Calendar of Events

The Marion Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring back its annual professional development event, APOGEE, to Marion on October 24th, 2024.  This event will continue to inspire attendees with innovative speakers and engaging breakout sessions.  APOGEE begins at 9 am and concludes at 3 pm. Doors open at 8 am for registration.    

Continuing Education Units will be provided by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce  

This live leadership development event will be hosted by Marion Chamber of Commerce and facilitated by Elizabeth Strusz.  

TICKETS    

Individual - $99.00 (event value $300)
Table Rates - Table of 6 for $594.  (includes signage at table)
Student - $50. Sponsored opportunities available with valid student ID (please contact the office for more information or pre-register)      

Tickets include 2.5 credits for HRCI CEUs and SHRM PDCs, breakfast, and lunch. 

TRAVELING TO MARION  
Thanks to our central location to various Midwest airports and a new direct flight to Chicago with Contour Airlines, our attendees can travel easily to enjoy this year's event.       

SPEAKERS

Brittany Dawson
Session Title: Egoless Leadership: Shifting from Me to We

True leadership has nothing to do with ego or personal glory. It's about empowering those around you for maximum collective impact. This session explores egoless leadership - putting the needs of the team and organization first while balancing your needs. You'll learn to move from "me" to "we" by cultivating self-awareness, vulnerability, and humility. Discover how to create psychological safety, distribute decision-making, and inspire others to reach their full potential. Shift your mindset from being a singular leader to an enabler of leadership in others. Master egoless leadership to foster highly engaged, empowered teams laser-focused on a shared mission. It's time to step back and let your people soar.

Jessie DaSilva
Session Title: What Millennials & Gen Z Want: Recruit & Retain the Generations

Millennials and Gen Z have gotten bad raps for job hopping, but here’s the secret: They hate it! In this signature talk, Jessie explains how companies can better retain Millennial and Gen Z employees by understanding the myths about the generations, major life events they've experienced, and how to integrate them into a work culture that wasn’t built by them. By examining the trends around what these workers are looking for when deciding on a place to work, organizations can keep all their best employees on a budget. Instead of wasting thousands of dollars in recruitment and training, you’ll create a place where everyone wants to work and your employees can collaborate together better than ever.

Local Leader Panel

Welcome to APOGEE, where innovation, imagination, and resourcefulness converge to propel our region forward. APOGEE is more than just an event—it's a reflection of the dynamic individuals and organizations that define our community. With every skill mastered, challenge overcome, and goal achieved, we evolve as individuals and as a community. Our commitment to learning and leadership shapes the work environment we aspire to be a part of—one that is inclusive, innovative, and supportive of growth. And we want to partner with you on this journey.          

Partner with Us

This year’s APOGEE Fall Event provides promotional and interactive opportunities for corporate sponsors. Through our media partners and Chamber network, your partnership will be highlighted and celebrated. Along with normal interactive opportunities at the event, your attendees will gain valuable insight, tools, and resources – along with Continuing Education Credits to support career certifications – right here in Southern Illinois. Learn more about sponsorship benefits in this portal.          

2024 Fall Event Highlights

We are excited about this year’s speakers and their topics for our attendees. We invite you to get to know them before the event at marionillinois.com/APOGEE.  

• Brittany Dawson:  Egoless Leadership: Shifting from Me to We
• Jessie DaSilva: What Millennials & Gen Z Want: Recruit & Retain the Generations
• Local Leader Panel:  Featuring Roman Basi, William Davis, and fellow business leaders!            

Whether you're a seasoned professional, an emerging leader, or an organization committed to excellence, APOGEE offers something for everyone. Connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, and be inspired to elevate your potential.

HOUSEKEEPING NOTES

As of October 1st 2023, event sponosrships need to be paid for when they are reserved. If you need to make other arrangements, please contact the office.

November Monthly Membership Luncheon

Kokopeli Golf Clubhouse
November 12th, 11:30a-1:00p

$17 for members, $22 for non members. - If you are a member and unable to log in, please contact the office so we can add you!

Menu - Provided by Kokopelli Golf Course      

Whiskey maple marinated chicken, glazed carrots, strawberry salad, and a dinner roll   Assortment of desserts from our Pastry Chef   Tea, Water and lemonade

Program

Panel includes:

•  TBA

Luncheon Sponsor
Southern illinois Rejuvention Center

"My mission is for people of the Southern Illinois area to have access to the best cosmetic rejuvenation possible. The goal of The Southern Illinois Rejuvenation Center is to educate our clients and roadmap the journey to rejuvenation. Whatever rejuvenation services you need, we will work with you to create a plan that is customized to you and your specific needs. Whether your focus is on preventable services or rejuvenation we are here to provide a regiment that you are sure to love." - John Covington 

Luck of the Draw Raffle
Runner Up Prize for this month's Luck of the Draw:

Thank you to SIU Credit Union for sponsoring this Luck of the Draw round! Proceeds from the luck of the Draw go to the Marion Chamber Foundation and fund youth programs and scholarships for Marion High School Seniors.

Member Promotion & Housekeeping
Do you have an upcoming event or program you would like to promote? Submit your event to the Chamber Calendar or send your flyer to programs@marionillinois.com!

Event tickets will need to be paid for when they are reserved*. If you need to make other arrangements or need an invoice to request a check, please contact the office. Any open balances will need to be paid by the day of the event or guests will not be able to attend. 

