Club, and a wrap-up reception at the 21st Amendment. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• May 7: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Chez Josef, 176 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. “Handicapping the Gubernatorial Elections with Political Consultant Anthony Cignoli.” Saluting Skoler Abbott & Presser, P.C. on its 50th anniversary and A.G. Miller Co. Inc. on its 100th anniversary. Reservations are $20 for members, $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• May 14: ERC Feast in the East, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road, Longmeadow. Local restaurants showcase their signature dishes. Cost: $25. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
• May 21: Capital Matchmaking/Business Coaching, 1-4 p.m., at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Business borrower and lender matchmaking event, ideal for small businesses. Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Common Capital, in cooperation with the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. Reservations are complimentary, but required. Contact Oreste Varela at [email protected] or (413) 785-0484 for details.
• May 27: ACCGS Pastries, Politics & Policy, 8-9 a.m., at TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Designed for political and policy junkies, featuring a policy expert and member of the Patrick administration. Reservations are $15 for members, $25 for general admission, and may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Cecile Larose at [email protected].
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
• April 23: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m., at Western MA Family Golf Center, 294 Russell St., Hadley. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.
• May 14: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m., at Western MA Family Golf Center, 294 Russell St., Hadley. Try the golf simulator and mini-golf, or just enjoy watching and networking. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.
• May 28: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. at Amherst Laser and Skin Care Center, 264 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.
CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• May 21: 48th annual George Ryan & Stanley Kokoszka Golf Tournament, 10 a.m. start, at Chicopee Country Club. Cost: $125 per golfer.
• May 22: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at WWLP-22News, One Broadcast Center, Chicopee. Tickets: $10 for pre-registered members, $15 for non-members.
• May 28: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. at Elms College. Tickets: $20 for members, $26 for non-members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• May 2: Wine & Microbrew Tasting, 6 p.m., at Wyckoff Country Club. All guests (age 21 and older) are welcome to enjoy samples of more than 42 delicious and unique grape and fruit wines. Not interested in wine? There’s also a microbrew tasting. Cost: $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
• May 3: Easthampton Downtown Clean Up Day, 8 a.m. Join us for a few hours of community spirit and support at the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Office, 33 Union St. Volunteers are encouraged to bring rakes, shovels, brush cutters, and gloves. No experience necessary. General cleanup of downtown, the rail trail, Cottage Street Municipal Parking Lot, the banks of the Nashawannuck Pond, and more. Sponsored by the Easthampton Development & Industrial Commission and the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the chamber Office at (413) 527-9414 or e-mail [email protected].
• May 8: Networking by Night. Call 527-9414 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• April 25: Ask a Chamber Expert Workshop, 8:30-10 a.m. “How to Use MassLive to Work for Your Business,” at the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 177 High St. Sponsored by MassLive/the Republican and Holyoke Community College. Cost: $10 for chamber members, $20 for the public. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
• April 29: Business Person of the Year Award Dinner, 6 p.m. at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. The Greater Holyoke Business Community honors Barbara Baran as business person of the year. Cost: $65. Register at the chamber office, call (413) 534-3376, or sign up online at www.holycham.com.
• May 14: Economic Development Breakfast/Valley Venture Mentors, at Dean Technical High School, 1045 Main St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Ferriter Law and Dowd Insurance. Valley Venture Mentors provides key support to entrepreneurs and startups, connecting them to the mentors they need to grow their business. Breakfast will be followed by a tour of Dean Tech. Cost: $20 for chamber members, $ 30 for the public. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 for more information, or sign up online at www.holycham.com.
• May 19: 46th annual Chamber Cup 2014 Golf Tournament, at Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Registration and lunch at 10:30 a.m., tee off at noon (scramble format), dinner afterward with elaborate food stations catered by the Log Cabin. Cost: $125 per player includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. Dinner only: $25. Winner awards, raffles, and cash prizes follow dinner. Tournament sponsors: Log Cabin and PeoplesBank. Corporate Sponsors: Dowd Insurance, Goss & McLain Insurance Agency, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Mountain View Landscapes, Holyoke Medical Center, People’s United Bank, and Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll. Call the chamber office at (413) 534-3376 or register online at www.holycham.com.
• May 28: Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, 5 p.m., at the Delaney House. Sponsored by the Greater Holyoke of Chamber Corporate Leaders. The program is followed by the presentation of the Fifield Award celebrating the volunteer of the year; join elected officials as they award various proclamations to the esteemed recipient. Networking and cocktails at 5, business meeting and elections at 5:30, dinner at 6. The program will include the chamber’s plan for 2014-15, an overview of how the chamber is working for members, and a salute to new members. Admission: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. The public is invited to attend.
• May 21: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Hotel D., 1 Country Club Way, Holyoke. Sponsored by Easthampton Saving Bank and hosted by chamber members. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• April 22: “Art of Small Business” series, “Clients,” 8:30- 9:30 a.m. at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St. Guests speaker: Tina Stevens of Stevens 470. Admission is free, but registration is required.
• May 7: Arrive@ 5, 5-7 p.m., at King & Cushman, 176 King St., Northampton. Sponsored by Applied Mortgage Services Corp., King Auto Body, and Goggins Real Estate. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at [email protected].
