Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | January 11, 2021 | wbjournal.com HONORED TO BE 2021 BEST STAFFING AGENCY BEST STAFFING AGENCY We are truly honored to be recognized as WBJ's Best Staffing Agency for the 8th consecutive year. Thank you to all of our employees, customers and internal staff for your continued support and dedication. B E S T O F B U S I N E S S E V E N T S & V E N U E S BEST NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER EVENT Winter Ball Worcester, www. umassmemorialhealthcare.org/winterball Benefiting organization: UMass Memorial Health Care Organizing committee chair: Dr. Eric Dickson, UMMHC president and CEO Amount raised in 2020: $1 million Notable runners-up: March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, 15-40 Connection Gala UMass Winter Ball still raised $1M in the pandemic E very winter, a who's who of the Central Mass. business community puts on their finest BY MONICA BUSCH Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer and gathers – typically, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester – to celebrate and support UMass Memorial Health Care. "e way we really look at it is that UMass Memorial is really part of the fabric of the community, and we rely on the community as much as the community relies on us," said Catheryn McEvoy, vice president of communications at UMMHC Health Care, and a prior co-chair of the event. A black-tie event, the fundraiser is at once an opportunity to support the hospital network financially as it is a chance for the region's movers and shakers to gather in one space. In 2020, of course, normal plans for a 450-person gala event were upended, and the event planners switched to a 90-minute virtual program. With donations still trickling in, McEvoy said the event is close to raising $1 million, about half of what it raised in each of the past two years. BEST VENUE FOR AN EMPLOYEE OUTING Apex Entertainment* Marlborough, ApexEntertainment.com Top executive: Chief Operating Officer Marcus Kemblowski Founded: 2017 Employees: 100 The 100,000-square-foot Apex Entertain- ment venue offers bowling, go-karts, laser tag, an arcade and the Pit Stop Tavern restaurant. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the venue did all it could to ensure the safety of its staff and cus- tomers, offering a safe and welcoming environment. Notable runners-up: Great Wolf Lodge, Kimball Farm n BEST VENUE FOR A BUSINESS MEETING Beechwood Hotel* Worcester, Massachusetts, www.beechwoodhotel.com Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager and managing director Founded: 1989 Employees: 100 Each meeting at the Beechwood Hotel is fully customizable, featuring the latest audio-visual technology, 5G internet speed, and award-winning cuisine. In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, unique meeting room setups comply with the state's guidelines for safety, including with a large patio for fresh air flow. n BEST EVENT ENVIRONMENT COMPANY BlueHive Exhibits Worcester, www.blue-hive.com Top executive: CEO Paul Hanlon Founded: 2005 Employees: 97 prior to COVID-19 Traditionally, BlueHive helps clients create engaging environments and in-person experiences for about 1,000 national and international trade shows each year, by offering event management, architectural millwork, and full-service marketing. The coronavirus pandemic changed much of that, but the company is poised to update offerings as need be, particularly for social distancing and other safety measures. n Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, presided over the 2019 Winter Ball. W For advertising information contact: Mark Murray, Associate Publisher 508.755.8005 x227 • mmurray@wbjournal.com The Worcester Business Journal Central Massachusetts' Source for Business News Worcester Business Journal WBJ

• Cover