Continuing the celebration of Women in Business Month, 1Berkshire is offering $88 off a new Enhanced Membership for women-owned or women-led businesses that join by October 31, 2026.  Thanks to the generous support of our Women in Business Month sponsor, Independent Connections, this special offer recognizes the achievements, leadership, and impact of women entrepreneurs and business owners in our region.

The $88 discount commemorates 1988, the year President Ronald Reagan signed H.R. 5050, the Women’s Business Ownership Act. The legislation expanded federal support for women-owned businesses and helped address barriers to business ownership by improving access to capital, training, and business assistance.

Through this special promotion, 1Berkshire encourages entrepreneurs and business professionals to explore membership, build meaningful connections, and access opportunities that can help their businesses grow.

Prospective members can redeem the $88 discount by completing the membership enrollment form and entering promotional code WOMEN88.

This special offer is available for women-owned and women-led businesses only who apply for a new Enhanced Membership with 1Berkshire before October 31, 2026.

Offer Details

• Promotion: $88 off Enhanced Membership
• Promotional code: WOMEN88
• How to participate: Complete the membership enrollment form at https://1berkshire.jotform.com/261595834356165
• Offer expiration: October 31, 2026 
• Eligibility: Women Owned or Women Led Businesses

For more information about membership or the Women in Business Month promotion, contact Christine Hoyt at enrollment@1berkshire.com.

The post 1Berkshire Celebrates Women in Business with $88 Enhanced Membership Discount appeared first on 1Berkshire.

Meet Lindsey Schmid, SVP Tourism & Marketing, RTC Director

As SVP of Tourism and Marketing and Regional Tourism Council Director for the Berkshires, I oversee the 1Berkshire marketing team and play an active role in destination marketing and management across the region. I also help communicate the impact of 1Berkshire’s work, ensuring we tell a strong, cohesive story about our organization’s role in supporting the Berkshires’ tourism industry, businesses, and communities.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at 1Berkshire?

I love my creative team and the varied responsibilities I have. I also enjoy working with so many other great organizations in the Berkshires

What inspires you to do the work you do at 1Berkshire?

I want to be part of the future success of this area. I believe all the small things we are doing and working toward today will add up to meaningful growth for our region in the future.

What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I lived in Costa Rica for 2 years after graduating from college.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about 1Berkshire?

As the official Regional Tourism Council, we actively promote the Berkshires every day through our tourism website, berkshires.org, to attract more visitors to our region and support our local businesses and communities.

What is one Berkshire attraction or experience you think everyone should try at least once? 

This is such a hard question because there’s so much to see and do in the Berkshires! In the summer, Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow are must-visits. I’d also take them to explore MASS MoCA and the Clark Art Institute, go skiing at one of our local ski areas in the winter, or jump into a lake on a warm day. And, of course, there’s always apple picking and donut tasting in the fall. Honestly, I’d want to take them everywhere!

Meet Alex LaValley, Economic Development Associate

I run 1Berkshire’s jobs posting platform, the jobs thing, as well as support our other programming such as our free business consultations, the 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program, and Entrepreneurial Meetups.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at 1Berkshire?

I think meeting the people in the region who are doing great things and letting their passion guide them.

What inspires you to do the work you do at 1Berkshire?

The possibility of helping someone get to where they want to be and the way that can also impact others.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about 1Berkshire?

I wish people knew that we are always here to be a resource and they shouldn’t be concerned about knocking on our metaphorical door for help with something. If we don’t have the answer we probably know someone who does!

What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

Syracuse is the furthest west I have travelled so far in my life! I’d love to change that soon though.

What season in the Berkshires is your favorite, and why?

It has to be fall. There’s no better feeling to me than dressing in layers and going on a nice stroll in my neighborhood.

The post Meet Team 1B: Lindsey & Alex appeared first on 1Berkshire.

The five float award winners were:

• Harry S. Orr Award (Best Overall): Very Good

• • • Bringing Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure to life and sharing their observations of our Northern Berkshire home.
  • Hayden Award (2nd place): North Adams Pride 
    • Celebrating their 10 year anniversary, time-traveling through the Berkshires to 10 years ago when a group of individuals came together with a vision of collaboration and community. 

• Mayor’s Award (3rd place): MASS MoCA

• • • MASS MoCA incorporates this year’s parade theme of “70 Years in Motion: Time Traveling Through North Berkshire” by celebrating Art in All Forms: 27 years of MASS MoCA in North Adams. The museum staff march in celebration of all the ways in which MASS MoCA and North Adams have come together in community over the past 27 years through joyful art making in all forms.

