Chamber Committees
Marigold Festival Committee

     The Pekin area has a number of assets that contribute to a vibrant business environment.  "Quality of Life" events like the Marigold Festival are among those assets.  The Chamber assumes a leadership role, collaborating with others to maintain, improve and expand the events.

     Click here to go to the Marigold Festival web page.
     Click here to go to the Marigold Festival blog.

Strategic Plan Responsibility

Goal 2:  Stimulate community growth

Strategy:  Quality of Life  Assume a leadership role in events that add to the quality of life for area residents.

Committee Focus:  The planning and management of the annual Marigold Festival.

Examples of Activities

• Develop new methods to improve the quality of the Marigold Festival
• Seek out and collaborate with organizations who can assist the Chamber and the committee in improving the quality of the Marigold Festival

Relationships:  Reports to the Chamber's Board of Directors.  The Chamber's Vice-president serves as the liaison between the Committee and the Board of Directors.  A Chamber staff member attends committee meetings to record minutes, distribute financial information, and assist with coordinating activities with the Chamber office staff.

Authority:  Makes recommendations to the Chamber's Board of Directors.  As with all committees, all decisions, actions, contracts, budgets, expenses, etc., must be approved by the Board of Directors. The committee has the authority to develop sub-committees or ad hoc committees to address specific committee concerns and issues.

Budget:  The committee presents an annual budget to the Board of Directors for approval.  Once approved, any significant amendments to the budget must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Committee Members for 2010 Festival:

• Todd Campbell, individual member
• Tom Elliott, Pekin Park District
• Karen Fort, Caterpillar
• Rich Gafford, individual member
• Althea Gesier, B'Ribboned, Etc.
• Gary Gillis, Pekin Park District
• Doug Godke, Vice Chair, Tazewell County Farm Bureau
• Greg Henderson, Henderson Funeral Home
• Chuck Lauss
• Camille McCarty, Pekin School District 108, Past Chair
• Barry Neal, Neal Chiropractic
• Greg Ranney, City of Pekin
• Corrie Salmon
• Shannon Sandoval
• Val Springborn, Chair
• Stephanie Stoneking, Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes
• Mike Vonderheide, Vonderheide Floor Coverings
• Eric White, Chair Elect, individual member
• Amy Whiting, SBSi Semonis Insurance Group
• Bill Fleming, Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
• Jamie Di Donato, Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Events Manager

The committee assignments for 2009 are listed below.  

• Advertising - Rose Hasler
• Art in the Park - Doug Godke
• Bags Tournament - Doug Snell, Barry Neal
• Marigold Booklet - Val Springborn
• Soda / Mugs - Amy Whiting, Greg Henderson
• Entertainment / New Events - Jan Becker, Val Springborn
• Festive Foods / Civic Collage - Todd Campbell, Greg Ranney
• Grow for the Gold - Julie Nelson
• Honoring Dirksen - Gary Gillis
• Info Booth - Val Springborn
• Kids Experience - Karen Fort, Shannon Sandoval
• Long Range Planning - Gary Gillis, Officers
• Medallion Hunt - Gary Gillis
• Events / Carnival - Tom Elliott
• Parade - Julie Nelson, Greg Ranney
• Park Layout & Safety - Eric White, Rich Gafford, Mike Vonderheide
• Public Plantings - Greg Henderson
• Miss Marigold Pageant - Shannon Sandoval, Althea Geiser

Schedule:  The Pekin Marigold Festival is held on the weekend following Labor Day.  The committee meeting schedule for the 2009 festival is as follows:

• January 21st - 5:30pm working dinner at Holiday Inn Express
• February 18th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• March 18th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• April 15th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• May 20th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• June 17th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• July 8th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• July 29th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• August 19th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• September 9th - 6:30pm - Mineral Springs Park Pavilion
• FESTIVAL WEEKEND - September 11th, 12th and 13th
• September 23rd - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• October 21st - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• November 7th - Wrap-Up Party at Pekin Insurance Lodge
• November 18th - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express

Measurements of Success:  Ensuring that the Strategic Plan is a living, breathing document, the Executive Committee will continually evaluate the appropriateness of the Plan's goals.  The Executive Committee will also evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies and activities.  On at least an annual basis, this committee will be evaluated on:

• Quality of the festival
• Public reaction and comments on the festival
• Financial performance of the festival compared to the budget