2026 Celebration of Excellence

Description

SAVE THE DATE 

for the 

CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE

Thursday, November 19, 2026

Cragun's Resort

Get ready for a night where Fire meets Ice and everyone is invited! 

Join us at Cragun’s Resort on Thursday, November 19, as we turn up the heat and embrace the chill for an unforgettable Celebration of Excellence. This dazzling evening will honor our business award winners, the Leadership Experience Class of 2026, retiring board members, and our incredible community of 1,100+ Chamber members. Proudly presented by CLA, this signature event brings together 600+ innovators, visionaries, and trailblazers for a night that’s equal parts sizzling and sparkling.

Whether you arrive glowing with fiery flair or wrapped in icy elegance, prepare for an evening filled with energy, recognition, and connection. From warm welcomes to cool celebrations, this is the place to be for the biggest and most electrifying night of the year.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic—secure your table or seats before they melt away! 

-NOW ACCEPTING AWARD NOMINATIONS-

Sponsored by Holiday Stations Stores

Apply for the Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award by completing this form, which should take about 30 minutes. The business must be a member of the Brainerd Lakes, Crosslake and Pequot Lakes Chambers and have less than 20 employees. Find a list of Members in our online Business Directory.

<APPLY HERE>

Sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction

Apply for the Business Excellence Award by completing this form, which should take about 30 minutes. The business needs to be a member of the Brainerd Lakes, Crosslake and Pequot Lakes Chambers and have more than 20 employees. Find a list of Members in our online Business Directory.

<APPLY HERE>

Sponsored by National Bank of Commerce

Apply for the Business Legacy Award by completing this form, which should take about 30 minutes. In order to be considered, a nominee must be a living Brainerd Lakes Area resident whose lifetime business and community contributions span a minimum of 30 years. They must be a current or past member of the Brainerd Lakes, Crosslake and Pequot Lakes Chambers.

<APPLY HERE>

All applicants will be reviewed by a committee in June. Winners will be presented their awards at our Celebration of Excellence, Presented by CLA, on November 19, 2026.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Elevate your guest experience and marketing exposure by taking advantage of a sponsorship!

VIP Party Sponsor- $2,000 (1 available)

Be the hit of the VIP Party by greeting everyone, congratulating the award winners, and rubbing shoulders with the Presenting and Award sponsors!

• Your business logo / link will be included with event marketing
• Receive a reserved Second Tier Table
• Plated dinners for 8
• VIP Party passes for 8

Entertainment & Decor Sponsor- $2,000 (1 available)

Be the hit of the party by sponsoring live entertainment, fabulous tablescapes and fun attractions!

• Your business logo / link will be included with event marketing
• Receive a reserved Second Tier Table
• Plated dinners for 8
• VIP Party passes for 8

<SPONSORSHIP REGISTRATION>

Join us for an evening of 'Fire & Ice' by reserving your table or seat TODAY! 

Top Tier Table: $TBD

• 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
• VIP Party passes for 8

Second Tier Table: $TBD

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

Third Tier Table: $TBD

• Includes a reserved table
• Plated dinner for 8
• Add-ons available for purchase

Individual Seat: $TBD

• 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 2026 ($TBD; use promo code or contact Sue Galligan)

Event Schedule:

4:00-5:00 PM: VIP Party Sponsored by TBD

• Location: Canoe and Paddle Pub (left of the main entrance of the main lodge) at Cragun's Resort
• Invitation only for Presenting Sponsor, Award Sponsors, Top Level Table Sponsors, Award recipients and their guests, and individuals who have purchased VIP Party Passes
• Attendees will receive 1 premium drink ticket
• Live music by TBD

4:30-6:00 PM: Social Hour

• Location: Tamarack Centre, Cragun's Resort
• Professional Group Photo Op (located in the back of the room)
• Cash Bar
• Appetizers
• 'Fire & Ice' Live Band Sponsored by TBD