• Grand Marshal’s Award (4th place): Knights of Columbus

• • • The Brother Knights of Mount Greylock Council 230 and the patriotic Color Corps of the Bishop Conaty Assembly 395 standing firm on their four core principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

• Parade Director’s Award (5th place): Berkshire Food Project

• • The Berkshire Food Project float reflected and celebrated the mission of the organization which seeks to alleviate hunger, food insecurity, and social isolation by serving healthy, no cost meals and connecting people to other resources, all in a dignified and respectful manner.  

As the parade came to a close, the committee members unveiled the theme for 2027: Soundtrack to Northern Berkshire.  The theme is meant to inspire everyone to think about the sounds that make Northern Berkshire special – from the music and art that bring our communities to life, to the sounds of nature that surround us.  Take a listen to the start of the 2027 Parade Soundtrack by clicking here.

To watch the video of this parade, click here. To learn more, visit 1berkshire.com/events/fall-foliage-parade. 

Photos by Nick Mantello.

The post 70th Annual Fall Foliage Parade Float Winners and the 2027 Parade Theme appeared first on 1Berkshire.

This networking event will bring together local businesses for an evening of conversation, community, food, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the region’s most distinctive historic sites.

Guests are invited to arrive early for a guided tour of the railyard, led by knowledgeable BSRM volunteers. The tour will offer an up-close look at vintage locomotives, restored rail cars, and ongoing restoration work before guests gather inside the beautifully restored 1903 New Haven Railroad depot.

Throughout the evening, HAND CRAFTED Catering & Events will serve seasonal bites, with a cash bar available for guests. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet BSRM Executive Director Melanie Seiden and other museum representatives, learning more about the organization’s strategic vision, educational programming, and plans for the future.

Whether attendees are lifelong rail enthusiasts or simply looking for a memorable setting to expand their regional network, our 1B Social promises an evening that brings together history, hospitality, and community. Click here to RSVP today for this 1B Social at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, 10 Willow Creek Rd, Lenox, MA 01240.  The event is FREE for 1Berkshire Members or members of the Lenox Chamber of Commerce; $10 for non-Members.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday!

The post 1Berkshire Invites Berkshire Businesses to Connect and Network at Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum appeared first on 1Berkshire.

No Parking Beginning at Midnight

Starting at 12:00 AM on Sunday, October 4, “NO PARKING” signs will be posted along:

• Main Street
• Church Street
• Lower Eagle Street
• State Street
• Ashland Street
• Blackinton Street (southside only)

Please make sure vehicles are moved from these areas before the restrictions take effect.

Traffic Changes on Parade Day

The North Adams Police Department, with assistance from the Department of Public Works, will have cones, barricades, and traffic signs in place at intersections along the parade route.

• 10:30 AM: State Street traffic will be rerouted to Old State Road; North and South bound.
• 11:00 AM: Portions of the parade route will begin closing, including restrictions on northbound traffic entering the city via Route 8. Detour in place at Curran Highway and Hodges Cross Road.
• 12:00 PM: All traffic detours and road closures will be in place.  There will not be access to the parade starting location on Curran Highway after 12 noon.  Limited “Local Traffic Only” will be permitted as necessary.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow posted detours and directions from police officers.

After the Parade

Once the parade has passed, North Adams Police officers will remain on the route to help reopen streets and restore normal traffic patterns. This includes removing detours, taking down “NO PARKING” signs, and clearing other traffic-control equipment.

Thank you

The North Adams Police Department and its dispatchers play an essential role in keeping parade day safe and organized. The Fall Foliage Parade Committee greatly appreciates their continued partnership, along with the support of the Department of Public Works, year after year.

More Information

For more information about the Fall Foliage Parade, visit https://1berkshire.com/fall-foliage-parade/

The post 70th Annual Fall Foliage Parade: Traffic & Public Safety Information appeared first on 1Berkshire.

This year’s parade theme, 70 Years in Motion: Time Traveling Through North Berkshire, celebrates seven decades of creativity, community, and tradition.  For Yriart, the theme has special meaning. Since moving to the Berkshires, he has spent the past 10 years volunteering on the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade Committee, helping keep one of the region’s most beloved traditions moving forward.

