FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visit Cook County and Cook County Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Success at the 13th Annual Fall Gala

Over 200 community members attend the Fall Gala in Grand Portage

Grand Marais, MN – October 25, 2024 - The 13th Annual Fall Gala, co-hosted by Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, was held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino. The event brought together over 200 community members for a night of celebration, networking, and reflection on the past year’s achievements. 

New this year, the day started with the Legislative Luncheon hosted by the Cook County Chamber of Commerce at Up Yonder in Grand Marais. Over 60 individuals attended the luncheon and heard directly from legislators Senator Grant Hauschild, Representative Roger Skraba, and Roy Smith from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). This new format provided a platform for an in-depth discussion on a wide range of issues from higher education, affordable housing, rural healthcare, and Paid Family Medical Leave, offering attendees an opportunity to engage directly with legislators in a conversational Q&A format. 

“We were excited to introduce the Legislative Luncheon this year, allowing for meaningful dialogue between our local leaders and legislators,” said Jurek. The Luncheon also provided the opportunity to recognize former lobbyist Judy Erickson of Conservation Strategies for her many years of service to the Chamber.  “It was an honor to recognize our former lobbyist Judy Erickson for her dedicated service and to welcome our new lobbyists, Carnival Berns, PA.”

In the evening, the business community once again gathered at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino for an evening of celebration and connection. Linda Jurek, Executive Director of Visit Cook County and Cook County Chamber of Commerce, opened the Gala with a warm welcome, followed by a presentation from Derek Ramthun of Explore Minnesota Tourism. The evening culminated with an awards ceremony honoring outstanding businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to Cook County's tourism and business communities.

The awards program was the highlight of the night kicking off with the Heart of Hospitality awards. Nominations are accepted from each tourism region and 26 heartfelt nominations were submitted.

The nominees for Heart of Hospitality included: 
 

Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association

• Tiffany Foster, Tofte Trails
• Jim Vick, Lutsen Mountains
• Kristen Mettler, Cascade Lodge & Restaurant
• Dakota Marshall, Moguls Grille & Taproom

Grand Portage

• Jackie Leopold, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino
• Molly Boyd, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino
• Jessica Smith, Grand Portage Marina

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association

• Darryl Bathke, Cook County Co-op
• Jerry Kohl, Mike's Holiday Grand Marais
• Sandi Mcquatters, Grand Marais DMV & Flower Shop
• Gabby Waver, Up Yonder
• Ashley Konop, Croftville Road Cottages
• Keith Bergeron, Basecamp Bungalows
• Denise Murray, Bethlehem Luthern Church
• Chris LaVigne, Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store
• Amanda Sepin, Holiday Station Store Grand Marais
• Tiffany Foster, Superior Stay Management
• Eden Waha, Gunflint Tavern & Skyport Lodge
• Pete Abernathy, Grand Marais Rec Park
• Jen Cronberg, Grand Marais Rec Park

Gunflint Trail Tourism Association

• Carson LaRocque, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters
• Rebecca McAllister, Poplar Haus
• Stacey Palmer, Poplar Haus
• Annette Cozzi, Bearskin Lodge
• Jacob Coughlan, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters
• AJ Helbach, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters

Heart of Hospitality Award 2024 recipients: 

• Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association: Dakota Marshall, Moguls Grille & Taproom 
• Grand Portage: Jessica Smith, Grand Portage Marina
• Grand Marais Area Tourism: Darryl Bathke, Cook County Co-op and Jerry Kohl, Mike's Holiday Grand Marais
• Gunflint Trail Association: Stacey Palmer, Poplar Haus

The awards concluded with the Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards.

Chamber Awards Nominees included: 
 

Chamber Business of the Year

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

Community Business Leader of the Year

• Steve Surbaugh, Cascade Vacation Rentals
• Abby Tofte, The Big Lake & Lady Superior Bottle Shop
• Jim Vick, Lutsen Mountains

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Stacey Palmer, Poplar Haus
• Katie Usem, Sisu & Loyly Nordic Sauna 
• Abby Tofte, The Big Lake & Lady Superior Bottle Shop
• Hana Crosby, Crosby Bakery
• Gina Joyce, Roam & Whimsy Co. 

