2026 Celebration of Excellence
Now Accepting Award Nominations & Applications!
Apply by May 22, 2026
Nominate or Apply by May 22!
Add your name to a list of local legends and apply for one of our annual awards! We are now accepting applications and nominations for our Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award, Business Excellence Award, and Business Legacy Award.
Winners will be presented with their awards at our Celebration of Excellence, sponsored by CLA, on November 19, 2026 at Cragun’s Resort.
Submission Deadline: 5PM, May 22, 2026
All applicants will be reviewed by a committee in June.
Apply NOW for the 2026 Business Excellence Award! We seek to recognize a larger business (20+ employees) for its entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding accomplishments. Sponsored by Hy-Tec Construction, this award honors a Chamber Member business that has displayed our values in the following ways: Leadership, Innovation, Employee Investment, and Community Service.
Award Criteria
Employs 20 or more individuals.
Must be a Chamber Member business.
Creates positive impact on our community.
Past Recipients
- 2012: Widseth
- 2013: Crosswoods Golf Course
- 2014: Grand View Lodge
- 2015: Ultra Paws
- 2016: Just for Kix
- 2017: CTC
- 2018: Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
- 2019: 3 Cheers Hospitality
- 2021: Lexington Manufacturing
- 2022: LINDAR Corporation
- 2023: Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital
- 2024: Waste Partners
- 2025: Advantage Home Pros
We are now accepting applications and nominations for our Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award! Sponsored by Holiday Station Stores, this prestigious award will recognize a small business (20 employees or less) that personifies the spirit of entrepreneurship, pride, and success that forms the backbone of our local economy. The recipient will possess the following attributes: Leadership, Innovation, Employee Investment and Community Service.
Award Criteria
Employs up to 20 individuals.
Must be a Chamber Member business.
Personifies the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Past Recipients
- 2018: Jack Pine Brewery
- 2019: Brainerd General Rental
- 2021: Close Converse
- 2022: Kavanaugh’s Sylvan Lake Resort
- 2023: Pampered Pets Boarding and Daycare
- 2024: Weizenegger-Engel Insurance
- 2025: Brenny Family Funeral Chapel
Apply NOW for our Business Legacy Award! Sponsored by National Bank of Commerce, this award is our highest honor and recognizes an individual who has achieved exceptional business success in his or her lifetime. We seek to recognize inspiring leadership that transcends business and leaves a legacy of community and economic vitality for generations to come. In order to be considered, the nominee must be a living Brainerd Lakes Area resident whose lifetime business and community contributions span a minimum of 30 years.
Award Criteria
Career spans a minimum of 30 years.
Must be a current or past Chamber Member.
Has achieved exceptional business success.
Past Recipients
- 2016: Stewart C. Mills Jr.
- 2017: Arnie Johnson
- 2018: Paul and Lynn Hunt
- 2019: Dutch and Irma Cragun
- 2021: Ron and Al Lindner
- 2022: Bob Spizzo
- 2023: Reggie Clow
- 2024: Quisberg Family
- 2025: Kevin Thesing
Save the Date!
Celebration of Excellence
Thursday, November 19
Cragun's Resort
2026 Event Theme: Fire & Ice
RSVP
Thursday, November 19, 2026
4-9PM, Cragun's Resort
Join more than 600 business and community leaders for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence, presented by CLA!
To succeed in business, you need two things—fire in your belly to make things happen, and ice in your veins when the heat is on. Fire & Ice will collide in a spectacular night of sizzling surprises, cool company and unforgettable celebration. And once again, excellence will take center stage as we toast our annual honorees, the Lakes Area business community, and the Leadership Experience Class of 2026!
This red-hot event WILL SELL OUT, so don’t be left out in the cold. Reserve your table or tickets today!
2026 Event Theme
Fire & Ice
And the Winners Are... Coming Soon!
Award announcements coming soon. Watch your inbox and our social media channels!
Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award
Sponsored By Holiday Station Stores
Premier Table: $1,750 (12 available)
- Reserved table in the section closest to the stage
- 1 pre-set bottle of wine or bucket of beer (your choice) at your table
- Plated dinner for 8
- VIP Party passes for 8
Signature Table: $1,250 (25 available)
- Reserved table located in the middle section
- Plated dinner for 8
- Add-ons available for purchase
Classic Table: $1,000 (27 available)
- Includes a reserved table
- Plated dinner for 8
- Add-ons available for purchase
Individual Seat: $100
- Reserved seating and dinner for 1 individual
- Reduced fee for Leadership Class of 2026 ($55; use promo code provided to you or contact Sue Galligan)
Sponsorship Options
Elevate your guest experience and marketing exposure!
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 included with event marketing
- Receive a reserved Signature Table ($1,250 value)
- Plated dinners for 8
- VIP Party passes for 8
2025 VIP Party
Schedule
Experience the excitement of our most anticipated event of the year!
4:00-5:00 PM: VIP Party (Invite Only)
- Location: Lakes Area Bar & Grill
Near the indoor pool; use the main entrance and turn right, follow the signs at Cragun’s Resort - Invitation only for Presenting Sponsor, Award Sponsors, Premier 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 Andy Spoff
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
6:00-8:30 PM: Program, Dinner & Awards Presentation
- National Anthem
- 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
- Plated Dinner
- 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 National Bank of Commerce
- Announcement of the 2027 Event Theme and Farewell
Add-Ons
Skip the line! Arrive to a beverage waiting for you at your table.
Pre-set Bottle of Wine at Your Table: $55
- Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
- Joel Gott Cabernet
Pre-set Bucket of Seltzer at Your Table: $60 / 8 Seltzers
- White Claw Lime
- Nutrl Cranberry
- Nutrl Orange
Pre-set Bucket 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
- Meet & Greet with the award winners and sponsors
- Held in the Lakes Area Bar & Grill from 4:00-5:00PM (near the indoor pool; use the main entrance and turn right, follow the signs at Cragun’s Resort)
What to Wear
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.
Embrace this year’s theme with fiery reds and oranges or cool blues and icy tones. While themed attire is encouraged, it’s completely optional. Business attire is always welcome.
This Year’s Fun Twist: In October, each table will be assigned either Fire or Ice. Guests will be invited to coordinate their outfits with their tablemates to match their table’s decor.
2025 Celebration of Excellence Recap Video
2025 Theme: Back to the Future
Relive the best moments from the 2025 Celebration of Excellence, featuring a “Back to the Future” theme.
Leadership Experience Class of 2026
Celebrate the graduation of the Leadership Experience Class of 2026! After ten months of learning, collaboration and personal growth, these emerging leaders will be recognized for completing the Brainerd Lakes Chamber’s premier leadership development program. Join us as we celebrate their achievement and welcome them into our growing alumni network.
About the Awards
At the 14th Annual Celebration of Excellence on November 19, the Brainerd Lakes Chamber will present three prestigious awards: the Business Excellence Award, Business Legacy Award and Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award.
Following a nomination process this spring, a volunteer selection committee independently reviewed and scored each nominee before selecting this year’s recipients.
Our Sponsors
