Chamber Awards – Nominations

‘Of the Year’ Awards Nominations

Would you like a local individual or business to be recognized by the Chamber for their role in the Marion community? Feel free to submit your nominations by late September. Our awards include:

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 Committee.

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 Committee.

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 gone above and beyond to serve the Marion community. Honoree selected by Committee.

 

Nominations are collected and presented to the Annual Banquet and Awards Committee. Additional nominations may be presented based on organization information or recommendations. Finalists will be notified that they are being considered for the awards after the nomination deadline. Awards are presented at the annual Awards banquet. 

Nominee's Name
State special recognition or projects, length of time in business and demonstrated leadership.
Give examples of participation in any of the following: civic and service organizations, charitable activities, religious groups, educational institutions and other involvements.
Give a specific example of how this company/person supports the Chamber of Commerce such as Board of Directors, Membership or other committees, event volunteer or contributions such as product donations or sponsorship.
Which award are you nominating this company/person for?

Info About You

Name

Chamber Awards Nomination Process – FAQs

How has the Chamber awards selection process changed over the years?
The Marion Chamber of Commerce has used several methods to select award honorees, including open nominations, member voting on select awards, and the current process of member nominations reviewed and finalized by the Awards Committee. These changes reflect feedback from members and nominees, participation levels, and the number of nominations received each year.

Why did the Chamber move to the current nomination process?
The current process was designed to increase participation, improve transparency, and ensure nominations are reviewed consistently and fairly.

When are award nominations accepted?
Award nominations are promoted each summer and submitted through an online form on the Awards Banquet page at marionillinois.com. The form is available year-round, with a typical nomination deadline in late September.

Who reviews the nominations?
All nominations are reviewed by the Annual Banquet Committee after the nomination deadline has passed.

What happens if a committee member is nominated?
If a committee member—or someone closely affiliated with a nominated business or organization—is being considered, that individual will step out of the room during discussion of that specific award.

Are award selections kept confidential?
Yes. Once honorees are selected, award winners are kept confidential among a limited number of individuals to maintain the integrity of the process.

What makes a strong nomination?
Strong nominations include detailed background information and clearly outline the nominee’s accomplishments. Please do not assume the committee is familiar with the individual or organization being nominated. Following the prompts and criteria for each award is essential.

Do nominees need to be Chamber members?
Some awards, such as Distinguished Member, require the nominee to be a current Chamber member. Nominations that do not meet award eligibility requirements will not be selected.

Does submitting a nomination guarantee an award?
No. Submitting a nomination does not guarantee an award will be presented. In some cases, the committee may determine a nominee is better suited for a different award.

Who should I contact with questions?
If you have questions about the awards or nomination process, please contact the Marion Chamber office. We’re happy to assist.