Sports Events Testimonials

Will your event ‘Play in Peoria’?  Peoria has everything your group needs.  The community’s ‘can-do’ spirit, first class hotels, a recently renovated downtown, multi-purpose arena, a new riverfront museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center and various dining options all within walking distance of one another all make Peoria a winning choice for any group.  Choosing Peoria to play host to a number of our high school state final events is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made!  So will your event ‘Play in Peoria’?  It always has and it always will!

Kurt Gibson
Illinois High School Association (IHSA)
Assistant Executive Director

With our track meets completed and all of our 2015-16 activities in the book for the year, I just want to take a moment to say thanks for all of the hospitality and accommodations you give to the IESA and to me personally.  I especially want to thank you for the Weaver Ridge gift card that was waiting for me in my hotel room the first weekend of our state track meets.  What a great surprise and something I will definitely put to good use.

The Peoria CVB is a great friend and I truly appreciate all you do.  Thanks very much.

Steve Endsley
Illinois Elementary School Association
Executive Director

We have hosted the Great Lakes Valley Conference Softball Tournament at the EastSide Centre since 2004 and appreciate the opportunity to showcase our teams and student-athletes at this wonderful facility.  The community and the Peoria Area Convention and Visitor bureau have embraced our event and provide exceptional assistance to us.  Doug McCarty and his crew at the EastSide Centre do an exceptional job of hosting this championship.  It is nice to feel so welcome each spring.

Jim Naumovich
Great Lakes Valley Conference
Commissioner

Cory,

I just wanted to follow up and thank you for everything on Monday that you and Trianna did for our group.  We are excited and looking forward at trying to see if the Eastside Centre as well as Dozer Park work in to our schedule.  By far the best experience overall that I have had in terms of rolling out the red carpet for us.  It was definitely worth the trip and hopefully we will become a fixture in the area.

Thanks,

Heath Smith
JP Sports
Director of Operations

IHSA enjoys playing it’s State Finals in Peoria at the Eastside Centre. The outstanding facility is the perfect showcase for Illinois top softball teams. The support from the Peoria Area community is always welcoming, professional and first-class. Our experience in Peoria has been extraordinary.

Tracie Henry
Assistant Executive Director
Illinois High School Association

Thanks a million for your organizational skills and keeping us headed in the right direction.

Sam Knox
Assistant Executive Director
Illinois High School Association

The CVB really helps to make the golf tournament a memorable one for the participants, fans, and staff! I really appreciate all you and the CVB do for our tournament. It is always a pleasure to work with you.  And thank you for the goodies.  Always very thoughtful and much appreciated!

Sheri Strohl
Illinois Elementary School Association

I just wanted to thank you for the Minooka Indian souvenir banner from the 2015 State Cross-Country meet!  My athletic director just came down to my classroom to show me the banner and they are going to put that on display in our gym.  We greatly appreciate the time you spent on putting that together and we look forward to visiting Peoria every year! 

Kevin Gummerson
Minooka Community High School

Thank you so much for the wonderful goodies you provided to me and my staff.  The popcorn came in hand on our five and a half hour drive home Saturday, and it was super tasty!  We appreciate all that you do for HAM and the City of Peoria!  Thanks again, and see you next year!

Christina Kurapkat
JAMFest!

Thanks also for all you and Trianna do to support the GLVC Volleyball and Softball Championships.  We are very grateful for all of the help and financial assistance that is provided by the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.  We will continue to explore other opportunities to possibly bring future events to the Peoria area.