The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its 2026 annual meeting with a new format and its traditional awards recognition.
The 2026 Quad Cities Chamber Annual Meeting, presented by Mediacom, is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport. The event will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 3:30 p.m., followed by the program at 4 p.m.
“This year, we’re putting a fresh spin on the QC Chamber’s Annual Meeting with a more social atmosphere designed to bring our members together,” Peter Tokar III, the chamber’s president & CEO, said in an earlier news release. “We’ll celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, share priorities for FY27 and highlight the impact of the programs and advocacy efforts that help businesses succeed.”
The speaker lineup includes Mr. Tokar and the chamber board’s Chair Molly Foley, who is the chief marketing officer and a senior principal at IMEG, headquartered in Rock Island.
In addition, the chamber will announce and celebrate the winners of Business of Excellence Awards, which highlight organizations that have received national recognition in the past year. Chamber leaders also will honor the winners of the chamber’s own awards: Corporation of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
Event’s panel series
This year’s program also will feature a series of member-led conversations focused on the ways the chamber helps businesses thrive. The panels and their themes include:
- Be Seen – Hear from a chamber member about how involvement helps organizations increase visibility, strengthen their brand, build relationships and showcase their expertise. Panelists are: Beau Hicks of Mediacom; Anna Possehl, the chamber’s events’ director; Alison Ryley, the chamber’s membership engagement manager; and Michelle Braswell, its membership sales manager.
- Be Heard – Learn how chamber’s advocacy and engagement efforts give businesses a voice on the issues that matter most. Panelists will discuss how to leverage chamber connections and advocacy initiatives to influence conversations and help shape the Quad Cities business community’s future. Panelists are: Lynnette Tarchinski, communications and public affairs manager for Arconic, Riverdale; and Brandon Skahill, who holds the chamber’s newly created executive director position.
- Be profitable – Discover how businesses are turning chamber membership into meaningful results through strategic partnerships, networking opportunities and business development resources. Panelists are: Dr. Kit Ford of Argrow’s House; Mr. Skahill; and James Porter, the chamber’s vice president of Small & Minority Business.
Business of Excellence awards recognize organizations that have received national recognition within the past year such as honors from a national or state trade or industry association, or placement in a national or global ranking or a prestigious publication. For example, the chamber received a four-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation for the first time in 2026.
In addition to presenting sponsor Mediacom, the annual meeting is sponsored by: Quad City Bank & Trust and Rhythm City, diamond sponsors; IMEG and UnityPoint Health Trinity, platinum sponsors; and Russell and Twinstate Technical Services, gold sponsors.
Tickets for the annual meeting are $60 each for members, $100 for non-members, and corporate ticket packages are $650. Register online here by Friday, July 31. For more information, visit quadcitieschamber.com or email [email protected].
