West Hartford Chamber Celebrates Beacon and Spotlight Award Winners
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West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Allison Bellucci, Bellu Jean Creative
The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards ceremony on June 24, honoring 2025 award winners.
Elizabeth Gustin Basil Award winner Mary-Jane Foster (center) with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Allison Bellucci, Bellu Jean Creative
By Bob Carr. Photos by Bob Carr and Allison Bellucci
The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce once again put on a great award ceremony Tuesday night at the Polo Grounds in Farmington. The evening started with an hour of lively networking which was enhanced by the excellent music provided by “School of Rock.”
As co-masters of ceremony, Chris Conway and Kate Kobs created a fun and insightful experience while dinner was served. The highlight of their presentation was the revelation that the West Hartford Chamber has exceeded 600 members.
New Business of the Year winner Heather Moran of The Book Club (third from left) with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
The multiple Spotlight Award recipients were honored in a video presentation produced by Direct Line Media and the evening was capped with remarks from the stage from the Beacon Award winners, Mary-Jane Foster from Interval House, winner of the Elizabeth Gustin Basil award and John Green of Lux Bond & Green, winner of the Noah Webster Award.
John Green of Lux Bond and Green speaks to the crowd after being presented with the Noah Webster Award. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Allison Bellucci, Bellu Jean Creative
The Chamber has been presenting the Noah Webster Award since 1989 – given each year to the person, persons or organization exemplifying an extraordinary commitment to the West Hartford community – and in 2022 introduced another special community impact award – the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Women’s Leadership Award, which honors the legacy of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce’s first woman chairperson and recognizes a woman, who through her work, service, and/or philanthropy, has empowered women to advance in business or leadership roles.
Entrepreneur of the Year LaJune King with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
The 2025 Spotlight Award winners are:
- New Business – The Book Club – Heather Moran
- Entrepreneur – LaJune King – BLK STRY Studio and Photos by LJK
- Nonprofit – Jewish Family Services
- Economic Driver – Westfarms
- Legacy – Luna Pizza
- Young Professional – Ryan Young – PeoplesBank
- Chamber Volunteer – Patrice Taffe – Westfield Bank
- Chamber Partnership – Lauren Siegel – Town of West Hartford
Nonprofit of the Year Jewish Family Services. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
The West Hartford Chamber’s Annual Awards are one of their signature events, and is also the organization’s annual meeting, with new Board members sworn in.
The evening was, by any measure, a rousing success.
Elizabeth Ryan, general manager of Westfarms (third from left), the Economic Driver of the Year, with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
Alex MacDonald of Luna Pizza (third from left), Legacy Business of the Year, with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Allison Bellucci, Bellu Jean Creative
Patrice Taffe, Volunteer of the Year (third from left) with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
Young Professional of the Year, Ryan Young of PeoplesBank (third from left) with Chamber staff and executive board. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
Lauren Siegal, economic development specialist with the Town of West Hartford, was named the Chamber Partnership award winner. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo credit: Bob Carr
Board of Directors and leadership. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 24, 2025. Photo courtesy of Allison Bellucci, Bellu Jean Creative
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