The 104th Annual Awards Banquet and Auction is tentatively set for Friday, January 17th, 2025 at the Pavilion in Marion. This banquet is an occasion to celebrate the previous year and our 'Of The Year' honorees.
SOCIAL HOUR AT 5:30 pm
The Social Hour kicks off with live music, delicious appetizers, fun photography, and delicious signature drinks.
Bid of great Silent Auction items provided by amazing fellow Chamber members. Proceeds from the Silent Auction go to the
Chamber Foundation.
The popular Wine & Spirit Pull features new and current favorites.
DINNER AT 6:30 pm
AWARDS CEREMONY 7:30 pm
Join us as we honor the 2024 Citizen of the Year, Distinguished Member, Distinguished Business, Young Professional Leadership, Lifetime Achievement, and Awards of Excellence.
REGISTRATION
TICKETS Table of 12: $750; Table of 8: $500, & Individual Tickets: $65
DRESS CODE Cocktail Attire
Tickets will be available in October.
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize members of the Marion community.
The Banquet & Awards Committee is currently accepting nominations for the following awards. While many awards honorees are finalized by this committee, Citizen of the Year and Young Professional Leadership honorees will be selected by the Chamber Voting Members.
Nomination Deadline is August 31st.
You are welcome to submit nominations for the 2024 'Of the Year' awards through our online portal.
Citizen of the Year, Distinguished Member, Distinguished Business, Young Professional Leadership, and Lifetime Achievement.
Distinguished Member - Recognizes a Chamber member who has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission. This person demonstrates personal and professional leadership in the community. Honoree selected by Committee.
Distinguished Business - Recognizes a business that has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission. The recipient of this award must be a member business of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Honoree selected by Committee.
Citizen of the Year - Recognizes an individual who has shown significant contribution to our community and who has excelled in a field outside of the Chamber. Honoree selected by voting members.
Young Professional Leadership - Recognizes a Chamber member who demonstrates excellence and initiative in their business or profession and is under the age of 40. Honoree selected by voting members.
Lifetime Achievement - Recognizes an individual for their dedication and achievement in a professional capacity for 30 years or more. Honoree selected by Committee.
Award of Excellence - An individual or group who has went above and beyond to serve the Marion community. Honoree selected by Committee.
The Annual Dinner Committee honors those we have lost in the past year who have contributed to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Marion area. The tribute will be played during the annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet.
To submit an honoree, please complete the form below, call the Marion Chamber at 997.6311, or email director@marionillinois.com.
Our awards ceremony was filled with applause as we recognized 2023 award honorees:
Award of Excellence: Southern Illinois Chili Cook Off and Patricia Odum
Mayor's Service Award: Sam Lattuca
Citizen of the Year Award: Dale Fowler
Distinguished Business Award: SIU Credit Union
Distinguished Member Award: Jeff Mayer
Lifetime Achievement: Harry L Crisp II & Vernell Sellars
Young Professional Leadership: Rachel Stroud
We were also honored to recognize those lost in the past year with our In Memoriam. Check out images of our honors and the night on the Annual Banquet More official pictures will be posted in the coming weeks.
Marion High School FBLA Students greeted guests. Thank you!
Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Crystal's Catering and Dessert.
Dessert Sponsored by SouthernTrust Bank
Emcee Jon Wofford
Attendees enjoyed pre-event snacks
Sponsored by Vernell's insterstate Service
Attendees mingle and check out Silent Auction Items.
Silent Auction sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributors and AISIN Group
Groups gathered for our new Photo Stage for images to print out and send to their phones.
Sponsored by Commercial Janitorial Services
Attendees had the option to mix and mingle with fellow members.
Hospitality Sponsor visitSI
Programs Sponsor Zeller Construction.
Our Silent Auction spotlights great items provided by our members, community partners, and national vendors - including memorabilia, one of a kind items, jewelry, trips, and local items to enjoy all year round! Proceeds from the auction go to the Marion Chamber Foundation.
Thank you for everyone who took part!!
Award of Excellence - Patricia Odum
Sponsored by SouthernTrust Bank
A Chamber member who has made significant contributions to the community through the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Award of Excellence - Southern Illinois Chili Cookoff
Sponsored by SouthernTrust Bank
A Chamber member who has made significant contributions to the community through the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Citizen of the Year - Dale Fowler
Sponsored by Legence Bank
An individual who has shown significant contribution to our community and who has excelled in a field outside of the Chamber.
Distinguished Business - SIU Credit Union
Sponsored by Deaconess Iliinois
Recognizes a business that has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission.
Distinguished Member - Jeff Mayer
Sponsored by Clearwave Fiber
This award recognizes a Chamber member who has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission.
Lifetime Achievement - Harry L Crisp II & Vernell Sellars
Sponsored by First Southern Bank
An individual who has demonstrated dedication and achievement in a professional capacity for 30 years or more.
