BEST COLLEGE FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION
Nichols College*
Dudley, www.nichols.edu
Top executive: President Susan West Engelkemeyer
Founded: 1815
Employees: 308
Nichols offers a career-focused and leadership-based approach to learning, both in and out of the classroom, weaving its professional development program throughout its college experience. The school offers personalized academic and career advising and a professional development seminar.
Notable runners-up: Assumption College, Worcester State University
BEST HOTEL FOR BUSINESS CLIENTS
Beechwood Hotel*
Worcester, www.beechwoodhotel.com
Top executive: Sayed M. Saleh, asset manager & managing director
Founded: 1989
Employees: 100
The only four-diamond, boutique hotel in Central Massachusetts, the Beechwood sets itself apart by providing a memorable guest experience with a preserved elegance in its antique art displays, mahogany gas fireplace and stained glass.
BEST NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER EVENT
Notre Dame Health Care Annual Educational Forum
Worcester, www.notredamehealthcare.org
Top executive: CEO Karen M. Laganelli
Founded: 1993
Employees: 425
While raising funds for Notre Dame’s Educational Bridge Center – including continuing healthcare education, free programs for seniors, adult basic education, and citizenship preparation – the forum serves as an educational experience itself. The 2016 event featured a talk by Lisa Genova, author of the bestselling book “Still Alice.”
Notable runners-up: YOU Ball Gala for Kids; 15-40 Mark & David Ungerer Gala, Auction & Golf Tournament
BEST EXERCISE FACILITY/FITNESS CENTER
The Fitness Asylum*
Shrewsbury & Boylston, fitness-asylum.com
Top executive: Owner Bonnie Lefrak
Founded: 2011
Employees: 25
All the Fitness Asylum instructors were once clients themselves, so they strive to provide classes that are challenging but accessible to anyone at any fitness level, focused on delivering results.
Notable runner-up: Worcester Fitness
BEST LUXURY AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP
Wagner Auto Group*
Shrewsbury, wagnermotors.com
Top executive: President Mark Wagner
Founded: 1965
Employees: 400
Wagner offers a variety of luxury cars, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Jaguar, setting itself apart with a welcoming, family atmosphere.
Notable runner-up: Lexus of Northborough
BEST LIMOUSINE SERVICE
Knight’s Airport Limousine Inc.*
Shrewsbury, www.knightslimo.com
Top executives: Owners Michael and Thomas Hogan
Founded: 1985
Employees: 130
Knight’s sports the largest luxury vehicle fleet west of Route 128 with 60 town cars, passenger vans, executive vans and mini-buses, relying on highly skilled employees – from salespeople to drivers – to keep customers coming back.
Notable runners-up: Joey’s Limousine Service, Worcester Limo Service
*denotes repeat winner
Click below to see the other 2017 WBJ Best of Business winners
- BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS LUNCH – The Sole Proprietor*
- BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS DINNER – 111 Chop House*
- BEST LOCALLY OWNED PLACE TO MEET FOR COFFEE – BirchTree Bread Company
- 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 – Gray Barn
- BEST TRI-AREA AFTER-WORK BAR – Cedar Street Grille*
- BEST CATERER FOR A CORPORATE EVENT – Peppers Artful Events
- BEST COFFEE SERVICE – Good As Gold Coffee*
- BEST VIDEO PRODUCTION – Pagano Media
- BEST AWARDS & PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS – Engraveables*
- BEST COMMERCIAL PRINTER – Curry Printing*
- BEST IT SERVICES – Machado Consulting
- BEST INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER – Spectrum Enterprise*
- BEST WEB DESIGN FIRM – Pagano Media*
- BEST TRUCK DEALERSHIP – Harr Motor Co.*
- BEST COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPER – Leone’s Landscaping & Construction
- BEST ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR – Coghlin Electrical Contractors Inc.*
- BEST PLUMBER/HVAC CONTRACTOR – J.J. Bafaro, Inc.*
- BEST WASTE REMOVAL – E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.
- BEST OFFICE CLEANING – Eagle Cleaning Corp.
- BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE – Green Hill Golf Course*
- BEST PRIVATE GOLF COURSE – Worcester Country Club*
- BEST GOLF CLUB FOR CORPORATE OUTING – Cyprian Keyes Golf Club*
- BEST VENUE FOR A BUSINESS MEETING – Beechwood Hotel*
- BEST VENUE FOR AN EMPLOYEE OUTING – EcoTarium*
- BEST VENUE FOR A CORPORATE EVENT – Mechanics Hall*
- BEST BANK – UniBank*
- BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE AGENCY – Sullivan Insurance Group*
- BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING/INVESTMENT SERVICES – Provo Financial Services, Inc.*
- BEST CREDIT UNION – DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union*
- BEST HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDER – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts*
- BEST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT – Sullivan Benefits
- BEST LAW FIRM – Mirick O’Connell*
- BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM – Bollus Lynch, LLP Certified Public Accountants & Consultants*
- BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY – PENTA Communications, Inc.*
- BEST STAFFING AGENCY – The Davis Companies*
