PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire announced the finalists for the 2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Awards, which recognize outstanding initiatives, talented people, and innovative organizations moving the Berkshires forward. 

 

Winners will be announced at the 11th annual Celebrate the Berkshires event on Sept. 19 at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. This year's Putting the Berkshires on the Map honoree is The Fairbank Group, in recognition of the meaningful contribution they and their businesses have made to the Berkshire economy. The Wanda Houston Band will play during the reception.

 

The Trendsetter Awards celebrate businesses, organizations, and individuals in six categories that honor outstanding achievements and commitments that have strengthened the local economy. The following are the Berkshire Trendsetter Award categories and finalists for 2024.

 

2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Awards Categories and Finalists

 

Driving Visitor Engagement

Tourism is a critical economic engine, and marketing is the fuel that makes it roar. This award is presented to a creative and effective program/event that achieved results locally and further afield, helping to maintain the Berkshires as a top visitor destination to the direct and indirect benefit of our region's businesses.

 

Finalists:

ArtWeek Berkshires, a collaboration of the Cultural Districts of Berkshire County

 

Berkshire Botanical Garden

 

BerkshiresOutside.org

 

The Mount

 

Norman Rockwell Museum

 

 

Advancing Our Economy

This award is presented to a project that pushed the envelope in bringing new jobs or people to the Berkshires, has brought previously underrepresented voices to the table, or has had a positive impact on the workforce of a single employer, employee segment, or the Berkshires as a whole.

 

Finalists:

Berkshire Innovation Center

 

CDC South Berkshire

 

EMA

 

Alander Construction

 

Moresi & Associates

 

 

Nonprofit Collaborator

The best things we do in the Berkshires, we do together. In that spirit, this award is presented to a nonprofit organization whose efforts brought partners to the table, herded all the cats, and built a coalition to improve the region's quality of life.

 

Finalists:

AYJ Fund

 

Berkshire Natural Resources Council

 

Berkshire United Way

 

Latinas413

 

Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires

 

 

Under 40 Change-Maker

This award is presented to a member of the Berkshire community under the age of 40 who is making a difference through leadership, team building, and problem-solving skills, with a heightened awareness of key issues affecting our region.

 

 

Finalists

Abigail Allard

 

Marina Dominguez

 

Jonah Sykes

 

Tarah Warner

 

 

Visionary of the Year

Clarity of purpose and the fortitude to follow through are essential components of an entrepreneur's toolkit from founding to exit strategy and beyond. This award is presented to a Berkshire business founder/owner whose company, organization, or project is leading the way and making waves in their industry.

 

 

Finalists:

Choices Mentoring

 

Roots Rising

 

Second Chance Composting

 

Woven Roots Farm

 

Guido's

 

 

Breaking the Mold

"The Way We've Always Done Things" is comfortable, but not always applicable in 2024. This award is presented to an organization, program, or individual working in the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0 clusters that is thinking outside the box to shatter siloes and forge a new path through collaboration.

 

Finalists:

Berkshire Funding Focus

 

Dri

 

Let it Shine! public art partnership

 

Jenny Wright

 

Full Well Farm