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Nominees for the Collaboration Award of Distinction are businesses in Dutchess County that have worked together with other local businesses and/or community partners to significantly drive tourism to the area and strengthen their businesses. Join Dutchess Tourism in celebrating all the honorees at the 11th annual Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park. Read more about the event and purchase tickets here.
Read on to learn more about each Collaboration Award of Distinction finalist.
Stephan Hengst, Big Gay Hudson Valley: Big Gay Hudson Valley has been building queer community since 2008. We know that a community’s success is the sum of its parts. We create experiences and promote resources that empower people to make new connections, explore the Hudson Valley and live as their authentic LGBTQ+ selves.
Paige Flori, Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider: We are a nationally and locally award-winning retail wine and spirit shop that features a curated selection of products, including a large collection of local items. We are strategically located near over 10 hotels, nestled by the north/south 9 corridor and the east/west I-84 highway. We are the only liquor store in NYS that has a 13-tap system for growler fills and sampling, featuring a 15-foot tree sculpture with a tap in the trunk. We have the largest collection of hard cider on the East Coast that attracts customers to our store from as far north as Maine, as far south as South Carolina, and as far west as San Diego CA, drawing tourism to the area. Our staff holds multiple certifications in wine, whiskey, cider and tequila as well as in tourism as Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) and Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP), ensuring a well-informed customer experience. I was awarded Pommelier of the Year, (Cider expert), East Coast in 2023 by the American Cider Association.
Theresa Kraft, Howland Cultural Center: The Howland Cultural Center (HCC) owns and operates the historic 1872 Howland Circulating Library building in Beacon, New York. Serving as a cornerstone of cultural collaboration for area residents and attracting thousands of visitors annually, known as "the Jewel of Beacon." Originally erected by Joseph Howland as a library and designed by his brother-in-law, the renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, our building is the first site in the City of Beacon to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. HCC began its programming in 1979, with a mission to preserve the building’s rich heritage and transform it into a vibrant hub for art, culture, and history. The Howland Cultural Center exemplifies the community’s deep-rooted artistic and cultural traditions, hosting over four dozen performing arts events and six juried art exhibits annually.
Stephan Hengst, Big Gay Hudson Valley: Big Gay Hudson Valley has always believed in the power of community, and, as such, collaborations are at the core of the work that we do. In 2024, Big Gay Hudson Valley worked with a number of local organizations to create the first-ever LGBTQ+ Pride event on the iconic Walkway Over The Hudson. This was made possible thanks to a series of collaborations between Big Gay Hudson Valley, The Walkway Over The Hudson Friends Group and New York State Department of Parks. In addition to our three core organizations, there were also countless other collaborations that made this possible. This includes collaborations that were initiated between New York State Police Troops F and K, City of Poughkeepsie Police, Town of Lloyd Police, as well as the Dutchess and Ulster County Sheriffs to ensure safety and security; Dutchess Tourism, Ulster County Tourism and I LOVE NY to promote the event and support economic development in our region, and then dozens of small LGBTQ+ Community Groups that helped to activate and engage our local communities. Our efforts were successful in bringing together more than 3,000 participants for Pride In The Sky on Friday night, May 17, 2024. The event was so successful that we've scheduled the event for next year on Saturday night, May 17, 2025.
Paige Flori, Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider: We enjoy collaborating with local, NY companies that are also small, family-owned businesses like we are! Some we did in the last year or two include:
Theresa Kraft, Howland Cultural Center: Our commitment to collaborating with the community is evident through two monthly "open mic" events focusing on literature, music, and storytelling. We also host various collaborations, including the annual Beacon LitFest. And work with external producers, providing space and support for creative arts, music, and theater projects. Our recent adult performance with Steve Burns of Nickelodeon's "Blue's Clues" over a three-day run was a huge success, as was the sold-out Bannerman’s theatrical production. Additionally, we have a longstanding partnership with the Howland Chamber Music Circle bringing twelve classical concerts to our venue each year. This is complemented by the engaging "Classics for Kids" program. We also serve as a sought-after venue for recitals, hosting performances by private music studios and senior public recitals by Bard College Vocal Arts Program students. Our goal is to enrich the lives of all who come to the center by providing something for everyone to enjoy.
Stephan Hengst, Big Gay Hudson Valley: I have always enjoyed talking to strangers, and over the course of my life I've learned that so many of us share similar thoughts, ideas and goals. As part of those conversations, I've realized that by asking questions about common goals, and working collaboratively to bring those ideas together with shared resources, anything is possible. Pride In The Sky came to be as a result of a cold call that I made to the Friends of The Walkway organization. Their new Executive Director had been interested in establishing a LGBTQ+ Pride Night on the Walkway, but they did not know how to organize, market or promote it. Big Gay Hudson Valley was looking for new ways to engage our community — at sites that appeal to the community's interest in arts, culture and history. It was the perfect combination to create a successful event.
Paige Flori, Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider: We learned that so many other small businesses, particularly ones in our own backyard, are innovative, easy to work with, and team players. We enjoy working with other businesses to get a unique external perspective about the market, customers and industry trends. This is more than simply selling bottles, it is about building relationships and community.
Theresa Kraft, Howland Cultural Center: We've learned that collaboration can inspire new ideas and creative outcomes. When people with different perspectives and expertise share their ideas, it can lead to innovation and problem-solving. It's also led us to increased success, innovative ideas, and more efficient workflows. We’re always open to new possibilities, as it's never too late to learn.
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