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Published February 08, 2012, 11:22 AM

Our View: Chamber is an important player in community

The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau annual Awards Banquet was held at Kilkarney Golf Club Thursday night, Jan. 26. The event is a good reminder of how fortunate Hudson is to have a strong Chamber of Commerce.

By: Editorial staff, Hudson Star-Observer

The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau annual Awards Banquet was held at Kilkarney Golf Club Thursday night, Jan. 26. The event is a good reminder of how fortunate Hudson is to have a strong Chamber of Commerce.

And, you don’t have to take our word for it — The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recently released its annual Top 25 List of Chamber of Commerce organizations in the Twin Cities. The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau was named the seventh best — up from eighth best last year; a remarkable achievement for a community our size!

The Chamber may not always be visible to many residents, but it is a tremendously important player in the activities in and around the Hudson community.

The Chamber was in the spotlight on Jan. 26, but work goes on behind the scenes every day of the year. The organization now has over 585 members with an 11-member board.

President Kim Heinemann oversees a staff of four. On staff currently are Membership and Programs Assistant Vanessa LaFleur, Director of Communication and Program Andrea Jorgenson, Director of Finance Jane Leaf and Tourism and Special Projects Assistant Mary Weller.

Congratulations to outgoing board of directors Chair Rob Knefelkamp. He kept the ball rolling in 2011. And, good luck to incoming 2012 Chair LouAnne Berg. The organization sponsors community and tourist events such as the Business Spotlights, Good Morning Hudson, Leadership Hudson, the Spring Showcase, Spirit of St. Croix Art Festival, an annual golf tournament, the annual Christmas Tour of Homes and Craft Sale, and a whole lot more.

Much of the Chamber’s work goes on behind the scenes. The organization gets countless requests for information from visitors, residents (and potential residents) and businesses (and potential businesses).

We also would like to acknowledge those honored at the recent Chamber banquet:

  • The Marie Blakeman Award went to longtime Hudsonite Mark Gherty. That award is presented by Barbara (Blakeman) Richardson, the daughter of the late Marie and Harry Blakeman. The award exemplifies Marie Blakeman’s community leadership, contributions and passion.

  • Large Business of the Year (more than 20 employees): Laser Magic/AccuMark, Inc. and owner Ted Bauer.

  • Small Business of the Year (less than 20 employees): Christiansen Creative and owner Tricia Christiansen.

  • Chamber Member of the Year: Dawn Marquart of First American Bank.

  • Community Volunteer of the Year: Bob and Carol Benish, involved in many food-related charities, including the United Methodist Christmas Day dinner.

  • Chamber Ambassador Award: Pete Keskey of Minuteman Press.

    All of those selected were excellent choices and very deserving of recognition. Again, congratulations to the winners, and congratulations to the Chamber for providing a stage to honor these fine people in our community each year.

    The Chamber office is located at 502 Second St. and is open to the public Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It can be reached at (715) 386-8411, (800) 657-6775 or www.hudsonwi.org. Information is available at other times in the vestibule just north of the Chamber office, at Abigail Page Antique Mall and Quik Trip on weekends.

    Our hats are off to the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau for the excellent work it performs on behalf of the Hudson area.

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