Celebrate the Berkshires 2018 Lauds People, Businesses And A Refreshed Venue

More than 350 community members gathered at the Proprietor’s Lodge in Pittsfield on Thursday, Sept. 13 for the 8th annual Celebrate the Berkshires awards ceremony. The 1Berkshire event also served as a debut for the revamped Lodge (formerly the ITAM) and guests oohed and ahhed at the building’s refresh. This year’s “Putting the Berkshires on the Map” designee was General Dynamics Mission Systems, honored for its economic impact on the region and its support of the Berkshire Innovation Center, STEAM programs in schools and Pittsfield’s 3rd Thursdays, as well as its employees’ board leadership throughout the county. As always, a highlight of the evening was the announcement of the winners of The Trendsetter Awards, which “recognize businesses, organizations and individuals whose outstanding achievements and commitment have strengthened the economy and helped the Berkshires grow.” The evening’s big winners, besides those pictured above, were Community Access to the Arts (CATA) for “Comprehensive Marketing Campaign,” The Brien Center for “Nonprofit Impact,” Berkshire Agricultural Ventures for Growing/Advancing the Berkshire Economy and Stephen Boyd for “Entrepreneur/Visionary of the Year.”