Mayor's Service Award - Sam Lattuca
A business or industry who has went above and beyond to serve the Marion community.
Young Professional Leadership Award Honoree - Rachel Stroud
Sponsored by SIU Credit Union
An individual who demonstrates excellence and initiative in their business or profession and is under the age of 40.
The 102nd Annual Awards Banquet and Auction took place on Friday, January 20th, 2023 at the Pavilion in Marion. This banquet is an occasion to celebrate the previous year and our 'Of The Year' honorees.
Our awards banquet kicked off with a social hour sponsored by Pepsi MidAmerica. Attendees enjoyed signature drinks, a virtual and in-person silent auction, wine & spirit pull, a delicious dinner, and awards. Please check out event spotlights!
Emcee Jon Wofford
Attendees enjoyed pre-event snacks
Sponsored by Consume
Attendees mingle and check out Silent Auction Items.
Silent Auction sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributors and AISIN Group
Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Crystal's Catering and Dessert.
Dessert Sponsored by SouthernTrust Bank
Groups gathered for our new Photo Stage for images to print out and send to their phones.
Sponsored by Commercial Janitorial Services
Attendees had the option to mix and mingle with fellow members.
Hospitality Sponsor visitSI
Programs Sponsor Zeller Construction.
Chamber Executive Director, Karen Mullins, recaps the previous year.
Marion High School FBLA Students greeted guests. Thank you!
Our Silent Auction spotlights great items provided by our members, community partners, and national vendors - including memorabilia, one of a kind items, jewelry, trips, and local items to enjoy all year round! Proceeds from the auction go to the Marion Chamber Foundation.
Thank you for everyone who took part!!
This year we added a Live Auction element to the event featuring great getaways. SIH was our live auction sponsor and the giveaways include members Blue Sky Winery and Your Jeweler. The other package features spa and golf experiences in Pinehurst NC.
Award of Excellence - Marilyn Jones Stritzel
Sponsored by SouthernTrust Bank
A Chamber member who has made significant contributions to the community through the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
Business & Industry of the Year - Our Local Educators
Sponsored by Deaconess Illinois
A business or industry who has went above and beyond to serve the Marion community.
Represetned by Members Marion Unit #2, Brehm Preparatory Academy, John A. Logan College, and Southern Illinois University.
Citizen of the Year - Kerry Martin
Sponsored by Legence Bank
An individual who has shown significant contribution to our community and who has excelled in a field outside of the Chamber.
Distinguished Business - The Pavilion
Co-Sponsored by Futivia & Campbell Insurance Group
Recognizes a business that has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission.
Distinguished Member - Matt Carnaghi
Sponsored by Clearwave Fiber
This award recognizes a Chamber member who has given significant service to the Marion Chamber of Commerce and its mission.
Lifetime Achievement - Kathy Lively & Wayland Sims
Sponsored by First Southern Bank
An individual who has demonstrated dedication and achievement in a professional capacity for 30 years or more.
Mayor's Service Award - Tom Logan
A business or industry who has went above and beyond to serve the Marion community.
Young Professional Leadership Award Honoree - Laura Chairez
Sponsored by SIU Credit Union
An individual who demonstrates excellence and initiative in their business or profession and is under the age of 40.
The Annual Dinner planning committee would like to thank everyone who took part in this year's Virtual Awards Celebration on January 14th, 2021. This year's awards program was streamed for free to our members and the public and shortened from our normal program so we could focus on spotlighting our award nominees and recipients.
We encouraged our members to enjoy our virtual Pre-Event and Afterparty sponsored by Pepsi MidAmerica, which featured music by Eli Teller and 90s Kidz Band. The video is available on this page.
This year's Silent Auction was online and featured the same type of items enjoyed by attendees at previous events. This includes memorabilia, one of a kind items, jewelry, trips, virtual experiences and local items to enjoy all year round! Below are some of the items and experiences we featured this year.
This year's category sponsors
Business & Industry of the Year: Front Line Workers
Learn more about our Award Winners.
Citizen of the Year: Amanda Throgmorton
Learn more about
Amanda Throgmorton.
Distinguished Business: Fowler Heating & Cooling
Learn more about Fowler Heating & Cooling.
Distinguished Member: Brian McHugh
Learn more about Brian McHugh.
Young Professional Leadership: Dalus Downs
Learn about Dalus Downs.
Lifetime Achievement: Joe & Toni Hayes and Tom Logan
Learn More about Joe & Toni Hayes.
Learn More about Tom Logan.
Mayor's Award of Service: Marion United
Selected by Mayor Michael Absher, this honoree is recognized for service to their community.
Learn more about Marion United.
Award of Excellence: Laborers' Union Local 773, Shawn Vincelette, & Karen Mullins
Learn more about Laborers' Union local 773.
Learn more about Shawn Vincelette.