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Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence is an annual celebration recognizing those that go above and beyond in our community. Chamber businesses are nominated by their peers and winners are announced at our Annual Celebration luncheon typically held in the Spring. Congratulations to all nominees and winners and thank you for your ongoing commitment to our business community.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by LaValley Industries

Nominees: Hannah Peura of Compass Rose, Tracie Lusby of The Bluebelle Event Venue, Michael Kiewatt of The Party Store, Kevin Johnson of myBemidji, Chris Mole of Mr. Mole’s Painting, Sarah Hokuf of Evolve Creative
Winner: Sarah Hokuf of Evolve Creative

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by First National Bank Bemidji

Nominees: The Bluebelle Event Venue, Mr. Mole’s Painting, Culver’s of Bemidji
Winner: The Bluebelle Event Venue

 

 

Wellness in the Workplace

Sponsored by Sanford Health

Nominees: Security Bank USA and
Beltrami Electric Cooperative
Winner: Beltrami Electric Cooperative

 

 

Community Impact

Nominees: United Way of Bemidji, Greater Bemidji, and Headwaters School of Music and the Arts
Winner: Greater Bemidji

 

Business of the Year

Sponsored by Bemidji State University

Nominees: Bemidji Ambulance Service, Harmony Coop, Pinnacle Marketing Group, Evolve Creative, Culligan Water of Bemidji, The Party Store, Mr. Mole’s Painting, Compass Rose, and Lueken’s Village Foods
Winner: Pinnacle Marketing Group

Past Awards of Excellence Winners

Entrepreneur of the Year

2005 - Rich Seigert, Hampton Inn & Suites

2006 - Curt Saufferer, UPS Store

2007 - Ken Howe, Dunn Brothers

2008 - Gary Johnson, Bemidji Medical Equipment

2009 - Jennifer Theisen & Trish Ritchie, TJ Design Studio

2010 -  Royce & Kristi Southerland, Bemidji Design Center

2011 - John & Scott Winter, Northwoods Landscape & Recreation

2012 - Jason LaValley, LaValley Industries

2013 - Mike Karvakko, Karvakko Engineering

2014 - Tammy Schotzko, We Love Messes

2015 - Samantha Nienow, Red Zest Design & Mychal Stittsworth, Stittsworth Meats

2016 - Erik Hokuf, AirCorps Aviation

2017 - Mychal Stittsworth, Stittsworth Meats

2018 - Hannah Anderson

2019 - Brett & Derek Leach

New Business of the Year

2008 - Minnesota Nice Cafe

2009 - Bad Cat Creations

2010 -  Red Zest Design

2011 - Urban Essence

2012 - Stittsworth Meats

2013 - Tutto Bene

2014 - Bemidji Axemen Professional Football

2015 - Always There Staffing, Inc.

2016 - The Skin Company & Spa

2017 - Face it Together

2018 - Lake Bemidji Bed & Breakfast

2019 - Stittsworth MSU & Smokehouse

Charlie Naylor Lifetime Achievement

2009 - Charlie Naylor Family

2010 -  Dr. Ted Gillett

2011 - Joe Lueken

2012 - Joe & Bob Welle

2013 - M. James Bensen

2014 - Lou Buron & Mary Campbell

2015 - Bill Howe

2016 - Ann Daley

2017 - Wayne Thorson

2018 - Andy Wells

2019 - Tom Welle

Business of the Year

2005 - North Country Health Services

2006 - Paul Bunyan Telephone

2007 - First National Bank Bemidji

2008 - North Country Business Products

2009 - MedSave Family Pharmacy

2010 - Pinnacle Publishing

2011 - Seven Days Design

2012 - Harmony Natural Foods Co-op

2013 - Bar 209 & Lueken's Village Foods

2014 - Bemidji Woolen Mills

2015 - Paul Bunyan Communications

2016 - Bemidji Brewing

2017 - Ottertail Power Company

2018 - Concordia Language Villages & United Way of Bemidji Area

2019 - Lueken's Village Foods

Wellness in the Workplace

2008 - Beltrami Electric Cooperative

2009 - North Country Business Products

2010 - First National Bank Bemidji

2011 - Medsave Family Pharmacy

2012 - Kraus-Anderson Construction

2013 - Security Bank USA

2014 - Paul Bunyan Communications

2015 - First National Bank Bemidji

2016 - Pinnacle Marketing Group

2017 - First National Bank Bemidji

2018 - Security Bank USA

2019 - Knife River Materials

Community Impact - Non-profit of the Year

2019 - Sanford Health, and Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area

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