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Peoria city council revisiting tourism options

By Denise Jackson
February 2, 2012 Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 9:57 PM CDT

PEORIA, Ill -- Peoria city leaders say transparency is necessary to justify funding needs from partnering agencies.

That's what they're expecting from the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau later this month as it faces budget cuts.

For years Peoria has relied on the Convention and Visitors Bureau for bringing events like the annual IHSA basketball tournament to the river city. The partnership meant a guarantee of $700,000 annually to the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Now city officials are asking whether or not the Civic Center officials could do the work to help save money.

"That is the business that the Civic Center is in so it's a matter of bringing in the right people that can help do the day to day functions and I think they could do very well at that. But I don't know what the rest of the council thinks but it's gonna be a detailed discussion before we make any specific recommendations," said at large city council member Eric Turner.

If the city shifted gears, it's unclear what impact that could have on the Convention and Visitor's Bureau which promotes and markets the Central Illinois region. Pekin Economic Development Tourism Coordinator Leigh Ann Matthews says they do not have the money for tourism compared to larger cities.

"When you have certain aspects that you want to promote they're a great avenue to do it. They have a lot of contacts they're out there promoting the region and various conventions," Matthews said.

PACVB officials declined our request for an interview. Interim Director Sherill West says the focus now is on gathering and providing data for the city to justify funding needs.

That meeting will take place later this month. In the meantime the search for a new president resumes. Bob Marx resigned last week. It's unclear if the funding issue influenced his decision. Turner says in this tight economy accountability is important.

"We want to know bookings what he's gonna do in the future to attract people here for these hotels, what types of things are coming up short term, midterm and long term. Those are the kinds of specifics we need to know. People are putting investment capital in these hotels and we got to keep them filled," he said.

Just who will assume that responsibility again remains to be seen.

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