6:00-8:30 PM: Program, Dinner and Awards Presentation

• National Anthem sung by TBD
• Welcome by Jim Haakonson, Principal with CLA, Presenting Sponsor
• Board Chair Remarks, Colton Maher, Woods to Water Real Estate
• Blue Ox Business Academy Class of 2026 Leadership Experience Graduation
• Invocation by TBD
• Plated Dinner
  • Salad
  • Entree
  • Dessert
• Fire & Ice- Matt Kilian, Brainerd Lakes Chamber President
• Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award Presentation, sponsored by Holiday Station Stores
• Business Excellence Award Presentation, sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction
• Business Legacy Award Presentation, sponsored by TBD
• Announcement of the 2027 Event Theme and Farewell

Thank you for attending

**Parking shuttle service provided by Cragun's Resort and Ole's Shuttle Service

Skip the Line with Pre-set Bottles of Wine at Your Table: $55

• Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
• Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
• Joel Gott Cabernet

Skip the Line with Pre-set Buckets of Seltzer at Your Table: $60 / 8 Seltzers

• White Claw Lime
• Nutrl Cranberry
• Nutrl Orange

Skip the Line with Pre-set Buckets of Beer at Your Table: $60 / 8 Beers

• Jack Pine Brewery Jacktober
• Bemidji Brewing German Blonde
• Coors Light

VIP Party Pass: $25

• 1- VIP Party Pass to the pre-party and 1 premium drink ticket
• Selfie photo area
• Meet & Greet with the award winners and sponsors
• Held in the Canoe and Paddle Pub near the entrance of the main lodge from 4:00-5:00PM
  
  

The Celebration of Excellence is the Chamber's biggest night of the year - and our guests never disappoint! From creative costumes to team-themed outfits and even custom shirts, the energy and imagination you bring makes the night unforgettable. This year's theme is Fire & Ice! So.. what's the dress code? 

Please remember that guests are NOT required to dress up to the theme for this event. Business attire is also acceptable.

TABLES

• CLA
• Holiday Station Stores
• Hy-Tec Construction

INDIVIDUALS

We’re thrilled to welcome the newest cohort into our premier leadership development program. Over the past ten months, these rising stars embarked on an 11-day journey designed to sharpen their skills, strengthen their leadership character, and unlock their full potential.

Since its launch in 1999, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber’s Leadership Experience has proudly graduated 649 professionals, many of whom have gone on to become some of the most influential leaders in our region. We can’t wait to see how the Class of 2026 will lead the way forward!

Join us in celebrating this year's Leadership Experience Class of 2026: Adam Manger, SCR - Northern; Alex Jackson, Navigate North Group; Ali Beste, Brainerd Lakes Chamber; Alison Augustinack, Essentia Health; Ariel Ellingson, Ariel Home Services; Ashley Gabrick, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Blake Peterson, Crow Wing County; Brad Borg, LINDAR Corporation; Brian Olson, Crow Wing County; Brock Scheving, CLA; Conor Swanson, Pequot Manufacturing; Dan Guderjohn, Clow; Dave Wonders, The Pulse 104.3 FM; Heather Stanley, Crisis Line & Referral Service; Isaac Bitter, Navigate North Group; Jackie Churack, Home Instead; Jacob Hanson, J. Hanson Real Estate Group; JD Berns, Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital; Jesse Gordon, Central Lakes College; Kale Boomer, Hy-Tec Construction; Kelli Johnson, Crow Wing County; Kelsy Gloege, Waste Partners; Keri Kuklok, Nor-Son Construction; Kim Suhr, Trinity Lutheran Church / Trinity Children's Center; Levi Nagel, National Bank of Commerce; Lisa Olson; Maddie Herald, Deerwood Bank; Matt Giza, Essentia Health; Matt Woitalla, Anderson Brothers Construction; Michael Klinghagen, Bridges of Hope - Common Goods; Rena Bolt, Essentia Health; Ryan Visser, Lexington Manufacturing; Sam Olson, Nor-Son Construction; Sharon Carr, Confidence Learning Center; Sheila Boldt, Pine Haven Shoreline & Wetland Restoration; Shelly Netland, CTC; Talia Brodhead, MN Prevention & Recover Alliance.

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will present three awards at its fourteenth-annual Celebration of Excellence on November 19 - 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 2026. After the deadline passed at the end of May, a volunteer selection committee independently scored and discussed each applicant before choosing the recipients.