• May 15: “Art of Small Business” series, “Managing Consultants,” 9-10:30 a.m., at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St. Guest speaker: Don Lesser of Pioneer Training. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
• May 19: Bitcoin Informational Seminar, 3-4 p.m. at Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. Sponsored by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. Guest speaker: Jesse Vanek. This seminar examines basic Bitcoin concepts, including arguments for and against this powerful, often-misunderstood, and potentially disruptive new technology. Cost: free, but pre-registration is required. To register, call (413) 584-1900 or e-mail [email protected].
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• April 30: Beacon Hill Summit, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hosted by Sen. Gale Candaras. Hear from key legislators and members of the Patrick Administration. Includes bus, lunch, and reception. Cost: $180 per person. For more information, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• May 5: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at the Westfield Gas & Electric Operations Center, 40 Turnpike Industrial Road, Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. Mayor Daniel Knapik will field questions and give information about upcoming city events and construction information. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• May 14: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at the Noble & Cooley Center for Historical Preservation, 42 Water St., Granville. Bring a prospective member for free. Cost: $10 for members $15 cash at the door for non-members. Your first After 5 is free. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• May 19: 53rd annual Golf Tournament, featuring prime rib and poker, at Shaker Farms Country Club. Registration is at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call Pam at the chamber office for more information at (413) 568-1618, or visit the chamber website.
Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]
Healthy Contribution
Easthampton Savings Bank recently made a $10,000 contribution to the Holyoke Community College Foundation for the Center for Health Education. When it opens, the facility will be equipped with sophisticated patient simulators, ranging from maternity and newborn to pediatric and geriatric, in support of nursing education. HCC will also use the classrooms in the center for outreach programs that will provide free and low-cost health-education programs for residents of Holyoke, Easthampton, and surrounding communities. Pictured, from left, are William Messner, president of Holyoke Community College; Joanna Brown, director of Alumni Relations; and Matt Sosik, president and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank.
A Living Treasure
Noted Springfield-area photographer James Langone, left, was honored with the annual Dorothy Jordan Pryor Award on April 2 at Springfield Technical Community College. He’s seen here with Prior and STCC President Ira Rubenzahl. The award is presented to “living treasures” in the community, such as Pryor, who was named professor emerita of STCC, taught in the college’s English department for many years, and later served as STCC’s first affirmative-action officer. Following her retirement, she was appointed by the governor to two five-year terms on the STCC board of trustees, which elected her vice chairman. Over a five-decade photographic career, Langone has chronicled area colleges, business and industry, famous individuals, and major events. He is a well-known commercial photographer, working for advertising agencies representing national and international organizations. His iconic image of the Springfield riverfront and Memorial Bridge hangs in many local offices.
Business Book Link Sponsor
Springfield-based Rick’s Auto Body recently became the newest Link to Libraries Business Book Link sponsor with its support and contribution of more than 300 new books each year to the Baystate Academy Charter School on Franklin Street in Springfield. Seen here are, from left, Tim Sneed, Baystate Charter School CEO; Link to Libraries Project Director Dr. Susan Landry; and Mari Tarpinian, representing Rick’s Auto Body, with a group of sixth-grade students.
Wilbraham Carefully Crafts a Plan for Growth
Tracey Plantier and John Pearsall say Wilbraham residents want to maintain the town’s historic New England charm.
“Wilbraham is primarily a residential community, and what attracts people here is the quality of life,” said the town’s planning director. “But people are also comfortable with the idea that Boston Road is very commercial, and they want growth there to continue.”
These opinions were voiced repeatedly in studies contained in a report released last September titled “Wilbraham Looks Forward.” It documents the results of surveys and focus-group meetings conducted by an all-volunteer vision task force over an 18-month period. Members of the panel were appointed by the Planning Board, and their goal was to solicit opinions from residents and business owners about what they appreciate about the town as well as change they would like to see in coming years.
“Our mission was to generate a consensus-based guiding vision to address Wilbraham’s current and evolving challenges and opportunities,” said vision team chair Tracey Plantier, who is a member of the Planning Board and volunteer for the Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee (more about the report later).
Wilbraham was devastated by the tornado that swept through Western Mass. in 2011, but the majority of that damage has been repaired. And although commercial and residential growth has been slow since 2008, Pearsall said, “last year, things started to rebound.”
In December, Lumber Liquidators opened on 2148 Boston Road, and two auto dealerships made significant investments in their properties. Balise Ford held a grand-opening ceremony to welcome the public to a new, 26,000-square-foot, $4.2 million dealership about 11 months ago. The expansion added about 20 new jobs and helped strengthen the town’s tax base.
“Officials from Balise told us they were impressed by the town’s streamlined permitting process,” said Pearsall. “They described it as effortless compared to other communities.”
In addition, Lia Toyota’s showroom on 2145 Boston Road got a $300,000 facelift last year. “And Baystate Self Store LLC on 2350 Boston Road is expected to open in June with 73,125 square feet of available storage space,” said Pearsall, adding that some of it will be climate-controlled.
Growth is also occurring in the residential sector, as 18 new homes and/or condominiums were built in 2013 at a cost of $4.74 million. “The majority were in the Gardens at Wilbraham and in Cedar Ridge, which are both on Boston Road,” Pearsall said.
Eric Fuller, the town’s planning director, told BusinessWest that the three-mile strip of Boston Road that runs through Wilbraham is zoned for commercial and industrial use and contains land and buildings available for purchase or for lease. “Properties for sale include the former Medeiros Williams Chevrolet Co. building and lot.”
