Best Venue for An Employee Outing bio box
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2025 Best of Business Awards
Best of Business 2025: Best Events & Venues
Photo | Courtesy of Apex Entertainment
An Apex Entertainment staff member offers a variety of options for holiday dinners.
Best Venue For An Employee Outing
Winners (tie): Apex Entertainment*, in Marlborough; and Polar Park, in Worcester
Whether they’re located in Middlesex or Worcester County, Central Massachusetts businesses are just a short drive away from either one of the two top venues for employee outings in the region.
To the east, there’s the Apex Entertainment center. Built on top of a long-abandoned apple orchard in 2017 on Marlborough’s west side, the sprawling 100,000-square-foot entertainment destination has a litany of entertainment options to choose from, including bowling, indoor go-karts, and sports simulators. Additional businesses in the building provide access to entertainment like axe-throwing and a trampoline park, bringing some much needed fun to the city, which lacked anything like the complex has to offer.
One advantage of having such a massive and all-encompassing facility is it provides businesses looking to supply their employees with a little R&R time with a variety of options, ranging from a small 10-person get-together to renting out the entire 1,600-person-capacity facility, said George Aronstein, chief operating officer at Apex.
“There's a ton of stuff in the venue that can be utilized,” Aronstein said. “Companies can build opportunities for their employees based on a variety of scales, from cost, to the amount of people, to the fun level, and go from there.”
To the west, Polar Park in Worcester’s Canal District serves as another sprawling destination for employee outings, regardless of size or scope. The 9,508-seat ballpark and home to the Worcester Red Sox can handle anything from a casual night at the ballpark for a small startup or nonprofit to hosting 600 Coghlin Cos. employees for its annual company night, which has become an annual labor day tradition for the Westborough manufacturer.
The stadium provides all the excitement of attending a professional 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 experience to boost employee engagement and offers a relaxed setting that allows coworkers to socialize, in many cases along with their families.”
Photo | Courtesy of Polar Park
Westborough manufacturer Coghlin Cos. held its company event at Polar Park.
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!”
- Story written by Eric Casey, who is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal and primarily reports on the manufacturing and real estate industries.
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 organizations 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 children's and families' lives.
Photo | Courtesy of CASA Project
Champions for Children fundraiser for CASA Project Worcester County raised $150,000.
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
Best Hotel for Business Clients
Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester
Notable runner-up: AC Hotel Worcester
The only AAA Four Diamond property 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 multimillion-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
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 presentation 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
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 meetings, offering the latest audiovisual technology and high-speed wireless connectivity. The Beechwood aims to create a sophisticated ambiance and service to enhance every experience and accommodate unique business meeting needs.
Website: www.beechwoodhotel.com
Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager and managing director
Founded: 1989
Employees: 100
Best Golf Club for Corporate Outing
Winner: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club*, in Boylston
Notable runners-up: Worcester Country Club; Wachusett Country Club, in West Boylston
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club has invested to enhance the golf and dining experience by purchasing equipment and upgrading maintenance practices, procedures, menus, and staff training to create a welcoming and caring environment. Whether playing golf, taking a lesson, eating at the restaurant, or attending an event, Cyprian Keyes strives to ensure each customer has a valuable experience.
Website: cypriankeyes.com
Top executive: David Frem, general manager
Founded: 1997
Employees: 100+
Best Public Golf Course
Winner: Green Hill Municipal G.C.*, in Worcester
Notable runners-up: Wachusett Country Club, in West Boylston; Kettle Brook Golf Club, in Paxton; Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, in Boylston
Fresh off a 2023 renovation to its course, Green Hill strives to fulfill its mission of creating a golf experience accessible and affordable to everyone. The course, owned by the City of Worcester, including a driving range, restaurant, and a junior golf program.
Website: greenhillgc.com
Top executive: Matthew Moison, director of golf
Founded: 1929
Best Private Golf Course
Winner: Worcester Country Club*
Notable runners-up: Tatnuck Country Club, in Worcester; Pleasant Valley Country Club, in Sutton; Cohasse Country Club, in Southbridge
The 125-year-old golf club is probably best known for hosting major championships like the Ryder Cup in 1927, the men’s U.S. Open in 1925, and the women’s U.S. Open in 1960. However, Worcester Country Club has been home to major tournaments in this century, too, including the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 2000 and 2006 and the New England PGA Championship in 2009 and 2021.
Website: worcestercc.org
Top executive: Troy Sprister, general manager and chief operating officer
Founded: 1900
Click here to read all of the 2025 Best of Business winner profiles.
*denotes repeat winner
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