June 2006
City Insider: Peoria, IL

Peoria Civic Center
Exhibit space: 64,000 square feet currently. After the expansion: 110,000 square feet.

Meeting space: Currently 17,000 square feet of meeting space divisible into 16 meeting rooms, 10,000-seat arena and 2,100-seat theater. After the expansion: Meeting space will include a 27,000-square-foot ballroom.

Key features: The Peoria Civic Center is currently undergoing a $55 million expansion and renovation expected to be complete by the fall of 2007.

Hotels:  Peoria offers 3,400 hotel rooms, 800 within walking distance of the Civic Center.


Making it easy to do business
• The Peoria Area CVB provides a computerized housing service for events using two or more hotels. They’ll coordinate the assignment of guestrooms using room blocks selected by your organization. They’ll also assist in designing custom registration forms.

• The bureau provides registration personnel upon request. They’re professional and experienced at working on convention registration desks. There are minimum housing requirements to qualify for this service, and a three-week notice is needed.

• Computerized name badges are available. With a list of pre-registrations, the CVB can have name badges ready long before the registration desk opens. There’s a fee for this service, and the CVB will need a complete list of attendees three weeks prior to the event.


Helping you draw attendees
• In the heart of the Midwest, Peoria is an easily reachable destination from around the country. It’s only a few hours drive from Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The city is easily accessible from several major interstates and highways.

• The Peoria Area CVB assists shows with reaching out to local and regional media outlets to gain event coverage, which can increase regional attendance.

• The Peoria Area CVB can also help build the buzz by supplying editorial to your
in-house or trade publications about all there is to see and do in the Peoria area.

• The bureau provides free literature that can be distributed at this year’s event or as part of a pre-show mailing.


Contact us
Eden Akers, Peoria Area CVB,
(800) 747-0302, ext. 3280 or visit
www.peoria.org

Robin Barnes, Peoria Civic Center,
(309) 680-3517 or visit
www.peoriaciviccenter.com