Twenty businesses are up for the 2024 Illinois Local Awards.

The recipients will be announced at the Illinois Local Conference on Monday, September 9, from 8 am to 12 pm at the Grant Conservatory of Music & Dance.

One recipient from each of the four categories will be named at the conference, which brings together the membership of 150+ local independent businesses and causes across Illinois.

 

The finalists include:

Illinois Local Ambassador

Pear Tree Doodles & Poodles

Wildflowers & Barley

Nooks & Crannies

Kate Spencer Photography

Balance Yoga

 

Illinois Local Best Use of Social Media

Taylormade Landworks

Little Lincoln’s Toy Store

Ohh So Social

Rose Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic

Arrowroot Coffee

 

Illinois Local Community Hero

Doc’s Just off Route 66

Springfield Youth Performance Group

Ceramics Made by Rosie

Stacey Skrysak

Tara Simmons of PrairieLand Buzz Magazine

 

Illinois Local Business of the Year

AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic & Natural Health Center

True Colors Floral

Skitopel

Honeydew Candle Co.

Bloom Hospitality & Catering

 

Troxell Insurance is sponsoring the Illinois Local Awards for a fourth year.

Chief Experience Officer Alysse Hewell said, “Troxell is again excited to play a part in the fourth annual Illinois Local awards. We are proud to support the membership for another year and to celebrate local businesses in our community.”

Three Twigs & Co. will provide pastries with coffee from Arrowroot Coffee. The event’s official photographer is Gabby Swaine of GM Photography. The awards were designed and created by Rosie Gale of Ceramics Made by Rosie.

Illinois local members attend the conference for FREE. Nonmembers are welcome to attend. Tickets are available to purchase at illinoislocal.org for $35 per person (nonmembers).

“We are excited to host our fourth annual conference and awards at The Grant Conservatory in Springfield. The conference attracts 100 local independent business owners and entrepreneurs across the state. The conference is an opportunity to hear from business leaders, network, and celebrate our members’ continued success,” said Illinois Local co-founder Gemma Long.

The speakers are Jamie Patarozzi of True Colors Floral, Gabby Swaine and Tori Morgan of Ohh So Social, and Taryn Grant of Springfield Youth Performance Group. The panel consists of Cori Jahns of Rose Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic, Mark Forinash of Café Moxo, and Gabi Thompson of Bloom Hospitality & Catering, and the topic of discussion is Change, Challenges, and Opportunities.

The Illinois Local fourth annual Small Business Saturday Holiday Market is November 30 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Entry is $5 for 13 and over. The market will include vendors, food, Santa, Bluey and Bingo, and entertainment from local organizations Springfield Youth Performance Group, Dayna’s Dance Revolution, and Springfield Youth Orchestra.

Click to reserve or purchase conference tickets

Click to reserve a vendor booth at the annual Holiday Market