FAIRMONT– In one week the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet where the 2025 business of the year in four different categories will be announced.

Chamber President, Kandi Menne, said that as a non-profit, the chamber must hold an annual meeting to go over financials, which accounts for a portion of the meeting. Chamber staff and board members will also be introduced, as will all of the nominated businesses.

Up for large business of the year, with 10 or more employees, are Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., TPI Hospitality/Best Western, Kahler Automation, Mayo Clinic Health System, United Hospital District (UHD) and Walmart. Nominated for small business of the year, with under 10 employees, are Aventure Staffing, Doolittle’s Carpet and Paints, City of Lakes Media, Silo ’67 and Visit Fairmont.

Those nominated for the rising star, businesses in their first three years, are Bravo Zulu House, Edman, Edmundson and Odgren, Fairmont Brewing Company, Les Schwab Tire Centers and Recovery in Motion.

Finally, the community champion nominees are Crystal Hanson of South Creek HR, Empower Coalition, Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center, Martin County Historical Society and STEP, Inc.

“We like to recognize businesses that have made a difference in the last year and celebrate and honor them,” Menne said.

All businesses nominated are chamber members but the banquet itself is open to non-chamber members.

“It’s a good way for them to see what the chamber does and network with some of our members,” Menne said. “We hope that they’re potential members. It’s a good way to bring them into the fold.”

During the night, a slideshow will be going that will show not only information about the nominated businesses, but about the chamber and some of its events.

“We don’t do a lot of events, but the ones we do are really impactful. They’re fundraising for something that we put back into the community,” Menne said.

She highlighted the sip and shop and Fourth of July boat parade, which are two newer chamber events.

“It’s good for people to see that the chamber does that,” Menne said.

In the past the banquet has been a formal affair but sometimes a fun theme is chosen and that’s the route it’s taken this year.

“Because we have five lakes, we decided to do a lake life beach theme. Dressing in beach attire is encouraged,” Menne said. “It should be fun.”

In keeping with the more casual theme, there will be a taco bar with a fish option. Parker Williams, a nationally recognized comedian/magician and mentalist, will provide the entertainment for the evening.

Typically there are over 100 people in attendance and Menne expects that there will be good numbers this year, too.

Mostly, she is looking forward to recognizing the businesses community.

“We have so many businesses in town and when people comment that there aren’t any businesses or things to do, it’s because they haven’t gone out and looked. You have to visit the businesses and support them. It will keep our community healthy,” Menne said.

She added that the businesses employ people and generate revenue back into the local economy.

The banquet will start with social hour at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at the Fairmont Event Center. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to fairmontchamber.org.