The 2026 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 Pioneer of the Year award.
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? Click here to nominate the best of the best.
Our awards feature three distinct categories: Brand Champion, Social Impact, and Entrepreneur.
For examples of the type of individuals we are looking for, check out our Pioneer Starts Here video series.
As the Pioneer Starts Here (PSH) movement continues to grow, our goal is to make each event bigger in scale and even more engaging for the community.
We’ve come a long way since the very first Pioneer Event—what started with just a couple of dedicated people working tirelessly has now become a collaborative effort powered by a strong team planning months in advance to get every detail right.
That hard work has paid off, creating a memorable evening filled with networking, regional celebration, and the recognition of several outstanding individuals.
If you don’t remember how the night unfolded, watch our recap HERE!
Last year, we had more nominees, more videos, more categories, and more community involvement, which resulted in an increase in live votes for our 2025 Pioneer of the Year, Dan Starr.
The 2026 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!!!
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