Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1542456
wbjournal.com | January 12, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 19 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 VENUE FOR A BUSINESS MEETING Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester The Beechwood has more than 8,000 square feet of flexible venue space for a variety of meetings at its 13 function rooms. Customizable options include audiovisual setups, seasonal outdoor seating, an on-site event planner, banquet cuisine options, group rates for attendees staying at the hotel, and free parking. Website: www.beechwoodhotel.com Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager & managing director Founded: 1989 Employees: 80 Notable runners-up: The Hogan Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Venture X - Marlborough, Worcester Country Club BEST NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER EVENT Winner: Champions for Children*, in Worcester CASA Project Worcester County provides advocacy for children and families involved in child welfare and juvenile court systems across Worces- ter County's 60 cities and towns. The organization trains and coordinates volunteer court-appointed special ad- vocates, who work with the Worcester County Juvenile Court. The annual Champions for Children fundraiser supports the organization's advocacy work through community engagement and fundraising activities. The 2025 event set a new fundraising record of $150,000. Organizer: CASA Project Worcester County Amount raised: $150,000 Website: www.thecasaproject.org Top executive: Julie Bowditch, executive director Founded: 1981 Employees: 15 Notable runners-up: Reliant Foundation 5K in Worcester, DetecTogether Gala, Auction & Golf Tournament in Westboro BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE Winner: Green Hill Municipal Golf Course*, in Worcester Green Hill Municipal Golf Course offers golf, a driving range, merchan- dise, instruction, and programming. The City of Worcester operates the 96-year-old course, which provides access to maintained grounds, equip- ment, and professional instruction. The course serves golfers of all skill levels and offers free programming and community-based initiatives fo- cused on accessibility and inclusion. Website: www.greenhillgc.com Founded: 1929 Employees: 3 full-time and 15 seasonal Notable runners-up: Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton, Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston, Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston BEST VENUE FOR A CORPORATE EVENT Winner: Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester The Hogan Center at Holy Cross offers 18,000 square feet of meeting space including a ballroom, stage, reception area, and 16 breakout rooms. The fa- cility features floor-to-ceiling windows, audiovisual technology, high-speed wireless internet, free parking, and handicap accessibility. Holy Cross hospitality provides exclusive catering services with locally sourced ingre- dients. The center serves corporate events, conferences, and meetings in Worcester. Website: www.holycross.edu/about- holy-cross/offices-services/catering- event-services Top executive: Richard Perna, associate vice president of Holy Cross hospitality services Founded: 1843 Employees: 40 employees in catering and events (1,309 at college total) Notable runners-up: Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Polar Park in Worcester 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 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 2 0 2 6 W I N N E R 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 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 Cultivating that kind of atmosphere comes down to property management and staff, said Lambert, management that throws events regularly and staff who care about their residents' well being. Aer completing the development and leasing up the units, Wood Partners sold the property for $157 million on Oct. 14 to a Boston investment firm owned by global financial firm Mor- gan Stanley. e development will be rebranded as Aria on the Row. "We felt like the market conditions were right to sell and look for our next project, which we're doing right now in the city of Worcester and elsewhere," said Lambert. While Wood Partners' next Worcester project is still hush-hush, the firm has a plan under contract it is presenting to the City of Worcester soon, with Lam- bert stating he thinks the city has de- mand for all different types of housing. "Meaning, the downtown large-scale Class A like Alta on the Row, and then something a little bit lower density, slightly lower price point, maybe more suburban," he said. "We're looking at a project that's quite a bit different than Alta on the Row, but we're excited about it." W W W W W (From left) Former Mass. Senate President Harriette Chandler, CASA's Julie Bowditch, and State Sen. Robyn Kennedy