Page 37 - BusinessWest January 6, 2025

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visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar
Royal Law Seminar
Jan. 8: The Royal Law Firm will present a seminar on “Compensation Plans and Contingent Compen- sation Pitfalls” from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at 33 Elliot
St., Springfield. Attorney Trevor Brice will present
an overview and discussion of the possible issues with current compensation plans and contingent compensation pitfalls made possible by recent court rulings. Some of the topics to be discussed include issues with current compensation plans under the FLSA, restrictive covenants and compensation plans, problems with commission-based compensation plans and possible solutions, and when a bonus
is not actually a bonus and issues under the Mas- sachusetts Wage Act. This seminar is ideal for HR professionals and anyone in a management posi- tion drafting compensation plans for current and prospective employees. The cost is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed, and checks made pay- able, to the Royal Law Firm, 33 Elliot St., Springfield, MA 01105. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at hchild@theroyal- lawfirm.com to register or with any questions about the seminar.
Chamber of Greater Easthampton Meeting
Jan. 29: The Chamber of Greater Easthampton
will hold its annual meeting from noon to 2 p.m. at the Jupiter Club, 116 Pleasant St., Suite 211, East- hampton. The annual meeting, the last one under retiring Executive Director Moe Belliveau, will not only highlight the chamber’s successes in the past year, but will offer chamber members the oppor- tunity to provide feedback to shape the strategies for the coming year. The event will also welcome new members and showcase those members who celebrated a business milestone in 2024, including Hampton Flooring Center Inc., Besko’s Appliance, and Unbroken Wings Inc. for 25 years in business; USA Waste & Recycling and Wright Builders Inc.
for 50 years in business; Greenfield/Northampton Cooperative Bank for 135 years in business; and bankESB and Greenfield Savings Bank for 155 years in business. Registration costs $50 for members of the chamber ($65 for future members) and includes lunch. Reserved tables of eight are also available. For more information or to register, visit www.east- hamptonchamber.org or email opps@easthampton- chamber.org.
Chicopee Chamber Shining Stars Gala
Feb. 28: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2025 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contribu- tions strengthen and inspire the community. This year’s honorees are AJ Crane, owner of A. Crane Construction, as Citizen of the Year; Ashley Batlle, owner of Beauty Batlles Lounge, as Volunteer of the Year; the Springfield Thunderbirds as Business of the Year; and Health New England as Nonprofit of the Year. The Chicopee Chamber introduced Shining Stars in 1985 when Ernest Laflamme Jr. was rec- ognized as the first Citizen of the Year. Recipients are selected by a nominating committee chaired
by Laflamme and including Carol Campbell of Chi- copee Industrial Contractors, Ted Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, Michael Siddall of Siddall & Siddall, P.C., and Jeffrey Sattler of Liberty Bank. The 40th annual Shining Stars Gala will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights at 1599 Memorial Dr. Tickets cost $75 per person. To purchase tickets or inquire about spon- sorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101.
Hooplandia 2025
June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hoop- landia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Nai- smith Basketball Hall of Fame. Hooplandia will host levels for all ages and divisions, which means every kind of player is welcome. As the premier 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the nine northeastern states, Hooplandia is still in its early years, but growing rapidly. In 2023 and 2024, the event was
a resounding success. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Bas- ketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. The expansive ESE grounds allow for growth as attendance numbers continue to climb each year. ESE and the Hall of Fame agree that Hooplandia must be an all-inclusive environment for players
of all ages and playing abilities. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high- school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and
retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hoop- landia.com. Fees range according to age. Those
that register before the end of the day on March
10 are treated to the 3 Point Perks package, which grants early teams access to limited-edition good- ies. 3 Point Perks are not available after March 10, and registration prices increase after May 26 for late teams. Since its first year, Hooplandia has partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Western Mass., with $10 from every paid team registration supporting the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs and their programming. Hooplandia invites local busi- nesses to explore sponsorship opportunities. Email [email protected] with inquiries.
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Glenmeadow
has with our residents.
“Every time I ask the staff what’s their favorite
part about working here, they say the residents,” she went on. “And when I ask the residents what’s their favorite part about living here, they say the staff.
So, it’s really a wonderful work environment for our staff, and we see that we’re all doing really good and important work, and it makes it much easier to come to work every day knowing about the positive impact that you have.”
Martin said that feeling extends to families, some of whom live far away, but many of whom live locally and stop by regularly for visits, meals, and events. “We love to see their interactions with our residents because it’s really their home. So we want our resi- dents to treat it like their home and have their fami- lies here for holidays and other special occasions, or just to come watch a movie on a Thursday night.”
As for her own experience, Martin said she’s happy to have made this intriguing career shift — and she’s still learning.
“I love that it’s new every day,” she told Business- West. “There’s always something new that happens that I wouldn’t have anticipated. But I’ve loved getting to know the residents, their families, and our staff. It’s really the people that make a difference in this work, and getting to know the stories of the people who are here has been really inspiring and motivat- ing and reinforcing of why this is such a great career path.” BW
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