NOTEWORTHY NEWS Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association: IHLA encourages IHLA • For more information, please call Brenda Jo Jacob, IHLA’s Director members to contact your members of the Illinois General Assembly on of Governmental Affairs, at (217) 522-1231 and/or refer to the gross receipts tax proposal. www.largesttaxincreaseever.com. There is also another web-site, developed by the Chicagoland Chamber that will help you calcu- HOSPITALITY As has been previously reported, the Governor proposed in his State late what you might expect to pay if the gross receipts plan is enact- of the State and Budget Address, a new tax on gross business receipts. ed. It can be found on www.chicagolandchamber.org. The Governor also called for payroll taxes on businesses that don’t The 11th Annual HOIHA/PASC Golf Scramble will be held HERALD provide health insurance for employees or that provide only bare- Thursday, September 13th at Quail Meadows. Great Raffle Prizes Dear HOIHA Members: bones coverage. and Golfer-Giveaway Prizes will be available. Registration Flyers will It’s that time of year again – the weathers warming, the grass is green, and the • IHLA is working in a coalition with a number of other businesses be mailed out in mid-May, so keep an eye out and sign on early for anticipation of summer and all that come with this sunny season is in the air. The throughout Illinois against the Governor’s proposed GRT. If the this great cause! For more information, contact Katie Hart at 693- GRT is passed, it will be devastating for businesses in Illinois and 9667 x 14 or [email protected] upcoming months involve many events that will attract thousands of visitors from for consumers. And, the Governor’s “Illinois Covered Plan” will across the country to the Peoria area, so let’s roll out the red carpet and give them an Be sure to check out the Heart of Illinois Hospitality website cause Illinois business to pay even higher costs for the healthcare experience that will ensure they return. look us up at either www.hoiha.org or www.heartofillinoishospital- benefits they provide to their employees. The Peoria Civic Center looks great. On March 2, 2007, a ribbon cutting ceremo- ityassociation.org. To submit information to be posted on the site, ny marked the official opening of the Civic Center’s new Great Hall, Exhibit Hall D, • IHLA is asking you to contact your members of the Illinois contact Katie Hart at 693-9667 x 14 or [email protected]. General Assembly and tell them how these proposals will specifi- Box Office, Civic Center and Rivermen offices, and the Rivermen team store. A large cally impact your hotel and your employees. You need to lobby portion of the PCC’s new space opened just in time for the IHSA Boy’s State Basketball them to vote “NO” on any form of a GRT. SPRING 2007 Tournament. Following in April, a ribbon was cut to open its new elegant Executive Board Ballroom/flexible meeting space. Other highlights of the Civic Center’s new space President Frank Pedulla include the new concession areas in the Arena and Great Hall, and the new 117 rest- 2007 PEORIA CITY/COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLASS SCHEDULE: 5 Points Management & room facilities, the majority being women’s. The final portion of the Revitalization proj- 15-Hour Food Service Sanitation Classes - $60.00 5-Hour Refresher Classes ($25.00): Development Day Classes (9:00am-3:30pm): Day Classes (9:00am-3:30pm): ect is a new Club room and four Arena Suites, which will be completed in fall 2007. March 5, 12, 19 February 14 Vice President The Hotel Pere Marquette has completed the renovation project on the hotel. June 4, 11, 18 May 9 Sami Qureshi They have added 12 new Jacuzzi suites. The project started with all of the rooms get- September 10, 17, 24 August 15 Holiday Inn City Centre ting new beds and soft goods, which guests are very happy with. Carnegie’s 501 has November 5, 12, 19 October 10 Secretary been totally redone with a fresher, brighter more casual atmosphere. The hotel looks Night Classes (6:00 PM-9:00 PM): Night Classes (6:00pm-9:00pm): Brad McCollum great and has recently been welcomed into the enclave of Historic Hotels of America. February 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22 March 20, 21 Camille’s Sidewalk Café May 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 June 20, 21 The Embassy Suites in East Peoria is scheduled to open in November 2007. The August 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 September 19, 20 Treasurer eight story atrium will have 226 spacious two room suites including two Presidential Peggy Smith October 