Page 32 - BusinessWest September 1, 2025

AGENDA>> For more events, or to submit your upcoming events,
visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar
Women of Impact Nominations
Through Sept. 4: BusinessWest is now accept-
ing nominations for the eighth annual Women of
Impact awards. Nominations for the Women of
Impact class of 2025 are due by Thursday, Sept.
4. They can be submitted at businesswest.com/
women-of-impact-nominations. In 2018, Business-
West created the Women of Impact program as a
way to honor women in the region who are mak-
ing an impact and creating positive change. There
are many different ways to do this. While nominees
can hail from the world of business, they can also
emerge from other realms, such as the nonprofit
community, public service, law enforcement, edu-
cation, social work, the mentorship community, a
combination of these — in short, the program rec-
ognizes inspirational women on any level. For more
information, call Natasha Mercado-Santana, Market-
ing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100,
or email [email protected].
Discounted Big E Tickets
Through Sept. 10: Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of
the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware
dealers with 50 locations in nine states, announced
the return of its Big E ticket presale. Now through
Sept. 10, customers can purchase one-day tickets
to the Big E at discounted prices at select Rocky’s
locations: $16 for adults and $10 for children.
Beginning Sept. 11, tickets will still be available at
participating stores, but at regular pricing. Partici-
pating locations include Agawam, East Longmead-
ow, Holden, Ludlow, Northborough, Palmer, South
Hadley, Springfield, Westfield, and Worcester, as
well as Stamford and Vernon, Conn.
Instant Issues Luncheon
Sept. 10: The World Affairs Council of Western
Massachusetts will present its first Instant Issues
lunchtime discussion of the 2025-26 program year
with Javier Corrales, Dwight W. Morrow 1895 pro-
fessor of Political Science and department chair of
Political Science at Amherst College. He will present
“Autocracy Rising: How Venezuela Transitioned to
Authoritarianism” from noon to 1 p.m. at 1350 Main
St., ninth floor gallery, in downtown Springfield.
Corrales, a frequent World Affairs Council speaker,
coined the term ‘autocratic legalism’ in 2015 to
explain how Venezuela transitioned to authori-
tarianism by using the legal system to impose
autocracy. Corrales is the author of many publica-
tions; his most recent book is Autocracy Rising:
How Venezuela Transitioned to Authoritarianism,
published in 2022. Admission is $10 for members,
$15 for non-members. Lunches can be reserved
for $25 for members and $30 for non-members.
Box lunches include a choice of sandwich (turkey,
tuna, roast beef, or vegetarian), deli salad, cookie,
chips, and soda or water. Attendees may bring
their own lunch or choose not to eat. Registra-
tion deadline for a lunch provided is Friday, Sept.
5. Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/instant-issues-how-
venezuela-transitioned-to-authoritarianism-tickets-
1549642084189?aff=oddtdtcreator to register.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Kickoff Breakfast
Sept. 12: The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade board
invites the community to its Hispanic Heritage
Month Kickoff Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at
Wyckoff Country Club, located at 233 Easthampton
Road, Holyoke. This celebratory breakfast gather-
ing will honor the start of Hispanic Heritage Month
with an uplifting morning of cultural pride, com-
munity connection, and inspirational messages. The
event will include breakfast, music, a guest enter-
tainment act, and an opportunity for networking
among local leaders, professionals, and community
members. Guests will hear from Springfield Puerto
Rican Parade board members Ed Nuñez and Wil-
fredo Lopez, local community leaders, and Holyoke
Mayor Joshua Garcia, who will offer remarks recog-
nizing the importance of Puerto Rican heritage and
the contributions of the broader Latino community
in Western Mass. This kickoff sets the stage for the
Springfield Puerto Rican Parade, which will take
place on Sunday, Sept. 14 in downtown Springfield.
Admission is $40 per ticket, with sponsorship-level
options. For more information or to RSVP, email
Jayne Melendez at [email protected].
Tim Welch Memorial
Golf Tournament
Sept. 14: The Tim Welch Memorial Golf Tourna-
ment, Tee Off for Tim, will be held at East Mountain
Country Club in Westfield. Check-in starts at 11 a.m.
with a shotgun start at noon. Tim Welch, a Holyoke
native who died unexpectedly in November, was a
project manager for Tandem Mechanical. He had
been a plumber for 20 years and was known for
mentoring apprentice plumbers. Welch’s family is
carrying on his legacy and paying tribute to his love
of golf with a tournament that will raise funds for
the Tim Welch Memorial Scholarship, to be awarded
to a graduate of Smith Vocational and Agricultural
High School who is pursuing a journeyman’s license
in plumbing. As part of the day’s activities, golfers
can try their swing at the Pipe Wrench Putt, using
Welch’s pipe wrench to try to sink the ball. Spon-
sorships at all levels and raffle prizes are still being
accepted. To donate or register a foursome, email
[email protected] or visit the Tee Off for Tim
Facebook page.
EANE Fall Conference Events
Sept. 25, Oct. 23: The Employers Assoc. of the
NorthEast (EANE) announced two upcoming con-
ference events to support organizational learning
in the New England region. HR Connect: Leading
Change in a New Era will take place on Thursday,
Sept. 25 at MGM Springfield. This conference invites
human resources professionals and business leaders
to learn more about HR best practices, innovations
in compensation and benefits, and the new skills
required for creating compliant people policies.
Plus, that will be National HR Professionals week,
and EANE is celebrating the many talents and con-
tributions of HR professionals across the region.
Safety Leadership for Your Workplace will take place
on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Marriott in Springfield.
Attendees will experience a full day of presenta-
tions, including Dick Flynt from the National Safety
Council, OSHA, certified safety professional Dan
Williams, and the team from Protective Advanced
Safety Services. Qualified Massachusetts employ-
ers can apply for reimbursement for conference
fees using the MA Express Program. To learn more
or register for these events, visit www.eane.org or
email Allison Ebner at [email protected].
Party with 1 Purpose
Oct. 4: After a sold-out debut that earned national
recognition from Breakthrough T1D as one of the
Top New Fundraising Events of 2024, Party with 1
Purpose will return to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Chaired by David Fontaine Jr. and Sarah Fontaine,
the gala unites community leaders, local families,
and businesses in support of Breakthrough T1D’s
mission to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes
(T1D). Guests will enjoy an evening on Center Court
featuring live music, an energetic auction, inspiring
stories from local T1D families, and opportunities
to directly fund life-changing research. This year’s
Fund a Cure will shine a spotlight on the Kouflie
family and their son Braden, who was diagnosed
with T1D at age 7. The Kouflies will share their jour-
ney of navigating the daily challenges of diabetes
while holding onto hope for a cure, giving guests a
personal look at why Breakthrough T1D’s research is
so critical. Sponsorships and tickets are available at
www.breakthrought1d.org/ctma/wmassgala2025.
What’s Happening in Western Mass?
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