HOSPITALITY HERALD Dear HOIHA Members:

Time has flown since the last issue of the Hospitality Herald was distributed, and much has happened since then. A successful 2007 is in the books and we are on to another great year for the hospitality industry. Business is expected to stay close to the levels of 2007 which is not a bad news when the economy is in reces- sion. We just finished two exciting weekends of IHSA where fans, kids and adults all flocked to see the future basketball stars. HOIHA also sponsored a Rivermen Hockey night in the month of March for our members. HOIHA con- ducted their 3rd Annual “Leaders of Tomorrow”…Training Day. This event was SPRING 2008 held on February 19, 2008 at the newly opened Embassy Suites Hotel.This event Executive Board President is designed by HOIHA to provide continuous training and industry insight to the Sami Quershi up and coming associates in our local hospitality industry. This benefit is available Holiday Inn City Centre to all of our members at no cost to them. Vice President It is exciting to see the growth in our industry over the last few years. Several Don Welch new hotels and restaurants have come on line and now we have more variety and Hotel Pere Marquette options to the local and out of town guests. I am glad to welcome the new hotels Secretary and restaurants to our great city and look forward to working with them as a team. Peggy Smith Spring is around the corner.The exciting events of spring and summer await Staybridge Suites us.While Peoria Rivermen will be finishing their regular season in April, Peoria Treasurer Chiefs and Peoria Pirates will be opening their seasons in April. The Hospitality Brad McCollum Industry has always been a big supporter of our local sports teams and will con- Camille’s Sidewalk Café tinue that tradition. We also look forward to the fun and lively activities at the Past President riverfront, downtown, local malls and restaurants. Frank Pedulla I believe real exciting times for our community are still ahead of us. Five Points Mgmt & Consulting Caterpillar is going as strong as ever and is forecasting a strong future, the growth Executive Director in hospitality industry is visible, expansion projects under way in the medical field, Carl Bunker possibility of the downtown museum, completion of the Civic Center’s expansion R&B Productions, Inc. and the completion of our roadways in past few years are all indicators of good Honorary Vice Presidents infrastructure and good planning. I am very excited to be the able to witness this Brent Lonteen Peoria Area CVB growth and to be a part of it. I believe our board of directors for 2008 is comprised of great leaders and vet- Robin Barnes erans of our industry and I look forward to working with the board and to move our organization forward. I would also like to thank Frank Pedulla, the outgoing Board of Directors Josh Wraight President of HOIHA, for his leadership and vision for the past two years. Robin Ballard Jill Eisenbarth Sincerely, Jim Grube Dan Cunningham Kathy Schaeffer Alice Price Scott Dahl Sami Qureshi Qureshi Amy Pearson Melissa Egan President Renee Draves Joe Lomonaco MEMBER NEWS BARRACK’S CATER INN has entered into and we hope to see many of our employees be Conference on April 18th and 19th. The confer- an agreement to lease EastPort Banquet Center nominated next year. ence is to be held at Ewing Manor in Bloomington from #Cullinan Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Karen Nash, Director of Sales won the Team and the focus is “Overcoming Barriers: Supporting EastPort Banquet Center is located at 701 Work Award and Perseverance Award for 2007 at Women in Educational Leadership.” Mariners Way, East Peoria, IL.The facility, which the annual sales conference for Kinseth Peoria Logo is happy to announce that it is located at EastPort Marina, is highlighted by a Hospitality Companies. Sami Qureshi, General will be offering a 15% discount on all presenta- beautiful scenic view of the river and the Manger received three awards at the annual GM tion folder orders and design #projects to all Heart Peoria skyline. The facility, which can accom- conf for Kinseth Hospitality Companies. of Illinois Hospitality members for the month of modate up to 250 guests, is available #for wed- The Holiday Inn City Centre is very excit- April. (Not to be combined with other offers.) dings, banquets, conferences, meetings, and party ed to announce a new guest service program Check us out on the web at type events. A small private meeting room is from Holiday Inn called “Stay Real”. This pro- www.peorialogo.com! available for groups up to 50.The facility consists gram is geared towards the employees# who take of a banquet room with a bar and an outside care of our guests. PEORIA PIRATES - Contact the Pirates Front multi-level deck. The outside deck is also avail- Ricky Donsbach, Reservationists, won the Office at 309-673-1000 for your chance to win a able for wedding ceremonies. 