2023 Celebration of Excellence

Description

Join us Thursday, November 16, at Cragun's on Gull Lake to Rock the House for our Celebration of Excellence presented by CliftonLarsonAllen. This is our largest signature event of the year for our 1,100+ members! Party On as we honor our rock star award winners and their amazing accomplishments. Let's Rock as we celebrate our Leadership Class of 2023.

Gather your crew and join this epic rock fest of the Brainerd Lakes area business community at our biggest night of the year!

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS OCTOBER 31, 2023 UNLESS SOLD OUT EARLIER.

THE THEME
This year's theme is rock and roll! Get ready to party as we celebrate our award winners!

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Cub Foods are excited to present the 5th Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award to Pampered Pets Boarding and Daycare! This year’s Celebration of Excellence theme is ‘Rockin' It' and that's exactly what Tom and Shelly have done since opening the business just 9 years ago! The Hice family are true stewards of Lakes Proud by supporting and giving back to their community. 

Past Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award recipients: Jack Pine Brewery (2018); Brainerd General Rental (2019); Close Converse (2021); Kavanaugh's Sylvan Lake Resort (2022).

Joining the list of legendary Business Excellence Award winners is Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital! They will be recognized for their leadership, innovation, employee investment and community service. Hy-Tec Construction is proud to sponsor the Business Excellence Award, which will be presented during the Brainerd Lakes Chamber’s premier event of the year!

Past Business Excellence 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).

The crowning glory for the Celebration of Excellence will be the presentation of the Business Legacy Award by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and RiverWood Bank to Reggie Clow! Entrepreneur, visionary, dedication to principals and owner of Clow Stamping Company, Reggie Clow began his journey in 1970. Reggie recognizes that the success of any business rests upon the collective efforts of its workforce and understands that their dedication is integral to the company's achievements.

Past Business Legacy 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).

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE GRADUATION CLASS OF 2023

Inducted into the Blue Ox Business Academy's Leadership Experience Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame will be the Class of 2023. 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 538 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 2023: 
Aaron Baseman, Revolv Manufacturing; Amanda Small, Central Lakes College; Amanda Fox, Lexington Manufacturing; Amy Hendrickson, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Andrew Liljegren, Pequot Manufacturing; Andrew Semo, Lexington Manufacturing; Annmarie Lacher, ISD 181; Beth Goerges, Anderson Brothers Construction; Blake Thelen, Thelen Heating & Roofing; Brady Bussler, Widseth; Brandon Hedlund, Woods to Water Real Estate; Caleb Tautges, Hy-Tec Construction; Cassandra Clarken, B. Johnson & Associates; Garrett Haglin, LINDAR Corp.; Greg Sigler, Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital; Jamie Fischer, Xtona; Jason Mellenthin, US Bank; Jayme Steele, Weizenegger-Engel Insurance; Jeff Bailiff, Clow Stamping; Jennifer Podsiadly, CRMC; Jessica Noonkesser, Essentia Health; Joe Herberg, Anderson Brothers Construction; Jordan Yira, Woods to Water Real Estate; Julie Henne, Revolv Manufacturing; Justin Jansen, Pequot Manufacturing; Kathy Gustafson, Lexington Manufacturing; Kevin Denny, The Teehive; Kirsten Shaw, CTC; Kristin Dupre, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Lucas Bollig, Pequot Manufacturing; Matt Means, RiverWood Bank; Sarah Patton, Essentia Health; Scott French, Widseth; Shawn Long, Lexington Manufacturing; Shawn Rasmussen, CTC; Trisha Reilley, Brainerd Lakes Chamber; Vanessa Lane, Premier Choice Senior Management Solutions.

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

Backstage Sponsor: $2,000 SOLD

• Receive a Platinum Record table & dinner for 8
• Receive backstage passes for 8
• Logo included with event marketing

LIVE Entertainment Sponsor: $2,000 SOLD

Help us Rock the House with a LIVE BAND for the evening & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT for the VIP Backstage party!

• Logo included with event marketing
  
  

TABLE & SEATING OPTIONS

Diamond Record Table: $1,295 SOLD OUT

• 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

Platinum Record Table: $995 SOLD OUT 

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

Gold Record Table: $795 SOLD OUT

• Includes a reserved table
• Plated dinner for 8

Rock Star: $89 SOLD OUT

• 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 2023 ($75)

