2024 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 Cub Foods), Business Excellence Award (sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction), and Business Legacy Award (sponsored by RiverWood Bank)! 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 CliftonLarsonAllen, on November 14, 2024, at Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake (save the date!).

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Cub Foods 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)

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)

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber and RiverWood Bank 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. The individual must be a current or retired Brainerd Lakes Area business leader whose lifetime 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)

ATTEND

Join us Thursday, November 14, at Cragun's on Gull Lake for our Celebration of Excellence presented by CliftonLarsonAllen. This is our largest signature event of the year for our 1,100+ members! Party with us as we honor our business award winners and their amazing accomplishments. We will also congratulate our Leadership Class of 2024.

Gather your crew and join the Brainerd Lakes Area business community at our biggest night of the year!

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS OCTOBER 31, 2024 UNLESS SOLD OUT EARLIER.

GRADUATION CLASS OF 2024

Inducted into the Blue Ox Business Academy's Leadership Experience will be the Class of 2024. The Leadership Experience is a ten month program (11 full days) that is designed for emerging leaders and high-potential employees to develop essential skills and insights into their leadership character. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber is proud to have 575 graduates from the Leadership program that originated in 1999. Several of our alumni have grown and developed into some of our area's most influential leaders!

Join us in celebrating this year's Leadership Experience Class of 2024: 

Aaron Kriens, Hy-Tec Construction; Austin Mau, Brainerd General Rental; Barb Thesing, LINDAR Corporation; Bill Volbert, The Teehive; Brett Pikula, Magnum Research; Daniel Hood, CTC; Dave Maile, Lexington Manufacturing; Jennifer Caughey, Lakes Printing; Jess Vogt, Brainerd Lakes Chamber; Jessica Richau, Curated Closet; Jill Haugene, Growth Zone; Jodi Bedard, Cuyuna Regional Medica Center; Joel Falenschek, Essentia Health; Joey Froelich, Crow Wing County; Josh Wever, BLA Clean; Kelly Masberg, CTC; Kelsey Fabro, RiverWood Bank; Lael Dornself, Bridges of Hope - Common Goods; Leah Campbell, American National Bank of MN; Leah Morrow, Lexington Manuracturing; Mac Gruber, Nor-Son Construction; Marc Williams, Crow Wing Power; Mel Schermerhorn, Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake; Melissa Kraklau, Lexington Manufacturing; Molly Rannevik, CliftonLarsonAllen; Naomi Berndt, Frandsen Bank and Trust; Nichole Heinen, Pequot Lakes Chamber; Nicole Goodwin, Just For Kix; Nolan Michaelson, Magnum Research; Paul Augustinack, Woods To Water Real Estate; PJ O'Brien, T.C.B.X. Trucking; Ryan Koslofsky, Pequot Manufacturing; Scott Whittemore, Nor-Son Construction; Shawna Reed, Essentia Health; Shelby French, Magnum Research; Stacey Harting, Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital; Stefanie DeVries, Brainerd Public Schools Foundation; Tess Taylor, Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital.

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

Backstage Sponsor: $2,250 

• Receive a Level 2 table & dinner for 8
• Receive backstage passes for 8
• Logo included with event marketing

Entertainment Sponsor: $2,250 

• Receive a Level 2 table & dinner for 8
• Receive backstage passes for 8
• Logo included with event marketing
  
  

TABLE & SEATING OPTIONS

Level 1 Table: $1,500 (10 tables available) 

• Includes a reserved table located in the two rows closest to the stage
• Plated dinner for 8
• 1 pre-set bottle of wine or bucket of beer (your choice) at your table
• Backstage passes for 8

Level 2 Table: $1,100 (16 tables available)

• Includes a reserved table located in the 3rd and 4th rows / middle section
• Plated dinner for 8
• Add-ons available for purchase

Level 3 Table: $850 (37 tables available)

• Includes a reserved table
• Plated dinner for 8
• Add-ons available for purchase

Individual: $95 

• These are anything but nosebleed seats! Enjoy great stage views close to the cocktails and social scene!
• Includes reserved seating and dinner for 1 individual
• Reduced fee for Leadership Class of 2024 ($80)

THE THEME: TBD

WHAT TO WEAR: TBD

ADD-ONS
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR NIGHT WITH THESE ADD-ONS!

Skip the Line with Pre-set Bottles of Wine at Your Table: $55

• Chloe Wine Options: Chardonnay; Pinot Grigio; Sauvignon Blanc; Prosecco; Cabernet; Merlot; Pinot Noir

Skip the Line with Pre-set Buckets of Beer at Your Table: $60 / 8 Beers

• Beer Options: Coors Light; Miller Light; Michelob Ultra; Jack Pine Brewery - Dead Branch Cream Ale, Jacktober, Blood Orange, Raspberry Lemon Hard Tea; Roundhouse Brewery - Angel Seat Amber Ale, Pontoon Ale, Boom Lake Lager, Jubilee Seltzer

Backstage Pass: $25

• VIP Backstage pass to the pre-party and 1 premium drink ticket
• Live entertainment by TBD
• Meet & Greet with the award winners and sponsors
• Held in the Canoe and Paddle Pub (formerly the Bear Trap Lounge) near the main entrance of the main lodge from 4:00-5:00PM
  
  

EVENT SCHEDULE

4-5 PM: Backstage Party Sponsored by TBD

• Location: Canoe and Paddle Pub (formerly the Bear Trap Lounge; left of the main entrance of the main lodge) at Cragun's Resort
• Invitation only for Presenting Sponsor, Award Sponsors, Level 1 Table Sponsors, Award recipients and their guests, and individuals who have purchased Backstage Passes
• Attendees will receive 1 premium drink ticket
• Entertainment sponsored by TBD

4:30-5:50 PM: Social Hour

• Cash Bar
• Appetizers
• Photo Area
• Live Band

6-8:30 PM: Awards & Dinner

• National Anthem
• Welcome by ________ of CLA, Presenting Sponsor
• Blue Ox Business Academy Class of 2024 Leadership Experience Graduation
• Invocation by TBD
• Plated Dinner TBD
• Main Program
• Recognition of volunteers, committees, and retiring board members
• Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award Presentation, sponsored by Cub Foods
• Business Excellence Award Presentation, sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction
• Business Legacy Award Presentation, sponsored by RiverWood Bank
• Thank you for attending
  
  
  

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will present three awards at its tenth-annual Celebration of Excellence on November 16th - 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 is announced in April 2023. After the deadline passed at the end of May, a volunteer selection committee independently scored and discussed each applicant before choosing the recipients.

PHOTOS FROM 2023 CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE: 'Rock the House'

VIEW THE ENTIRE PHOTO ALBUM