News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Sister City Cultural Exchange Program needs your help
Kanie Japan and Marion Illinois joined together on March 26, 2010, to become Sister Cities. Great effort was put into the "twinning" of Marion and Kanie, and a great deal of effort still goes on today to keep it alive in order to bring understanding of our cultures, to enhance the esteem our respective citizens have for one another, and to encourage cooperation through interchange in many fields including industry.

Kanie Japan and Marion Illinois joined together on March 26, 2010, to become Sister Cities. Great effort was put into the "twinning" of Marion and Kanie, and a great deal of effort still goes on today to keep it alive in order to bring understanding of our cultures, to enhance the esteem our respective citizens have for one another, and to encourage cooperation through interchange in many fields including industry.

Representatives from Kanie have visited Marion in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and another visit is scheduled for March 25-29, 2017. Marion has sent representatives to Kanie in 2010 and 2014.

On the upcoming visit, 12 students and six adults will be making the journey from Kanie Japan to Marion. If you would like to sponsor our Kanie Japan represenatives' visit to Marion in March or have any questions, please email the Chamber or call (618) 997-6311.

Currently the sponsors for the 2017 Sister City visit are:
  • City of Marion
  • Marion Chamber of Commerce
  • Marion Chamber of Commerce Foundation
  • Visit SI
  • Commercial Janitorial Services
Sponsorship deadline is March 6 in order for the sponsors names/logos to be placed on the Sister City t-shirts.

Here are the 2017 Sister City trip sponsorship levels and their benefits:
  • Gold - $1,000+
    • Tags in social media posts
    • Listed (with link) in story on Web site/newsletter
    • Personal letter from Sister City Team
    • Commemorative picture of Sister City visitors
    • Listed (with logo) as a sponsor on t-shirt
    • May contribute to gift bag for our Japanese visitors (size, quantity, etc. restrictions)
    • Listed as Sponsor on all advertising (logo where possible)
  • Silver - $600-$999
    • Tags in social media posts
    • Listed (with link) in story on Web site/newsletter
    • Personal letter from Sister City Team
    • Commemorative picture of Sister City visitors
    • Listed (no logo) as a sponsor on t-shirt
    • May contribute to gift bag for our Japanese visitors (size, quantity, etc. restrictions)
  • Bronze - $300-$599
    • Tags in social media posts
    • Listed (no link) in story on Web site/newsletter
    • Personal letter from Sister City Team
    • Commemorative picture of Sister City visitors
  • Gift basket sponsors:
    • Area businesses and organizations are encouraged to donate merchandise to be given to our Japanese visitors. No promotional/logo'd merchandise/items please.
    • Items of interest are: Wildcat merchandise, Southern Illinois Miners merchandise, items that mention Marion/Southern Illinois/Illinois, and local wines.
Email the Sister City Team to donate today!

Also, please display the Kanie Japan flag or a welcome message on your outdoor signs during the Kanie Japan visit March 25-29.

Published: 02/15/17