2025 IACCE Fall Conference
Welcome to Marion
On behalf of the Marion Chamber of Commerce and our entire community, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 IACCE Fall Conference. We are honored to host chamber professionals from across the state right here in our region and proud to showcase all that Southern Illinois has to offer.
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is built on a mission of strengthening business and enhancing community. Through leadership, advocacy, and innovation, we strive to create opportunities that fuel growth for our members and positively shape the region we call home. From workforce development and member recognition programs to community-wide initiatives like our Annual Awards Banquet, SI Made Expo, and the State of the City luncheon, we are committed to building bridges between business and progress.
We’re especially proud of our APOGEE Professional Development program and initiatives hosted by our Foundation which cultivates future civic and business leaders, and our active civic engagement projects including the National Civics Bee. These efforts reflect our belief that strong communities are built through collaboration, vision, and purpose.
As you gather for sessions, share ideas, and engage in powerful conversations throughout the conference, we hope you leave not only inspired but energized to carry new ideas back to your own communities.
We are thrilled to welcome you to our region and thank you for the work you do every day to strengthen Illinois through chamber excellence.
Warm regards, Our Chamber Board, Staff, and Members
Local Sponsors
Eat
Downtown Fizz
This food truck to brick and mortar is a popular place for specialty sodas, lemonades, energy drinks, and boba.
Phone: 618-964-0752
Website
Pookie’s Beer Burgers & Bocce
We put a unique twist on this historic building with a nod to the past keeping an eye on the future come downtown to have a burger and stay for the fun.
Phone: 618-440-5100
Website
The Turn at Kokopelli Golf Course
Ranked as one of the “Top 100 Places You Can Play” by Golf Digest, the redesigned course at Kokopelli is the best in the region, and a true Midwest destination.
Whether you’re an experienced golfer or new to the sport, Kokopelli will test your skills on latitude Bermuda fairways, tees, and greeens.
Kokopelli is also home to The Turn Restaurant & Lounge. It’s a perfect backdrop for a meal with friends or to escape and unwind with The Turn’s extensive selection of bourbon, beer, wine, and signature cocktails.
Phone: 618-997-5656
Website
The Little Nashville Cafe, Inc.
Little Nashville is downtown Marion’s home for great food, live music, and unforgettable nights out. Part restaurant, part music venue, we bring the spirit of Nashville to Southern Illinois with a rotating lineup of regional and national performers, special events, and family-friendly vibes. Whether you’re here for a burger and a local beer or a front-row seat to the next big artist, you’ll find something to love at Little Nashville. Proudly local. Always live.
Phone: 618-710-6002
Website
Walt’s Pizza Inc.
OVER 40 YEARS OF food & fun! Walts has evolved much over time since 1977. The original booths that were handmade by Walt are still in use today. Over time, more original Italian dishes were added to the menu and the size of the restaurant expanded.
After more than 42 years in business, and with the continued support of our customers, Walts has now sold over two million pizzas! Be sure to check out our menu for a wide variety of entrees from the grill, pastas, salads and sandwiches. At Walts, we are more than great pizza!
Phone: 618-993-8668
Website
Shop
Glaciers End
We are a farm to shelf agribusiness focused on growing specialty crops and utilizing native and invasive fauna from our farm and other farmers throughout southern Illinois. We create delicious and unique products for your kitchen, pantry and cellar. We currently produce Shrub drinking Vinegars, Hot Sauces, Pickles, Jams, Jellies, and Syrups, as well as other interesting and unique creations.
We specialize in traditional food preservation methods using ingredients that we source from our orchard, gardens and woods and from over fifty local farms and growers. We use natural fermentation processes as well as traditional canning methods to preserve our fruit and vegetables producing healthy and delicious creations that we hope challenge and delight the palate.
Phone: 773-531-7005
Website
Milkweed Provisions LLC & Bits and Pieces
Milkweed Provisions is a retail shop specializing in wine, charcuterie, other fine foods, and gifts. I also teach wine classes, hold wine dinners, and host small private events & wine tastings.
