Cook County Chamber Business of the Year Nominees await the winner announcement at the 13th annual fall gala. All photos by Laura Durenberger-Grunow

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 25, 2024


On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Cook County officials, business owners and staff, and members of local organizations gathered at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino to celebrate hospitality and chamber businesses at the 13th Annual Visit Cook County and Cook County Chamber of Commerce Fall Gala.

The event kicked off with a social hour and dinner, followed by an address and welcome from Grand Portage Band Tribal Chair and Visit Cook County (VCC) Board of Director Bobby Deschampe as well as Cook County Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and VCC Executive Director Linda Jurek. Chris Homyak, CCCC Board Chair, and Thom McAleer, VCC Board Chair, also came up to share a few words. 

VCC Marketing and PR Director Kjersti Vick shared an update on the Economic Impact Report, a study and analysis completed by the University of Minnesota Department of Community Development earlier this year. The report showed that, on average, 1.2 million people visit Cook County annually. In 2022, visitors generated $220 million in economic activity, with 164.7 in total spending. Derek Ramthun, NE Industry Relations for Explore MN Tourism, also spoke on the impact of tourism in the area. 

 Gala attendees enjoy the prime rib and chicken buffet at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.

The program was followed by the Award portion of the event, which included the Heart of Hospitality Awards, presented by Vick and Malorie Brazell, Events and Marketing Manager for Visit Cook County, and the CCCC Business Awards, presented by Jurek and Homyak. 

Heart of Hospitality Winner (the corresponding area board votes on nominees):

• Grand Marais Area Tourism (26 nominations for individuals - most ever) TIE: Daryl Bathke, Cook County Co-op and Jerry Kohl, Holiday Station Stores
• Gunflint Trail Association: Stacey Palmer, Poplar Haus
• Lutsen-Tofte-Schroeder Tourism Association: Dakota Mashall, Moguls Grille & Taproom
• Grand Portage: Jessica Smith, Grand Portage Lodge and Casino

Chamber Business Award Winners (voted on by CCCC members)

• Chamber Business of the Year: Joynes Ben Franklin (Tyler and Jessica Dean)
• Chamber Business Leader of the Year (TIE): Abby Tofte (The Big Lake & Lady SuperiorNA Bottle Shop) and Jim Vick (various)
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Hana Crosby (Crosby Bakery)
• Norman Deschampe Award: Donna Lunke

Legislative Luncheon

 Roy Smith, IRRRB, left, Rep. Roger Skraba, middle, and Senator Grant Hauschild, right, talk with community members at the first Legislative Luncheon earlier in the day. 

Earlier in the day, County officials, local business owners, staff, and community members met for a Legislative Luncheon. Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Roger Skraba were in attendance, as were the newly appointed lobbyists Doug Carnival and John Berns, who were hired after long-time lobbyist Judy Erickson retired. Each representative and Roy Smith, Workforce at the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, were given the opportunity to speak about accomplishments from the previous year and things they were working on during the current legislative session. Those in attendance were given a short opportunity for Q&A. Afterwards, Legislative Breakout Sessions were conducted with certain organizations, giving each more one-on-one time with Hauschild, Skraba, and Smith. It also gave the new lobbyists an opportunity to hear more about the concerns and needs in Cook County. 

It was the first time the Cook County Chamber of Commerce had held the Legislative Luncheon before the Gala (but on the same day). Typically, in the past, the legislators would attend the Gala and address community members there. However, due to timing and a goal to keep the focus on celebrating hospitality and chamber businesses (in addition to allowing more time spent talking with the legislators), it was determined to host a separate event. 

Full list of nominees and award winners (courtesy of VCC & CCCC)

Heart of Hospitality Nominees (award winners in bold)

Grand Marais Area Tourism

• Pete Abernathy 
• Daryl Bathke
• Keith Bergeron
• Jen Cronberg
• Tiffany Foster
• Jerry Kohl
• Ashley Konop
• Chris LaVigne
• Sandi McQuatters
• Denise Murray
• Amanda Sepin
• Eden Waha
• Gabby Waver

Gunflint Trail Association

• Jacob Coughlan
• Annette Cozzi
• AJ Helbach
• Carlson LaRoque
• Rebecca McAllister
• Stacey Palmer

Lutsen-Tofte-Schroder Tourism Association

• Tiffany Foster
• Dakota Marshall
• Kristen Mettler
• Jim Vick

Grand Portage

• Molly Boyd
• Jackie Leopold
• Jessica Smith

Chamber Business Award Nominees (winners in bold)

Chamber Business of the Year

• Arrowhead Transit
• Cook County Co-op
• Joynes Ben Franklin
• North Shore Fisheries
• Poplar Haus
• Sundew Technical Services
• The Big Lake/Lady Superior Bottle Shop
• The Title Team
• Up Yonder

Chamber Business Leader of the Year

• Steve Surbaugh
• Abby Tofte
• Jim Vick

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Hana Crosby
• Gina Joyce
• Stacey Palmer
• Abby Tofte
• Katie Usem

Norman Deschampe Award

• Jerry Kohl
• Donna Lunke

A huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners! 


Related: The Cook County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Cook County host 12th annual Fall Gala & Awards Ceremony