Knoxville Celebrates Local Success at 2024 Pinnacle Awards Ceremony

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Attendees at the Knoxville Pinnacle Awards celebrate local business successes.

News Summary

On a lively Thursday evening, Knoxville honored nine exceptional businesses and leaders at the Pinnacle Awards, held at The Mill & Mine. The event recognized the significant contributions made by local enterprises, showcasing the thriving business community’s resilience and growth. Noteworthy winners included Axle Logistics, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and Tennessee Standard Plumbing, highlighting various achievements across different business sizes. The awards underscore the importance of workplace culture and community engagement, reflecting Knoxville’s dynamic economic landscape and promising future.

Knoxville Celebrates Local Success at 2024 Pinnacle Awards Ceremony

On a vibrant Thursday evening, Knoxville became the spotlight of celebration as nine outstanding businesses and leaders were honored at the Pinnacle Awards. This annual event took place at The Mill & Mine, a popular venue that perfectly set the stage for this gathering of Knoxville’s best and brightest.

A Night of Recognition

The Pinnacle Awards has become a highly anticipated event, recognizing exceptional enterprises and individuals making a significant impact in the community. This year’s awards were divided into different categories based on company size, highlighting the diverse accomplishments throughout the Knoxville area.

More than 26,000 employees across East Tennessee were surveyed by a respected firm, and the results showcased that 73 out of 91 participating companies were noteworthy contenders for their contributions to both employees and communities. This impressive turnout added a celebratory air to the evening.

Spotlighting Local Talent

Among the recognized businesses, some started their journey in Knoxville, while others made the strategic decision to relocate to this thriving city. A shining example of this is Qore Performance, a company that made the move from Virginia about two years ago. Its co-founder took the initiative to visit a whopping 33 states before settling on Tennessee, citing the state’s exceptional business climate and its welcoming community as key factors in the decision.

The evening was not just about giving awards; it was a time for winners to share their stories as well. Many entrepreneurs spoke about the trials and tribulations of launching and sustaining a business in today’s competitive world. Their experiences resonated with the audience and offered a dose of inspiration for other budding business owners.

Celebration of Growth

In the large company category, Axle Logistics proved to be a stand-out by clinching first place. This recognition was a testament to their rapid growth and notable employee retention strategies. Over in the midsize section, Pinnacle Financial Partners took home the grand prize, celebrated for its remarkable company culture and collaborative spirit among skilled bankers.

For the small business category, Tennessee Standard Plumbing emerged victorious, showcasing impressive growth by expanding from just 2 employees to a bustling team of 36 in a matter of years. Such transformations highlight the dynamic nature of business in Knoxville.

Recognizing Commitment to Workplace Culture

Pinnacle Financial Partners is no stranger to accolades, having accomplished the title of Top Workplace for six out of seven years—a remarkable feat. The company proudly boasts an astonishing 94% retention rate of its employees within the Knoxville region. This impressive rate demonstrates their dedication to maintaining a positive workplace atmosphere.

The criteria for being included in the Top Workplaces list is fundamentally rooted in employee feedback, which speaks volumes about its authenticity and significance. This year’s awards not only highlighted financial successes but also underscored the importance of workplace culture.

A Bright Future Ahead

Pinnacle Financial Partners has grown significantly since its founding in Nashville back in 2000, now standing tall with approximately $45.1 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023. It’s recognized as the fourth largest bank in the Knoxville metropolitan area based on deposits and operates several offices throughout East Tennessee, reinforcing its impact on the local economy.

As Knoxville continues to celebrate its thriving business community, the Pinnacle Awards have once again spotlighted the resilience, innovation, and commitment of its leaders. With such a robust display of talent and entrepreneurial spirit, the future looks undoubtedly bright for Knoxville.