Stephen H. Marcus, chairman of The Marcus Corporation, was inducted into the Midwest Exhibitor Hall of Fame by the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The award was presented on Sept. 20 at NATO’s annual Geneva Convention at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis. As part of his induction, a $50,000 donation was made in Marcus’ honor to the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation by NATO of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

The Midwest Exhibitor Hall of Fame honors individuals who have had a significant impact on the movie exhibition industry. Marcus will join a select group of honorees, including his father, Ben Marcus, founder of The Marcus Corporation, who was a charter member of the Hall of Fame.

Paul Rogers, president of NATO’s Wisconsin and Upper Michigan chapters, called Marcus “an excellent leader and a true pioneer in a family whose contributions continue to inspire our industry to move forward for generations of moviegoers to come. The Marcus Corporation represents the very best the theatre business has to offer.”

Marcus celebrated his 50th anniversary with the company earlier this year. He served as president from 1980 to 2008, and as chief executive officer from 1988 to 2009. He is credited with leading the growth of the company’s theatre division, Marcus Theatres, through significant acquisitions and the development of new theatre locations throughout the Midwest.

Today, Marcus Theatres operates nearly 700 screens in seven states and is the sixth-largest theatre circuit in the U.S. Marcus served as chairman of NATO from 2002 to 2004 and continues to serve as a director. His son, Gregory S. Marcus, is the current president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation.