News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
96th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce recap
Event photos, Photo Booth photos, Award videos and more from the 96th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet & Auction have been posted

The Marion Chamber of Commerce hosted their 96th Annual Awards Banquet & Auction Friday, January 20, 2017, at The Pavilion. 

The event began at 5:30 p.m. with a Social Hour, sponsored by Mayer Networks. The Social Hour featured entertainment by pianist Brock Bertling (sponsored by Clearwave Communications), beverages, hors d'oeuvres (sponsored by First Southern Bank) and more. Signature Drinks, sponsored by Joyner Therapy Services and Black Diamond Harley Davidson, were available at no charge for attendees during the Social Hour. 

The event also included a Wine & Spirit Pull, sponsored by Banterra Bank. The Wine & Spirit Pull raised more than $850. 

A Silent Auction, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, was also held during the Social Hour. The Silent Auction raised more than $2,200 for the Marion Chamber Foundation. 

Also during the Social Hour, a Diamond Drop, sponsored by Diamond Designs, was held. The event sold out and raised $1,500 for the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. The mission of the Poshard Foundation is to help abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Southern Illinois. 

Ike Family Dealerships sponsored a Photo Booth where all participants were welcome to get their photo taken by a professional photographer. The Photo Booth Photos can be viewed here.

Dalus Ben Avi, the executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, presented a recap of 2016 to attendees. The recap can be viewed here

Dinner began around 6:30 p.m. The dinner included salad, meal, desserts (sponsored by South Porte Bank) and tea, water and coffee (sponsored by Krispy Kreme). 

The Award Presentations followed dinner service. The following awards were presented:

  • Mayor's Service Award
    • Winner: Clarence Bagby Jr. 
      • Watch the introduction video here
  • Award of Excellence
    • Winner: Jesse Barge
      • Watch the introduction video here
  • Young Professional Leadership Award (Sponsored by Heartland Regional Medical Center)
    • Winner: Toni Perkins
      • Watch the introduction video here
    • Winner: Erica Pancoast
      • Watch the introduction video here
  • Distinguished Member Award 
    • Winner: Amber Ciochetto 
      • Watch the introduction video here
  • Citizen of the Year Award (Sponsored by Watermark Auto Group)
    • Winner: Dave Clark
      • Watch the introduction video here
  • Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Southern Illinois Miners)
    • Winner: Bill Nielsen 
      • Watch the introduction video here
    • Winner: Ray Altmix
      • Watch the introduction video here
  • Business/Industry of the Year Award (Sponsored by Southern Illinois Healthcare)
    • Winner: Hospice of Southern Illinois
      • Watch the introduction video here

The Award Presentations was videotaped in HD and will available on DVD for purchase after the event concludes (videography sponsored by SIU Credit Union). The video will also be emailed to everyone in the Chamber's email list after the video is complete.

A professional photographer took photos throughout the event. The photography is sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributing. Click here for the photos from the event.

A program for the event was given to each guest and contained points of history for the Marion Chamber as well as past winners of the awards. The program is sponsored by Commercial Janitorial Services. Click here for the program. 

Registration was sponsored by Futiva Hosted Communications.

The venue was sponsored by The Pavilion

The Hospitality sponsor was Visit SI.

Marion High School FBLA volunteers (sponsored by Clearwave Communications) were on hand to escort guests to their seats. Volunteers from John A. Logan College were on hand to help with the Coat Check, sponsored by Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois

Thank you to the following:
Brock Bertling for entertainment
Cam McCurdy for sound, lights & videography
Diamond Designs for the Diamond Drop
Dreams Do Come True for decor
Great Boars of Fire for catering
Graphics Galore for awards
Jared Garrison and staff with The Pavilion
John A. Logan volunteers
Jonathan Cohen for Photography 
Jon Wofford for Emceeing
Marion High School FBLA volunteers:
    Joshua Bloodworth
    Tyler Cline
    Olivia Edwards
    Jake Griffin
    Jacob Janz
    Marquez Lilly
    Hannah Long
    Brandon Lynn
    Bradley Marks
    Abby Mausey
    Natalie Mausey
    Johnna McSparin
    Kaybree Morrow
    Matalin Olson
    Haylee Quertermous
    Jacob Rice
    Benjamin Shore
    Alyssa Taylor
    Brandon Wood
Martini Joe’s for Social Hour service
Miss Illinois Jaryn Franklin
Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen Christine Bryant
Silent Auction donors
    AMC
    ArtStarts
    Barcom Security
    Baysinger Architects
    Black Diamond Harley Davidson
    Blue Sky Vineyard
    Bronze Bodz
    Cameron’s Auto Detailing
    Cape Air
    Changing Seasons Landscape Center
    Closet Consignment
    CUSD #2
    Crab Orchard Golf Club
    Cracker Barrel
    Deloufleur Décor & Designs
    Doggie Stylez
    Egyptian Board of Realtors
    Extreme Kids
    Fashion Addict Boutique
    Fazoli’s
    Finish Line Car Wash
    Fusion Boot Camp
    Genesis Salon and Spa
    Golden Eagle Distributing
    Grand River Spirits
    Great Boars of Fire
    H&R Block
    Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    Home Depot
    Honeybakers
    The HUB
    Ideal Lawn & Tractor
    Ike Family Dealerships
    John A. Logan College
    Joyner Therapy Services
    Kokopelli
    Kre8ive Fine Arts Academy
    Krispy Kreme
    Kroger
    Linda Byassee, Younique 
    Little Egypt Veterinary Clinic
    Magpie Market House
    Majestic Flag Store
    Marion Star
    Melise’s
    Monroe Cleaners
    Pepsi MidAmerica
    Rural King
    SI Bowl
    Silkworm
    Silver Collections
    Small’s Food Store
    Southern Illinois Miners
    Speakeasy
    Specialized Equine Services
    Stiles
    Susan Willis Photography
    Visit SI
    Watermark Auto Group

Susan Willis for Photography

Wine Pull donors
    Abbey Ridge Brewery
    Amber Ciochetto
    Ashlee Church
    Ashley Gott
    Bill Nielsen
    Black Diamond Harley Davidson
    Brehm School Foundation
    Brian Ziegler
    Commercial Janitorial Services
    Doug Kimmel
    Dr. James Parker
    Dr. Keith Oates
    First Southern Bank
    Golden Eagle Distributing
    H&R Block
    Hedman Vineyards
    Hickory Ridge Winery
    Honker Hill Winery
    Janet Jensen
    John Brown’s on the Square
    Kenya Garner
    Kite Hill Vineyards 
    Lisa Hudgens
    Martini Joe’s
    Orlandini Vinyards
    Ray Altmix
    Rick Richert
    Steve Cook
    Tracey Glenn
    Westmore Liquor Mart

and to the Awards Committee:
    Janet Jensen with Auto Credit of Southern Illinois
    Ashley Gott with Bank of Herrin
    Misty Cobb with Banterra Bank
    Mindy Reid with Banterra Bank
    Jared Garrison with City of Marion
    Marilyn Jones with Commercial Janitorial Services
    Amber Ciochetto with Crisp Container Co.
    Linda Byassee with Dreams Do Come True
    Brian McHugh with Edward Jones Investments
    Jennifer Olson with Farmers State Bank
    Mary Jo McCurdy with First Southern Bank
    Bill Nielsen with Flanders Electric
    Rick Richert with Flanders Electric
    Dana Dooley with HireLevel powered by Extra Help
    Deborah Hogg with Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.
    Lisa Hudgens with John A. Logan College
    Jon Wofford with Marion Ford-Lincoln-Mercury
    Tracey Glenn with Peoples National Bank
    Cam McCurdy with ProTek
    Tiffanny Sievers with SI Elder Law, LLC
    Kenya Garner with State Farm
    Susan Willis with Susan Willis Photography
    Cindy Gibbons with US Bank
    Jessica Force with Williamson County Government
    Doug Kimmel with Veterans Airport of SI
    Shannon Johnson with Visit SI



Published: 01/24/17