Parade Coordinator Christine Hoyt stated, “Over the past 10 years, Doug has become such an important part of the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade family. He is always willing to pitch in, solve a problem, and do whatever it takes to help make the parade a success.” Hoyt continued by saying, “As Parade Coordinator, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside him, and I couldn’t be happier to see him take his place at the front of the parade this year. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication and friendship, and we can’t think of a more deserving person to help us celebrate 70 Years in Motion.”

Over the past decade, Yriart has been part of the work that happens behind the scenes to bring the parade to life each fall.  His commitment to volunteering reflects the community spirit that has carried the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade through its 70-year history – and makes him a fitting Grand Marshal as the parade looks both backward and forward. 

Yriart brings a lifetime of service, leadership, and community involvement to the role. A retired U.S. Naval Reserve Officer, Captain, he was recalled to active duty three times; most recently in 1991, when he served with the Navy Emergency Coordination Center, Bureau of Naval Personnel. He also retired as a Chief Engineer with the U.S. Civil Service under the Civil Service Retirement System. His community service includes being a founding member of the McLean Community Theater in Virginia, where he went on to serve as President and Treasurer. The theater is a 501(c)(3) Virginia non-stock corporation.

Ten years ago, Yriart chose Clarksburg as his home in retirement—despite friends and colleagues recommending destinations in the Carolinas or Florida. Since then, he has become an active member of the Northern Berkshire community and a dedicated volunteer with the Fall Foliage Parade.

“The Parade Committee and the Parade have made me feel a part of my adopted retirement home since my earliest days here,” Doug Yriart stated. As he continued to reflect on the years since he relocated from Virginia, Doug said, “Through the committee, the volunteers, and the participants, I’ve learned about the community. I was given an opportunity to give something back while having fun doing something useful.”

The 2026 parade will invite participants and spectators to travel through time and North Berkshire, celebrating the people, places, memories, and moments that have shaped the region over the past 70 years. From the parade’s earliest days to the community of today—and the future still to come—this year’s celebration will put the past in motion.

On Sunday, October 4 at 1:00pm as Grand Marshal, Yriart will help lead that journey, representing not only his 10 years of service to the parade but the generations of volunteers, participants, businesses, organizations, and spectators who have kept the tradition moving for seven decades.

There is still time to participate in this year’s parade. There are a variety of ways to get involved, including, but not limited to, entering to have a float, a band/music unit, or a marching unit. We are also looking for volunteers to help on parade day with the lineup or as a banner carrier. Lastly, sponsorship of the parade helps with making the parade bigger and better each year. For more information about how you can help, please visit https://1berkshire.com/fall-foliage-parade.

The post Doug Yriart Named Grand Marshal of the 2026 Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade appeared first on 1Berkshire.

Hospitality and tourism businesses are being asked to do more with the same or fewer resources. AI can help make that work faster, smarter, and more effective.

This article is a practical playbook focused on a few high-impact ways hospitality businesses can use AI today. We’ll cover content creation, visitor insights, ways to make your business easier for AI search tools to understand and recommend, and simple AI workflows for repeat tasks. Each section includes a short workflow and a prompt you can try right away.

New to AI? Start Here

If you have never used an AI tool before, start simple. Open ChatGPT or another AI tool, type or paste your request into the prompt box, use the “+” button to attach files when needed, and ask follow-up questions if the first answer is not quite right. For the prompts in this guide, copy and paste the prompt, replace anything in brackets with your own information, and hit send.

A Quick Note on Using AI Responsibly

AI can be incredibly useful, but you are still responsible for how you use it. Never blindly copy and paste what an AI tool gives you. Think critically, use your best judgment, check important facts and sources, and push back when an answer seems too convenient, too certain, or simply does not feel right.

1. Create More Content Without Creating More Work

You probably already have more marketing material than you think. AI can help you get more mileage out of what is already working while making it much easier to keep your content fresh and relevant.

Simple Workflow

• Identify 3 to 5 high-performing past posts, newsletters, or blogs.
• Pick one upcoming event, offer, or seasonal update you want to promote.
• Upload those examples and give AI the key details and the audience you want to reach.
• Ask AI to create versions for different marketing channels, then review and edit them before publishing.

Optional: Review competitor content for inspiration and ask AI to suggest original variations that fit your brand voice.

Starter Prompt

Copy and paste this prompt into your AI tool. Replace anything in brackets with your own information.

I run a [type of business] in [location]. I am sharing a mix of my best-performing past content and a new upcoming promotion below. Repurpose and adapt this into a blog, three social media posts, and a short email. Also suggest one additional content idea inspired by this material. Keep the tone friendly, natural, and appropriate for visitors to our area.