Pearsall agrees that opportunity abounds on Boston Road, home to a significant amount of underutilized and/or vacant space. “The former Taylor Rental property next to Home Depot is available, and on a smaller scale, there is space for lease in a number of strip malls,” he said. “Plus, the site across the street from Post Office Park has been cleaned up and is for sale.”
Post Office Park is a horseshoe-shaped, planned commercial development on Boston Road with two entrances and traffic signals. The back of the property is home to many businesses that are attractive to families, including the YMCA’s Wilbraham branch, All American Gymnastics, a dance academy, some small retail shops, and a pediatric medical office.
But land is still available at the front of the park, which Pearsall said is suitable for a high-profile retail business, due to its visibility from Boston Road and the fact that 40,000 vehicles travel up and down the busy thoroughfare each day.
“It is a significant commuter route, with Springfield to the west, Palmer to the east, and the entrance to the Mass Turnpike in Palmer,” he said. “Jake’s Restaurant across the street feeds off the traffic from the people who attend recreational and sporting events at Post Office Park, and Eastfield Mall, just down the road in Springfield, attracts shoppers.”
Enhanced Value
Education is important to Wilbraham residents, and the town boasts three secondary schools, including the private Wilbraham-Monson Academy; the parochial Cathedral High, temporarily housed in the old Memorial School building; and the new, $50 million, state-of-the-art Minnechaug Regional High School, which serves students from Wilbraham and Hampden.
“When people come into my office, they always ask about our schools, and the high quality we offer is a really big draw,” Pearsall said, explaining that the new high school has a day-care facility, and the grounds of the old building have been turned into athletic playing fields.
Eric Fuller shows off a copy of “Wilbraham Looks Forward,” which documents opinions solicited from residents and business owners.
Major investments have also been made at Spec Pond, which is home to a summer day camp run by the Parks and Recreation Department. “More than $1 million has been spent in the park over the last few years,” said Fuller. “We have new pavilions, a new playground, and new playing fields for youth baseball, lacrosse, and softball. It’s a very large complex with lights that can also be used for night football. Plus, a spray park is being installed and will be ready by the time summer arrives.”
In another section of town, the iconic Rice Fruit Farm building is undergoing a major renovation. “The Rice family ran their farm for many generations and grew their fruit stand into a retail store,” Pearsall explained. But the storefront has been vacant since the family closed the business about five years ago.
Fuller said there was some interest in redeveloping the site, but its residential zoning was a stumbling block. However, that changed recently when the Planning Board revised the zoning based on the fact that the building had been operated as a farm stand. “It allowed the new owner to repurpose the structure and make it into a viable business,” he explained.
The retail establishment, called Heritage Farm Stand, is expected to open within the next few months. “They’ll sell fruit, ice cream, pies, and baked goods, and will have indoor and outdoor seating,” Pearsall said. “This is an adaptive reuse of a building that everyone in town wanted to reopen.”
Vision Quest
The town is comprised of a number of neighborhoods — Wilbraham Center, North Wilbraham, East Wilbraham, Wilbraham Mountain, South Wilbraham, the Boston Road Corridor, and the Pines section — and during the past year, residents and business owners from all sectors had the opportunity to voice their opinions about what type of change they would like to see in the future via surveys conducted by the Vision Task Force.
“We created subcommittees that did in-depth studies on education, land use, livability, and town services,” Plantier said. “The study was unique and something that few towns do, but we wanted to create a focused vision strategy.”
To that end, the task force developed an extensive questionnaire titled “Community Insights,” and residents were given the opportunity to respond online or in writing at town meetings, at concerts in Fountain Park, and during tours of the new high school held at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year.
The study was designed to provide input on what Plantier refers to as “the dynamics of change,” and answer the questions, “where are we going?” “what are we in the process of becoming if we follow the current course?” and “what will Wilbraham look like in 20 years and beyond if current trends continue?”
The task force also held focus-group sessions with business owners, members of the Boston Road Business Assoc., the Rotary Club, the East of the River Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations. In addition, a survey was mailed to 200 businesses.
The final event was called Imagine Wilbraham Day, which was attended by 100 people who had the opportunity to express or reiterate their opinions about what works well in town and what changes could prove beneficial. The results have been compiled in a report titled “Wilbraham Looks Forward,” and a new committee has been created to facilitate ways to implement desired change.
However, two items that emanated from the surveys are already on the town’s agenda and will be voted on during the May 12 town meeting. The first involves signage and would allow new businesses to erect temporary signs welcoming customers.
The second would permit an expansion of land use in Wilbraham Center. Pearsall explained that every plot of land in the neighborhood is currently zoned as either neighborhood/office space or neighborhood/shopping space. “We are not changing the zoning; we are homogenizing it,” he said, adding that the proposal would give property owners the ability to create food establishments or small shops in that section of town.
However, Plantier reiterated that, although residents want more shopping and restaurant options, they are deeply committed to maintaining the look and feel of Wilbraham, which she described as “a scenic, small New England town.”
“One of the biggest challenges to our economic development is balancing the change that residents want while keeping the look and feel of a scenic, historic small town with green, open space,” she said, adding that two requests voiced repeatedly in the survey are for additional sidewalks and bike lanes along the roadways.
The May town meeting will also give residents the chance to learn about volunteer opportunities with the town’s nonprofit organizations. Booths will be set up by representatives who will be ready and willing to share information. “This is important, as many people who responded to the survey expressed an interest in becoming more engaged in town, and said they want to see more events held in our community,” Plantier said.
