ESCANABA — The Delta County Chamber of Commerce is finalizing plans for its annual banquet on Oct. 10. This is a special time where you can reflect on the positive activities and achievements of the past year. While we cannot cover every event from 2024, we would like to highlight some of the key moments.
We started the year with a Delta Force Leadership Reconnaissance Mission and had the honor of working with 21 emerging leaders from Delta County. These individuals spent a year becoming more active in community activities, learning from experienced leaders, and using the entire community as a classroom.
Our annual mid-winter fundraiser, “Fire and Ice,” was held in February. If the overwhelmingly positive comments and attitudes of guests are any indication, this event was a success. The guests were ready to have a good time and it showed. From the moment they arrived, the atmosphere was full of excitement. Guests enjoyed fine dining, entertainment, dancing, and thrilling giveaways. By the end of the evening, more than $30,000 in door prizes, raffles and auction items had been awarded. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication, generosity, and unwavering support of our members, sponsors, volunteers, executives, and team members.
The popular Business After Hours hosted by Chamber members continued to be a success, with more Chamber members attending each month. This event is the perfect blend of networking and networking for the business community.
In June, we hosted a successful Chamber Golf Outing at Escanaba Country Club. This year, the 31st time, 36 teams participated and the venue was sold out. Sponsors were very generous and golfers seemed eager to participate in the first charity golf of the season.
Our waterfront community welcomed Pearl Seas cruise ship passengers twice this summer. The chamber arranged a Key to the City presentation by Escanaba Mayor Mark Ammel, a musical reception by the city band, and coordinated all port visits, resulting in very positive responses from cruise lines and guests. was obtained. Thanks to our active engagement with the community, Victory Cruise Lines plans to: “Dock in the Knock” By 2025, it will increase more than 30 times.
Once again we have received a great response from volunteers who have signed up to help support the Island Resort Championship (also known as the LPGA) in Sweetgrass. More than 300 volunteer positions were filled, and the 2024 tournament became the official U.S. qualifier for the Evian Championship in France. The enthusiasm of our volunteers is what drives us to continue to showcase the Upper Peninsula as a special place for world-class events.
UP State Fair authorities, administration and approximately 100,000 guests celebrated the 96th annual UP State Fair. The UP Department of Fairness has renewed its management agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and looks forward to continued growth and improvement in the coming years.
Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce member restaurants “Lunch with the Lieutenant Governor” during the UP State Fair in August. This was Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist’s first visit to the fair. At the banquet hosted by our members, the ambassador entertained us and I am sure he was impressed by the audience who listened intently to his lectures on national politics.
Throughout the year, the Chamber has proudly supported the Escanaba City Band’s 100th Anniversary Season. Like last year, we will incorporate a musical theme into our annual dinner to celebrate the band’s 100th anniversary.
Please join us on October 10th as we celebrate the work of those who continue to build and strengthen our waterfront communities.
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Vicki Michaud is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce