Canopy Management Group

Last week, President Emily Leonczyk joined the Springfield Regional Chamber for its 2025 Rise & Shine Breakfast on building strong attraction, retention, and succession strategies. Emily shared how The Markens Group uses EOS, values-based hiring, and continuous feedback to develop leaders at every level of our organization.

A meaningful moment came from Chamber President Diana Szynal, who reflected on our partnership and how she sees our succession planning in action — from Irene to Janice to Kayla — each transition supported by mentorship and open communication. As she shared, the culture we’ve built is something the Chamber “benefits from every day.”

We’re grateful to Diana and the Chamber for the thoughtful discussion and for their continued trust in our team. Building strong leaders and strong partnerships goes hand in hand, and we’re proud to be part of this work.

Warm greetings from TMG! As we head into the holiday, we’re reflecting on the incredible communities we get to be part of. To everyone who engages with us, learns with us, and shows up to build stronger organizations, connections, and industries, you inspire us every day. Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with joyful connection, meaningful moments, and a deep sense of gratitude.

The best part of Halloween at TMG? The people. From decorating the office to showing off their creativity in our costume contest, our team brought together the kind of energy that makes work feel like community. Every costume had a story, and every laugh reminded us why this team is the best treat of all!

TMG is celebrating both legacy and future with the launch of the Markens Mutuality Award. As part of this new chapter of ownership, President & CEO Emily Leonczyk introduced the award to honor founder Ben Markens and preserve the values he instilled in TMG: doing what is fair, finding joy in the work, putting people first, and building community.

The inaugural award was presented to Ben, recognizing his decades of leadership and the strong connections he built across our team, clients, and community. To extend that spirit, TMG has donated to the Mary Lyon Foundation, a local nonprofit that empowers students and families with the resources to succeed and thrive. Just as fiber is strongest when woven together, this award will continue to strengthen community connections for years to come. Read more here: https://bit.ly/46rxPkZ

We’re proud to announce that Emily Leonczyk, CAE, MBA, now serves as President & CEO and assumes full ownership of The Markens Group!

Emily has long been at the center of TMG’s success, ensuring our team flourishes and our clients receive the highest level of support. Her leadership reflects the culture and values first established by founder Ben Markens — to do what’s fair, have fun, and always put relationships first. As we honor Ben’s enduring legacy and embrace this new chapter with Emily leading the way, our focus remains clear: helping associations thrive today and into the future. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3VVNmUZ...

What do you get when you mix bow ties, brain games, and a team that loves a little friendly competition? A TMG-style ! We went all in with scavenger hunts, contests, themed treats, and a showdown of Bow Tie Jeopardy that had the whole office on the edge of their seats. There were laughs, cheers, and yes — plenty of bow ties making their debut. It was a day that tied us all closer together and showed off the fun, spirited culture that makes TMG who we are.

Big ideas deserve bold storytelling. We recently took on a special video project for one of our clients and had a blast bringing their story to life. From concept to final cut, we love finding creative ways to elevate the amazing work our associations are doing.

Event support might be our bread and butter—but did you know we also offer custom benchmarking services? Our team’s wide range of skills includes helping associations gather, analyze, and apply meaningful industry data. It’s just one more way we help our clients lead with confidence.

What does leadership look like outside the office? For one of our team members, it means showing up for their town and lending their voice to local decisions. We're proud to work alongside colleagues who give back in meaningful ways—like dedicating their time to help lead and support their communities.

There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to bring an association community together. We love helping our clients celebrate the standout work of their members—and right now, we’re gearing up for an exciting awards show that does just that! Kudos to the creative work keeping industries across our associations vibrant!

Happy ! Wishing everyone a day of celebration, unity, and pride in the values that bring us together.