Wilbraham also has two active committees pushing for a new safety complex and senior center. Although financial resources are limited, the Fire Department completed a $2.8 million renovation of its main fire station last year. “It was brilliantly done in a manner that didn’t require the town to borrow any money,” Fuller said. “It was a collaborative effort, and the fire chief was committed to adapting what he had to the needs of the department through the use of available funds.”
Pearsall added that the project set a precedent “to be creative and try to get the best results at the lowest cost to the taxpayers.”
Home-based Help
One thing that makes Wilbraham unique is the willingness of its residents to share their time to improve life in town.
“Many people own businesses or have professional expertise and are happy to contribute their talents or make donations to programs here,” said Pearsall. “There is a lot of community support to improve the quality of life.”
That trend is sure to continue as “Wilbraham Looks Forward,” paying due diligence to the opinions of residents who take great pride in the place they call home.
Wilbraham at a glance
Year Incorporated: 1763
<strong>Population: 14,868 (2010); 13,473 (2000)
Area: 22.4 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $20.44
Commercial Tax Rate: $20.44
Median Household Income: $90,670
Family Household Income: $102,557
Type of government: Open Town Meeting
Largest employers: Friendly Ice Cream Corp.; Town of Wilbraham; Wilbraham and Monson Academy; Life Care Center of Wilbraham
* Latest information available
Six Flags New England Reaches Higher — Much Higher
By JOSEPH BEDNAR and ROBERT GEBO
Jennifer McGrath says the 400-foot-tall New England Sky Screamer will take the classic theme-park swing ride to the extreme.
The tallest of those, the award-winning Bizarro rollercoaster and the Scream drop ride, reach about 200 feet into the air, offering breathtaking — and, for some riders, nerve-wracking — views of the river, Mount Tom to the north, and Connecticut to the south.
Now imagine being twice that high.
Actually, visitors won’t have to imagine once the park unveils its newest attraction, the New England Sky Screamer, this summer. Lifting patrons 400 feet up and then swinging them around for two minutes at 35 mph, it’s touted as the world’s tallest swing ride.
Clearly, Six Flags has come a long way in the 15 years since the chain acquired historic Riverside Park, adding it to its international stable of destinations, adding numerous major rides and a bustling water park, and effectively doubling the property’s size. And now, it’s touting a new height record to boot.
“It’s taking that swing ride we know and love and adding every possible element of thrill and fear into it,” said Jennifer McGrath, communications manager for Six Flags New England. “Your arms and legs are exposed in the air, your swing is on chains, just like that classic family swing ride — except this is not classic.”
The ride, which is painted red, white, and blue, will glow with color-changing LED lights at night, she added. “We don’t feel it’s just a new ride for Six Flags New England; we feel it’s a new icon, something people will identify with Western Mass. You can see it from the Springfield area and well into Enfield and Suffield. Six Flags loves breaking records, and they feel this ride is something special, and they know Six Flags guests are going to love it.”
As a prominent chain in a highly competitive industry, Six Flags is always looking to the future, mapping out a national strategy of park additions to keep the buzz high at its 13 parks in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Not every park gets a major addition on the level of a Sky Screamer every year, but Agawam has received plenty of recent attention, adding the Bonzai Pipeline slides in the Hurricane Harbor water park in 2013, the Goliath switchback coaster in 2012, and the Gotham City Gauntlet mouse coaster in 2011.
“It’s amazing what we’ve evolved to, and we continue to grow,” McGrath said, noting that it’s a cornerstone of the Six Flags brand to continually invest new capital in its properties.
“In true Six Flags fashion, we’re going even bigger in 2014 with our new attractions,” added Jim Reid-Anderson, the chain’s chairman, president, and CEO, in a press statement. “Our promise to you is to bring something new to every single park every year.”
Work and Play
Economic-development and tourism officials have long pointed to Six Flags New England as a major economic engine for the region. While the park, as a publicly held company, does not release attendance figures, it easily outdraws the number-two tourist attraction in Western Mass., Yankee Candle Village, which records 1.5 million guests per year.
Six Flags officials say they’re committed to introducing something new at all the chain’s parks every year.
Six Flags is a significant employer as well, with more than 100 year-round employees, about half of whom work in maintenance. In the offseason, they’re busy enhancing the grounds, from new painting and signage to landscaping and structural improvements.
In addition, the park hires more than 3,000 seasonal workers annually, giving a major boost to the region’s efforts to employ high-school and college-age individuals, who are facing an historically lean market for summer jobs.
“They’re one of the largest hiring employers in the summer for seasonal purposes, which is great in these economic times,” Cohen said, referring to not only young people, but older individuals who might be unemployed or between jobs. “They really are good neighbors, and we’re really proud to have them in Agawam.”
He noted that the public ownership group that bought Six Flags in 2010 has been much easier to work and communicate with than Premier Parks, which operated the chain from 1998 until its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring a decade later. That’s important, he said, when planning a project like the Sky Screamer, which has the potential of drawing bigger crowds to the park, but is also a significant change to this small town’s skyline.
“They came to us early, in a very timely manner, and answered all our questions,” the mayor said, adding that Agawam residents were largely supportive of the project. “There were some people — not many — afraid that this would change the landscape of the area. But we already have cell towers. And they did this in patriotic colors. They took our concerns into consideration, and it was done tastefully. I have not had many — if any — complaints at all.
