Peoria will host the Illinois GOP Convention next year. It’s the first time the Republican Convention is coming to the city.
Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Don Welch says they’re expecting around 1,500 to fill the Peoria Civic Center and Marriott Pere Marquette hotel complex.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity to showcase Peoria to the state Republican officials, elected officials," Welch said. "So we’re really looking forward to that, and hopefully it will lead to additional state business.”
The Illinois Republican Party hosts a state convention once every four years, eight to ten weeks before the national convention. It’s the weekend of May 20 next year. The national event will follow in July in Cleveland.
The Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau says the Democratic gathering is also welcome in the city.