96th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce recap
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
- Winner: Clarence Bagby Jr.
- Award of Excellence
- Winner: Jesse Barge
- Watch the introduction video here
- Winner: Jesse Barge
- Young Professional Leadership Award (Sponsored by Heartland Regional Medical Center)
- Distinguished Member Award
- Winner: Amber Ciochetto
- Watch the introduction video here
- Winner: Amber Ciochetto
- Citizen of the Year Award (Sponsored by Watermark Auto Group)
- Winner: Dave Clark
- Watch the introduction video here
- Winner: Dave Clark
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Southern Illinois Miners)
- Business/Industry of the Year Award (Sponsored by Southern Illinois Healthcare)
- Winner: Hospice of Southern Illinois
- Watch the introduction video here
- Winner: Hospice of Southern Illinois
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