Norman Deschampe Community Service Award

• Jerry Kohl
• Donna Lunke

Chamber Business Award 2024 recipients:

• Business of the Year: Joynes Ben Franklin
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Crosby Bakery
• Community Business Leader of the Year: Jim Vick & Abby Tofte
• Norman Deschampe Award: Donna Lunke

“These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of individuals and businesses that make Cook County a premier destination,” said Jurek. “Their contributions strengthen our community and enrich the experiences of both residents and visitors alike.”

Visit Cook County, Minnesota 
Visit Cook County encompasses the northeastern Minnesota communities of Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Grand Marais, the Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage, commonly referred to as “the Arrowhead” and the “North Shore of Lake Superior.”  Grand Marais, Minn., has earned several national accolades — most recently, it was named America's Best Small Lake Town by Travel & Leisure Magazine, USA Today’s Best Midwestern Small Town, and Outside Magazine’s The 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2016. Rekindle your sense of adventure by exploring the Superior National Forest or paddling through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Discover what makes the communities of Cook County, Minn. “Naturally Unforgettable.” Connect on social media using #donorthmn, Twitter @CookCoVisitors, Facebook, or Instagram @donorthmn. Learn more at VisitCookCounty.com.

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Assets

1. Photos from the event (link)
2. Photos from the Legislative Luncheon (link)
3. Photos of the Chamber Business award nominees & winners (link)
4. Photos of the Heart of Hospitality nominees & winners (link)

Legislative Luncheon

First ever Legislative Luncheon was held at Up Yonder with over 60 attendees.

Linda Jurek introduces the panel to the crowd at the Legislative Luncheon. Pictured from Left to Right: Linda Jurek, Roy Smith of IRRR, Representative Roger Skraba, and Senator Grant Hauschild. 

Linda Jurek presents Judy Erickson, former lobbyist for the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, with a gift and speech of appreciation for her many years of service to the community.  

2024 Fall Gala & Awards Ceremony

Over 200 community members attended the 2024 Fall Gala held at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.

Packed house for the 2024 Fall Gala & Awards Ceremony.

Heart of Hospitality Awards

Over 26 Nominations were received for the Heart of Hospitality Awards this year. 

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association Nominees (pictured left to right): Denise Murray, Keith Bergeron, Jerry Kohl (award winner), Daryl Bathke (award winner), and Amanda Sepin. Not pictured: Sandy Mcquatters, Gabby Waver, Ashley Konop, Chris LaVigne, Tiffany Foster, Eden Waha, Pete Abernathy, Jen Cronberg.

Gunflint Trail Association Nominees (pictured left to right): Austin Helbach, Stacy Palmer (award winner), Rebecca McAllister, Carson LaRocque, Annette Cozzi. Not pictured: Jacob Coughlan.

Lutsen-Tofte-Schroeder Tourism Association Nominees: Dakota Marshall (award winner). Not pictured: Jim Vick, Kristen Mettler, Tiffany Foster.

Grand Portage Community Nominees: Jessica Smith (award winner). Not pictured: Jackie Leopold and Molly Boyd.

Chamber Business Awards

Chamber Business of the Year Nominees (pictured left to right): Ahren Grunow of Cook County Whole Foods Coop, Abby Tofte of The Big Lake and Lady Superior Bottle Shop, Stacy Palmer & Bryan Gerrard of Poplar Haus, Arrowhead Transit, Stephanie Williams of The Title Team, Eric Brisson of North Superior Fishery, Tyler and Jessica Dean of Joynes Ben Franklin (award winners). Not pictured: Up Yonder and Sundew Technical Services. 

Entrepreneur of the Year Nominees (pictured left to right): Katie Usem of Sisu & Loyly Nordic Sauna, Stacey Palmer of Poplar Haus, Abby Tofte of The Big Lake and Lady Superior Bottle Shop, Gina Joyce of Roam & Whimsy Co., and Hana Crosby of Crosby Bakery (award winner). 

Community Business Leader of the Year: Abby Tofte and Jim Vick tied for the award. Steve Surbaugh was also nominated. 

Norman Deschampe Community Service Award (pictured left to right): Jerry Kohl, Donna Lunke (award winner), and Robert Deschampe presented the award.