2007 “Employee of the Year”award at the Holiday brand new Jeep!! Participate in this raffle to ben- Barrack’s Cater Inn has evolved over three inn City Centre. This award is given to the efit the Boys & Girls Club. Each raffle ticket costs catering generations beginning with a small con- employee that demonstrates an outstanding job $100 and includes a ticket to a 2008 Peoria Pirates fectionery in 1933, to the present full service year round. Ricky has always shown exemplary game, so everyone’s a winner! Jeep winner will be caterer available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. characteristics# through out the year, month after drawn at the Pirates July 19th game. Thank you Barrack’s Cater Inn Banquet Center and month. She has that outstanding upbeat type of for supporting your 2008 Peoria Pirates! Catering is currently located at 1224 W.Pioneer personality that goes above and beyond her job Unique# Fundraising Opportunity! Parkway.This# facility accommodates up to 400 requirements to take care of guests’ needs. Fundraising with the Pirates offers not-for-profit guests. Barrack’s offers many facilities to meet The Holiday Inn City Centre is in the mid- organizations, local benefits and causes, and youth your needs for corporate and social events dle of “Phase 2” of our guest room bathroom ren- sports teams a unique opportunities to reach their including conferences, banquets, open houses, ovation, which entails: replacement of existing goals. These groups are able to earn up to $8 per weddings, receptions, theme events, outdoor floor tiles, installation of tub surrounds in all bath- ticket sold for their cause. With tickets in hand, events, picnics, and other event needs. rooms, new framed mirrors, new granite top vani- this consignment method allows on point sales In 2007, Barrack’s Cater Inn catered 2290 ties imported from China, new designer lighting, and quick commissions. Contact Kelsey Wright at events feeding over 174,000 people.The business new shower curtains, new shower heads, upgraded 309-673-1000 or [email protected] employs approximately 50 full and part-time towels, terry, new wall vinyl, new and upgraded for more information. employees.# The business boasts over 1500 com- shampoo and soap amenities. Phase 2 will also pany/organization patrons and countless individ- include carpeting of our Grand Ballroom, new PEKIN PEORIA YELLOW CHECKER ual patrons. Off premise catering accounts for wall vinyl in the ballroom, chandeliers, new# carpet CAB CORPORATION - Pekin-Peoria Yellow over 70% of the company’s total sales.As a result in pre-function area downstairs, upgrading of guest Checker Cab Corp is pleased to announce the of their tradition of fine food and personalized elevators to be in compliance with ADA, new implementation of automated# wireless dispatching service, Barrack’s Cater Inn has seen an amazing composite# deck around the hot tub in the pool and automatic vehicle location via GPS. Yellow growth of over 800% in the past 20 years; includ- area, new bedding and linens for each guestroom, Checker Cab now represents Downstate Illinois’ ing a 9% increase this past year. new carpet and furniture in the soft lounge, exte- only computer dispatched taxi fleet. Yellow In addition to the banquet facility Barrack’s rior upgrades in summer of 2008, new carpet in Checker customers will now enjoy the benefit of consistently caters to other meeting and banquet the lobby and administration hallway. in-cab credit card processing,along with improved facilities, which include:# Stoney Creek Inn, customer service and quicker response to all taxi, Gateway Building, Ravina on the Lakes, East PEORIA CIVIC CENTER - The Peoria Civic limousine, and freight requests. Peoria Event Center, EastPort Banquet Facility, Center is proud to host the launch of the Hallmark Five Points Washington,SpringHill Suites, and to Movie Channel HD on Wednesday, April 2. The PETERSEN HOTELS - Petersen Hotels is clients home or business. launch event will be followed by a screening of the proud to announce the opening of Peoria’s two Awarded from the Peoria Area Chamber of Hallmark Hall of Fame Film “The Magic of newest hotels, located at the Shoppes of Grand Commerce in 2002, for “Outstanding Small Ordinary Days.” Actors David Carradine and Prairie:Wingate by Wyndham and Country Inn Business of the Year Award,” Barrack’s has Ernest Borgnine are scheduled to# appear. The and Suites. demonstrated hospitality industry leadership. Peoria Civic Center will also feature the U.S. General Managers for the two new hotels Noteworthy achievements also include# but not Army Band, Chorus and Herald Trumpets in a free are Crystal Dahlquist, originally from Kansas, at limited to being featured in the national trade pub- concert set for Tuesday,April 8 at the Peoria Civic Wingate by Wyndham# and Josh Burnett of lication, CATERSOURCE, the same year. Over Center Theater. The YouTheater Series will also Peoria at Country Inn and Suites. the past 40 years, Barrack’s has been servicing the present two evening performances: “Beauty and The two new facilities add approximately community.Barrack’s continues to strive to be the the Beast” on April 10 at 6:30 p.m. and “Romeo 140 new hotel rooms to the Peoria market, with Best #Banquet Facility in the