[Upload your information using the “+” button by the prompt window]

2. Find the Patterns Hiding in Guest Feedback

Your guests are already telling you what they love, what frustrates them, and what they wish was better. AI can help you spot those patterns much faster and turn scattered feedback into useful marketing and business insights.

Simple Workflow

• Gather recent reviews, survey responses, social comments, or guest feedback.
• Upload the feedback or paste it into the prompt window.
• Ask AI to identify common themes, repeated complaints, positive surprises, and emerging preferences.
• Ask AI for suggestions on how to reduce recurring complaints and build on what guests already love.

Starter Prompt

Copy and paste this prompt into your AI tool. Replace anything in brackets with your own information.

Analyze the guest feedback provided and identify the five most common themes. Highlight what guests value most, recurring frustrations, and any opportunities we may be overlooking. Then suggest three ways we could use these insights to improve our marketing and/or operations.

[Upload your information using the “+” button by the prompt window and/or paste guest feedback here]

3. Make Your Website Easier for AI to Find and Recommend

When a traveler asks ChatGPT or another AI tool where to stay, eat, or visit, can it quickly understand what your business offers and why it should recommend you? GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, and AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, are ways of making your website clearer and more useful to AI-powered search and answer tools.

Simple Workflow

• Paste your website URL into an AI tool and ask it to analyze how clearly your site explains your business.
• Ask AI to suggest specific changes that could make your site easier for AI search and answer tools to understand and recommend.
• Update important basics such as your location, services, amenities, hours, menus, policies, and nearby attractions.
• Add short FAQs that answer real traveler questions, such as “Where should I stay in Pittsfield?” or “What are good places to eat nearby?”

For more advanced users: Some GEO/AEO optimization also happens behind the scenes through metadata, structured data, and how your website content is organized.

Starter Prompt

Copy and paste this prompt into your AI tool. Replace anything in brackets with your own information.

Review my website and tell me how easy it is for AI search and answer tools to understand and recommend my business. Identify anything that is missing, vague, or hard to find. Then give me a short, prioritized list of specific changes I can make first.

[Paste your website URL here]

4. Start With the Easy Workflows: Agentic AI

Agentic AI sounds technical, but the idea is simple. Instead of using AI for one answer, you use it to help move through a series of repeatable steps. The best place to start is a daily or weekly process with a clear order of tasks, low risk, and ideally one person responsible from start to finish.

Example: Every Monday, one person gathers upcoming events, asks AI to draft three social posts and an email, reviews the drafts, and schedules the approved content.

Simple Workflow

• Identify one task that repeats every day or week.
• Write down the steps in the order they happen.
• Choose a process that is mostly owned by one person and is low risk.
• Ask AI which step it could help with first, then test the simplest version.

Starter Prompt

Copy and paste this prompt into your AI tool. Replace anything in brackets with your own information.

Help me identify a simple AI workflow around the process below. Before making recommendations, ask me five questions that will help you understand how often the work happens, who owns it, what steps are involved, what tools I use, and what could go wrong. Then break the process into steps, identify where AI could help, and recommend the easiest low-risk version to test first.

[Describe your daily or weekly process here]

Want to Go Deeper on AI for Your Business?

If you liked what you saw above and want to learn where AI implementation is heading for hospitality and tourism, join us at the AI Hospitality & Tourism Summit on September 23 at Berkshire Community College. Five speakers, including Kate Fox, the Executive Director of Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, will share practical insights into how AI is reshaping hospitality, tourism, and businesses across the Commonwealth.

Register here. 

Start Small and Build From There

You do not need to overhaul your marketing strategy or automate everything at once. Pick one useful place to start, test it, learn what works, and build from there.

The biggest opportunity with AI is not doing everything differently overnight. It is finding a few practical ways to save time, understand your visitors better, improve how people find you, and make repetitive work easier.

The post Do More with Less: An AI Guide for Hospitality and Tourism Businesses appeared first on 1Berkshire.

Here is a list of events happening between now and the 70th Annual Fall Foliage Parade on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Contact the North Adams Office of Tourism to learn more about this year’s Fall Foliage Festival Events!

