Awards & Recognition at 2026 annual Chamber meeting.

GARNER - Numerous awards and recognition were presented at the 2026 Garner Chamber of Commerce dinner. The event was held February 20 at the new Up 4 Celebrations events center in Garner.

Chamber Awards

Up 4 Celebrations was named the Garner Small Business of the Year. Owners Adam and Denise Upmeyer opened the events venue in 2024 creating a place where memories are made, celebrations shared and the community can gather.

Plas-Tech Tooling was awarded the Impact & Leadership Award - Large Business. The company was recognized for demonstrated sustained excellence, innovation and economic leadership and continued growth. Though job creation, community involvement and on-going reinvestment, the company continues to play a vital role in the economic stability of Garner. Dean and Marcia Sonquist are owners.

The Service & Impact Award (Nonprofit) went to the Garner Youth For Christ organization. The Garner chapter is led by Andrea Baxter. Youth for Christ seeks to invest in the lives of young people through mentorship, leadership development and steady guidance. The chapter is part of the Greater Iowa Youth for Christ organization. 

Mike and Maxine Kalkwarf were the recipients oft the Spirit of Service Award, Because of the couple's years of faithful service and volunteerism, they have strengthened countless organizations, supported community events and stepped forward wherever there is a need.

Cole Lau was chosen to receive the 2027 Future Leaders Award. The son of Alex and Carrie Lau, Cole's volunteerism and involvement includes Hancock County 4-H, Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church and the Avery Theater.

Milestones

Chamber of Commerce members celebrating milestone anniversaries were:

80 Years - VFW Post 5515

65 Years - Iowa Mold Tooling Co. and Veenstra & Kimm

50 Years - Cataldo Funeral Home and Schoneman Realtors, Inc.

45 Years - Dandyland Farms and Fairway View Homeowners Association #2

35 Years - McCloskey Appliance

30 Years - Brothers Ace Hardware, Hrubes Auto Sales, Hueneman Farms L.C.

10 Years - American Family | Cathy Mohlis & Associates

5 Years - JMS Plumbing

Chamber review

Jennifer Malek, director, noted that the Garner Chamber of Commerce represents over 120 member businesses and organizations - a 41 percent increase over the past year.

"We have hosted and supported more than 20 community events, welcomed new members, celebrated ribbon cuttings and created coutless opportunities for visibility and collaboration," Malek said. "Through Duesey Days alone, we brought in over a thousand people into our downtown - supporting local retailers, restaurants and service providers."

The Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $25,000 Iowa DNR/IRA grant to replace trees lost to the Emerald ash borer.

The Chamber is also the recipient of a Humanities Iowa Mini Grant in support of its A Legacy of Service & Strength project.

"This grant will help us preserve the stories of the people who serve, heal, lead and inspire our community," she said. "These stories will be archived, shared through Humanities Iowa's publication Voices from the Prairie and recognized at both the state and national level through support from the National Endowment for the Arts,"

The Chamber's Entrepreneurial Empowerment Program seeks to local local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, connections and confidence needed to grow and succeed in Garner.

"And we're not slowing down," Malek concluded.