Fall is definitely here. The air is crisp, our calendars are filling up, and we’re now trading sundresses for sweaters. Even as the temperatures cool, this time of year always feels warm and inviting to me. I love how naturally it brings people together.

That same feeling and spirit is carrying into a very busy fall at the Chamber, with so many opportunities for us to connect and celebrate.

And we don’t have to wait long for the next one. Next month brings one of my favorite Chamber traditions, our Super 60 Awards on November 6 at the MassMutual Center. We recently announced our 2026 honorees, and I’m so proud that we get to celebrate these incredible businesses and organizations making a difference in Western Massachusetts. Congratulations again to all of this year’s winners!

I’m especially excited to present Collins Electric with our Legacy Award, honoring more than 120 years of work and investment in Western Massachusetts, and to welcome our keynote speaker, Wilbert Weche, Founder & CEO of Willful Change, who will share a perspective shaped by leadership, resilience, and growth. Together, they reflect so much of what Super 60 is about— recognizing what has been built here and the people continuing to move our region forward. If you haven’t registered yet, I hope you’ll join us to help celebrate our region's best.  
 
Celebrating the people and organizations moving our region forward is one part of what we do. Making sure their voices are heard is another. Last month, that work took us to Washington for our Washington Symposium. 

After several days of conversations with national leaders and policymakers, one thing really stayed with me: how important it is for Western Massachusetts to have a voice in the rooms where decisions and ideas affecting our community are being discussed. I came home energized by the discussions we had and even more committed to making sure our advocacy continues to reflect what matters most to our members.

That work continues here at home, and I’m excited to welcome Amie Miarecki of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts as the newly elected Chair of our Legislative Steering Committee and Timothy Provost of MP CPAs as the newly elected Vice Chair. I’m looking forward to working with both of them as we continue advocating for the issues that matter to our business community. 
 
I also want to sincerely thank Dominick Ianno of MassMutual for two years of outstanding leadership as Chair of our Legislative Steering Committee. I’m grateful for his time, insight, expertise and commitment to this work, and very glad that he’ll remain an active and important part of the Committee and our advocacy efforts. 

And, of course, the most important voices in that work are yours. Our legislative survey will be coming your way soon, and I hope our members and their employees will take a few minutes to weigh in on the issues that matter most to them. Your feedback will help guide our advocacy in the year ahead.

There’s still more to look forward to later this fall.  Please join us on November 18, as we come together for Giving Thanks for the Good: From the Field to the Future. This event feels especially fitting for the season as we hear from members of the Central High School football program about the mentorship and opportunities making an impact on student-athletes both on and off the field. We welcome you to join us for what promises to be an inspiring luncheon.

The calendar is definitely full, but that’s because there’s a lot worth showing up for. I’m grateful for every opportunity we have to bring this Chamber community together, and I’m looking forward to seeing so many of you in the weeks ahead.

See you soon! 
Diana