Bits and Pieces proudly sells hand-cut collage art and a carefully curated mix of vintage, antique, thrifted, found and repurposed items. They also have a featured artist of the month.
Phone: 618-507-9068
Website
Oasis Outdoors
At Oasis Powersports, we are powersports enthusiasts. We are excited to help you experience the fun and adventure that a quality Yamaha, Kawasaki, or any of our featured vehicles can bring into your life! We are a powersports dealership serving the Midwest area, offering the best in new and pre-owned motorcycles and other powersports vehicles. Our friendly and knowledgeable Sales, Financing, Service, and Parts departments are ready to offer outstanding service at every point.. At Oasis Powersports, we value the opportunity to create a long-term relationship with our customers, and we do that by making sure to exceed your expectations!
Phone: 618-579-2000
Website
Perfectly Posh Boutique
This boutique features fashion forward women’s clothing & accessories, gifts, & home décor.
Phone: 618-969-7115
Website
Stevens Floral Gifts and Framing
Stevens Floral Gifts & Framing is a cherished family-owned business in Marion, Illinois, offering a unique blend of floral artistry, custom framing, and specialty gifts. Located at 905 W Main Street, the store has become a go-to destination for locals seeking personalized service and high-quality products.
Phone: 618-997-1551
Website
Play
Mandala Gardens
Mandala Gardens is the manifestation of a decades long dream and was created by Greg Reid & Diana Tigerlily. In the early 1990s while in graduate school, even before their daughter Raynah was born, they shared a dream of creating a botanical wonderland, a space of beauty and sanctuary for all living beings to enjoy, with herbs, flowers, heirloom vegetables, and stone sculptures grown in circular designs called mandalas (“sacred circles” in Sanskrit). Photo Credit: Eaden Imaging, LLC.
Phone: 618-889-0285
Website
Marion Cultural & Civic Center
Art, Dance, Theater and Music. We are the premier spot for performing arts in Southern Illinois.
Phone: (618) 997-4030
Website
Marion Mural District
Marion Mural Walk is located within a two block radius of Tower Square Plaza- the heart of downtown.
Marion / Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday
Discover the Marion/Shawnee National Forest KOA Holiday, the premier destination for campers seeking fun, adventure, and natural beauty. Located in Southern Illinois, our campground is nestled within the renowned Shawnee National Forest alongside the stunning Lake of Egypt. A true paradise for hikers, bikers, boaters, anglers, and nature lovers. Our campground is the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Unleash your adventurous spirit at our water park, relax and recharge on the swim deck, enjoy a friendly game of foosball, paddle out in a kayak, explore the lake’s hidden gems by boat, journey through scenic trails, or gather around a cozy campfire with family and friends.
Phone: 618-702-4177
Website
Mtn Dew Park / Thrillville Thrillbilies
Completed in 2007, this ballpark was previously Rent One Park- home of former Frontier League’s Southern Illinois Miners from 2007–2021. Spectators and fans of the sport can now cheer on the Thrillville Thrillbillies in baseball’s Prospect League.
Major sporting events hosted at this stadium are the international Pony 8U and Colt World Series, along with NCAA Great Lakes Valley and Ohio Valley Conferences; however, professional sports are not the only attractions at Mtn Dew Park. High school/collegiate athletics and performances by award-winning artists can also be seen throughout the year.
Phone: 618-998-8499
Website
About the IACCE Conference
The IACCE Fall Conference, taking place November 5–7, 2025 at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in Carterville, IL, is one of the chamber sector’s most anticipated events in Illinois. As a cornerstone professional-development opportunity, it brings together executives and staff from chambers of all sizes for keynote speeches, breakout sessions, peer-led roundtables, and leadership training—designed to share best practices, spark innovative ideas, and strengthen the collective impact of chambers across the state.
For the Chamber of Commerce industry, this conference is crucial: it cultivates strategic connections, provides access to cutting-edge tools and certifications like the ACE and Certified Chamber programs, and ultimately empowers local chambers to drive economic vitality and membership growth in their communities .
