The Chamber would like to acknowledge former Senator Michael R. Knapik for his support of business in the greater Easthampton area. He vacated his seat earlier in August and began employment as the executive director of advancement at Westfield State University.

Knapik (R) served in the Senate for ten terms, and represented the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District, which includes Easthampton and Southampton. In addition to serving as a Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means since 2001, Knapik also served on the Senate Committees on Ethics & Rules and Bonding, Capital Expenditures & State Assets, and was a member of several joint legislative committees.

Chamber President Patrick Brough says, "Senator Knapik was always supportive and would listen to what the business owners in Easthampton and Southampton had to say. He was present at many of the events over the years held by the Chamber. He was a big advocate recently of the connection with the MassDOT and the Chamber during the Manhan Bridge construction. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him well in his new career."

"What strikes me most about Senator Knapik was his willingness to work for what was best for his constituents,"  Exec. Director Eric Snyder says. "He always kept an open mind to all sides of a situation and, if it meant working with 'the other side of the aisle' to reach a favorable conclusion that benefited his district, he did so. Mike always kept in close contact with our chamber, eagerly supplying information and support to our business community.  His advocacy and support to the burgeoning arts community and creative economy was superb.  I wish him great success in his new role at Westfield State University. His hard work for greater Easthampton will be missed by the Chamber and its members."

There will be a special election on November 5 to fill the vacated seat. October 8 primaries will be held to select among two Democrats and two Republications for the November ballot. The individuals running are:

• David K. Bartley, D (Holyoke City Councilor)
• Michael Franco, R (Westfield Veterans Services Officer)
• Donald F. Humason Jr., R (Westfield State Representative)
• Mayor Michael Tautznik, D (Mayor of Easthampton)  

The 2013 Western Mass Business Expo will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street, Springfield. It's a business marketing and networking opportunity not to be missed.

The event schedule will be: breakfast, 7:30 - 8:45 am; Expo floor open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; Expo Social 4:00 - 6:30 pm

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Attendance to the show is free and open to the public. To avoid long lines, pre-registration is recommended at http://www.wmbexpo.com/attendee-registration.html. There are costs associated with attending the Chamber Breakfast and the Expo Lunch; pre-registration for these events is required and will be available online shortly.

Exhibitors are welcome and encouraged to register early (http://www.wmbexpo.com/exhib-registration.html ). Business sponsorships are also still available as of this date (http://www.wmbexpo.com/show-sponsors.html). Contact 413-781-8600, ext. 100 to register as an exhibitor or sponsor.

In previous years, 2,000 to 3,000 visitors attended the Expo, a majority them high-level executives from a wide variety of local industries.

For more information about this year's Expo, go to the website at http://www.wmbexpo.com/index.html.