The Southern Illinois Made Expo will return to Marion with an increased focus on giving young entrepreneurs and local artists an opportunity to showcase their talents alongside established Southern Illinois businesses.
The 2026 Southern Illinois Made Expo will be held Saturday, September 12, at The Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion. The annual event highlights businesses, products, artists and other creations from throughout Southern Illinois.
This year, organizers are offering young entrepreneur booths for $30 with support from Legence Bank. Local artists can also secure booths for $30 through support from the Caraker Family Fund.
Dr. Tammy Gwaltney, director of development for the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, said organizers want young people to recognize there is a place for them in the region’s business community.
Gwaltney said organizers are taking a broad approach to entrepreneurship and the arts, welcoming everything from traditional artists and jewelry makers to those offering piano or voice lessons.
SICF CEO and Executive Director Byram Fager said the foundation works with several local CEO programs that focus on developing young entrepreneurs. He said the expo gives those students an opportunity to exhibit alongside established businesses and learn from them.
This year’s event also marks a transition for the expo following former State Sen. Dale Fowler’s departure from the Illinois Senate.
Fowler helped launch the Southern Illinois Made Expo in 2018 to showcase products and businesses from across the region. Fager said planning had already begun in recent years to ensure the event would continue beyond Fowler’s time in office.
The Southern Illinois Community Foundation is continuing the event with support from regional chambers of commerce, SI Now and State Sen. Paul Jacobs, who was appointed this summer to fill Fowler’s former 59th District seat.
The expo will also continue supporting Southern Illinois veterans, with money generated through registration benefiting veterans organizations.
There is no set admission price for shoppers. Instead, those attending will be asked to make a donation.
Organizers say the goal is to preserve the event Fowler helped establish while expanding opportunities for the next generation of Southern Illinois entrepreneurs, artists and creators.
Artists interested in participating can register through the Southern Illinois Made website. Additional information is available by emailing simade@sicf.org.