Cook County business owners and community leaders gather for the 11th Annual Visit Cook County Chamber of Commerce Gala
Oct 26, 2022 11:19AM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 26, 2022
On October 25, 2022, Cook County business owners, employees, and community leaders gathered at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino for the 11th Annual Fall Gala and Awards Ceremony, presented by Visit Cook County Minnesota and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce.
The evening began with a performance by the Stonebridge Singers
A cocktail and social hour followed, in addition to a plated dinner
The program portion of the evening kicked off with a welcome and thanks from Bobby Deschampe
Additional greetings were given by Karen Blackburn, Chair of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, and Charles Skinner, Chair of Visit Cook County
Linda Jurek, Executive Director of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce and Kjersti Vick, Director of Marketing and Public Relations gave a Visit Cook County update
Linda Jurek, Executive Director of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, gave a Chamber update, and then recognized former Director Jim Boyd who retired
Jim Boyd gave a short speech regarding his time with the Cook County Chamber of Commerce
The crowd gave Jim Boyd a standing ovation for his service
The next portion of the evening was spent giving thank yous and recognitions from Judy Erickson, Cook County Lobbyist, Representative Rob Ecklund, Senator Thomas Bakk (who is retiring), and Commissioner Mark Phillips (also retiring)
Linda Jurek and Karen Blackburn came back on stage to start the Award Ceremony
The Cook County Chamber of Commerce went first, awarding Birch Terrace as Business of the Year
North Shore Waste won Community Business Leader of the Year
Kelsey Rogers Kennedy won the Norman Deschampe Community Service Award.
Not pictured is the winner for Entreprenuer of the year, which went to Vespa Unchained, who was not in attendance
Visit Cook County presented their awards next, with the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association Award going to Katie Clark, Dennish Waldrop, and Aliya Marxen of the Cook County Historical Society
The Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Award went to Jane Nicole Spry "Nicki" (pictured right)
Katie Oakes from Cascade Lodge won the Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association Award (pictured left)
The final award of the night was the Gunflint Trail Association Award which went to Rick Brabko from Gunflint Lodge (pictured far left)
All tables were equipped with these speakers to accommodate all hearing abilities
Visit Cook County past award winners and 2022 nominees
Chamber of Commerce past award winners
