okobojichamber

Introducing.. Our New Marketing & Events Coordinator!

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We are so excited to introduce you to a new face at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Morgan Strauss joined our team on Monday, June 13th and has already been diving deep into promoting our area and members to those near and far!

 

Get to Know Morgan:

Growing up in a rural small-town in Iowa, Morgan wanted an adventure, so she began working at the lakes during the summer while attending University of Northern Iowa. Eight years later and she never left!
Morgan fell in love with the lakes and now owns a home in the area with her boyfriend, Ethan, and dog, Walter. You can often find them enjoying the many activities the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer from the lake to the bike trails and the many events throughout the year.
Morgan has experience working in the hospitality and events industries within the Iowa Great Lakes Area and is excited to bring her experiences and strengths to the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber. Promoting the lakes area businesses and events in the communities is a dream job for her and she’s so excited to be a part of our team!

IGLA Chamber Awarded Community Event of the Year for University of Okoboji Winter Games

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Mid-America Chamber Executives (MACE) announced the recipients of their 2022 Annual Conference Awards at their spring conference in May. MACE is comprised of chamber professionals in the six-state area of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce received the Community Event of the Year Award for the six-state region. The award honored the IGLA Chamber for their annual University of Okoboji Winter Games. The 42ndAnnual Winter Games featured events of all types for the entire family, supporting business and providing a major boost to the economy of the Iowa Great Lakes Region. Attracting tens of thousands of people, several hundred events, and as many volunteers, the Games continue to grow every year.

This award is presented for excellence in Chamber-led Community events. The events are judged on criteria such as value to the community and chamber, resonance within their community and measurable results and innovation.

“It was a surprise and an honor to get the news that the IGLA Chamber of Commerce won such a prestigious award for the University of Okoboji Winter Games event” says Blain Andera, President and CEO of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber. “This event couldn’t happen without the dedicated chamber team, chamber board and volunteers, sponsors and the business and community support. This is truly an award for everyone involved in the Winter Games!”

 

BOJI SURF CO. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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On Thursday, May 26 we welcomed Boji Surf Co. to the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber! Stop in to find all things boating lifestyle – apparel, decals, coozies,, hats, and more! Head to 290 U.S. Hwy 71 S, Arnolds Park to stop in!

40th Annual Walleye Weekend is a Wrap!

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Congratulations and thank you to everyone who was involved in the efforts that went into another successful Walleye Weekend! There’s still 10 tagged walleye waiting to be hooked! Good luck to all that are registered for the Extended Contest
Thank you to our sponsors: The City of Arnolds Park, Fisherman’s Factory Outlet, Oak Hill Outdoor, Okoboji Gas Company, Pure Fishing, Mediacom Spirit Lake, Stan’s Bait and Tackle, Walker Insurance Agency, and Okoboji Motor Company.
Thank you to all bait shops and weigh-in stations that we are fortunate enough to work with: Fisherman’s Factory Outlet, Oak HIll Outdoor/The Hook Up, Kabele’s Trading Post & Lodge, Stan’s Bait & Tackle. Thank you to Pure Fishing and Fisherman’s Factory Outlet for generously donating over $3,500 in prizes for our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the heaviest fish categories.
Thank you as well to the many Chamber members who donated a variety of items to the prize packages given out at the Awards Luncheon. With your help, we were able to award over 100 raffle prizes!
Thank you to the dedicated Iowa Navy Commodores and other volunteers for their time spent registering participants late into the night on Friday and for their additional help at the Awards Luncheon on Sunday.
Thank you to ALL of you for taking part in the 40th Annual Walleye Weekend. Mark your calendars for the 41st Annual Walleye Weekend May 6-7, 2023!

Walleye Weekend 2022 Results!

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Another awesome Walleye Weekend in the books! This year there were over 2,000 anglers from 16 different states! Congratulations to the following contest winners:
Heaviest Stringer of Walleye (Under 19″)
1st Place: Mark McAlpine of Bozeman, MT with 6.88lbs
2nd Place: Luke Christiansen of Spencer, IA with 6.76lbs
3rd Place: Dana Veen of Worthington, MN with 6.76lbs
Heaviest Northern Pike
1st Place: Josh Sundall of Tea, SD with 12.9lbs & 38″
2nd Place: Daniel Schneider of Denison, IA with 10.26lbs & 34 5/8″
3rd Place: Dustin Williams of Sioux City, IA with 9.66lbs & 34 3/4″
Heaviest Stringer of Bullhead
1st Place: Ben Andrews of Dunkum, IA with 17.22lbs
2nd Place: Aiden Pullen of Holstein, IA with 14.48lbs
3rd Place: Brayden Whitte of Cherokee, IA with 14.22lbs
Heaviest Stringer of Panfish
1st Place: Connor Creegen of Jackson, MN with 7.39lbs
2nd Place: Brandon Chonko of Lakefield, MN with 7.22lbs
3rd Place: Tony Holland of Golden Valley, MN with 6.08lbs