Midwest. For more and Juliet” on May 7 at 7 p.m. 65 at Wingate by Wyndham and 74 at Country information, please visit www.caterinn.com. Inn & Suites. Each of the two hotels offers a vari- PEORIA LOGO - One of our newest members, ety of beautiful rooms and suites, have an indoor HOLIDAY INN CITY CENTRE - Rudolph Peoria Logo, has already jumped in and started par- pool & whirlpool, and offer complimentary hot Booth, Holiday Inn City Centre’s houseman,was ticipating in events. With their help as a co-spon- expanded breakfast. the winner of the Stars of the Industry Regional sor for the Third Annual Leaders of Tomorrow, award held in Champaign, IL. Rudy is one of the another successful event took place. Peoria Logo is # many great employees at the Holiday Inn City#also proud to be co-sponsoring the Illinois Women Centre and incredibly deserving of this award Administrator’s 20th Annual Dare to be Great . . . CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE WinterfestThe 2007 Winterfest Best in the Midwest2008 Awards Banquet was held Monday, January 21st at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Grand Ballroom. The theme for this year’s event was “Buried Treasures”. Guests were greeted with live entertainment by Dave McDonald. A pirates theme was carried throughout the evening. Floral Expressions created beautiful centerpieces and deco- rations using pirate’s hats,treasure chests and chocolate mint gold coins, stamped with the HOIHA logo. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food from participating Heart of Illinois Professional Chef’s Association members. Participating members included Hotel Pere Marquette, Eurest Dining Services, Holiday Inn City Centre, Barrack’s Cater Inn, Embassy Suites, Methodist Medical Center, Par-A-Dice Hotel, and Illinois Central College. Jeff Selvig created another mag- nificent ice sculpture, this year crafting a pirate ship. Kathy Schaeffer, co-chair for the Winterfest committee, and Peggy Smith, Secretary of the Hospitality Association and Winterfest committee member emceed the evening. Several outstanding businesses and individ- uals in the hospitality industry were recognized for there performances. Those acknowledged were: Weaver Ridge, Casual Dining award; Jill’s on Galena, Upscale Dining award; Stoney Creek Inn, Limited Service Hotel award; Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, Full Service Hotel award; Robert SYSCO Food Service for Outstanding Purveyor; Barrack’s Cater Inn for Educational/Institutional/Business & Industry award and The Cutter Bar & Grill, Newcomer of the Year. Dan Cunningham, Executive Director for EastSide Center, was awarded with the Friend of the Industry Award for years of dedicated service in the Peoria area hospitality industry. The Dearl Morris Employee of the Year Award was awarded to Pam Huston, Methodist Medical Center. Other Employee of the Year nominees included:Rudy Booth, Holiday Inn City Center, Greg Colwell, Stoney Creek Inn; Tomm Hagerdorn, Staybridge Suites; and Helen Parks, Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe. The Heart of Illinois Hospitality Association is very grateful for all of the generous silent auction item donations and the fabulous sponsors who make this event possible year after year.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS . . . The 12th Annual HOIHA/PASC Golf Scramble will be held 2008 /County Health Department Class Schedule: Thursday, September 11th at Quail Meadows Golf Course. Great Raffle Prizes, Door Prizes and Golfer-Giveaways will be available. Registration For further information, please call 679-6161 or stop by the office at 2116 Flyers will be mailed out in mid-May, so keep an eye out and sign on N. Sheridan Road, Peoria. Class sizes are limited due to room occupancy. early to help raise money for the Hospitality and Sports Industry in So, a pre-paid registration guarantees you a seat!! Peoria area! For more information, contact Katie Hart at 693-9667 x 14 or [email protected].. Peoria City/County Health Department Environmental Health 2116 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61604 • 309/679-6161 Be sure to check out the Heart of Illinois Hospitality website look us www.pcchd.org up at either www.hoiha.org or www.heartofillinoishospitalityassociation.org. 15-Hour* Food Service Sanitation 5-Hour* Refresher Classes ($35.00): To submit information to be posted on the site, contact Katie Hart at Classes - $80.00 Day Classes (9:00am-3:30pm): 693-9667 x 14 or [email protected]. Day Classes (8:30am-3:30pm): March 18 May 5, 12, 19 October 21 September 8, 15, 22 Night Classes (6:00pm-9:00pm): November 3, 10, 17 February 13, 14 November 19, 20 THIRD ANNUAL HOIHA Night Classes (6:00 PM-9:00 PM): RIVERMEN OUTING June 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19 *(A minimum of 5 hours is required For the third year HOIHA held a social event centered August 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 by the Illinois Department of Public on the Peoria Rivermen. It was held Tuesday, March 4th Health for renewal of a certification.) *(A minimum of 15 hours is at the