“Everything was done expeditiously — the public announcement, meetings, permits,” he reiterated. “They don’t wait until the last minute. Since the new regime took over, they work well on the local level, answering the concerns that people have. The relationship is much healthier, and communication has been much better.”
That’s not to say the park hasn’t been growing all along. Since becoming a Six Flags property in 1998, it has introduced a raft of thrill rides, including Bizarro (formerly Superman: Ride of Steel), winner of five Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today as the nation’s top steel coaster, in 2000; Flashback, a switchback coaster, also in 2000; Batman: the Dark Knight, a floorless coaster, in 2002; Pandemonium, a kid-friendly spinning coaster, in 2005; and, of course, the recent additions.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Harbor, which now totals 33 waterslides in addition to a lazy river, two wave pools, and other watery fun, opened in 1998 as part of the Six Flags makeover.
The entire property now comprises more than 270 acres, and ranks as both the largest amusement park and largest water park in New England.
Food for Thought
Other recent changes are less flashy, but are significant to many patrons. For example, McGrath said, restaurant menus will add food items, including more vegetarian fare — a shift that guests had been asking for. Once again, the park will offer a $99 dining plan along with its popular season-ticket options, allowing guests one lunch and one dinner per visit throughout the season.
As for the season tickets, they are priced at different tiers — higher tiers include free parking all year, among other amenities — but tend to pay for themselves within two or three visits, making Six Flags an affordable recreation option for area families, McGrath said. That’s important in a stressed economy, when many families can’t afford to fly to vacation destinations. “This is a day trip for anyone, all the way up to Maine — down to Pennsylvania, even.”
Many of those visitors are parents and grandparents taking their kids to Six Flags and sharing their fond memories of Riverside Park, which existed as an amusement park alongside the Connecticut River for about 90 years.
Some relics remain on the grounds, McGrath said, from the 1909 carousel to the antique automobiles that rattle along a metal track and give youngsters the chance to experience driving a car. Then there’s the Thunderbolt, the 1941 wooden coaster — standing 70 feet tall and traveling up to 40 mph — that has been called a landmark by American coaster enthusiasts. Six Flags preserves rides like this, McGrath said, because the company understands the special memories they have for many.
No matter what a ride’s age, she noted, maintenance teams check each attraction daily, often from as early as 5 a.m. “Our staff is diligent in regard to checking safety, and it’s a main focus — before the park opens, during, after, every potential minute for our guests, it’s a thorough process.”
Besides its obvious link to families, Six Flags involves itself in the community through charity events as well, working with more than 3,000 organizations annually across its 13-park footprint. Locally, that includes school-supply drives and coat drives for children, as well as Cause for Paws, an event that raises money for the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, and an annual skin-cancer-awareness event.
But the main buzz right now is clearly on the rides, which opened to their first guests of the 2014 season on April 12. New England Sky Screamer will open a bit later in the season, and though it’s expected to be a hit, it won’t be the last one, McGrath said.
“Right now, we are well into the planning process of 2015, even though we are executing 2014,” she told BusinessWest. “When it comes to building a new attraction for the park, we listen to our guests, of course, and what they would like to see in the future. We want to entertain those of all ages.”
After all, at the end of the day, it’s all about reaching new heights of entertainment — literally and figuratively.
Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]
Historic Deerfield Opens a Door to 18th-Century New England
By KEVIN FLANDERS
Philip Zea says his mission at Historic Deerfield is to bring the heritage of the Connecticut River Valley to life.
And they do so with an intriguing, and always evolving, blend of education and entertainment.
“We’re a lot like a professional sports team in the sense that what we do for a living is other people’s recreation,” said Zea as he worked through an interesting analogy. “We want everyone who comes here to have a great time, but also an informative time.”
Once a bustling destination along the 18th-century Boston-to-Albany road, the 104-acre property is now one of the state’s most popular outdoor history museums. Zea, who has enjoyed two stints at Historic Deerfield, first as chief curator for 18 years and later as president — a position he has held for 11 years — oversees a staff of 47. His passion for researching history and sharing it with others has allowed the museum to steadily increase its attendance over the past five years, thus boosting the bottom line at a time when many museums struggle to gain the time and attention of families with plenty of entertainment options.
And Zea and his staff have a positive outlook for the museum, which saw its total income increase by more than $328,000 from 2012 to 2013 (excluding $510,000 awarded to the museum in 2012 through business-interruption proceeds disbursed as a result of Tropical Storm Irene; more on that later). The solid rebound year generated total revenues of more than $4 million for the facility, said Zea, noting that the biggest challenge facing his staff in future years is to continue to evolve and improve to better serve the community’s needs.
“We want to provide people with a sense of confidence that, if they invest their time and money in us, then they are going to come here and have a good time,” he said. “We’re constantly reinventing ourselves and learning more about the history of the area to ensure the public has a great experience here.”
Education is a primary focus for the museum staff, which hosts thousands of students each year from throughout Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Along with Plimoth Plantation and Old Sturbridge Village, Historic Deerfield ranks at the top of the field-trip list for teachers looking to bring their students to an outdoor history museum. Boasting 54 buildings and an expansive campus, students can view everything from hearth-cooking demonstrations to architectural woodworking.
“We have a very robust education program here. In addition to field trips, we also provide programs to help Girl Scouts earn their badges,” said Laurie Nivison, Historic Deerfield’s director of marketing. “We’re looking into arranging programs for the Boy Scouts as well.”
