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.