Lee — As if to underscore the importance of manufacturing to the Berkshires economy, and also to treat its guests to an unusual party venue, 1Berkshire held its first Good News Business Salute of 2017 at the cavernous warehouses of Country Curtains on Wednesday, February 22. These Good News Business Salutes recognize major milestones in the Berkshires business community, including anniversaries, expansions and new product lines.
Wednesday’s reception was part of 1Berkshire’s Creative Economy Month celebration during the month of February. Four creative local businesses were honored: Annie Selke Companies, Pittsfield; Boyd Technologies, Lee; Big Elm Brewing, Sheffield; and Winstanley Partners, Lenox. Representatives of all four companies were present and were saluted.
Diane Pearlman, Executive Director of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, gave the keynote speech. An independent film producer with a particular concentration on special effects (she first came to the Berkshires to work with the world-renowned special effects master Doug Trumbull, who continues to live and work here), Diane presented a quick history of the feature film special effects produced right here in this area, including work for The Matrix, What Dreams May Come, Blade Runner and the Back to the Future Ride at Universal Studios theme park. Pearlman emphasized the contribution that film production can make to the local economy: “Of every dollar spent locally for film production, a full 60 cents stays in the community.”
The facilities of Country Curtains were made available by its President and CEO Celia Clancy, and they turned out to be a surprisingly accommodating venue for a party. Surrounded by rows of shelving and packing crates, the some 100 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, drinks and good old-fashioned networking.