Drawing new visitors is an annual priority for the staff. Zea said the museum has seen an increase in school field trips since 2012, but family trips and private tours in the summer and fall months have also accounted for a significant percentage of visitors. While Historic Deerfield largely remains a hidden New England gem — residents of New England states represented just half of the museum’s total visitors in 2013 — national and international interest has picked up, with 10% of last year’s guests visiting from foreign countries.
The museum’s collection of early-American furniture, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork is a key draw for many guests. The collection was expanded in 2013 with the acquisition of 178 rare objects, including 48 items from the William T. Brandon Memorial Collection of American Redware and Ceramics. All but 30 of the items acquired this year were gifts to Historic Deerfield.
“What’s great about working here is that the setting is the story, with the meadows and village and buildings all adding up to be our biggest artifact,” Zea said. “We like to focus on what people’s lifestyles were like back in the 18th century, learning not only from the physical environment but also the temporal environment.”
Added Nivision, “depending on what your interests are, there’s something here for everyone.”
History Lessons
With ongoing research conducted daily by staff members, there’s something new to learn about the region’s history with each visit. From Benedict Arnold’s arrival in Deerfield to recruit troops (before his turncoat days) to the significance of Barnard Tavern as a political and social hub of the community, new knowledge is just waiting to be discovered at a very old place.
As early as the 1800s, Historic Deerfield, site of the infamous Indian raid of 1704 that claimed the lives of 50 settlers, was attracting history buffs, Zea said, describing letters in the museum’s research library that document Mount Holyoke College students traveling to the campus in the 1830s.
But in order to preserve and present history, the staff at Historic Deerfield must address a number of challenges — everything from Mother Nature (this is an outdoor facility) to that aforementioned competition for the time and dollars of 21st-century families.
For starters, said Zea, the staff must embrace the innate challenge of maintaining the buildings where history was made. Major renovations of two prominent buildings have topped the list of priorities in recent years. The Deerfield Inn, which was damaged by floodwaters during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, was dramatically transformed, including a completely renovated kitchen, the installation of a new fireplace in the dining room, and significant upgrades to the terrace room. Built in 1884, the building continues to serve travelers as it did 130 years ago.
“Reactions to the new interior design have been overwhelmingly positive,” wrote Anne Groves, chair of Historic Deerfield’s board of trustees, in a letter for the museum’s annual report. “The project team did an exemplary job in managing the renovation and the financial analysis involved in bringing the Inn back online.”
Meanwhile, Barnard Tavern is in the process of undergoing an extensive makeover, which includes repairing the foundation, stabilizing the chimneys, restoring wall paneling, replacing the heating system, and reconstructing the stairway and railings. Completion of the project is scheduled for 2015, 220 years after the tavern was first constructed in 1795.
Meanwhile, attendance is an ongoing challenge, and the staff at the museum addresses it by establishing new and engaging programs and exhibits.
Last year, for example, introduced a three-day workshop called “Every Dish Has a Past,” focused on research of historical recipes — a program that concluded in tasty fashion, with participants cooking the meals they researched.
Moreover, the theme of the museum’s 2014 Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife will be sports and recreation in New England. Taking place June 20-22, the annual seminar will include presentations on hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, marksmanship, horsemanship, and the paths to popularity of sports like hockey, baseball, and basketball. Lectures will also be given on the history of sports record keeping and statistics, as well as the evolution of sports apparel.
Along with these new additions to the museum’s lineup, Historic Deerfield will return many of its beloved events and activities from past years, beginning on April 26, when a Patriots’ Day re-enactment will feature a cannon-firing display, a parade, and colonial craft activities. The museum will also host its annual Columbus Day antique show, presented by the Antiques Dealers Assoc. of America.
“The Patriots’ Day event is always fun for families, usually drawing at least 300 people,” Nivison said. “It’s a great chance to come out and see several different groups take part in the re-enactment.”
Another goal for the staff in 2014 is to not only educate visitors about the setting and the historical events that have taken place in Deerfield, but to also accentuate the stories of the people who made those events significant.
Zea said it’s imperative to emphasize what people’s lives were like so visitors will have a better understanding of their motivations and interests. The rise of Deerfield as a cultural and political hub, for example, was contingent on geography and the arrangement of roadways, with Deerfield marking the intersection between the Boston-to-Albany road and the north-south Hartford-to-Hanover (N.H.) route, an 18th-century equivalent to the junction of I-90 and I-91.
“It’s important to focus on community history and also domestic history by sharing how people lived and traveled and encountered locations like Deerfield in the first place,” said Zea.
It Takes a Village
The phrase ‘living museum’ has come into use in recent years to categorize facilities like Historic Deerfield, and it’s an apt term.
It accurately describes how such museums show how people lived, but it also suggests that such facilities are constantly evolving and finding new ways to not only transport people back in time, but to help them understand what they’re seeing and put it into historical perspective.
It’s all a part of making the past come alive, said Zea, adding that Historic Deerfield’s imaginative work of the past several years will ensure a solid future for this key regional tourist destination.
Regional Program Manager, Raising a Reader Massachusetts, age 37
Francia Wisnewski takes pride in doing all she can to increase literacy and help families and children. “I’m a firm believer that providing high-quality, enriching opportunities for young children is critical for laying a strong foundation for their long-term health, well-being, and success,” she said, “and I am passionate about advocating for and promoting legislation that supports families and children.”
