The Decorah Area Chamber is pleased to announce its business award recipients for 2026. Ten businesses and eight individuals will be recognized this year as part of the Chamber’s annual event. Awards this year include Business of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Legacy Award, Emerging New Business, Agriculture Business Award, Dedication to Community, Tourism Award, a Collaboration Award, and two awards for Excellence in Design & Construction. The Chamber will recognize five Young Professionals, celebrate a Chamber Ambassador of the Year, and issue Volunteer of the Year. In addition to the formal awards, the Chamber also gives six “Spark Joy Mini Awards” – a special category of awards that elevate improvements and actions in and around the community that contribute to hometown happiness.
All award recipients will be recognized at the in-person Business Awards Event on Tuesday, September 29th. Champagne will be served by Bon Appetit and live music will be by Brennan Henry. Executive Director Jessica Rilling and Director of Operations Amanda Streeper will lead a Presentation of Awards from 6-7PM. Chamber board directors, staff, and committee members will be in attendance to celebrate the award winners and support the event. The Chamber’s 2026 Business Awards Event is generously supported by Lead Organizational Sponsor Decorah Bank & Trust, Presenting Sponsor Viking State Bank & Trust, Supporting Sponsors Deco Products, The Getup, and Gallagher, and Spark Joy Sponsors Jubilee, Servpro of Decorah, and Inspire(d) Media.
“The Decorah Area Chamber has always believed in the importance of recognizing hardworking business owners,” says Director Rilling, “this event celebrates excellence, increases business visibility at a regional level, and reminds us to lead with appreciation. I’m proud to host this gathering where we can come together to honor the resilient people who start, maintain, and grow businesses here in the Decorah Area.”
Volunteers of the Year – Ed & Joyce Epperly
Young Professional Awards:
Linley Cavin, Storied Folk & Co.
Cole Tweten, Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office
John Gossling, Gossling Woodworking
Morgan McMillan, Oneota Golf & Country Club
Editor Seth Boyes’ Columns for the Decorah Leader
For more than 100 years the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce has served business and community. Staff in 2026 include Executive Director Jessica Rilling, Director of Operations Amanda Streeper, Marketing & Membership Associate Hannah Tulgren, and Hospitality Associate Meg Storkamp. The Chamber also manages the Visit Decorah Tourism brand contract which is fulfilled by Alyssa Ritter. The Decorah Area Chamber works closely with the Winneshiek County Development & Tourism team, Downtown Decorah Betterment Association, and the City of Decorah for the success of the local business ecosystem and to maintain the remarkable quality of life the Decorah Area is known for. More than 80 area professionals serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Committees.