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Heart of Hospitality award winners were from L-R: Rick Grabko, Gunflint Lodge (GTA); Aliya Maren and Katie Clark, Cook County Historical Society (GMATA); Niki Spry, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino; and Katie Oaks, Cascade Lodge & Restaurant (LTTA). Photos courtesy of the Chamber
There were a lot of things to celebrate at the 11th annual Fall Gala hosted by Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. After a two year hiatus, being able to gather together with colleagues and neighbors was at the top of the list.
Over 180 community members gathered at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 to share a meal and camaraderie. The event program kicked off with a welcome message from Tribal Chairman Bobby Deschampe and included updates from both Visit Cook County and the Chamber, featured an awards presentation, as well as was a celebration of leaders who are retiring this year. Former executive director of the Cook County Chamber of Commerce Jim Boyd, Senator Tom Bakk, and IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips all announced their retirement this year. An introduction and thank you for their service was acknowledged by Judy Erickson, lobbyist for the Cook County Chamber and each were given time at the podium, along with current Representative Rob Ecklund.
Former Cook County Chamber of Commerce Director Jim Boyd receives an award (and a standing ovation from the crowd) from current Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Jurek.
The awards program wrapped up the evening starting with the Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards. Nominees included:
Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, Associate Director/
Programming Director at Cook County Higher Ed
Dustin Hanson & Barry Pederson, Owners of North
Shore Waste
Jim Boyd, former Cook County Chamber Director
Brian, Steve, and David Larsen, Birch Terrace Supper Club
Chris Skildum, Vesta Unchained
Katie Mumm & Parker Slanga, Fisherman’s Daughter
Abby Tofte, The Big Lake
Chamber Business Award 2022 recipients:
Business of the Year: Dave, Brian, and Stevie Larsen, The
Birch Terrace
Entrepreneur of the Year: Chris Skildum, Vesta
Unchained
Community Business Leader(s) of the Year: Dustin
Hanson & Barry Pederson, North Shore Waste
Norman Deschampe Award – Kelsey Rogers Kennedy,
Cook County Higher Education
Chamber Business awards went to the following from left to right: Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, Cook County Higher Education received the coveted Norman Deschampe award. Barry Pederson accepted the Community Business of the Year award for North Shore Waste and Brian Larsen accepted the Business of the Year Award on behalf of his brothers and staff at Birch Terrace Restaurant. Chris Skildum wasn’t in attendance, but he received the Entrepreneur of the Year award for Vesta Unchained.
The Heart of Hospitality awards concluded the evening. Nominees included:
Rick Grabko – Gunflint Lodge
Katie Clark + Team – Cook County Historical Society
Katie Oakes – Cascade Lodge & Restaurant
Nicki Spry – Grand Portage Lodge & Casino
Matt & Cassidy Ritter – Voyageur Canoe Outfitters
Jerry Kohl – Holiday Station Store Grand Marais
Richard Metzger – Skyport Lodge & Raven Rock Grill
Iris Bruniese – The Gun Flint Tavern
Nicky Rosseau – Grand Portage Lodge & Casino
Leslie Pedersen – Cook County Whole Foods Co-op
Ramazan Kilinc – The Fisherman’s Daughter
Autumn Strum – Java Moose
Renee Pace – Gunflint Lodge
Heart of Hospitality Award 2022 recipients:
Lutsen Tofte Tourism Association: Katie Oakes, Cascade
Lodge & Restaurant
Grand Portage: Nicki Spry, Grand Portage Lodge &
Casino
Grand Marais Area Tourism: Katie Clark + Team, Cook
County Historical Society
Gunflint Trail Association: Rick Grabko, Gunflint Lodge
Find a complete list of past award winners for the
Chamber Business Awards and the Heart of Hospitality on
our website.
State Senator Tom Bakk addresses the crowd. Behind him from L-R: Judy Erickson, a lobbyist for the chamber, Rep Rob Ecklund and IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips.
About Visit Cook County
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 USA Today’s Best Midwestern Small Town, Outside Magazine’s The 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2016, and Budget Travel’s 2015 Coolest Small Town in America. 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 www.visitcookcounty.com.
Senator Tom Bakk gives Chamber Director Linda Jurek a big hug. Staff photos Brian Larsen
More than 180 people attended the Gala. The staff, servers and cooks at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino did a great job throughout the 3 ½ hour event.
The Grand Portage Stone Bridge Singers Drum Group opened the ceremony for the 2022 Chamber of Commerce Gala held at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
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