GCAi, New England Corporate Videos to Debut Difference Makers Films at April 7 Gala
SPRINGFIELD — Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi), through its video production subsidiary New England Corporate Videos (NECV), will debut its 2026 Difference Makers honoree video series at the annual BusinessWest Difference Makers Gala on Tuesday, April 7 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. This marks the fourth consecutive year GCAi and NECV have served as the official video production team for the prestigious regional recognition program.
Now in its fourth year of partnership, GCAi once again collaborated with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar, who served as interviewer across eight on-camera sessions. The production team created 16 individual edits from those interviews — half to be screened in long form at the April 7 event, and the remaining half to be used for ongoing promotional purposes.
This year, GCAi broke from tradition by expanding beyond its downtown Springfield studio on the 24th floor of Tower Square. In collaboration with honoree Darby O’Brien, the team arranged to film a portion of the interviews on location at Food 101 in South Hadley.
“Darby and I came up with the idea to shoot at Food 101,” said John Garvey, president of GCAi. “We felt it would add a whole new element to the interviews — and it did. Nobody puts Darby into a studio, so we knew we had to find a setting that would suit his personality and creativity. We are very appreciative of Alan Anischik and his crew at Food 101 for accommodating us and our idea.”
The Difference Makers program, launched by BusinessWest in 2009, recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, and institutions making a meaningful impact across the communities of Western Mass. This year’s honorees represent a diverse cross-section of the region’s most dedicated civic and business leaders. They include:
• Ryan Alekman and Robert DiTusa, partners, Alekman DiTusa, LLC;
• Rachelle Hannoush, director of Youth, Violence Prevention, and Court Support Programs, YWCA of Western Massachusetts;
• Jess Miller, comedian and founder, The Kind Squad;
• Darby O’Brien, owner, Darby O’Brien Advertising;
• Julie Quink, managing principal, Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C.;
• Edward Sokolowski, managing partner and wealth advisor, Pioneer Valley Financial Group;
• Margaret Tantillo, executive director, O’Dell Women’s Center; and
• Zeno Temple, founder, Just Us Movement.
“These are incredible individuals, and we are thrilled to help tell their story,” Garvey said. “We are happy to be a part of Difference Makers every year and are proud to help amplify the contributions of honorees who serve as an inspiration to us all.”
For more information or to register to attend the gala, click here.