RSVP deadline is the Friday before the luncheon at noon, afterward limited seating will be available. Attendees will receive a reminder prior to the event.

*These new policies were put in place October 2023 at the July 2023 Budget Committee Meeting due to concern about unpaid event registrations.

Bite of Reality is a hands-on app based simulation that appeals to teens while giving them a taste of real-world financial realities. Teens are given a fictional occupation, salary, credit score, spouse and a child, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. The teens then walk around to various table-top stations to “purchase” housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other needs.

Fortunately, the game also includes a “credit union” to help with their financial needs.? This interactive activity will teach teens how to make financial decisions and give them a better understanding of the challenges of living on a budget. Teens will have to deal with a pushy “car salesperson” and a commission-based “realtor,” and weigh their wants versus their needs. There’s even a “Fickle Finger of Fate” that will give the students unexpected “expenses” or “windfalls”—just like in real life.

We are excited to partner with SIU Credit Union and the Marion High School to bring this event in-person to MHS students this fall. The event will take place during the PE period, so you'll be interacting with various age groups and backgrounds. Morning and Afternoon shifts are available with 4+ people working per shift at each expense/information station. Cost information will be provided to you and we would like various Chamber members per industry available. This is a great event to have one-on-one interaction with students and get to know the consumers of tomorrow! 

We need volunters to help staff Expense / Information Stations:

• Housing
• Transportation
• Food
• Child Care
• Entertainment – activities, vacations
• Household Needs – furnishings
• Clothing / Personal Care
• Shopping – phone, TV, charitable donations
• Credit Union / Bank

Our goal is to have at least 4 people working per station / per shift. Lunch will be provided.  

• Morning Shift (8 am - 11 am)
• Afternoon (11 am - 3 pm)

Floater shifts are also available for trouble shooting and helping students go to all the stations in the time allowed. Need more info? Call the Chamber office at 618-997-6311

To better meet state mandates surrounding sexual harassment training and build stronger workplace environments, we are hosting quarterly training for 2024.

Attendees will take part in a general hour-long training session and receive a certificate of completion for their employee file. Employees in the restaurant industry can take advantage of additional training and certification.

Timeline

• 8 AM: Check in and networking
• 8:30: General training begins
• 9:30: Additional trainings for restaurants
• 10 ish: Training concludes

The Marion Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to attend our 104th annual Awards Banquet and Auction. The event is scheduled for January 17th at The Pavilion in Marion.

EVENT ACTIVITIES

• Social Hour
• Wine & Spirit Pull
• Silent Auction (Preview Items)
• Award Celebration
• In Memoriam

REGISTRATION TICKETS:Table of 12: $840; Table of 8: $560 & Individual Tickets: $75 

DRESS CODE: Cocktail Attire

EVENT TIMELINE

• SOCIAL HOUR AT 5:30 pm
• DINNER AT 6:30 pm
• AWARDS CEREMONY 7:30 pm

In Memoriam: 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 event. To submit an honoree, please call the Marion Chamber at 997.6311, or email director@marionillinois.com. 

HOUSEKEEPING Event tickets will need to be paid for when they are reserved. If you need to make other arrangements, please contact the office. Any open balances will need to be paid by the day of the event or guests will not be able to attend. These new policies were put in place at the July 2023 Budget Committee Meeting due to concern about unpaid event registrations. If you need an invoice in advance, please contact the Chamber office: 618-997-6311. Tickets reservations can be changed through the Friday before the event. If your plans change the week of and you can't attend, we encourage you to send a co-worker or guest to represent your organization and network. Once we turn in our catering numbers, limited tickets will be available and refunds will not be issued.

This year's event will be on February 14th from 8 am to 11:30 am during a Marion High School half day. Students will be visiting the FBLA Career Fair during their PE period. We'll have 7 sessions of around 100 students each, each session will be about 25 minutes. 

Participant booths include an 8 ft table and 2 chairs. Electricity available.

Registration Deadline is February 10th. We encourage you to provide information to students about career options that support your industry, tips on filling out applications, learn how to dress professionally, career information, how to build professional social media contacts, and talk to business owners and leaders about job availability in our community.

To engage students, we encourage you to have giveaways for students (branded items, candy, etc.) or a raffle item to encourage student participation.

This event will also feature the MHS Entrepreneur Showcase, spotlighting student booths.

There is no cost to setup at this event, please register by February 7th. 

Join us for a fun and new event leading up to our Chamber Foundation's Friends For Life Graduation Spree. This year's Duck Spree will be on March, 11 2025 after the membership luncheon. Large and small glitter ducks will brave the hazards on the HUB's Lazy River in race heats for bragging rights and notoriety. Limited ducks will be available, so don't miss out on your favorite! 

Race Heats begin at 1:15.

Participation Options

• Jumbo Ducks: $100
• Mini Ducks $25

Sponsorship Options

• Raft Sponsor
• Decoy Sponsor
• Course Sponsor

Proceeds Go To... Friends For Life Graduation Spree is an overnight event to celebrate the graduation of the Marion High School seniors. The event has kept attendees safe for more than 35 years by offering a drug-free and alcohol-free environment for the graduating seniors to celebrate this milestone in their lives. Activities and entertainment are provided to each Marion High School graduate free-of-charge. We thank you for your participation!!