Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

January 8, 2018 WBJ 2018 Best of Business

Best of Business: Best Events & Venues for 2018

Mechanics Hall previously hosted the Worcester Historical Museum's annual Harvey Ball.

Best Venue for an Employee Outing

EcoTarium*

Worcester, ecotarium.org

Top executive: President Joseph P. Cox

Founded: 1825

Employees: 56

Read more: Expansive grounds, indoor spaces make the EcoTarium tops again

Notable runners-up: Kimball Farm, Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Best Golf Club for Corporate Outing

Cyprian Keyes Golf Club

Boylston, www.cypriankeyes.com

Top executive: David I. Frem, general manager

Founded: 1997

Employees: Changes seasonally

Cyprian offers five function rooms to accommodate groups of all sizes, with an 18-hole championship golf course alongside a 9-hole, par-3 course for beginners. The menu choices are for any budget, and the facility offers a custom club-fitting center.

Best Hotel for Business Clients

Beechwood Hotel*

Worcester, www.beechwoodhotel.com

Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager and managing director

Founded: 1989

Employees: 200

The only AAA Four Diamond hotel in Central Massachusetts, the Beechwood has been building its reputation for nearly 30 years, emphasizing guest service and posh facilities. The high-end Sonoma restaurant relocated from Princeton to the Beechwood in 2017, expanding its culinary options.

Best Venue for a Corporate Event

Mechanics Hall*

Worcester, www.mechanicshall.org

Top executive: Robert M. Kennedy, executive director

Founded: 1857

Employees: 14

Mechanics Hall offers an historic atmosphere and architecture with 21st century amenities to produce meeting spaces catered for events ranging from small luncheons to grand galas.

Notable runner-up: DCU Center

Best Event Production Company

Revelation Productions, Inc.

Worcester, www.RevProd.com

Top executive: Anthony D'Elia, executive producer and owner

Founded: 2009

Employees: 5

Revelation customizes each event for its clients' needs, taking pride in crafting a seamless, memorable occasion to exceed expectations. The company uses a team of independent producers and freelancers who share the company's vision of creativity and passion.

Notable runners-up: Pagano Media, Eventive

Best Nonprofit Fundraiser Event

March of Dimes Foundation: The Signature Chefs Auction

Westborough, www.marchofdimes.org

Top executive: Stephen M. Sycks, senior development manager

Founded: 1938

Amount raised: $110,000

Employees: 2 (along with 15 volunteers and committee members)

The Signature Chefs Auction is where community supporters come together with local chefs to support the fight for the health of all mothers and babies. The March of Dime keeps the focus of the event on this mission, which is why its attendees support the cause and raise amounts in the six figures.

Notable runners-up: 15-40 Connection's Gala & Golf Tournament, which raised $1 million in 2017; UMass Memorial Winter Ball, which raised $1.4 million in 2017

Best Venue for a Business Meeting

Beechwood Hotel*

Worcester, www.beechwoodhotel.com

Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager and managing director

Founded: 1989

Employees: 200

The Beechwood offers 9,000 square feet of meeting space and 13 rooms of various size to host both large presentations and intimate meetings. The venue is centrally located in Worcester near UMass Medicine Science Park and offers free parking.

Notable runners-up: Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Mechanics Hall

Click below to see the other 2018 Best of Business winners:

Best Professional Services

  • Best Bank - UniBank*
  • Best Architectural Firm - Lamoureux Pagano & Associates
  • Best Credit Union - DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union*
  • Best Business Insurance Agency - Sullivan Insurance Group*
  • Best Law Firm - Mirick O’Connell*
  • Best Accounting Firm - Bollus Lynch, LLP Certified Public Accountants & Consultants*
  • Best Advertising Agency - Davis Advertising

Best Employee Services

  • Best College for Business Education - Nichols College*
  • Best Financial Planning/Investment Services - Provo Wealth Management Group*
  • Best Employee Benefits Consultant - Sullivan Benefits*
  • Best Luxury Automobile Dealership - Wagner Auto Group*
  • Best Limousine Services - Knight’s Airport Limousine Service*
  • Best Health Insurance Provider - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts*
  • Best Young Professionals Network - YPWA (Young Professional Women's Association) of Worcester

Best Food & Entertainment

  • Best Restaurant for Business Lunch - The Sole Proprietor*
  • Best Restaurant for Business Dinner - 111 Chop House*
  • Best Caterer for a Corporate Event - Pepper's Artful Events*
  • Best Coffee Service - Good as Gold*
  • Best Exercise Facility/Fitness Center - Worcester Fitness
  • Best Public Golf Course - Green Hill Golf Course*
  • Best Private Golf Course - Worcester Country Club*

Best Office Services

  • Best Commercial Real Estate Brokerage - NAI Glickman, Kovago & Jacobs
  • Best Commercial Landscaper - Cheaper than the Kid Next Door Landscaping
  • Best Electrical Contractor - Coghlin Electrical Contractors Inc.*
  • Best Plumber/HVAC Contractor - JJ Bafaro Inc.*
  • Best Waste Removal - E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.*
  • Best Office Cleaning - Eagle Cleaning Corp.*
  • Best Staffing Agency - The Davis Companies*

Best Places for Drinks

  • Best Locally Owned Place to Meet for Coffee - BirchTree Bread Co.*
  • Best Local Brewery - Wormtown Brewery
  • Best Worcester After-Work Bar - Armsby Abbey*
  • Best Metrowest After-Work Bar - Tavern in the Square*
  • Best North County After-Work Bar - Rye & Thyme American Tavern*
  • Best Blackstone Valley After-Work Bar - Hunter's Grill & Tap
  • Best Central Mass. South After-Work Bar - The Cedar Street Grille*

Best Multimedia Services

  • Best Awards & Promotional Products - Engraveables*
  • Best Sign Company - Sunshine Sign Company
  • Best Commercial Printer - Curry Printing*
  • Best IT Services - Cinch IT
  • Best Internet Service Provider - Charter Spectrum*
  • Best Web Design Firm - Applied Interactive
  • Best Video Production - Pagano Media*

* Denotes repeat winner

Sign up for Enews

WBJ Web Partners

Related Content

0 Comments

Order a PDF