Multiple Dates

Berkshire Scenic’s Fall Foliage Trains – Fall Foliage Speedliner

September 26, 27, October 3, 4, 10, 11, and 12
Look into the distance and view the fall foliage on the mountains on both sides of the train while listening to historic narration.
Get Tickets: berkshiretrains.org/tickets

Annual Fall Foliage Leaf Hunt

September 26 – until all leaves are found
Search for 10 hidden colorful leaves and bring a found leaf to North Adams City Hall to claim a prize donated by local businesses. Clues will lead you on a fun autumn adventure throughout North Berkshire, with an invisible hunt option available for homebound participants.
Various locations in Adams, North Adams and Williamstown
Clues can be found here: https://www.iberkshires.com/story/83986/Fall-Foliage-Leaf-Hunt-Clues-2026.html

Wednesday, September 30

Steeple City Social Community Conversation about the Fall Foliage Parade and Festival

The Fall Foliage Festival is upon us! Join members of the organizing committee, as well as producers of award-winning floats, for a discussion about the history of the parade, what it takes to set up each year, and what the future holds. Interested in participating? Learn about last-minute opportunities to dive in, or prepare to participate next year. Audience questions are welcome.
Agenda:
6:30pm: Mix & mingle with the presenters
7:00pm: Panel discussion about the Fall Foliage Day Parade
7:30pm: Q&A
8:00pm – 10:00pm: Stick around after the event until Steeple City Social closes!
Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/steeplecitysocial

Thursday, October 1 

Fall Foliage Dog Costume Parade

Dress up your dog and walk them down Main Street to win awards and giveaways! The parade starts at City Hall at 6pm sharp!
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
FREE

Friday, October 2

Box Car Derby and BBQ Cookoff

Watch kids race down Main Street in boxcars and then head over to the BBQ Cookoff to sample some tasty meats!
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Learn more: https://www.discovernorthadams.com/events/box-car-derby-and-bbq-cookoff 

First Friday

Jump into a weekend of Fall Foliage celebrations starting with the First Friday festivities in downtown North Adams!  Downtown businesses will have extended hours, and many galleries will be hosting openings and other special events!
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown North Adams
Learn more: https://www.discovernorthadams.com/events/first-friday-december-h796x-m7a2b

Saturday, October 3

Fall Foliage Children’s Parade + Fair

Join the Fall Foliage Children’s Parade + Fair at Noel Field! Children from throughout the Northern Berkshire’s are encouraged to make costumes and enter the parade.
Noel Field Athletic Complex, 310 State Street, North Adams
10:00 am – 1 pm
FREE

Tilly’s Harvest Fest

We will have a DJ, Berkshire County Line Dancers, Bounce House, Food available to purchase and more for this event.
1266 Curran Highway, North Adams
10 am – 6 pm
Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/18pYLurh1F/

Sunday, October 4

1Berkshire Presents the 70th Annual Fall Foliage Parade – 70 Years In Motion: Time-Traveling Through Northern Berkshire

Downtown North Adams
1:00 p.m.
FREE

Fall Foliage Parade Picnic with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

Take a tour of the future home of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. The Lions Club will be onsite serving up hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. nbCC will have tickets to hand out to the first 200 people, so they can enjoy a free lunch.
192 State Street, North Adams
11:00 am – 3 pm

Friday, October 23

Mohawk Theater Haunted House

Our Haunted Theatre themed Community Haunted House is in full swing, and we can’t wait to welcome you for a night of spooky fun!
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
FREE

Things to Do 

The following establishments in North Adams contacted the Parade Committee to let us know they will be open on Parade Day.  Please check their websites and/or social media for hours, address, offerings, and specials on Parade Day. If you are planning to be open but not listed below, email us at info@1berkshire.com so we can add the information to this list.

The post Fall Foliage Festival Events appeared first on 1Berkshire.

70 Years in Motion: Time-Traveling Through North Berkshire!

For seven decades, this beloved tradition has brought together businesses, community organizations, families, schools, musicians, performers, and visitors. As we take a look back through the years and celebrate all that has made the parade such a special part of our community, we’re also looking ahead – and inviting the local business community to be part of the celebration and keep this tradition moving forward.

There are plenty of ways to take part in the journey:

Join the Fun – Step Into the Parade

Whether you travel back in time with a creative float, march along the parade route, or find another imaginative way to participate, this is your opportunity to show off your business, your team, and your community spirit. Not ready to be in the parade? Think about volunteering your time and helping on parade day! Participating or volunteering offers a great way to boost employee engagement, gain visibility, celebrate your own business milestones, and demonstrate community support.

