Bob Hendrickson

The countdown to our 10th Anniversary Gala is fast approaching, as it will be held the week of October 5-9.

This year, the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating a decade of supporting businesses and building community.

The GINCC was established in 2010 as a start-up organization.

In the past decade, we have come a long way by expanding services, organizing community events and championing the West End of Marquette County.

We serve two cities and nine townships, which are primarily made up of locally owned, small businesses.

It is our mission to provide these businesses with the resources and information they need to help them grow and develop.

While we’re not holding an in-person event as in the past due to the pandemic, we are still looking forward to celebrating the GINCC’s achievements for the year.

It also provides an opportunity to share our plans for the future and gives the us an opportunity to express our gratitude for our membership and their continued support of our organization.

The GINCC Annual Award winners will be announced on Thursday, October 8.

We received a good response for our annual award nominations with several businesses and individuals named for Business of the Year, Organization of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

We are looking forward to sharing with the community those who earned these accolades as part of the event.

A fifth award, selected internally, is given to the Chamber Member of the Year.

This award is selected based on the member’s participation and involvement with GINCC events and activities.

Traditionally, this annual event is the largest fundraiser for the chamber. This year, all fundraising will be done virtual through silent auction and donations.

While this year’s celebration will definitely look and feel a bit different, its purpose will remain the same.

Follow our social media and website for the most up-to-date announcements. We’ll be kicking off the silent auction on Monday, October 5 and it will run all week. We’ll have many items that will be of interest to both business owners and the general public.

Some of the items include a $2,500 advertising package from WLUC TV6/FOX UP, a $1,000 travel voucher from Holiday Travel, a two-night stay at Maple Ridge Resort in Michigamme and much more.

Our office is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At times we are out of office on chamber business, please call ahead at 906-486-1111 or email ginccdirector@gmail.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.