St. Patrick's Day Breakfast

We're delighted to be finalizing the details for our 2025 St. Patrick's Day breakfast, scheduled for March 14, 2025. We'll be at Westfield State University's Scanlon Hall from 7-9 am. Our premium event sponsor is Westfield State University. The Gold sponsor for the breakfast is Tighe & Bond, while Commercial Distributing is the Coffee Bar sponsor. You can have great visibility at this popular event by being a sponsor:

*Entertainment: $300

*Registration table: $300

*Marketing table: $125

This year we will welcome Irish dancers from Cassin Academy of Dance and a local bagpiper as our morning's entertainment. Reserve your tickets now! Click here to register.

CAREER FAIR VENDORS NEEDED

Give local students a glimpse at what work in your industry entails. Take part in the WE2BA Career Fair to meet students who just might end up as your colleagues!

WHAT’S THE FORECAST FOR OUR REGION FOR 2025?

YOU LIVE HERE, SO YOU WANT TO KNOW. WE’VE DONE THE RESEARCH.

You’ll find insights into the economic, educational, social and cultural expectations for Western Mass in this year’s Community Outlook – The Reminder’s in-depth guide to the potential shifts and emerging trends in Hampden and Hampshire counties.

Please call your Account Manager, or Shannon Bliven at (413) 883-3680 Voice & Text or email at sbliven@thereminder.com

LAST CALL FOR BULK MAILING

We will be sending out a bulk mailing within the next few weeks. Get your business in front of all of our members with our mailer. Just drop off 250 copies of your flyer or promo piece and we'll do the rest. Call us at 413-568-1618 to hold your spot (spaces are limited). The cost to participate is $250.

CHAMBER EVENTS IN FEBRUARY & MARCH

We look forward to seeing you at one (or all) of our upcoming events!

• Tuesday, February 11 -- After 5 Connection at Memories on Elm, 5 pm
• Wednesday, February 19 -- Mayor's Coffee Hour at Westfield River Elementary School, 8 am. Please note change in date from February 5.
• Thursday, February 27 -- Morning Brew at Shortstop Bar & Grill, 8 am
• Wednesday, March 5 -- Mayor's Coffee Hour at Amelia Park Children's Museum, 8 am
• Friday, March 14 -- St. Patrick's Day Breakfast at Westfield State University, 7 am
• Tuesday, March 18 -- Joint After 5 Connection with West of the River Chamber, at Shortstop Bar & Grill, 5 pm
• Thursday, March 27 -- Morning Brew at Shaker Farms Country Club, 8 am
• Thursday, March 27 -- WE2BA Career Fair at Westfield State University, 9:30 am

Register for these events at www.westfieldbiz.org/events

THE CHAMBER'S 2025 GOLF TOURNAMENT IS GEARING UP

The Chamber's primary fundraiser, our annual Golf Tournament, is in the planning stages. Join us for a terrific day of golf, networking, and fun! We'll be at Tekoa Country Club on Monday, May 19 (please note NEW DATE and LOCATION). Our Event Sponsor is Westfield G+E. Be a part of this terrific event by signing on as a golfer or sponsor (or both). Or donate a raffle item from a local business.

From Inception:

George A. Bacon established his law practice on June 17, 1895, laying the foundation for a highly specialized firm with a focus on corporate and business law. As his practice thrived, he expanded into politics and remained actively engaged in local and state government throughout his life. He was the founder of the Commercial Law League of America and served as Director of the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics, earning numerous other distinctions. For sixty years, Bacon’s firm operated with three partners until it began expanding in 1966 with the addition of Paul Salvage as an associate, followed by Michael Katz in 1974 and Gary Fialky in 1975.

The Wilson branch of Bacon Wilson originated with Peter Wilson in 1945. He inherited his firm from two predecessors and developed a successful Real Estate and Probate practice. George Keady joined Wilson’s firm in the early 1950s, followed by Michael Ratner in 1966. After Wilson’s retirement and Keady’s appointment as a Superior Court judge, Michael Ratner remained the sole partner, leading a team of associates.

In 1979, the firms of George Bacon and Peter Wilson merged, forming one of Springfield’s largest and most distinguished law firms with twelve attorneys. The union of these two firms fostered significant growth and solidified their reputation for excellence.

Throughout Evolution...

In 2025, we proudly celebrate 130 years of dedicated legal service! Since 1895, Bacon Wilson, P.C. has been a trusted resource for individuals, families, businesses, and municipalities seeking strategic, personalized legal counsel. Today, we stand as one of the largest law firms in Western Massachusetts, with 39 attorneys and approximately 80 paralegals, administrative assistants, and support staff, all led by our managing partner, Jeffrey I. Fialky.



Operating from four locations— Springfield, Amherst, Northampton, and Westfield —our attorneys continue to provide high-quality, comprehensive legal services to clients across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut, serving a diverse range of industries. As we mark this milestone, we remain committed to delivering the same excellence and dedication that have defined us for over a century. We are committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each industry we serve, including: 

• Banking and Commercial Finance
• Bankruptcy and Reorganization
• Business and Corporate
• Cannabis
• Construction
• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Litigation
• Domestic Relations and Family Law
• Elder Law
• Employment Law
• Landlord and Tenant Issues
• Land Use/Zoning/Environmental
• Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Medical Malpractice
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Municipal
• Personal Injury
• Professional Liability
• Real Estate
• Special Needs Care Planning
• Trusts and Estates Planning
• Workers Compensation
• Workplace Discrimination  

Career & Business Resources at Southwick Public Library

The Southwick Library offers a range of books, guides, and materials to help job seekers in their career search. Coaching, resume help, career research, guidance on launching a business and more are available to Chamber members. In addition, business books are available through a digital library card from the Boston Public Library, available to all members. Visit the Southwick Public Library to learn more!

AIM Offers a Virtual HR Workshop

VIRTUAL

Human Resources Roundtable

February 12, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 

Join us for a webinar with the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division as they outline key expectations for pay transparency enforcement ahead of the October deadline.

Register HERE.

CHAMBER COMMITTEE OPENINGS

Would you like to have more input on Chamber happenings, initiatives, and growth? Let your voice be heard by joining a committee. Our BCAC (Business Community Affairs Committee), Marketing, Events, and Membership committees are always looking for members. Each committee meets once a month by Zoom, though we will be shifting some meetings to in-person at the Chamber office. Join us and make a difference! Email amanda@westfieldbiz.org for more info.

Meeting times are as follows:

BCAC: First Tuesday of the month; 8 am via Zoom

Marketing: Second Thursday of the month; 9 am via Zoom

Events: Third Tuesday of the month; 9 am via Zoom

Membership: Fourth Tuesday of the month; 9 am via Zoom