The 5th Annual Pioneer Event is going to be here before you know it, and we want your nominees!
In preparation for the event, we are looking for nominations for the 2027 Pioneer Awards.
Do you know someone who has made an impact in our 11-county region? Have they done so through community engagement, entrepreneurship, social advocacy, and/or creativity?
Our awards feature three distinct categories: Brand Champion, Social Impact, and Entrepreneur.
A Brand Champion is someone who uplifts the region’s identity, promoting its unique culture and values.
An Entrepreneur is someone with a strong work ethic, passion, and drive to act on an idea. Then, they work tirelessly to make that idea become a success.
A person in the Social Impact category is someone who exemplifies a commitment to making a positive difference in our region, not solely driven by financial gain, but by a genuine desire to contribute to the greater good.
For examples of the type of individuals we are looking for, check out our Pioneer Starts Here video series.
Click here to nominate the best of the best!
As the Pioneer Starts Here movement continues to grow, our goal is to make each event bigger in scale and even more engaging for the community.
That hard work has paid off, creating a memorable evening filled with networking, regional celebration, and the recognition of several outstanding individuals.
Last year, we had more nominees than ever, more videos, more categories, and more community involvement. This resulted in a packed top floor of The Fairfield and more stories to highlight a handful of our region’s best.
Our 2026 Pioneer of the Year was Edwin Chow!
Edwin, Owner of Summit City Climbing Co., was also a winner of the Entrepreneur category.
He was also a guest on our NEI Pioneer Podcast. To watch, click here.
If you don’t remember how the last year’s event unfolded, watch our recap here!
The 2027 Pioneer Event looks to be even bigger and better than in years past. We look forward to celebrating and promoting the pioneering spirit that drives Northeast Indiana.
We look forward to seeing you all next spring!
-Sackett!!!
