This year the Award Ceremony is separate from the Tastes from the Mountains Dine Around and Reception. . The Pioneer Award, established to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to fostering and forwarding tourism in West Virginia, is also presented. 

The 2011 awardee was Bunny Crockett
The 2010 awardee was Rod Stoner.
The 2009 awardee was First Lady Gayle Manchin.
The 2008 awardee was Governor Gaston Caperton.