Celebrate Ely Networking Dinner

REGISTRATION FORM

Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we are honored to present a keynote experience from a man who has defended the American dream on the world’s most dangerous frontiers, Mark "The Spark" Johnson.

Event Details

  • Theme: Celebrating 250 Years of America

  • Fun & Adventure: Pick your favorite American hero, era, or just arrive in your favorite flannel and jeans - all are welcome. Prize for best-dressed.

  • Highlight: Keynote Address by Colonel Mark Johnson (Bio below)

Prepare to be inspired and celebrate America.

Sound interesting?  Here is the evening lineup: 

  • 4:30-5:40 p.m.: Social Hour with Cash Bar 
  • 5:40: Welcome
  • 5:45-6:30: Dinner Buffet and Door Prizes
  • 6:30-7:00: Chamber News & Awards
  • 7:00-8:00: Keynote speaker
  • 8:00: Closing Comments

Location: Grand Ely Lodge, 40 N. Pioneer Road, Ely

Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Tickets are $30.00/person or $25.00/ veteran.  Tickets may be purchased via phone (218-365-6123), email (director@ely.org), or at the Ely Chamber of Commerce office (Ely Regional Trailhead, 15 S 4th Ave W, Ely, MN). Ticket sales close on April 3, 2026.

Buffet, including: Roast beef bourbon, pork loin with apple-cognac glaze, wild mushroom ravioli, tossed salad with condiments, broccoli raisin salad, herb-roasted baby reds, wild rice casserole, and bacon-blue brussels sprouts.

Featuring Keynote Speaker: Colonel Mark JohnsonMarkthespark

Decorated Green Beret, Global Educator, and Master of Leadership

Mark has led a fascinating life, full of travel and death-defying adventure. He survived numerous harrowing life and death situations during his twenty-one years as a Colonel in the Green Berets. He commanded specially-trained and educated teams that our nation selected for the most dangerous and hazardous missions. He conducted operations, many of them sensitive and classified, in over 55 nations on four continents. The invaluable lessons he learned in Leadership, Motivation, and Team Building were shaped in times of extreme danger on the battlefields of the world. He learned to inspire those in his care to fearlessly excel despite enormous odds, and he now translates those valuable lessons to today’s business world, community leaders, and classrooms of all levels.

The Mission: "Achieving Success Beyond Expectations"

In this special patriotic address, Colonel Johnson will translate the "Green Beret Secrets" of team building and fearlessness into actionable strategies for today's business leaders, educators, and community pillars.

He has survived death-defying adventures and commanded missions in the world’s most hazardous environments. Now, he’s coming home to the heartland to help you lead your "team" to victory, no matter the odds.

"Leadership is about inspiring those in your care to fearlessly excel." — Colonel Mark Johnson