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Annual Celebration & Dessert Auction
Every September, the Annual Celebration marks the end of the Chamber's fiscal year. Members are invited to join in the celebration of the past year's accomplishments, and to preview the endeavors of the coming year.
The evening begins with dessert first, when nearly forty scrumptious treats are sold in a silent and live auction format. Following the dessert auction and dinner, several members receive recognition for their outstanding commitment to the Chamber and our community. Awards include Rookie Business of the Year, Family Business of the Year, Businessman of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year, Manufacturing Business of the Year, Ag Business of the Year, Chamber Business of the Year, Chairman's Award, and Spirit of Watertown. Outgoing and board members are then acknowledged and recognized and incoming board members are introduced. To complete the evening, the Leadership Watertown class graduation is celebrated.
Other fun-draising activities during the evening include:
The Golden Ticket - We want you to feel like a kid in a candy store! Purchase the Golden Ticket and you could win big!
The purchaser of the winning Golden Ticket raffle will select the Live Dessert Auction package of their choice BEFORE the auction begins.How Sweet It Is - Five of our delicious cupcakes contain a special prize and your chance to win $100.
Purchase one (or more) of our sweet cupcakes for $10 each and your chance to win.
Corks & Cash - Are you feeling lucky? Bid on one bottle or all six and split the pot on the total raised.
Every person holding a bottle at the end of the evening will be brought up and a reverse drawing will select a winner!
Bourbon Pull - For our friends that prefer something other than wine: bid on one of the five bourbons for your chance to win a distinguished bourbon!
Every person holding a bottle at the end of the evening will be brought up and a reverse drawing will select a winner!CLICK HERE for 2022 Annual Celebration & Dessert Auction details
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Award Descriptions
Businessman & Businesswoman of the Year – The Businessman and Businesswoman of the year are the toughest to decide. This is why we need your help. Sometimes we see and hear all the good things that happen publicly, whether on social media or local media, but we are certain there are many business people that go unrecognized outside of their organization. We want to recognize these business people at the Awards Banquet during the Annual Celebration & Dessert Auction.
Family Business of the Year – Keeping it in the Family is a phrase we are all familiar with when it comes to collectibles, jewelry or some other sentimental piece. Keeping a business in the family may be tougher than you think. We would like to recognize the families that have handed down the family business at least one time or to a second generation family member. We don’t always know about all of the businesses changing hands, so again we need your help identifying those family businesses and bringing them on stage at our Annual Celebration in September.
Chamber Business of the Year – This award is reserved for a special person or business to be recognized as a supporter of the community and the Chamber. While the criteria for this award may not be as easily defined, the past winners of this award are truly deserving.
Spirit of Watertown Award – When you think spirit, you may think of someone screaming into a megaphone at a pep rally. Maybe. Sometimes, but more often than not, that person does even more quietly than they do publicly. We need your help seeking nominations for this prestigious award. This award may or may not be tied to something they have done in their business, but more of what they have done for the community of Watertown. We all know a couple of these people or organizations. Tell us who you feel is most deserving of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Watertown Award.
Rookie Business of the Year – Is there a business you believe has earned the title of Rookie Business of the Year? Do they have top notch customer service, friendly staff, AND care about the Watertown community? Tell us everything about your nomination: what makes them remarkable and worthy of this award.
Ag Business of the Year – Look all around Watertown and it is very evident that we rely on agriculture for not only food, but our entire economy: machinery, banks, seed dealers, elevators, veterinarians and even our very own ethanol plant. We all know several people that work in agriculture in some facet. We would like to recognize those people or businesses that stood out in their field. (Pun intended.)
Manufacturing Business of the Year – As we all know, Watertown’s economy is very dependent on our manufacturing partners. In 2017, this award was added to shine a light on some of the amazing manufacturing partners we have here in our community. While some of the achievements and milestones that happen in these businesses are made public, most stay quiet within the organization. Submit your nomination for the Watertown area manufacturing business that you feel is worthy and deserving of such an award.
Ambassador of the Year – The Ambassador of the Year represents and promotes the Chamber in a positive manner, with professionalism and assists in fostering meaningful, long-lasting relationships. They speak highly and advocate for the Chamber, and actively participate in Chamber activities.
