Civic Center earns national recognition
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 31 July 2014 17:36
- Written by Paul Gordon
The Peoria Civic Center has been named the top convention center in downstate Illinois and ranked number 125 in the country by Trade Show Executive magazine, the Civic Center announced.
The magazine ranked the top 250 convention centers in the United States.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top convention centers in the country,” said Jim Wetherington, general manager of the Peoria Civic Center. “It shows what great work the SMG staff and the entire Peoria hospitality community does to make our clients welcome.”
Trade Show Executive magazine said trade shows are becoming about booths and sessions as well as the overall experience. “Today, more than ever, convention centers across the U.S. are doing their part to accommodate show organizers whose visions of their events are becoming more ambiguous,” the magazine said.
With 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Peoria Civic Center was ranked 125th, based on prime exhibit space, in the United States.
“We are fortunate to have such an outstanding facility in the Peoria area,” said Don Welch, CEO/President of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A facility with the size and versatility of the Peoria Civic Center compares to those in much larger cities, allowing us to attract and compete for much larger tradeshows.”
The Peoria Civic Center is featured on the list with other SMG managed buildings. Other venues that made the list in Illinois include McCormick Place and Navy Pier, both located in Chicago.
