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.

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 2008 Festival:

• Jan Becker, Caterpillar
• Todd Campbell, individual member
• Tom Elliott, Pekin Park District
• Gloria Fangmeier, Pekin Park District
• Brian Garman, Caterpillar
• Gary Gillis, Pekin Park District
• Doug Godke, Tazewell County Farm Bureau
• Rose Marie Hasler, individual member
• Greg Henderson, Henderson Funeral Home, Chair
• Camille McCarty, Pekin School District 108, Chair Elect
• Julie Nelson, Timbercreek Rehab & Healthcare
• Greg Ranney, City of Pekin
• Denise Rogers, Busey Bank
• Shannon Sandoval, Tebben Insurance Services
• Michele Small, Chamber Representative
• Doug Snell, Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Past Chair
• Val Springborn, Vice Chair
• Mike Vonderheide, Vonderheide Floor Coverings, Chamber Board Liaison
• Andy Weinberg, Pekin Community High School District 303
• Eric White, individual member
• Amy Whiting, SBSi Semonis Insurance Group

The committee assignments for 2008 are listed below.  

• 5k Race - Andy Weinberg
• Advertising - Rose Hasler
• AmerenCILCO Entertainment Stage - Val Springborn, Jan Becker
• Art in the Park - Doug Godke, Jan Becker
• Bags Tournament - Doug Snell
• Booklet - Camille McCarty
• Civic Collage - Todd Campbell, Andy Weinberg
• Commemorative Mugs/Coke Booths - Julie Nelson, Gloria Fangmeier
• Events - Tom Elliott
• Gallatin River Kids Experience - Shannon Sandoval, Denise Rogers
• Honoring Dirksen - Gary Gillis, Camille McCarty
• Info Booth - Camille McCarty
• Long Range Planning - Gary Gillis
• MGP Grow for the Gold - Julie Nelson
• Miss Marigold Pageant - Amy Whiting, Shannon Sandoval
• New Events - Val Springborn, Jan Becker
• NTS Marigold Parade - Greg Ranney, Amy Whiting
• Park Safety & Layout - Eric White, Brian Garman, Mike Vonderheide
• Pekin Insurance Festive Foods - Todd Campbell, Andy Weinberg
• Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt - Gary Gillis
• Public Plantings - Denise Rogers, Greg Ranney

Schedule:  The Pekin Marigold Festival is held on the weekend following Labor Day.  The committee meeting schedule for the 2008 festival is as follows:

• November 20, 2007 - 7:00pm - Holiday Inn Express
• January 16, 2008 - 5:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• February 20, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• March 19, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• April 23, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• May 21, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• June 18, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• July 9, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• July 30, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• August 20, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• September 3, 2008 - Pavilion
• September 5, 6, 7, 2008 - Pekin Marigold Festival
• September 17, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• October 15, 2008 - 6:30pm - Holiday Inn Express
• November 19, 2008 - 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