Passionate … and busy. The regional program manager for Raising a Reader is a 2008 Schott Fellow, an elected member/chair of the Greenfield School Committee, member of the Greenfield Democratic Town Committee, a three-time winner of Community Action’s Caught in the Act Award, an advisory board member of District Attorney David Sullivan’s Franklin County Children’s Advocacy Center, a 2012 participant in the Early Educator Fellowship Initiative, and a 2012 Emerge Massachusetts Fellow.
Wisnewski grew up in Colombia and worked as a biology teacher before moving to this country to pursue a master’s degree in education at UMass Amherst. After settling in Greenfield, she immersed herself in volunteer work and selflessly continues to give time and effort to causes she believes in. “You have to do whatever you can to be part of the community, and I enjoy being involved in an inclusive process,” she said, adding that she believes it is important to educate children to their full potential and raise the quality of life for families.
The wife of Mark Wisnewski and mother of Luke, 11, and Corin, 8, she was a developmental specialist for the REACH Early Intervention program at ServiceNet in Franklin County and served as coordinator of Family Center Programs for Community Action in Greenfield for 10 years before assuming her current job at Raising a Reader.
Wisnewski said her work at the Family Center, which included promoting literacy events, taught her that she could make a difference and empower others. “I learned the value of networking and building support,” she explained. “There are many people with voices that are unheard who just need a little push.”
She knows communities will always face challenges. “But when they come, you need to be flexible, make the best of everything, and move forward.”
— Kathleen Mitchell
President, Click Workspace; Manager, River Valley Investors; Co-founder, Valley Venture Mentors, age 37
It was a gift from his mother.
That might be motivation enough for Paul Silva to wear the bright yellow ‘rubber duckie’ tie that takes a small but increasingly significant role within his wardrobe. But he has other reasons — or at least one big one.
“Whenever my students are having a graduation ceremony or they’re presenting at a competition, I’ll wear this tie, and I usually have a rubber duckie with me, and I squeeze the duck,” he said. “It’s meant to relieve students’ stress; if the guy in front is wearing a rubber duck tie, how bad can it be?”
Silva has had to pull the tie from the closet more often in recent years, as his responsibilities, and business cards, within the broad realm of entrepreneurship and venture capital multiply. Currently, he is the president of the incubator and co-working space in Northampton known as Click Workspace. He calls it “an office without a boss.” He’s also manager of the River Valley Investors (RVI) angel-investor network and co-founder of the Valley Venture Mentors (VVM) entrepreneurship-mentoring program. He also advises the UMass Amherst Entrepreneurship Initiative and the Smith College Draper Business Plan Competition. Last fall, wearing his now-famous tie, he was emcee for the inaugural pitch contest at the Western Mass. Business Expo.
And while this father of two young girls carries a rubber duck with him to a host of events, Silva is quite serious about what he does, and he summons words and phrases from his college work in computational physics, such as ‘critical mass,’ to describe how the region has made strides to inspire entrepreneurship and then keep young business owners in Western Mass.
Summing things up with more humor, though, he said some have called him the “romantic comedy of entrepreneurship.”
“I’m at the colleges, I’m at the intro, where boy meets girl, someone has an idea and meets a business partner, and they start to explore it,” he explained. “They go to VVM to revamp their idea, and then they go to RVI, and if it all works out, they get investors, they get married. Then the hard work starts, and I’m not involved anymore.”
Until he reaches into the closet for the tie again.
— George O’Brien
President and CEO, the Creative Strategy Agency Inc., age 29
October 2010. This was a time of extreme mixed emotions for Alfonso Santaniello.
On the one hand, he gained the first national client, Agway, for the Creative Strategy Agency, a digital marketing and communications firm with a focus on web, mobile, and video that he launched roughly a year earlier. But he also lost his only sister, Lucia. Looking back, he said Lucia ultimately became his “motivating factor” as he battled through a long and difficult stretch for his new venture and eventually put it on solid financial footing.
Today, his client portfolio includes Williams Distributing, the United Way, the Insurance Center of New England, and others who have benefited from Santaniello’s expertise in everything from website design to effective use of social media.
Recounting how his firm survived a slow start and has since enjoyed steady growth, Santaniello said that, when he started his venture, many firms, large and small, were still trying to find their way in the quickly changing landscape of social media, and were, by and large, unaware of how they could use the various vehicles to build brand awareness and reach new audiences.
So he started to educate them. Indeed, he launched and hosted an online webinar, which morphed into a web talk show, called Strictly Businews, focusing on local business with an entertainment-like feel. After two years of the show and preaching the many potential benefits of social media to companies up and down the Pioneer Valley, it all started to gel.
And while continuing to grow his company, Santaniello spreads what little time he has left among a number of area nonprofit organizations, including the United Way, Human Resources Unlimited, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, and assisting events such Valley Gives. A 2013 graduate of Leadership Pioneer Valley and a spinoff project called Next Generation Pioneers, a resource for young professionals in the Pioneer Valley, he’s leading by example and feels that Western Mass. has a solid corps of young leaders.
“There’s a lot of synergy going on … a good vibe,” he said. “And over the next five to 10 years, I see young people doing more in the community.”
— Elizabeth Taras
Risk Oversight Officer, PeoplesBank, age 27
Armed with a business management degree from Springfield College, Robert Raynor said he wasn’t looking specifically at the banking world. “But it was definitely the most interesting option out there.”