Help Keep the Tradition Moving – Sponsor the Celebration

It takes significant community support to bring the parade to life each year. Sponsorships help cover the costs of marching bands, awards, promotion, logistics, and all the other moving pieces that make parade day possible. Your support helps ensure that this tradition can continue for years to come.

Get Your Business in the Spirit

Have some fun with the theme! Offer parade-themed merchandise, specials, menu items, promotions, or other creative experiences in the days leading up to—and on—the day of the parade. Whether you feature a nostalgic favorite from decades past or put your own modern spin on the celebration, we’d love to see businesses throughout the region get into the spirit.

Help Us Spread the Word

A simple poster in your storefront or a social media post can help us reach more people and build excitement. We’ll provide information and promotional materials to make it easy for you to help share the fun. Let us know if you would like to host promotional materials at your business.

Host a Fall Event 

Planning a special event, promotion, or other fall activity? Let us know! We’d love to include it on our calendar of events and help showcase all that is happening throughout Northern Berkshire during this exciting time.  From longtime traditions to brand-new events, we want to celebrate everything that makes fall in our communities special.

Help us Plan for 2027! (yes, we start this early)

We are looking for your input to help select the 2027 theme.  Click here to complete a short survey asking for your theme suggestions.  As we have done in recent years, the committee would like to announce the 2027 theme at the end of this year’s parade.  You can submit more than one idea, so let the creativity flow!

Whether you sponsor, participate, promote, celebrate, create a special offer, or host an event, there is a way for your business to be part of the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade.  We invite you to take a trip through time with us, celebrate 70 years of memories, and help us create the next chapter in the history of the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade.  

Let’s work together to make this year’s celebration bigger, more colorful, and full of the community spirit that has kept this tradition going for generations.

Ready to get involved? Email 1Berkshire at events@1berkshire.com or call 413-499-1600 to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, parade participation, promotional materials, or adding your fall event to the celebration.

Let’s keep the tradition moving—and show everyone what Northern Berkshire is all about!

The post Help Keep the Fall Foliage Parade in Motion! appeared first on 1Berkshire.

Meet Marci Proper, Advertising Sales Executive

As an Advertising Sales Executive at 1Berkshire, I work closely with members and community organizations to identify marketing opportunities across print, digital, email, and sponsored content, helping them maximize their return on investment while supporting the region’s leading business and economic development organization.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at 1Berkshire?

The people aspect. I enjoy the Berkshire community and have dedicated so much of my career there that I want to help businesses grow and prosper in the Berkshires.

What inspires you to do the work you do at 1Berkshire?

I’m inspired by helping local businesses tell their stories, connect with new customers, and grow. Every business has something unique to offer, and it’s rewarding to play a small part in strengthening the community and economy of the Berkshires.

What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I am also a Potter, I love to create handmade functional pottery in my ceramics studio. I also provide a membership space for other creators as well as classes to help grow the creative community.

Why is supporting Berkshire businesses and communities important to you?

I’ve seen firsthand how strong local businesses create jobs, strengthen our communities, and make the Berkshires a place where people want to live, work, and visit. Being able to help those businesses grow is incredibly rewarding because I’m investing in the community that has given so much to me throughout my career.

What is one Berkshire attraction or experience you think everyone should try at least once? 

Everyone should experience a drive through the Berkshires in the fall. Between the breathtaking foliage, charming small towns, local farms, art, and incredible restaurants, it’s the perfect reminder of what makes this region so special.

Meet Mackenzi Ressler, Marketing Associate

I handle the bulk of the social media, scheduling influencer tours, and maintenance to our beautiful websites.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at 1Berkshire?

The office culture truly embodies the best of the Berkshires. My coworkers are truly and obviously passionate about their work; they come in every day with enthusiasm for uplifting the Berkshires in a way that is sustainable to the needs of the locals and the wants of tourists.

What inspires you to do the work you do at 1Berkshire?

The idea that I get to wake up every morning and contribute positively to other passionate individuals in my community.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about 1Berkshire?

Our website is truly a hidden gem to loving the Berkshires. From finding a restaurant to enjoy after a performance to booking hotels for the family near a ski lodge. It is a beautiful hub with plenty of resources!

What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I love to rock climb, I am definitely an adrenaline junkie!

If you had one day to show a visitor around, where would you take them?

Without a doubt, Mass MoCA. Anyone who loves the weird and conceptual art that is experimental modern art will love such a thought-provoking trip!

The post Meet Team 1B: Marci & Mackenzi appeared first on 1Berkshire.