The fourth annual Knoxville Chamber Pinnacle Business Awards ceremony, presented by Regions Bank, will take place April 25th at the Knoxville Convention Center.
The Pinnacle Business Awards recognize Knoxville’s elite businesses and business leaders with honors going to recipients in six business categories and two individual categories.
As in years past, the 2008 Awards will honor some outstanding accomplishments. Award categories are Small Business Excellence, Minority Business Excellence, Innovator, Impact, Business Excellence, and Young Entrepreneur.
The Knoxville News Sentinel was awarded the 2007 Impact Award, sponsored by R.M. Moore Real Estate Company, for its service in the Knoxville community. News Sentinel staff helped generate $150,000 for the United Way in 2006. In addition, the paper’s Milk Fund and Mercy Fund provided dietary supplements and funds for emergency medical situations.
“Receiving the 2007 Impact Award was a direct reflection of our employees’ dedication to serve the East Tennessee community,” says Bruce Hartmann, publisher of the News Sentinel. “The News Sentinel recognizes the award’s significance in the business community but wouldn’t have been in consideration without our staff’s passion to give to those in need,” Hartmann says.
The Pinnacle Awards recognize excellence — not just among the area big business and excellence in area small business.
“It’s not just big companies, the Pinnacle Awards also highlight small companies that most people don’t know about,” says Chamber Manager of Events Lori Fuller. “There are some great things happening in Knoxville and the Pinnacle Awards event gives us the opportunity to showcase that,” adds Fuller.
Chuck Witkowski, president of Protein Discovery, was the recipient of last year’s Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Cariten Healthcare.
Protein Discovery is a cutting-edge scientific company that develops advanced diagnostic tools that detect cancer before a tumor begins to grow, allowing for treatment at the earliest stages.
The Pinnacle Business Awards is one of Knoxville’s marquee annual events with over 650 businesspeople expected to attend the annual celebration. Attendees will be treated to an exciting evening that includes a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner, the awards presentation, and post party.
2008 Pinnacle Business Award Descriptions
Impact Award
This award will be presented to an East Tennessee business that displays a commitment to making East Tennessee a better place to live through the development and support of a community project or program. The Impact Award winner should be able to demonstrate the ability to improve community conditions that make a significant contribution or impact on our region. Such contributions might include improving education, improving healthcare, pursuing environmental excellence, performing community service, and influencing other organizations to partner for these purposes.
Innovator Award
This award will be given to an East Tennessee business that has developed a new technology, innovative product or service or applied a business system or service in an innovative way. The winner will be able to quantify its growth and provide a detailed explanation of the new product, service, or system.
Minority Business Excellence Award
This award will be presented to an East Tennessee independently-owned minority business that produced outstanding business results and growth while overcoming the obstacles of race or sex. The winner will be selected based on the demonstrated ability to compete in a non-diverse field.
Small Business Excellence Award
This award will be presented to an East Tennessee small business that has consistently grown its workforce and revenue. Nominees should be businesses started in the Knoxville region and have 50 employees or less company-wide. The winner will be able to demonstrate its ability to overcome obstacles including access to capital, operational efficiency, control of expenses, customer loyalty, and distribution of products or services.
Business Excellence Award
Awarded to a company headquartered in East Tennessee, or a company with a significant presence in East Tennessee, that has shown remarkable profitability, growth, and stability. Nominees must be recognized regionally, nationally, and/or internationally in their respective business sector, while demonstrating leadership in the sector as well. There will be two winners in this category, one for companies with 51-150 employees company-wide and another for companies with 151+ employees company-wide.
Young Entrepreneur Award
This award will be presented to a young professional, 40 years of age or younger as of April 25, 2008, who lives and works in East Tennessee and has achieved success while overcoming obstacles to become one of tomorrow’s top business leaders. The winner will have started or is at risk in ownership in their business. They will have used technology or new business practices to move a company from early growth to some maturity.
James A. Haslam, II Award
Awarded to a lontime business leader that exhibits strength in character, resolve, commitment to our community and exemplary success in business.
