Column: Celebrating success and community at room dining | News, Sports, Jobs

ESCANABA — The Delta County Chamber of Commerce is finalizing plans for its Oct. 10 Annual Dinner. This is always a special time because it allows us to reflect on the positive activities and achievements of the past year. While I can’t cover every event in 2024, I want to highlight some of our highlights.

We started the year with the Delta Force Leadership Discovery Mission, where we had the pleasure of working with 21 emerging leaders from Delta County. These individuals were determined to become more involved in community issues, spend the year learning from experienced leaders, and use the entire community as their classroom.

The annual Fire and Ice midwinter fundraising gala was held in February. If the extremely positive comments and attitudes of our guests were any indication, I would say the event was a success. Our guests were ready to have a good time and it showed. The atmosphere was full of excitement from the moment they arrived. Guests enjoyed fine dining, entertainment, dancing and exciting giveaways. By the end of the evening, over $30,000 in prizes, raffles and auction items were given away. This success is a testament to the dedication, generosity and unwavering support of our members, sponsors, volunteers, board of directors and team members.

The ever-popular Business After Hours, sponsored by Chamber members, has continued to thrive with many Chamber members participating each month. This event offers the perfect blend of networking and socializing for business.

We hosted a successful Chamber Golf Outing at Escanaba Country Club in June. The 31st annual event is sold out with 36 teams. Sponsors were very generous and golfers seemed eager to participate in the first charity golf outing of the season.

Our beach community hosted Pearl Seas Cruise Line passengers twice this summer. The Chamber organized Escanaba Mayor Mark Ammel’s Key to the City presentation, the City Band’s musical welcome, and coordinated all shore visits, which received a very positive response from the cruise line and guests. Due to positive community engagement, we believe Victory Cruise Lines plans to: “Dock in Noc” More than 30 times in 2025.

Once again, we had a great response from volunteers who signed up to help with the Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass, commonly referred to as the LPGA. The 2024 tournament, with more than 300 volunteer positions filled, was the official U.S. qualifier for the Evian Championship in France. The enthusiasm of our volunteers motivates us to continue to showcase the Upper Peninsula as a special place for world-class events.

The UP State Fair Authority, Management Agency and approximately 100,000 guests celebrated the 96th annual UP State Fair. The UP State Fair Authority has renewed its management agreement with the Chamber and we look forward to continued growth and development in the coming years.

Chamber member restaurants were hosted “Lunch with the Lieutenant Governor” During the UP State Fair in August. This was Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist’s first visit to the fair. I am sure that he was impressed by the banquet given by our Ambassadors, sponsored by our members, and by the attentive audience of the guests who listened to his presentation on State affairs.

Throughout the year, the Chamber of Commerce proudly supported the Escanaba City Marching Band’s Centennial Season. Like last year, we will include a musical theme at our annual dinner celebrating the band’s 100th anniversary.

Please join us on October 10 as we honor the accomplishments of those who continue to build and strengthen our coastal community.

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Vickie Micheau is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce