Dec 6, 2024 – We were there: Western Massachusetts Regional Economic Ecosystem Summit

Artist Dynamix took part in the Western Massachusetts Regional Economic Ecosystem Summit held at Venture Way Collaborative today. This was the fifth edition of the summit, and we’ve attended all of them as we try to get a real sense of the economic opportunities, challenges, and networks in the region.

Today, the mayors of Easthampton, Nicole LaChapelle, and Northampton, Gina-Louise Sciarra, and the Town Administrator for South Hadley, Lisa Wong, were among the speakers. They sat on a panel led by Xiomara Albán Delobato, Chief of Staff for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC).

(L to R) Xiomara Alban Delobato, Lisa Wong, Gina-Louise Sciarra, and Nicole LaChapelle speak on a panel at the Western MA Economic Ecosystem Summit | FungaiFoto

Other speakers included Senator Jake Oliveira, Amherst Town Councillor-at-Large Ellisha Walker, and Vice-Chair of the Belchertown Select Board, Lesa Lessard Pearson.

The focus was on economic developments, challenges, and milestones.

Tiffany Allecia, Hope Ross Gibraldi, and their team have done a great job bringing together some of the top decision-makers in the region to discuss ways we can move Western MA forward as a region.

Artist Dynamix was represented by founder, Fungai Tichawangana, who also represented the ArtsHub of Western Massachusetts.

“One of the main things I’m thinking about when I attend these summits is how we market ourselves as a region,” Said Tichawangana. “I am looking to see how Western Massachusetts is positioning itself, online and offline to be a competitive region. Obviously, as a digital marketer, when I’m listening to the mayor of any town speak, I’m wondering how their efforts on the ground are reflected in the strategy they have in place for online marketing. I like to geek out on that sort of stuff.”

“The other angle I’m always thinking about is how arts and culture factor into any planing by towns, counties or the the region as a whole. I work a lot with creatives and they are often forgotten in the core planning.”