So he joined PeoplesBank as a management development trainee in 2009 and was soon promoted to risk oversight auditor and then risk oversight officer. In that role, he develops and completes detailed financial and operational audits to evaluate the effectiveness of management controls, accuracy of financial information, and policy compliance.
“It’s a lot of testing, a lot of report writing, and a lot of interactions with various departments,” he said, adding that he enjoys this diversity because he has the opportunity to learn about many different areas of the bank, including ever-changing regulations, processes, and technology.
But Raynor also appreciates how PeoplesBank provides plenty of opportunities to improve its internal culture, which he takes by serving on the institution’s social committee, professional book club, employee appreciation committee, and especially the environmental committee, for which he’s currently co-president. On that group, he helped launch a program to promote and track employee carpooling, helps plan and run an annual environmental fair, contributes articles to a newsletter about green initiatives, and coordinates community events like cleanup days and tree plantings.
“Sometimes I feel like I really lucked out with where I work, and being able to come here directly after college,” he said. “I feel extremely lucky because not only do I have a number of opportunities professionally, but many opportunities to get involved in things like the environmental committee. I feel very good about the work I do and know I’m helping an organization involved in helping the community.
“It’s something that gets all the employees active,” he added. “The bank is great about giving us the time and resources to do these things.”
His community involvement extends to other organizations as well, including extensive work on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke.
“The Boys and Girls Club is such an amazing organization,” Raynor said. “I see the work that gets done there. It’s a great way to be involved in a community organization that directly helps children better themselves. It works.”
— Joseph Bednar
Director of Human Resources, Peter Pan Bus Lines Inc., age 35
Jason Randall is deeply committed to his family, his job, and the Pioneer Valley. “I’m driven to continually improve things, whether it is myself, the community, or the business I work for,” he said.
Randall has a strong history of leadership, organizational change, and process improvement, and has been promoted repeatedly in the three years he has worked for Peter Pan Bus Lines.
He wants to make a mark, but thinks carefully before responding to ideas. “I get all the facts,” he said, adding that, when he works for nonprofits, he looks at the big picture. “I want to help nonprofits develop things that will affect them long-term.”
Randall is married, has a 5-year-old daughter, Aleksandra, and is expecting a new baby this summer. He is a member of Northampton Area Young Professionals and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, and facilitates communication between the groups, leading them to co-sponsor events. He is also active in Next Generation Pioneers, a group with a mission to create a more vibrant culture within the Pioneer Valley for young professionals.
He said this is important because college graduates often leave Western Mass. and move to large cities. “Over the years, there has been an outpouring of talent from our region, and we need to have jobs, resources, and networking groups to keep young professionals here.”
Randall is a member of Springfield Business Leaders for Education, the Davis Foundation, the Resource Development Board, United Way of Pioneer Valley, the advisory board for the Holyoke Blue Sox, and the Children’s Study Home. He was a participant in the Leadership Pioneer Valley Class of 2013 and a 2006 recipient of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation Grant for Entrepreneurial Initiative, which he used to start the website countryclubcritics.com, which rates and reviews golf courses — one of his passions.
He is also a certified Green Belt in Six Sigma at American International College and hopes his efforts will help make Pioneer Valley a better place to live. “I don’t need the spotlight on me,” he said, “but I like to make sure it is shining.”
— Kathleen Mitchell
The Young Business and Community Leaders of Western Massachusetts
In 2007, BusinessWest introduced a new recognition program called 40 Under Forty. It was intended as a vehicle to showcase young talent in the four counties of Western Mass. and, in turn, inspire others to reach higher and do more in their community.
Seven years later, it has accomplished all that and much more. The program has become a brand, the awards gala has become one of the most anticipated events of the year, and the 40 Under Forty plaque that sits on one’s desk has become both a coveted prize and symbol of excellence, recognized by all.
On June 19 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, 40 more plaques will be handed out, to members of a class that is both distinguished and diverse. It includes bankers, lawyers, and accountants, but also a Holyoke city councilor, a contractor who specializes in blitz building, and Springfield’s senior project manager. And it represents virtually every business sector, from healthcare to education; from technology to the nonprofit realm.
With that, we introduce the Class of 2014 with words (enough to explain why they’re an honoree) and pictures that tell a big part of each story, whether the winner is captured with his or her children, dog, or even boxing gloves or a giant candle. The stories are all different, but the common denominator is that these young individuals possess that most important of qualities: leadership.
Click here to download a PDF flipbook version of the 40 Under Forty Class of 2014
Sponsored by:
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Partner
2014 40 Under Forty Winners:
Tamara Blake
Sandy Cassanelli
Robert Chateauneuf
Nick Colgin
Izabela Collier
G. David Condon IV
Jose Delgado
Justin Dion
Garett DiStefano
Patricia Faginski
Sean Gouvin
Nicole Griffin
Lee Hagon
Denise Hurst
Justin Hurst
Sean Jeffords
Danielle Klein-Williams
Dr. Andrew Lam
Angela Lussier
Ruby Maddox
Kevin Maltby
Andrew McMahon
Geoff Medeiros
Alex Morse
Meghan Parnell-Gregoire
Orlando Ramos
Jason Randall
Liz Rappaport
Robert Raynor
Alfonso Santaniello
Michael Schneider
Paul Silva
Michael Simolo
Noah Smith
Seth Stratton
Geoff Sullivan
Kyle Sullivan
Anthony Surrette
Jessica Wales
Francia Wisnewski
Meet the Judges — Click Here
Photography for this special section by Denise Smith Photography
