The Western Massachusetts Economic Ecosystem Summit unites leaders, innovators, and economic development professionals from across the four Western counties; Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire.
The 7th summit will feature county-specific presentations in the morning, followed by collective strategic planning in the afternoon. The goal is to strengthen cross-county collaboration, address shared priorities, and envision a future rooted in resilience and inclusion.
Where & when is the summit happening?
Date: October 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Adams Theater, 27 Park St, Adams, MA 01220
Summit background & impact
This summit is part of a long-running effort to foster inclusive, arts-infused economic growth throughout Western Massachusetts.
- The 6th Summit, held in 2024, brought together regional stakeholders to exchange perspectives across county lines.
- In December 2024, the 5th Summit at the Venture Way Collaborative featured civic leaders, from mayors to town administrators, alongside representatives from the Western Massachusetts EDC and other organizations. The discussions emphasized “marketing ourselves as a region” and integrating arts and culture into planning.
- In 2024, 1Berkshire hosted a Western Mass Ecosystem Summit at the Berkshire Innovation Center, engaging over 50 regional stakeholders in strategic economic mapping.
Together, these convenings highlight the importance of collaboration across arts, entrepreneurship, civic planning, and economic development to make Western Massachusetts a model for creative, inclusive growth.
The 7th Summit: Who’s Involved?
Sponsors & conveners
- Springfield Creative City Collective
- Valley Venture Mentors
- Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council
Strategy & planning partners
- Artist Dynamix
- Inc413
- ReVision Energy
- Living Local 413
- 413 Online
- ’68 Center for Career Exploration
- 1Berkshire
- North Adams Partnership
- Discover North Adams
Funding & support
- MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI)
- The Barr Foundation
This summit is part of the TDI Creative Cities initiative, which uses arts-based strategies to catalyze equitable economic development across the region.
Why you should attend
- Shape the vision for your county and the region.
- Collaborate with peers from business, culture, government, and civic sectors.
- Amplify the role of arts and culture in driving economic vitality.
- Be part of regional change-making and build a unified, resilient ecosystem.
How to register for the summit
Use this form to register. There is no charge to attend but places are limited, so attendance is on a first come, fisrt served basis.
For questions, reach out to sccc9[at]valleyventurementors.org.
