Over 250 people gathered to celebrate leadership, tourism, and connection at the 2025 Cook County Chamber and Visit Cook County Annual Fall Gala
Oct 31, 2025 09:59AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Laura Durenberger-Grunow
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 31, 2025
Over 250 Cook County Chamber of Commerce members, business owners, community members, and hospitality workers joined together at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino to celebrate leadership, tourism, and connection at the 2025 Chamber and Visit Cook County (VCC) Annual Fall Gala on October 30.
The event kicked off with a social hour, followed by a prime rib and chicken buffet, then a program, which featured speakers such as Chamber and VCC Executive Director Linda Jurek, Grand Portage Tribal Chair Bobby Deschampe, MN Representative Roger Skraba, VCC Board Chair Thom McAleer, Chamber Board Chair Chris Homyak, and VCC Marketing and PR Director Kjersti Vick.
Each speaker shared updates from the past year for each respective organization. Tribal Chairman Deschampe spoke first and gave a tribute to Roy Smith, IRRR board chair, who recently passed. Representative Skraba also mentioned Smith and said that many people who represent IRRR would typically have attended the event, but Smith's funeral was held earlier that afternoon, which they had attended. Representative Skraba shared that MN Senator Grant Hauschild has also participated in the event in the past, but was currently on vacation with his family.
Following the updates, Jurek led attendees through an activity to visually showcase the wide generational diversity commonly found in workplaces. As she read general characteristics for each generation (Silent, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z), she asked participants to stand for the one they belonged to.
The Heart of Hospitality and Chamber Business Awards concluded the event.
The Heart of Hospitality Awards began in 2019 and honor local workers who provide "exceptional service and create memorable experiences for visitors," according to the VCC website. This year, Jurek shared that 32 nominations were received for people across the various areas of tourism, including Grand Marais, Gunflint, Lutsen-Tofte-Schroeder, and Grand Portage. The submissions are given to the board for each tourism area to vote on.
Grand Marais Area Tourism (winner in bold):
Gunflint Trail Association (winner in bold):
Lutsen-Tofte-Schroeder Tourism Association (winner in bold):
Grand Portage (winner in bold):
To see past Heart of Hospitality winners, visit the VCC website here.
The Cook County Chamber Business Awards recognize businesses and leaders who have "made a significant contribution to the local economy and community," according to the Chamber website. Nominees are collected, then shared with and voted on by Chamber members. Four different awards are given: the Chamber Business of the Year, Chamber Business Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Norman Deschampe Award.
Chamber Business of the Year (winner in bold):
Chamber Business Leader of the Year (winner in bold):
Entrepreneur of the Year (winner in bold):
Norman Deschampe Award (winner in bold):
To read more about the awards or see past winners, visit the Chamber website here.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 31, 2025
Over 250 Cook County Chamber of Commerce members, business owners, community members, and hospitality workers joined together at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino to celebrate leadership, tourism, and connection at the 2025 Chamber and Visit Cook County (VCC) Annual Fall Gala on October 30.
The event kicked off with a social hour, followed by a prime rib and chicken buffet, then a program, which featured speakers such as Chamber and VCC Executive Director Linda Jurek, Grand Portage Tribal Chair Bobby Deschampe, MN Representative Roger Skraba, VCC Board Chair Thom McAleer, Chamber Board Chair Chris Homyak, and VCC Marketing and PR Director Kjersti Vick.
Each speaker shared updates from the past year for each respective organization. Tribal Chairman Deschampe spoke first and gave a tribute to Roy Smith, IRRR board chair, who recently passed. Representative Skraba also mentioned Smith and said that many people who represent IRRR would typically have attended the event, but Smith's funeral was held earlier that afternoon, which they had attended. Representative Skraba shared that MN Senator Grant Hauschild has also participated in the event in the past, but was currently on vacation with his family.
Following the updates, Jurek led attendees through an activity to visually showcase the wide generational diversity commonly found in workplaces. As she read general characteristics for each generation (Silent, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z), she asked participants to stand for the one they belonged to.
The Heart of Hospitality and Chamber Business Awards concluded the event.
The Heart of Hospitality Awards began in 2019 and honor local workers who provide "exceptional service and create memorable experiences for visitors," according to the VCC website. This year, Jurek shared that 32 nominations were received for people across the various areas of tourism, including Grand Marais, Gunflint, Lutsen-Tofte-Schroeder, and Grand Portage. The submissions are given to the board for each tourism area to vote on.
Grand Marais Area Tourism (winner in bold):
- Carmen Ahem
- Tabitha Blanchard
- Kimberlee Hadden
- Sarah Hallberg
- Cindy Lou Hanson
- Kevin Hanson
- Becca Jorgenson
- Marjorie Quello (Grand Marais Liquor Store)
- Kariandy Ruiz
- John Savoie
- Andi Shackleton-Stone
- Dave Tersteeg
- Mandy Theiner
- Christopher Thompson
Gunflint Trail Association (winner in bold):
- Annette Cozzi
- John & Mindy Fredrikson
- Alex Hoffman
- Dan Hornby
- Chloe Matthews
- Bonnie Shudy (Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center)
- Ron Snider
Lutsen-Tofte-Schroeder Tourism Association (winner in bold):
- Brad Beach
- Alexis Beren
- Crystal Christenson
- Kevin Friedman
- Sean Henkenius
- Jenny McGowan
- Audrey Trimble (Lutsen Mountains)
- Nichole Tate-Roberts
- Kris Yordanov
Grand Portage (winner in bold):
- Crystal Johnson (Grand Portage Lodge and Casino)
To see past Heart of Hospitality winners, visit the VCC website here.
The Cook County Chamber Business Awards recognize businesses and leaders who have "made a significant contribution to the local economy and community," according to the Chamber website. Nominees are collected, then shared with and voted on by Chamber members. Four different awards are given: the Chamber Business of the Year, Chamber Business Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Norman Deschampe Award.
Chamber Business of the Year (winner in bold):
- Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic
- North Point
- Grand Marais Barbell
Chamber Business Leader of the Year (winner in bold):
- Thom McAleer
- Sarah Hallberg and Becca Jorgenson
- Chris Skidlum
- Alex Gugala
- Gary Latz
Entrepreneur of the Year (winner in bold):
- Carmen Skidlum (Grand Marais Barbell)
- Alisa Berns
- Matthew Stone
- Gina Joyce
Norman Deschampe Award (winner in bold):
- Mike Prom
- Pat Campanaro
- Sarah & Anna Hamilton
To read more about the awards or see past winners, visit the Chamber website here.
