Business Community Gathers for 2025 Fall Gala at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Business Community Gathers for 2025 Fall Gala at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino

Over 250 community members attend the annual Fall Gala

Grand Marais, MN – October 31, 2025 - Once again, community members gather to celebrate tourism and small business at the Annual Fall Gala, co-hosted by Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce that was held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino. This year’s event brought together over 250 community members for a night of celebration, networking, and reflection on the past year’s achievements. 

“Every year this Gala reminds us how deeply interconnected our business community and tourism industry are,” said Linda Jurek, Executive Director of Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. “Tonight we’re celebrating not only individual achievements, but the collective momentum we’re building together – from small-business innovation to destination stewardship.”

Presentations highlighting the achievements of Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce showed the continued success and growth of business and industry locally. The evening culminated with the much anticipated awards ceremony honoring the outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the hospitality and business community.

This year, the Heart of Hospitality awards received a record-breaking number of nominations at 32 individuals! A winner from each lodging association was selected by the board members. 
 

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association Nominees: 

• Carmen Ahem - Crosby Bakery
• Tabitha Blanchard - Sisu & Loyly
• Kimberlee Hadden -  Grand Marais Hotel Company
• Sarah Hallberg - Java Moose
• Cindy Lou Hansen - North House Folk School
• Kevin Hanson - Northern Goods
• Becca Jorgenson - Java Moose
• Marjorie Quello - Grand Marais Liquor Store
• Kariandy Ruiz - Voyageur Brewing Company
• John Savoie - Up Yonder
• Andi Shackleton-Stone - Subway 
• Dave Tersteeg - City of Grand Marais
• Mandy Theiner - YMCA
• Christopher Thompson - The HUB

Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association Nominees:

• Brad Beach - Lutsen Mountains
• Alexis Beren - Cascade Lodge
• Crystal Christenson - Moguls Grille and Tap Room 
• Kevin Friedman - Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts
• Sean Henkenius  - Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts
• Jenny McGowan - Cascade Vacation Rentals
• Audrey Trimble - Lutsen Mountains
• Nichole Tate-Roberts - Lutsen Mountains
• Kris Yordanov - Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts & Lutsen Mountains

Gunflint Trail Tourism Association Nominees:

• Annette Cozzi - Bearskin Lodge
• John & Mindy Fredrikson - Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters
• Alex Hoffman - Borderland Lodge
• Dan Hornby - Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters
• Chloe Matthews - Borderland Lodge
• Bonnie Schudy - Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center
• Ron Snider - Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters

Grand Portage Nominee: 

Crystal Johnson 

Heart of Hospitality Award Winners 2025

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association: Marjorie Quello
Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association: Audrey Trimble
Gunflint Trail Association: Bonnie Shudy
Grand Portage: Crystal Johnson

The awards ceremony concluded with the Chamber Business Awards with nominees for four different categories: Business of the Year, Community Business Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Norman Deschampe Community Service Award. The winners were selected by the Chamber membership.

Chamber Business of the Year Nominees: 

Cedar Grove Vet: Dr. Nadder Samari
North Point: Brad & Brooke Shannon
Grand Marais Barbell: Carmen Skildum

Community Business Leader of the Year Nominees:

Thom McAleer (Cascade Lodge)
Sarah Hallberg (Java Moose)
Chris Skildum (Skildum & Co)
Alex Gugala (Cook County YMCA)
Gary Latz (Cook County Real Estate Fund)
Sarah Hallberg & Becca Jorgenson (Java Moose)

Entrepreneur of the Year Nominees:

Alisa Berns (Taproot Landscaping)
Gina Joyce (Timber & Tide Cabins)
Matthew Stone (Unimoose Enterprises)
Carmen Skildum (Grand Marais Barbell)

Norman Deschampe Community Service Award Nominees: 

Sarah & Anna Hamilton
Pat Campanero
Mike Prom

Chamber Business Award Winners 2025: 

Chamber Business of the Year: Cedar Grove Veterinary: Dr. Nadder Samari

Chamber Business Leader of the Year: Thom McAleer

Entrepreneur of the Year: Carmen Skildum

Norman Deschampe Community Service Award: Sarah & Anna Hamilton

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“Each year, this celebration shines a light on the remarkable collaboration that defines Cook County,” said Jurek. “From our small business owners to our frontline hospitality staff, it’s their passion, creativity, and perseverance that make our corner of Minnesota such an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit.”

Find a complete list of past award winners for the Chamber Business Awards and the Heart of Hospitality on our website. 

Following the Fall Gala this year, the 2nd annual Legislative Luncheon is scheduled for November 6 at Charlie’s Alpine Bistro in Lutsen. Attendees of the luncheon will get to hear directly from legislators Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Roger Skraba as well as Iron Range Resource & Rehabilitation Commissioner Ida Rukavina. The luncheon provides an opportunity to discuss current and future legislative needs impacting our county, allowing for a better understanding of the issues and a chance to advocate for our community's priorities. Pre-registration is required by November 5, 2025. Tickets can be purchased here.

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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About the Cook County Chamber of Commerce 
The Cook County Chamber of Commerce, established in 2016, is the leading voice for businesses in Cook County, Minnesota. We serve as a powerful advocate for our over 100 members, representing a diverse range of for-profit and non-profit businesses. Our mission is to foster a thriving economic environment by championing collaboration, promoting our members, and supporting the overall prosperity of Cook County. We believe that strong businesses are the backbone of a vibrant community, and we're dedicated to ensuring our community remains a welcoming destination for visitors and residents alike. Connect with us on social media using Facebook. Learn more at  https://cookcountychamber.org/.

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Over 250 business leaders gathered once again at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino to celebrate tourism, hospitality, and business. 

Visit Cook County Board of Directors in attendance at the 2025 Fall Gala. Pictured from left to right: Chris Homyak, John Fredrikson, Charles Skinner, Zak Trimble, Dave Tersteeg, Emily Haussner, Thom McAleer, Levi Libra, Katie Krantz (not pictured: Rachelle Christansen, Eric Humphrey, Clair Stoddard, Carl Madsen)

Cook County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in attendance at the 2025 Fall Gala. Pictured from left to right: Mark Youngdahl, Gina Joyce, Jennifer Kennedy, Karen Blackburn, James Taylor, Howard Hedstrom, John Fredrickson, Kimber Wraalstad, Charles Skinner, Dennis Rysdahl (not pictured: Chris Homyak, Steven Skeels)

Rep. Roger Skraba and Grand Portage Tribal Chairperson Bobbie Deschampe at the 2025 Fall Gala.