Business expo set for March 8 in St. Louis

MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament: March 6–9, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO

For game tickets, please contact the Saluki Ticket Office at 618.453.2000.

2nd Annual Saluki Expo & Brunch: March 8, 2008

Southern Illinois University alumni, students and friends are invited to the second annual Saluki Expo and Brunch at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Saturday, March 8 in St. Louis. The event is set for 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the newly renovated Hilton at the Ballpark. The cost is $20 per person, $10 for members of the SIU Alumni Association and $5 for students.

The marketing department of SIUC's College of Business, the SIUC Department of Marketing External Advisory Board and the SIU Alumni Association are sponsoring the event, which will feature booths by University departments, SIUC-affiliated organizations and businesses including Anheuser-Busch, Federated Insurance, Delta Dental, Pinch Penny Pub and River Radio, to name a few.

“The event showcases SIUC colleges and departments, highlights businesses that support the University and includes a brunch so participants can mingle. The Saluki Expo and Brunch is one of the University's most special events celebrating its athletic, academic and extracurricular achievements,” said Bryan T. Stinchfield, coordinator of the conference. “We are thrilled to bring together alumni, students, faculty, administrators, the business community and future Salukis at this exciting event.”

During the expo, participants will also be treated to a Saluki Nation "Pep Rally" featuring SIU President Glenn Poshard, SIUC Chancellor Fernando Treviño and SIU Athletic Director Mario Moccia, SIU cheerleaders, mascots and a pep band.

“It's really great to see so many aspects of SIUC come together as a family and celebrate as Saluki Nation,” said Michael Davids, chair of the Department of Marketing External Advisory Board and president and editor of McD Media in Downers Grove. “It's a unique opportunity for alumni to reconnect or stay in touch with the academic area that they graduated from or were affiliated with. It also gives us a chance to showcase the many great features and academic accomplishments as we cheer on the Men's Basketball Salukis with pride.”

More than 3,000 people visited the 2007 Saluki Expo. "Last year's expo was a resounding success and a truly magical Saluki moment," said Terry Clark, chair of the Department of Marketing and director of Barking Dawg Productions, SIU’s in-house marketing group. “The 2008 Saluki Expo and Brunch promises to be another unforgettable day in SIU's rich tradition," Stinchfield said.

Advanced ticket purchase is strongly suggested as last year’s event sold out. For more information, contact Bryan Stinchfield at bstinch@cba.siu.edu or visit http://www.cob.siu.edu/mktg/mvc.