Annual Awards Gala

2026 Beaver Dam Area Chamber & Visitor Center

Event Details

Where celebration meets community spirit.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Beaver Dam Annual Dinner & Awards: the Black Ties & Blue Jeans Gala! This signature event shines a spotlight on the achievements, progress, and people shaping the future of Beaver Dam.

During the evening, we will recognize this year’s recipients of the Five Under Forty Award, Innovation Award, and Emerging Leader Award, celebrating the businesses and individuals whose leadership, creativity, and dedication continue to move our community forward.

What is a Black Ties & Blue Jeans Gala?

It’s a perfect fit for anyone—whether you prefer to dress up, dress down, or land somewhere in between. Think blazers and boots, cocktail dresses and denim, suits and sneakers, or diamonds and jeans. Just add your own festive flair with a touch of black and blue.Join us for an evening of celebration, connection, and recognition as we honor the people who help make Beaver Dam a great place to live, work, and do business.

Innovation Awards

The Beaver Dam Chamber & Visitor Center Innovation Awards recognize businesses and organizations that embrace creativity, improvement, and new ways of thinking. These awards celebrate those who are finding innovative solutions, developing new opportunities, and making a positive impact in the workplace and throughout our community. Awards will be presented to both a large and small business, as well as a nonprofit or community organization, whose product, project, program, process improvement, or initiative demonstrates creativity and a commitment to progress. All nominees will be celebrated, with additional recognition shared through Chamber communications, social media, and press releases.

Emerging Leader Award

Established in 2021, the Emerging Leader Award honors a high school or post-secondary student who has demonstrated leadership, initiative, and a commitment to making a positive impact in Beaver Dam. This award recognizes a student who goes above and beyond through community involvement, leadership activities, work experiences, or other efforts that strengthen the community. The recipient exemplifies responsibility, dedication, and the potential to become a future leader. The honoree will be recognized during the Beaver Dam Annual Dinner & Awards and will receive a $200 Chamber Check.

We look forward to celebrating all those who are making a difference.

We invite your organization to nominate a deserving business, individual, or emerging leader and help us celebrate those who make Beaver Dam a great place to live, work, and do business.

Deadline: Sunday, February 15th, 2027.

Specially hosted by the Chamber Ambassadors

Awards Recipients

Congratulations to the 2026 award recipients!

5 Under 40 Award Winners

Cody Allard-Walmart Distribution
Spencer Butterbrodt-Synergy Bound Wealth Mgt.
Chelsea Deaton-Marshfield Medical Center-BD
Mark Lefeber-BDACT & BDUSD
Libby Loomans- Beaver Dam Chamber & Visitor Center

Innovation Awards

Large Business
- Litter Robot by Whisker
Small Business
- Audrey’s Yoga
- Honorable Mention: Beth & Daisy
NonProfit/Charitable
- Citizens Police Academy
- Honorable Mention: Beaver Dam Area Community Library

Emerging Leader(s)

- Max Luedtke
- Tommy Scholz

Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients!

5 Under 40 Award Winners

Melanie Budde– Budde Realty
Allyssa Gilmore– American Bank
Ali Roth– WDS Construction
Mitch Scherbring– John Deere Horicon Works
Kyle Schroeder– Kyle Shroeder Agency, LLC-American Family

Innovation Awards

Large Business
- Burgess Norton part of Amsted Automotive Group
Small Business
- Let’s Go Play
- Honorable Mention: Pine Hill Insurance Services
NonProfit/Charitable
- GPS Educational Partners
- Honorable Mention: Beaver Dam Area Community Theater

Emerging Leader(s)

- Christopher Born
- Anna Sophia Schultz

Congratulations to the 2023 award recipients! Honored in 2024

5 Under 40 Award Winners

John Henry, John Henry Companies, LLC
Cierra Kuhn, Good Karma Brands
Dustan Minnig, Interquest Corp.
Patty Sanchez Walker, Specialty Cheese, Co.
Ashley Tracy, John Deere Horicon Works

Innovation Awards

Large Business
- Specialty Cheese Co.
- Honorable Mention: Mittera, WI
Small Business
- Mick Fischer Trophy and Engraving
- Honorable Mention: Quest Cleaning
NonProfit/Charitable
- P.A.V.E.
- John Moser’s Children’s Radiothon

Emerging Leader

Jaelynn Klatt
Honorable Mention: Rylee Dickinson

Congratulations to the 2022 award recipients! Honored in 2023

5 Under 40 Award Winners

Drew Hamers, Marshfield Medical Center
Emily McFarland, T3 and Dodge County SHRM
Chelsey Seippel, ED.D., The Seippel Foundation
Dr. Stephanie Tyjeski, Tyjeski Family Chiropractic
Stacey Shane, Slumberland Furniture
Mathew Berg, Horicon Bank

Innovation Awards

Large Business
- WDS Construction
- Honorable Mention: Armor Animal Health
Small Business
- Art on the Town Wisconsin-The Studio
- Honorable Mention: Ovans Peony Farm
NonProfit/Charitable
- Green Valley Enterprises a Division of Opportunities, Inc.
- Expressive Art Therapy

Emerging Leader

Samuel Behm, Cutting Edge Lawn Services

Congratulations to the 2021 award recipients!

5 Under 40 Award Winners

Karen Gibbs, Church Health Services
Martha Lewke, Marshfield Medical Center
Shannon Bubolz, Compeer Financial
Rebecca Anderson, American Bank
Glenna Bachim, RE/MAX Prime

Innovation Awards

Large Business
- Marshfield Medical Center
- Honorable Mention: Summit Credit Union
Small Business
- Legacy Medical Services
- Honorable Mention: Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio
NonProfit/Charitable
- Playground Movement
- Honorable Mention: Habitat for Humanity ReStore