News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Southern Illinois Made Expo to showcase products made and destinations available in Southern Illinois
Come see how we have it made in Southern Illinois during the inaugural Southern Illinois Made Expo on Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion.


To register as a sponsor or to be placed on the waiting list for vendors, click here


Come see how we have it made in Southern Illinois during the inaugural Southern Illinois Made Expo on Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion.
 
The Southern Illinois Made Expo is an exciting new initiative developed through a partnership between State Senator Dale Fowler and Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce.
 
“Southern Illinois is home to some of Illinois’ greatest businesses, turning out unique products made in the region and offering one-of-a-kind destinations that fuel our local economy and employees the people in our communities,” said State Senator Dale Fowler. “This venture is about showcasing what our local businesses have to offer and providing local consumers the chance to explore the merchandise and products created right here in their own backyard.”
 
The event will be held in Marion, Illinois, serving as the premiere opportunity for businesses to showcase the impressive products made and destinations available in Southern Illinois.
 
“I’m excited to give businesses that make their products here in Southern Illinois a direct platform to reach out to the people in the communities who may not realize the extent or variety of currently offered by our Southern-based businesses,” said Sen. Fowler. “The businesses and the products are already here, we’re just creating an opportunity. An opportunity to embrace what’s unique to our region and market the incredible products made throughout my district and across the region. What we’re doing here is giving our hardworking businesses a stage to promote their products and encourage those in our communities to shop locally.”
 
The event is also open to the general public, giving everyone the opportunity to experience firsthand the quality of unique products made by Southern Illinois artists, designers, and manufacturers and the beauty of Southern Illinois destinations. A donation of $5 to Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois will be suggested for admission by all guests. All proceeds from admission and exhibitor fees will go toward Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois. The first 200 attendees will receive a Southern Illinois Made goodie bag.
 
“Southern Illinois Made Expo is a great next step for the Shop Southern Illinois campaign that area Chambers of Commerce have developed over the recent years to encourage Southern Illinoisans to support local businesses,” said Dalus Ben Avi, executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. “Area Chambers want to educate consumers to shop and buy locally, realizing that a small shift in shopping trends – say 2 to 3 percent - can result in millions of dollars in new revenue for area businesses. Local business owners are our neighbors and friends, and they deserve our support and our business. Local businesses hire locally, spend their money locally, contribute to their communities and regions and offer everything we need or want.”
 
Exhibitors from all over the region are invited to display and sell their innovative products, unique creations, tasty treats and showcase fabulous Southern Illinois destinations. 
 
We are excited to give our local business community an opportunity to showcase the products and destinations produced and offered in Southern Illinois. Booth prices start at $50. To sign up, visit simade.org or call the Marion Chamber of Commerce at (618) 997-6311.
 
“We hope that you join us in showcasing all that Southern Illinois has to offer,” Ben Avi said. “Both Saturday and Sunday offer a unique opportunity for exhibitors to sell directly to the public and wholesale/retail buyers,” said Ben Avi. “Potential customers can see, sample, and purchase products and learn about the many destinations Southern Illinois has to offer.”
 
To be a vendor in the Southern Illinois Made Expo, the following requirements must be met:
  • Feature products produced in Southern Illinois or destinations available in Southern Illinois
  • Willingness and capacity to sell/showcase products/destinations to retailers and the general public
  • Agree not to exhibit or promote any products/destinations not made in Southern Illinois
  • Agree to all Exhibitor Rules & Regulations
To register as a sponsor or to be placed on the waiting list for vendors, click here

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the Southern Illinois Made Expo. Only members of participating Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce are eligible to be sponsors of the Southern Illinois Made Expo. The sponsorship levels are:
  • Presenting - $5,000. Includes the largest logo on promotional materials, 24 complimentary admission passes, placement of promotional items in the Goodie Bags for attendees (all promotional items must be delivered to the Marion Chamber of Commerce by July 13 at 4 p.m.), and up to six free vendor spaces if the sponsor displays Southern Illinois made products produced by their company.
  • Gold - $3,000. Includes second largest logo on promotional materials, 10 complimentary admission passes, placement of promotional items in the goodie bag for attendees, and up to four free vendor spaces if the sponsor displays Southern Illinois Made products produced by their company.
  • Silver - $1,000. Includes business/organization name on promotional materials, five complimentary admission passes, and placement of promotional items in goodie bags for attendees.
Sponsors include: To register as a sponsor or to be placed on the waiting list for vendors, click here

For more information, visit simade.org or call (618) 997-6311.

