The Annual Fall Gala Returns to Lutsen Mountains with over 250 Business Leaders

The Annual Fall Gala Returns to Lutsen Mountains with over 250 Business Leaders

Annual event brings together community members to celebrate local business, tourism and shared accomplishments 

Grand Marais, MN – September 24, 2026 - Business and community leaders from across Cook County gathered for the annual Fall Gala, co-hosted by Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce at the Summit Chalet at Lutsen Mountains on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

More than 250 community members attended the annual celebration, which brings together businesses, organizations, citizens and community leaders from throughout Cook County for an evening of connection, recognition and reflection on the past year. 

“The Fall Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses whose work strengthens our community throughout the year,” said Linda Jurek, Executive Director of Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s also a reminder of how interconnected tourism, local businesses and our communities are. The accomplishments we celebrate tonight are the result of people working together, investing in this place and continuing to move Cook County forward.” 

During the evening, Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce shared highlights from the past year, recognizing accomplishments across the tourism and business communities and the partnerships that helped make them possible.

The evening culminated with the annual awards ceremony honoring individuals and businesses that have made meaningful contributions to Cook County’s hospitality, tourism and business community.

This year, there were 22 individuals nominated for the Heart of Hospitality award. A winner from each lodging association was selected by the board members. 
 

Heart of Hospitality Awards

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association Nominees: 

• Gabby Waver - Up Yonder
• Sue Anderson - Beth’s Fudge & Gifts
• Kim Falter - Beth’s Fudge & Gifts
• Jessica Markusen - Sivertson Gallery
• Ethan Schiffman - Northern Goods
• Kestrel Burton - Drury Lane Books
• Josh Carlson - Skyport Lodge & Raven Rock Grill
• Autumn Sturm - Java Moose
• Molly Delia Quello - Gunflint Tavern
• Laura Scott - Sydney’s Wood Fired Pizza

Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association Nominees: 

• Paul Haugen - Isak Hansen’s Home and Hardware
• Cory Wilde - Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts
• Tiffany Foster - Ham’s Haus 
• Denton Robinson - Caribou Highlands Lodge
• Garrett Eckman - Superior National Golf Course
• Marjorie Lopez - Lutsen Sea Villas
• Lillian Patterson - Cascade Restaurant & Pub
• Sam Halec - Lutsen Mountains

Gunflint Trail Tourism Association Nominees: 

• Dion Norby & Karen Rogers - Okontoe
• Stephanie Shea - Borderland Lodge
• Annette Cozzi - Bearskin Lodge

Grand Portage Nominee: 

• Gabrielle Christenson - Grand Portage Trading Post

Heart of Hospitality Award Winners 2026

• Grand Marais Area Tourism Association: Kestrel Burton
• Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association: Garrett Eckman
• Gunflint Trail Association: Stephanie Shea
• Grand Portage: Gabrielle Christenson

Heart of Hospitality Award Winners

Chamber Business Awards

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: 

• North Shore Federal Credit Union
• Johnson’s Foods
• Skyport Lodge
• Cook County Historical Society
• Gun Flint Tavern
• North Shore Laundry Service
• She Does

Community Business Leader of the Year Nominees:

• Chris Homyak (Clearview General Store)
• Janice Latz (Oddz & Ends)
• Crystal Clemons & Jacob Muus (Johnson Foods)
• Patrick Kindler & McCabe Plaas (Ski Hill Cabins & Saunas)

Entrepreneur of the Year Nominees:

• Eric Brisson & Tyler Smith (North Superior Fishery) 
• Zola Kolya (Subway)
• Gina Joyce & Laura Muus (She Does) 
• Forrest Parson (Hungry Jack Lodge)
• Josh Lindstrom (Fika Coffee)

Norman Deschampe Community Service Award Nominees: 

• Sarah Jorgenson Hallberg (Java Moose)
• David Williams (Bear Track Outfitting)
• Matt Bronikowski (City of Grand Marais) 

Chamber Business Award Winners 2026: 

• Chamber Business of the Year: She Does (Gina Joyce & Laura Muus) 
• Chamber Business Leader of the Year: Jacob Muus & Crystal Clemons (Johnson’s Foods)
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Eric Brisson & Tyler Smith ( North Superior Fishery)
• Norman Deschampe Community Service Award: Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg
   

Chamber Business Award Winners

“Each year, this celebration shines a light on the remarkable collaboration that defines Cook County,” said Jurek. “It is always a delight to come together and celebrate our hospitality workers and business owners. This passion, creativity, and perseverance makes our corner of Minnesota an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit.”

“Each year, we look forward to this night of celebration. A big heartfelt thank you to our hosts at Lutsen Mountains. The support of our business / tourism community is unparalleled. 

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

Save the Date - Chamber Legislative Luncheon

The 3rd annual Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2026 at Up Yonder in Grand Marais. Attendees of the luncheon will get to hear directly from our legislators 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 23, 2026. 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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Photos from the gala at the Summit Chalet on Wednesday, September 23, 2026

View all photos of award winners and attendees here. 

Over 260 business leaders gathered at the Summit Chalet at Lutsen Mountains for the annual Fall Gala celebration

Senator Grant Hauschild & Representative Roger Skraba joined the over 260 local business leaders for the 2026 Fall Gala

Visit Cook County Board of Directors present at the Fall Gala 2026. Pictured from left to right: Levi Libra, Charles Skinner, Chris Homyak, Katie Krantz, Clair Stoddard, Linda Jurek, Rachelle Christenson, John Fredrickson, Thom McAleer, Emily Haussner, Dave Tersteeg, Molly Hicken (not pictured: Carl Madsen, Eric Humphrey)

Chamber Board of Directors present at the Fall Gala 2026. Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Kennedy, Kimber Wraalstad, John Fredrickson, Charles Skinner, Chris Homyak, Karen Blackburn, Mark Youngahl, Gina Joyce, James Taylor, Linda Jurek (not pictured: Dennis Rysdahl, Howard Hedstrom, Stephen Skeels) 

The team at Visit Cook County and Cook County Chamber of Commerce at the 2026 Fall Gala. Pictured from left to right: Linda Jurek, Kjersti Vick, Carah Thomas-Maskell, Roseanne Cooley, Carolyn Higgins, Catherine Carlson, Dan Helmerson, Audrey Mays-Trimble (not pictured: Angelina Schinze)