Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | January 13, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 17 sporting event without the high costs associated with attending major-league events, said Ryan Nesbit, WooSox director of ticket sales. "It's fun, affordable, family-friendly, and offers experiences you can only get at Polar Park," Nesbit wrote in an email to WBJ. "It's a great all-around expe- rience to boost employee engagement and offers a relaxed setting that allows coworkers to socialize, in many cases along with their families." Even when the WooSox are out- of-town or in their off-season, the untraditional event space allows for the perfect balance of professionalism and fun, said Sara Barlok, the ballclub's director of special events. "With an untraditional venue like a ballpark, we're able to think outside the box and host a fully customizable event experience that blends the professional and elegant nature of these events that businesses have come to expect with the fun and social atmosphere of a ballpark," Barlok wrote in an email to WBJ. "I'm sure voters were thinking of gameday outings when they voted [for WBJ's Best of Business award], but we'd love for them to know that Polar Park is still an outing destination for them when the team is away or out of season!" n E V E N T S & V E N U E S B E S T O F B U S I N E S S BEST HOTEL FOR BUS I N E S S C LI E NTS BEST VENUE FOR A BUS I N E S S M E ETI N G BEST VENUE FOR A CO R P O R ATE E V E NT T H A N K Y O U WORCESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL READERS FOR VOTING US 3 6 3 P L A N TAT I O N S T R E E T W O R C E S T E R , M A § 5 0 8 .7 5 4 . 5 7 8 9 B E E C H W O O D H OT E L .C O M Voted Best Hotel for 9 consecutive years Telegram & Gazette Ranked One of the Best Hotels in the USA U.S. News & World Report The Region's Only AAA Four Diamond Rated Hotel BEST VENUE FOR AN EMPLOYEE OUTING Winners (tie): Apex Entertainment*, in Marlborough; Polar Park (Worcester Red Sox), in Worcester Notable runner-up: Kimball Farms, in Westford • Apex Entertainment Website: www.apexentertainment. com Top executive: George Aronstein, chief operating officer Founded: 2017 Employees: 50+ n • Polar Park Website: woosox.com Top executive: Charles Steinberg, president Founded: 2021 Employees: 50 full time, including 30 from Central Massachusetts; and 300 part time n BEST NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER EVENT Winner: Champions for Children fundraiser for CASA Project Worcester County*, in Worcester Notable runners-up: Reliant Foundation 5K, in Worcester; 100 Mile Ruck Charity Challenge for nonprofit Why Me and Sherry's House, in Worcester; DetecTogether Gala, Auction, and Golf Tournament; in Westborough Having raised a record $150,000 at its premier fundraiser in September, CASA Project Worcester County focuses on connecting with local or- ganizations to complement its mission for access to unbiased advocacy for youth in the juvenile court system. The group works to elevate small business owners, grassroots efforts, storytelling, and showing their gratitude to donors. By collaborating with the Worcester County Juvenile Court, the team works to make a stronger impact on chil- dren's and families' lives. Amount raised: $150,000 Website: www.thecasaproject.org Top executive: Julie Bowditch, executive director Founded: 1981 Employees: 15 total; 11 full time and 4 part time n BEST HOTEL FOR BUSINESS CLIENTS Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester Notable runner-up: AC Hotel Worcester The only AAA Four Diamond prop- erty in Central Massachusetts, the Beechwood Hotel has been voted the WBJ Best Hotel for Business Clients since 2014. Ranked among the best hotels state and nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, the privately owned hotel has completed multimil- lion-dollar renovations, including guest room redesign, modern guest bath upgrades, and curated luxury linens for all its guests. Website: www.beechwoodhotel.com Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager and managing director Founded: 1989 Employees: 100 n BEST VENUE FOR A CORPORATE EVENT Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester Notable runners-up: Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester; Mechanics Hall, in Worcester The Beechwood Hotel offers more than 8,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a pre-function foyer, 13 function rooms, and grand ballroom. The variety of indoor and outdoor function areas allows each business to customize its corporate event, with space to explore presen- tation ideas and strategize layout logistics, creating elevated ambiance and atmosphere. Website: www.beechwoodhotel.com Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager and managing director Founded: 1989 Employees: 1,000 n BEST VENUE FOR A BUSINESS MEETING Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester Notable runners-up: Venture X Marlborough - Apex Center, in Marlborough; Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester; AC Hotel Worcester Located less than three miles from downtown Worcester, the Beechwood Hotel provides an executive planning team to coordinate business meet- ings, offering the latest audiovisual technology and high-speed wireless connectivity. The Beechwood aims to create a sophisticated ambiance and service to enhance every experience Continued on next page

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