1Berkshire is excited to announce the finalists for the 2025 Berkshire Trendsetter Awards. These awards recognize outstanding initiatives, talented people, and innovative organizations moving the Berkshires forward. Winners will be announced at the 11th annual Celebrate the Berkshires event.
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 2025.
2025 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:
- Arrival Art Fair at TOURISTS
- Berkshire Botanical Garden
- Berkshire Yoga Festival
- Catamount Mountain Resort
- The Mahaiwe
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 Health Systems
- Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc. (EMA)
- Greylock Federal Credit Union
- Proper Connections LLC/Independent Connections LLC/Richmond Telephone
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:
- Berkshire Agricultural Ventures
- Berkshire Innovation Center
- Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
- North Adams Farmers Market
- Zion Lutheran Church
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
- Tyler Bissaillon
- CJ Garner
- Brett Random
- Deanna Smith
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:
- Alander Construction
- Berkshire Roots
- Kristy Edmunds – MASS MoCA
- John Perrealut – Berkshire Humane Society
- Jenny Wright – North Adams Partnership
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:
- Celebration of Black Voices at Barrington Stage Company
- Mo the Spokesgoat – MountainOne
- Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds
- Steeple City Social
- Yina Moore
About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide marketing and economic development organization that works to simultaneously preserve, position, and promote Berkshire County’s profound sense of place. Its mission is to advance Berkshire County’s economy by advocating for the business community and attracting visitors. Powered by membership, 1Berkshire provides programs that connect businesses with resources and potential customers, as well as develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.