ANNUAL AWARDS

CARBONDALE CHAMBER ANNUAL BANQUET

Each year the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding achievement by businesses, individuals and residents with a variety of awards. Nominations can be submitted here from mid-November to December each year.

Award recipients are honored at the Chamber's Annual Banquet in February and are featured in video segments shown as a part of the banquet program.

Information and criteria for each award, along with a list of past winners, is shown below.

2025 ANNUAL BANQUET

Information Coming Soon!

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The Business of the Year award recognizes a Carbondale business with outstanding accomplishments in growth, innovation, and civic leadership. Nominations for this award are submitted by Chamber members.
PREVIOUS WINNERS...
2000
Planning & Mgt Consultants, Ltd.
2001
Old National Bank
2002
University Mall
2003
E.T. Simonds Construction Co.
2004
710 Book Store
2005
First Southern Bank
2006
Mary Lou’s Grill
2007
Newell House
2008
1187 Creative
2009
Venegoni Distributing
2010
Thomas Publishing
2011
Vogler Motor Company
2012
The Bank of Carbondale
2013
Vic Koenig Chevrolet
2014
Wells Fargo Advisors
2015
Grand River Spirits
2016
Murdale True Value
2017
Neighborhood Co-Op
2018
Moreland/ Bishop McDonald's
2019
Mayer Networks
2020
SIH Memorial Hospital
2021
Judge Services
2022
Intertape Polymer Group
2023
Volger

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

The Business Leader or the Year Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, not only in their own business, but also in the local business community. Nominations for this award are submitted by Chamber members.
PREVIOUS WINNERS...
2000
John J. (Jack) Buckley
2001
John Dosier
2002
Dr. Marsha Ryan
2003
Steve Payne
2004
Dennis DeRossett
2005
Trace Brown
2006
Tom Firestone
2007
Greg Sprehe
2008
Curtis Baird
2009
Jeff Speith
2010
San Chan
2011
Gayla Borgognoni
2012
T.J. Martin
2013
Brad Weiss
2014
Rex Budde
2015
Robert Bleyer
2016
Darren Berger
2017
Al Kuczynski
2018
Steve Falat
2019
Jim Jacobs
2020
Steve Mitchell
2021
Cynde Bunch
2022
Steve Quinn
2023
William Lo

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Citizen of the Year Award is presented to a local resident who has made a significant impact on our community, and who has consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment in service to others. The recipient of this award is nominated by the previous three winners.
PREVIOUS HONOREES...
2000
Gail and Linda White
2001
John and Nancy Jackson
2002
Frank Black
2003
Neil and Mary Ellen Dillard
2004
John Cherry
2005
Helen Deniston
2006
Harvey Welch
2007
Corene and Milton McDaniel
2008
Anne Knewitz
2009
Jack Langowski
2010
Mort and Barbara Levine
2011
Randy Osborne
2012
Sam Goldman
2013
Sarah Heyer
2014
Dr. Marsha Ryan
2015
Mark "Skip" Cosgrove
2016
Diane Hood
2017
Frank Bleyer
2018
George & Diane Sheffer
2019
Darren Berger
2020
Carolin Harvey
2021
Tina Carpenter
2022
Daniel Booth
2023
Dr. Flowers

REGIONAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The Regional Business of the Year Award recognizes a Southern Illinois business that contributes significantly to the Carbondale community and the Southern Illinois region as a whole. Recipients of this award are nominated by members of the Chamber.
PREVIOUS WINNERS...
2005
Silkworm
2006
John A. Logan College
2007
Short Enterprises
2008
The Southern Illinoisan
2009
E.T. Simonds
2010
Alto Vineyards
2011
Southern Illinois Healthcare
2012
Extra Help, Inc.
2013
Black Diamond Harley-Davidson
2014
Rendleman Orchards
2015
17th Street Bar and Grill
2016
Walmart
2017
Cook Sales
2018
Samron Midwest Contracting
2019
River Radio
2020
Northbridge Professional Technologies
2021
Centerstone of Illinois
2022
Southern Illinois Airport
2023
Clearwave Fiber

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL

The Young Professional of the Year Award is given to an individual under 40 years old who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the community and a commitment to the work of the Chamber. Nominations for this award are submitted by Chamber members.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS...
2012
Melissa Lewis
2013
Matt Brooks
2014
Joel Sambursky
2015
Jason Sigler
2016
Shane Carsrud
2017
Jeremy Clow
2018
Justin Zurlinden
2019
Brynn Wheetley
2020
Nic Skovgard
2021
Roni LeForge-Croxell
2022
Michael Lewallen
2023
Cristina Pisoni

CHAMBER SERVICE AWARD

The Chamber Service Award is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond in the service of the Chamber during the past year. The recipient of this award is nominated by the current Board President and the two most recent Past-Presidents.
PREVIOUS WINNERS...
2000
Ed Reeder
2001
Andrew White
2002
Phil Schaefer
2003
Helen Coracy
2004
Bonnie Brackett
2005
George and Diane Sheffer
2006
Brad Cole
2007
Jeff Doherty
2008
Sally Wright
2009
Jason Borque
2010
Woody Thorne
2011
Randy Johnson
2012
Bill Simonds
2013
Darren Berger
2014
Marcia Sinnott
2015
Matt Carnaghi
2016
Diane Daugherty
2017
Scott Thorne
2018
Amy Fox
2019
Carolin Harvey
2020
Larry Edgarton
2021
Steve Quinn
2022
Roni LeForge-Croxell
2023
Dawn Stayton

ART IN BUSINESS AWARD

The Art in Business Award is given to an area business or organization that has shown a commitment to using art to enhance their facilities or services. Nominations for this award are submitted by Artspace 304.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS...
2021
Arnette's Barber Shop
2022
John A. Logan College
2023
City of Carbondale

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

The Sustainability Award recognizes a member business or organization that is making significant efforts to reduce waste, increase the use of renewable products and energy, and making a positive impact on our local environment. Nominations for this award are submitted by the Carbondale Sustainability Commission.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS...
Coming in 2024

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR

The Non-Profit of the Year Award recognizes the work of a local charitable organization that has made a significant impact on the community and has demonstrated the consistent ability to meet specific needs of local residents. Nominations for this award are submitted by Chamber members.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS...
2022
African American Museum
2023
Jackson CEO
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