Vendors include:
  1. Grand River Spirits
  2. Historic Hull House Inn
  3. Wollard's Wonders
  4. The Ryder Family Farm & Red Dutchess Farm
  5. Kinley Jewelry
  6. Envi Botanicals Salon & Spa
  7. Johnson's Southern Style Barbecue
  8. Camp Manitowa
  9. Hobbs Service Co.
  10. Springhouse Woodworking
  11. My Dragon's Feather
  12. Beaded Distribution Company dba 40 Below Joe
  13. Dinger Bats
  14. Granny Puckett's Cupcakes
  15. Stanley's Food Systems
  16. Pokorney's Kettle Korn & Crafts
  17. Lil Buddies BBQ
  18. Chocolate Factory
  19. JAW Woodworks
  20. Southern Charm
  21. Hillary DeVisser
  22. visitSI
  23. Walker's Bluff
  24. Crown Brew Coffee Co.
  25. In Sync Mind Body Therapy Center
  26. Southern Illinois Miners
  27. Ruth & John's
  28. Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch / ROAR Fibers
  29. Louie's Seasoning Company Inc.
  30. Extreme Exigency Shooting Park & Academy "Home of the Armed Barbers"
  31. Springhouse Magazine
  32. Candy Wampus Cotton Candy
  33. Coin Ring Plus
  34. Ohio River Scenic Byway, Inc. NFP
  35. K&K Storage Barns
  36. Greater Metropolis Convention & Visitors Bureau
  37. Blessed Mess
  38. Uncle Joe's Sauces
  39. Crystals Catering & More, LLC
  40. Legence Bank
  41. Crownline Boats
  42. Amy Hale
  43. Egyptian Board of Realtors
  44. Slykhuis Farms
  45. 5 S Cattle Co., Inc.
  46. Knotted Gypsy Designs
  47. Fusion 
  48. Prairie Farms Dairy
  49. Trinity Doula Services
  50. Care Trak / Wildlife Materials
  51. Sit N Stay Snuggle Pet Beds
  52. Autism Safety Awareness Products
  53. Creekstone Kettle Works
  54. Hopper Topper Co.
  55. Carolina Dreamin' Designs
  56. Boulder Creek Photography
  57. Devil's Breath Chile Company
  58. Williams Hill Pass OHV Park
  59. Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau
  60. Southeastern Illinois College
  61. 17th Street BBQ
  62. Alto Vineyards
  63. Shawnee Community College
  64. Rustic Made Designs
  65. Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
  66. Pepsi MidAmerica / Crisp Container
  67. Carbondale Tourism Bureau
  68. Rend Lake Area Tourism Council
  69. Koko Balm
  70. Howard Honey
  71. Aisin Manufacturing
  72. Stiches by Marge
  73. Lobaki Inc.
  74. Cahrl J's Creations
  75. John A. Logan College
  76. Southern Illinois Pecan Company
  77. Tanglefoot Ranch
  78. Peoples National Bank
  79. Continental Tire
  80. First Southern Bank
  81. Winston's Bagels by B-Rad
  82. JPs Gifts
  83. Susan Willis Photography
  84. Kathy Eckols Designs
  85. Southern Illinois Mercantile Company
  86. Mystic Things
  87. SIU Economic Development
  88. Sublime Photography & Creations
  89. Author Cathy Jackson
  90. Grandma's Goodies Award Winning Homemade Candy
  91. MollyFlower Designs
  92. White Crane Canoe Rentals and Guide Service
  93. Shawnee Rustic Design
  94. Uniquely You Body Sculpting 2.0 Wellness & Detoxification 
  95. Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  96. Honey Hill Naturals, Inc.
  97. Hippie Child Creations feat. Jeniflower's Gallery
  98. A.S. Fabricating Inc.


Published: 06/11/18