2025 Celebration of Excellence

Description

Now Accepting Award 

Applications & Nominations!

The wait is over – we’re officially accepting applications and nominations for the prestigious Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by S & R Quisberg Inc), the Business Excellence Award (sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction), and the Business Legacy Award (sponsored by National Bank of Commerce)! 🏆 The clock is ticking – get your submissions in by 5:00 PM on May 23, 2025. All entries will be reviewed by a committee in June. The best of the best will be honored at our Celebration of Excellence, presented by CLA, on November 20, 2025, at the stunning Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake – mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate success like never before! 🎉✨

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with S & R Quisberg Inc, is excited to recognize a standout small business (with fewer than 20 employees) that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, pride, and success driving our local economy. Our Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award will celebrate a business from the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Crosslake Chamber, or Pequot Lakes Chamber that thrives with a dedicated team of up to 20 employees. The awardee will showcase exceptional qualities in Leadership, Innovation, Employee Investment, and Community Service—the pillars that make our community stronger and more vibrant.

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)

Each year, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Hy-Tec Construction proudly honor a larger business (with more than 20 employees) that exemplifies outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and success. The Business Excellence Award highlights one exceptional member from the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Crosslake Chamber, or Pequot Lakes Chamber who has demonstrated our core values through Leadership, Innovation, Employee Investment, and Community Service—making a lasting impact on our community and beyond.

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, in partnership with National Bank of Commerce, is proud to present its highest honor to an individual who has achieved extraordinary business success throughout their lifetime. This prestigious award recognizes visionary leadership that goes beyond business achievement, leaving a lasting legacy of community and economic growth for future generations. To be considered, nominees must be a living resident of the Brainerd Lakes Area with at least 30 years of business and community contributions. They must also be a current or former 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.

Announcing the Blue Ox Business Academy's Leadership Experience - Class of 2025!

We’re thrilled to welcome the newest cohort into our premier leadership development program. Over the past ten months, these rising stars embarked on an 11-day journey designed to sharpen their skills, strengthen their leadership character, and unlock their full potential.

Since its launch in 1999, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber’s Leadership Experience has proudly graduated 612 professionals, many of whom have gone on to become some of the most influential leaders in our region. We can’t wait to see how the Class of 2025 will lead the way forward!

Join us in celebrating this year's Leadership Experience Class of 2025: Emily Bachman, Essentia Health; Ryan Barrett, Cragun Corporation; Andy Campbell, Sourcewell; Jarod Carlson, Lonesome Cottage Furniture Co; Gabe Clow, Clow Stamping Company; Jory Danielson, Crow Wing County; Brittany Davis, Brainerd Lakes Chamber; Eddie Dolezal, CTC; Ben Gottschalk, Baratto Brothers; Dakota Guderjohn, Xtona; Nathan Hamilton, Essentia Health; Dylan Hendrickson, Lexington Manufacturing; Erich Heppner, Central Lakes College; Adam Hopps, Hy-Tec Construction; Kari Horak, Crow Wing County; Josh Hukriede, Ameriprise Financial- Rising Tides Wealth Management; Mike Jensen, Anderson Brothers Construction; Madeline Johnson; Rick Kelm, MId Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Sam Kibwaa, Cragun Corporation; Shawna Knutson, First National Bank; Randi Lasher, State of Minnesota (DEED); Zachary Mahoney, Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital; Scott Monson, Magnum Research; Kurt Moody, First Western Bank & Trust; Jodi Noordmans, Bridges of Hope - Common Goods; Scott Pikula, Nor-Son Construction; Bryce Raduenz, Pequot Manufacturing; Elijah Rick, Navigate North; Jose Rosario, Lexington Manufacturing; Matt Russell, CTC; Shannon Sawyer, Clow Stamping Company; Jake Spandl, CLA; Dani Stiller; Steve Stroschein, Crow Wing County; Austin Torma, Nor-Son Construction; and Jeremy Warzecka, LINDAR Corporation. 

ATTEND

"Wait a minute, Doc... are you telling me we're throwing the biggest business celebration of 2025?"
That's right, Marty — That’s heavy! 

Buckle up and set your time circuits to 2025, because the Celebration of Excellence is headed back to the future to honor the bold business legends, future-forward pioneers and daring disruptors of the Brainerd Lakes Area. This time-traveling tribute, proudly presented by CLA, brings together over 600 innovators, visionaries, and time-honored trailblazers for an electrifying night of recognition and revelry.

Whether you’re a sharp-suited scientist or part of Biff’s gang from 1955, gather your crew and join over 600 movers, shakers, and timeline-changers for a night of high-voltage celebration that’s more electrifying than a bolt of lightning striking the Hill Valley clock tower.

Proudly presented by CLA, this event is the biggest in the timeline — and it will sell out faster than a DeLorean hits 88 miles per hour.

So don’t be a slacker — reserve your table or seats today, before this opportunity disappears like Marty’s family photo.