2025 Celebration of Excellence

Description

Now Accepting Award 

Applications & Nominations!

We are now accepting applications and nominations for our Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by TBD), Business Excellence Award (sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction), and Business Legacy Award (sponsored by TBD)! Deadline for submissions is 5:00 PM, May 24, 2024. All applicants will be reviewed by a committee in June. Winners will be presented with their awards at our Celebration of Excellence, presented by TBD, on November 20, 2025, at Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake (save the date!).

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and TBD will recognize a small business (less than 20 employees) that personifies the spirit of entrepreneurship, pride and success that forms the backbone of our local economy. Our Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award will honor a Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Crosslake Chamber or Pequot Lakes Chamber business that employs up to 20 team members. The recipient will possess the following attributes: Leadership, Innovation, Employee Investment and Community Service.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

Jack Pine Brewery (2018)

Brainerd General Rental (2019)

Close Converse (2021)

Kavanaugh's Sylvan Lake Resort (2022)

Pampered Pets Boarding and Daycare (2023)

Weizenegger-Engel Insurance (2024)

Every year the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Hy-Tec Construction recognize a larger (more than 20 employees) outstanding business for its entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments. The Business Excellence Award shines the spotlight on one Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Crosslake Chamber or Pequot Lakes Chamber member who has displayed our values in the following ways: Leadership, Innovation, Employee Investment, and Community Service.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

Widseth (2012)

Crosswoods (2013)

Grand View Lodge (2014)

Ultra Paws (2015)

Just for Kix (2016)

CTC (2017)

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (2018)

3 Cheers Hospitality (2019)

Lexington Manufacturing (2021)

LINDAR-Avantech-Triven (2022)

Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital (2023)

Waste Partners (2024)

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber and TBD will present its highest honor to an individual who has achieved exceptional business success in his or her lifetime. We seek to recognize inspiring leadership that transcends business and leaves a legacy of community and economic vitality for generations to come. In order to be considered the nominee must be a living Brainerd Lakes Area resident whose lifetime business and community contributions span a minimum of 30 years. They must be a current or past member of the Brainerd Lakes, Pequot Lakes, or Crosslake Chambers.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

Stewart C. Mills Jr. (2016)

Arnie Johnson (2017)

Paul and Lynn Hunt (2018)

Dutch and Irma Cragun (2019)

Ron and Al Lindner (2021)

Bob Spizzo (2022)

Reggie Clow (2023)

Quisberg Family (2024)

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will present three awards at its thirteenth-annual Celebration of Excellence on November 20 - the traditional Business Excellence Award, which goes to an outstanding local business, the Business Legacy Award, which celebrates individual lifetime achievements as well as community and economic contributions and the Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award which will recognize a small business that personifies the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Brainerd Lakes Area!

For all three awards, a nomination/application process was announced in April 2025. After the deadline passed at the end of May, a volunteer selection committee independently scored and discussed each applicant before choosing the recipients.