Peoria Civic Center Arena. Several employees of required by the Illinois Department HOIHA member/organizations enjoyed fun and excite- of Public Health for certification.) ment as the Peoria Rivermen took on the Quad City Flames. The game was very exciting. The Rivermen scored twice in the third period to end up dominating over the Flames. It was a great night and we look forward to doing it again next year. GO RIVERMEN!!! Third Annual HOIHA MEMBER NEWS - CONTINUED Leaders of Tomorrow: A Complimentary transportation will be available WINGATE BY WYNDHAM - For Training Day = SUCCESS! to and from the airport, the Shoppes at Grand every kind of traveler on every kind of trip the This year the third annual Leaders of Prairie and neighboring facilities for the guests of brand-new Wingate by Wyndham - Peoria pro- Tomorrow: A Training Day seminar held the hotels. Meeting space will be available at vides an enjoyable experience that will ensure by the Heart of Illinois Hospitality both hotel locations. Wingate by Wyndham will your eager return. Conveniently located next to Association proved once again to be a be able to host groups of 40 and the Country Inn the Shoppes at Grand Prairie,Wingate offers an great success for the organization and its and Suites can accommodate groups of 15. Both all-inclusive price for each of its 65 clean & spa- # members. Envision Insurance Group and hotels offer complimentary Business Centers, cious rooms. In-room amenities include a com- wired and wireless high-speed internet, fortable & inviting queen- or king-sized bed, Peoria Logo co-sponsored the event. The microwaves, refrigerators and 32’ flat screen wired & wireless high-speed internet# access, spa- seminar, entitled There is No Such Thing HDTVs. Keep an eye out for the official Grand cious well-lit desk, speakerphone with voicemail as A One Person Tango, was held Tuesday, Opening Celebration, to be held in late April. & conference call capabilities, 32-inch flat- February 19th at the newly opened screen TV,microwave, refrigerator, coffee-maker, Embassy Suites hotel in East Peoria, IL. COUNTRY INN & SUITES - Be Their iron & ironing board, pay-per-view movies, and Over 55 professionals from our local area Guest at the all-new, comfortable and inviting weekday USA Today delivered daily.An expand- turned out for a morning of education on Country Inn & Suites - Peoria. Conveniently sit- ed continental hot breakfast will energize you various leadership topics. uated directly across from the Shoppes at Grand for the day’s activities and when you return an # Professional keynote speaker Karel Prairie behind TGI Friday’s,each of their 74 clean evening reception featuring appetizers and adult and spacious rooms feature plush bedding, free beverages is awaiting you from 5:30 – 7:30 PM Murray of Our Branch, Inc. engaged par- wired & wireless# high-speed internet access, flat- every Tuesday through Thursday. Wingate by ticipants in two different interactive pre- screen TV,microwave, refrigerator, hairdryer, cof- Wyndham offers a relaxing pool & spa, 24/7 fit- sentations during the workshop: fee-maker, iron & ironing board and a compli- ness room & business center with free use of the “Identifying Human Assumption” and mentary weekday USA Today delivered daily.The copy/fax machine and a convenient sundry “What Handshakes Mean”. The class- family suite also features a kitchenette and private shop. Meeting facilities and a board room are room and group interaction was enjoyed jacuzzi. The complimentary breakfast will help also available. The Wingate by Wyndham - by all. She was very entertaining, funny you start the day on the right foot, and when the Peoria staff invites ‘every kind of traveler on and best of all everyone left with a new day is done Be Their Guest to play in the pool, every kind of trip’ to experience a fantastic relax in the spa or get your heart pumping in the property and superior customer service while look on how they were being perceived. fitness# room.The state-of-the-art business center visiting the Heart of Illinois! A survey of participants turned out allows you to check email, fax documents & fantastic reviews with great suggestions. make copies free-of-charge, and the Read It & Both Wingate and Country Inn &# Suites feature This event will be held again next year, Return Lending Library offers a wide selection on-line reservation systems or can be contacted please watch for more information. of adult & children’s titles available for you & locally. For information on Wingate by your family to enjoy and return to any Country Wyndham,# visit www.wingatehotels.com or call Inn & Suites in the U.S. & Canada. Shuttle serv- 309-589-0033. For information on Country ice and guest laundry are also available. The Inn and Suites by Carslon, visit www.coun- friendly staff at Country Inn & Suites - Peoria tryinns.com or call 309-589-0044. Wingate by invites you to Be Their Guest while visiting the Wyndham and Country Inn & Suites are owned Heart of Illinois! # and operated by Petersen Hotels, LLC of Peoria.

7150 N. University St. Peoria, Illinois 61614 (309) 693-9667 www.HOIHA.org