Nominations may be submitted to tim@watertownsd.com.
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PAST AWARD WINNERS
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2021
Family Business of the Year
Tower Systems Inc
Businessman of the Year
Neal Tapio
Businesswoman of the Year
Mindy Wirkus
Chamber Business of the Year
County Fair
Chairman’s Award
St. Martin's Lutheran School & Early Learning Center
Spirit of Watertown
Josh Weyh - Watertown Community Cares
Rookie Business of the Year
AMJ Style
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Macksteel
Ag Business of the Year
Runnings
2020
Family Business of the Year
Reliabank
Businessman of the Year
Loren Diekman
Businesswoman of the Year
Missy Sinner
Chamber Business of the Year
Country Road Barn
Chairman’s Award
Crestone Companies
Spirit of Watertown
McDonald's
Rookie Business of the Year
Roseabella Boutique
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Terex Utilities
Ag Business of the Year
KWAT Radio
2019
Family Business of the Year
Larry’s Lumber
Businessman of the Year
Chris Schilken
Businesswoman of the Year
Melanie Weiss
Chamber Business of the Year
Dakotaland FCU
Volunteer of the Year
Cameron Buri
Chairman’s Award
Todd Syhre
Spirit of Watertown
Watertown Area Community Foundation
Rookie Business of the Year
Coteau Chic Boutique
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Benchmark Foam
Ag Business of the Year
Midwest Ag Supply
2018
Family Business of the Year
Moffatt Products
Businessman of the Year
Travas Uthe
Businesswoman of the Year
Liz Christianson
Chamber Business of the Year
Phillip Matthews State Farm
Volunteer of the Year
Scott Jongbloed
Chairman’s Award
Holly Brown
Spirit of Watertown
Lions Club
Rookie Business of the Year
Gather
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Worthington Industries
2017
Family Business of the Year
ESCO Manufacturing
Businessman of the Year
Erik Scott
Businesswoman of the Year
Doris Wilkey
Chamber Business of the Year
ADI
Volunteer of the Year
Mei Oviatt
Chairman’s Award
Dakota Butcher
Spirit of Watertown
Melissa Herrbolt
Rookie Business of the Year
Harry's
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Dakota Bodies
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2016
Family Business of the Year
Dakota Butcher
Businessman of the Year
Jim Seurer
Businesswoman of the Year
Chris Carter
Chamber Business of the Year
Discount Liquor
Volunteer of the Year
MArsha Dargatz
Rookie Business of the Year
Watertown Brewing Co.
2015
Family Business of the Year
Dempsey's Brewery Restaurant & Pub
Businessman of the Year
Glen Vilhauer
Businesswoman of the Year
LuAnn Strait
Chamber Business of the Year
Wurth Electronics
Volunteer of the Year
Tom Holmes
Chairman’s Award
Jim Dugan
Spirit of Watertown
Jim Mahowald
2014
Family Business of the Year
Expressions Gallery/ Knit Nook
Businessman of the Year
Joel Vockrodt
Businesswoman of the Year
Deb Shepard
Chamber Business of the Year
KXLG Radio
Volunteer of the Year
Paul Moore
Chairman’s Award
H20-20 Committee
Spirit of Watertown
Joy Nelson
2013
Family Business of the Year
Kones Korner
Businessman of the Year
Don Roby
Businesswoman of the Year
Jill Fuller
Chamber Business of the Year
Reliabank
Volunteer of the Year
Deb Sundem
Chairman’s Award
John Weismantel
Spirit of Watertown
Scott & Jodi Driscoll
2012
Family Business of the Year
Lew's Fireworks
Chamber Business of the Year
Dockter's Electric
Volunteer of the Year
Tim Sheehan
Chairman’s Award
Park & Rec Department
Spirit of Watertown
Dan Albertsen
2011
Family Business of the Year
Codington-Clark Equipment
Chamber Business of the Year
Terex
Volunteer of the Year
Lisa Buche
Chairman’s Award
Dean Gacksetter and Ernie Edwards
Spirit of Watertown
Mike Luken