ATTENDEES TO DATE

• 371 Furniture & Mattress and Party Time Rental (Platinum Record Table)
• Advantage Seamless Gutters (Diamond Record Table)
• Anderson Brothers Construction (Diamond Record Table)
• Arnold S. Johnson Enterprises (Platinum Record Table)
• Avantech (Gold Record Table)
• B. Johnson & Assoc. (Gold Record Table)
• BLAEDC (Gold Record Table)
• Borden,Steinbauer, Krueger, and Knudson P.A. (Platinum Record Table)
• Boyd Lodge & Mike O'Connell Larson Group Real Estate/Keller Williams (Platinum Record Table)
• Brainerd Dispatch (Gold Record Table)
• Brainerd Lakes Chamber (Diamond Record Table & Gold Record Table)
• Brainerd Public Schools & Foundation (Gold Record Table)
• Bridges of Hope - Common Goods (Gold Record Table)
• Central Lakes College (Gold Record Table)
• CliftonLarsonAllen (Diamond Record Table)
• Close~Converse Commercial & Preferred Properties (Gold Record Table)
• Clow Stamping (3 Diamond Record Tables)
• Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake (2 Gold Record Tables)
• Crow Wing Power (Gold Record Table)
• Crow Wing Power Credit Union (Gold Record Table)
• CTC (Platinum Record Table)
• Cub Foods (Diamond Record Table)
• Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (2 Gold Record Tables)
• Dondelinger, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Hyundai (1 Gold Record Table)
• Deerwood Bank (Platinum Record Table)
• Essentia Health (Platinum Record Table)
• Frandsen Bank & Trust (Diamond Record Table)
• Grand View Lodge (2 Diamond Record Tables)
• Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital (Diamond Record Table & 3 Platinum Record Tables)
• Hunt Utilities Group (Platinum Record Table)
• Hy-Tec Construction (Diamond Record Table)
• Innovative Legacy Solutions (Platinum Record Table)
• Just for Kix (Platinum Record Table)
• Lakes Jam (Gold Record Table)
• Lexington Manufacturing (Diamond Record Table)
• LINDAR Corporation (Platinum Record Table)
• Lonesome Cottage Furniture Company (Gold Record Table)
• Members Cooperative Credit Union (Gold Record Table)
• Mid-Minnesota Builders Association (Gold Record Table)
• Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (Platinum Record Table)
• Mills Automotive Group (Gold Record Table)
• Nor-Son Construction (Diamond Record Table)
• Pampered Pets Boarding & Daycare (Diamond Record Table & Platinum Record Table)
• Pequot Manufacturing (Diamond Record Table)
• Randall State Bank (Platinum Record Table & Gold Record Table)
• Revolv Manufacturing (Gold Record Table)
• RiverWood Bank (Diamond Record Table)
• Rural Minnesota CEP (Platinum Record Table)
• TCBX Trucking (Gold Record Table)
• WAVE Young Professionals Network (Gold Record Table)
• Widseth (Gold Record Table)
• Woods to Water Real Estate (Gold Record Table)

WHAT TO WEAR

Channel your inner rocker at the 2023 Celebration of Excellence, our most prestigious event of the year, as we celebrate our business award winners! We invite attendees to dress in their best interpretation of rock & roll attire for a formal awards gala. Grab a leather jacket, cool shades, or statement boots, and rock the night away with us at our biggest event of the year!

Please remember that guests are NOT required to dress up to the theme for this event. Business attire is also acceptable. We want all our guests to feel welcome and comfortable.

KEEP YOUR NIGHT ROCKIN' WITH THESE ADD ONS

NEW THIS YEAR! Gather your groupies and outfit your whole crew in the limited edition 'Rock the House' event t-shirt! Add our exclusive t-shirt to your rockin' style at the Celebration of Excellence for a unified, rockstar look.

Order deadline is October 23, 2023. Orders will be available for pick up from November 7-14 at the Brainerd Lakes Chamber office (224 West Washington Street, Brainerd). Order your shirt at the link below, or contact Sue Galligan: Sue@BrainerdLakesChamber.com, (218) 822-7119.

• Sizes S-XL: $25
• Sizes 2XL-5XL: $30

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 Jim Olsen
• Meet & Greet with the award winners and sponsors
• Held in the south end of the Dining Room at Cragun's Resort from 4:00-5:00PM

EVENT SCHEDULE

4:00 - 5:00 PM

• Backstage Party sponsored by Essentia Health
  • Location: Dining Room (south end) at Cragun's Resort. Enter from the pool area.
  • Invitation only for Presenting Sponsor, Award Sponsors, Diamond Table Sponsors, Award recipients and their guests, and individuals who have purchased Backstage Passes
  • Attendees will receive 1 premium drink ticket
  • Live music by Jim Olsen

4:30 - 5:50 PM

• Social Hour
  • Cash Bar
  • Appetizers
  • Photo Area
  • Live Band! - 'Klassik All Stars' sponsored by CTC
    • Marc Serani- keyboard
    • Mike Angland- drums
    • Dan Kuhn- guitar
    • Kaitlyn Ledeboer- vocals
    • Dave Selisker- guitar & vocals
    • Mike O'Brien- bass
    • Dwight Nelson- trumpet
    • Mike Sommerness- tenor sax
    • Karla Jensen- vocals

6:00 - 8:30 PM

• National Anthem
• Welcome by CLA, Presenting Sponsor
• Blue Ox Business Academy Class of 2023 Leadership Experience Graduation
• Invocation by Bob Gerads, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union
• Plated Dinner
  • Greens with pear, walnuts and balsamic dressing
  • Dinner rolls with butter
  • Irma's pot roast, mashed potato, honey buttered carrots and craisins
  • Flourless chocolate torte and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake (alternated)
• Let's Rock the House!
• 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 2022 CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE: 'TEAM UP'

VIEW THE ENTIRE PHOTO ALBUM