Alastar Dimitrie, coordinator, Marketing and Events, GINCC

The Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce is holding an online auction Dec.1-15 to help recoup event revenue lost as a result of the pandemic.

The majority of GINCC’s budget is funded by membership dues and sponsorships. However, in years past, events such as the GINCC Annual Dinner, Vegas Night and West End Winter Wonderland have been sources of supplemental income.

The pandemic put in-person events on hold for most of 2020 and 2021. In October of 2021, GINCC was able to offer a scaled back awards night, but as it has with organizations the world over, the pandemic has compelled GINCC to rethink how it approaches events.

GINCC held its first online auction in 2020 when as many things as possible had gone remote. It proved so popular that it is being retained, even after a cautious return to some in-person events.

Auction attendees can bid on a staycation at a Marquette County hotel or B&B, a TV advertising package, one cheesecake per month for a whole year and many more unique, high-quality items.

Auction items have been donated by a range of local businesses and organizations, GINCC members and non-members alike.

As of the writing of this article, donors include Camping World, Ishpeming, Da Yoopers Tourist Trap, Elaine’s Place, Household Appliance, Furniture & Mattress Gallery, J-Goods Plumbing & Heating, Maple Ridge Resort, Meyer Yamaha, Midtown Bakery & Cafe, Richardson Jewelers, Travel Marquette and TV6/FOX UP.

Prospective shoppers can visit gincc.org to find out more and place bids.

GINCC would like to thank all of the businesses and organizations that have contributed to the auction.

Editor’s note: Alastar Dimitrie is the Marketing & Events Coordinator at the GINCC. He currently resides in Marquette with his partner Kaitlyn and their cat family. He enjoys hiking, painting, reading and recipes involving rhubarb.