WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual award winners for 2023. The Business of the Year Award is being presented jointly to Westfield Barnes Regional Airport and the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Kimberley Betts of Betts Plumbing & Heating Supply. Westfield On Weekends earned the Nonprofit of the Year Award, and the Member of the Year Award is being presented to Rick Rheault of Integrity Merchant Solutions.

“We have a robust community of members, both businesses and individuals, who contribute to the success and vitality of our chamber, Executive Director Amanda Waterfield said. “Our awards committee considered a range of candidates for these awards and ultimately selected entities that had the greatest impact on both the chamber and our communities.”

The awards will be presented at the chamber’s annual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Shaker Farms Country Club. The annual meeting and awards night provides an overview of the chamber’s yearly milestones and highlights organizations and individuals who are being honored.

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce announced its “Of the Year” Awards for 2022. The Business of the Year is VIVID Hair Salon & Spa, the Nonprofit of the Year is United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Bill Parks of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, and the Member of the Year Award goes to Cathy Langlois of ServiceMaster of Greater Springfield.

The four award winners will be recognized at the Greater Westfield Chamber’s annual meeting and awards banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 16. A cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. will be followed by a program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Tekoa Country Club, 458 Russell Road, Westfield. The event sponsor is Westfield Bank, and Daniel Marini, the bank’s senior vice president of Retail Banking and Marketing, will be the keynote speaker.

To pre-register or for more information, visit members.westfieldbiz.org/events or call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618. More information about the award winners can be found at www.facebook.com/westfieldbiz.

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its Legislative Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tucker’s Restaurant, 625 College Highway, Southwick. Legislators and elected officials attending include Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe; state Sen. John Velis; and state Reps. Kelly Pease, Michael Finn, and Nicholas Boldyga.

“The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is focused on advocating for local businesses,” said Eric Oulette, the chamber’s executive director. “This event provides our members with an opportunity to interact in an open discussion with our local legislators. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, as well as express concerns and ideas that they have to improve the business community.”

The program begins at 11:30 a.m. with registration and lunch. At 12:30 p.m, attendees will hear from each legislator, and then moderator Candice Berube, publisher of Westfield City Lifestyle magazine, will facilitate the discussion.

This year’s legislative luncheon is sponsored by Polish National Credit Union, Baystate Noble Hospital, Mestek Inc., Cannabis Connection, CHH Engraving, Gary Rome Hyundai, and Armbrook Village. To reserve tickets or inquire about sponsorships, call (413) 568-1618 or email [email protected]. The cost is $45 for members and $55 in advance for general admission. RSVP by Monday, Oct. 17 (no refunds after that date).

WESTFIELD — The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce announced that its annual September Breakfast will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 7 to 9 a.m. at the 104th Fighter Wing Air National Guard Base, 175 Falcon Dr., Westfield. The chief greeter will be Chris Thompson of the Westfield Starfires. Immediately following the breakfast, guests can take a tour of the 104th Air National Guard Base.

Tickets for the breakfast cost $35 for members and $40 for general admission. For more information or registration, call (413) 568-1618 or email [email protected].

The platinum event sponsor is Baystate Noble Hospital; silver sponsors are A Plus HVAC Inc. and ProAmpac; bronze sponsors are Westfield Public Schools, Armbrook Village, Fly Lugu Flight Training, BHN – the Carson Center, and Northeast Paving; and the coffee bar sponsor is the Westfield Starfires.

Chamber events are held throughout the year to foster connections with member businesses, local government leaders, and the chamber’s communities. For more information, visit www.westfieldbiz.org.

Kate Phelon

WESTFIELD — Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, announced she will be retiring on Sept. 25.

Phelon has been instrumental in growing the chamber from when she started in 2011 to more than 260 members and increasing program revenue. In addition to membership growth, Phelon established public-private relationships that led to her appointment by Gov. Charlie Baker to the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative in 2016. Also in 2016, her collaboration with Stefan Czaporowski, superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, created the Westfield Education 2 Business Alliance, which gained local, regional, and state recognition for bridging the business community to education through its mentoring program, the Adopt-a-Classroom initiative, and the High School Career Fair.

Phelon currently sits on the Economic Development Partners committee, working with economic-development professionals from Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, as well as regional employment boards, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, MOBD, MassDevelopment, and other chambers of commerce. She created and hosted Chamber Chatter in 2017 and still hosts the monthly radio show on WSKB 89.5 FM, showcasing a chamber member each month.

In 2018, her schedule permitted her to once again sit on the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s Plan for Progress coordinating council. She is a corporator at Westfield State University and the Westfield Athenaeum as well as an ex-officio board member of Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail and a member of the Rotary Club of Westfield.

Dino Gravanis, president of the Greater Westfield Chamber board and general manager of Springfield Country Club, will coordinate the search for the next executive director.