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18 November 14, 15 suites with oversized bedrooms and private living rooms. In addition to the hotel there *(A minimum of 15 hours is required by the *(A minimum of 5 hours is required by the Past President is also 25,000 square feet of beautifully appointed event space in the Conference Center. Illinois Department of Public Health for certification.) Illinois Department of Public Health for renewal of a certification.) LaVonne Klein I would also like to welcome back the River Station. The restaurant reopened Stoney Creek Inn For further information, please call 679-6161 or stop by the office at 2116 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria. Class sizes are limited due to room occupancy. March 19, 2007, by Tracy Nichols a former chef of the original River Station. Tracy So, a pre-paid registration guarantees you a seat!! Executive Director reopened the restaurant bringing back some of the same great menu items up scaled Carl Bunker R&B Productions, Inc. in some areas. Many local residents remember this restaurant for many special occa- sions, birthdays’ anniversaries and engagements. Since opening there have been five Honorary Vice Presidents engagements. It is good to see life on the waterfront! Brent Lonteen Peoria Area CVB We would like to welcome Tavern on the Water to the Peoria market. 7150 N. University St. Additionally, the Heart of Illinois Hospitality Association looks forward to the Peoria, Illinois 61614 Robin Barnes Peoria Civic Center annual Chief’s outing in June, the Taste of Peoria in August and the 11th Annual (309) 693-9667 HOIHA/PASC Golf Outing in September. www.HOIHA.org Board of Directors The past fall and winter have been a busy and productive time for our organization, Don Welch Peggy Ono so let’s keep the momentum going and have some fun in the sun this spring and summer! Robin Ballard Jill Eisenbarth Peggy Maloof Dan Cunningham Sincerely, Kathy Schaeffer Jim Grube Alice Price Amy Pearson Melissa Egan Frank Pedulla Renee Draves President MEMBER NEWS BARRACK’S CATER INN Carnegie’s 501 is currently creating an updated menu which is #Barrack’s Cater Inn is celebrating 75 years of food service in cen- due out in early May. They have taken the advice of their customers tral Illinois, as well as 20 years of business at their banquet center at and are removing, adding & changing current menu items. As 1224 W. Pioneer Parkway. The catering company celebrated with an always there is a healthy section including wraps. anniversary party on April 26th. More than 1500 invitations were The Hotel Pere Marquette has a new website, please take the The 2006 Winterfest Best in the Midwest Awards Banquet was held Monday, sent to local dignitaries, business clients, and associates. time to check it out, www.hotelperemarquette.com.# January 22nd at the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Grand Ballroom. The theme for this year’s event “Barrack’s Cater Inn has evolved over three catering generations and was “An Unforgettable Evening.” Guests were greeted with a red carpet and entertainment with a began with a small confectionery in 1933.# We are proud of our history in ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION central Illinois and look forward to providing our customers with quality You are invited to attend the Illinois Restaurant Association’s live jazz band by Paul Weddle. An early motion pictures theme was carried out with the Winterfest com- catering for another 75 years,” says James Barrack, president. Annual Membership Luncheon held during the National Restaurant mittee wearing feather boas to the chocolate drizzled movie popcorn balls. The decorations were gorgeous, done by Floral Barrack’s Cater Inn is a full service caterer available 7 days a week, Association# Restaurant Hotel – Motel Show on Monday May 21st Expressions. Other Delicious food was enjoyed and provided by various members of the Heart of Illinois Professional Chef’s 24 hours a day. The company’s banquet center at 1224 W. Pioneer at McCormick Place in Chicago. It is free* for Illinois Restaurant Association. Participating members included Eurest Dining Services, Par-a-dice Hotel, Barrack’s Cater Inn, Childer’s Eatery, Parkway accommodates up to 400 guests. Barrack’s offers catering Association Members to attend the luncheon and $25* for non- Hotel Pere Marquette, Methodist Medical Center, Illinois Central College and Illinois State University. Jeff Selvig once again services to meet the needs for corporate and social events, including members. provided a magnificent ice sculpture, this year crafting an amazing replica of an Oscar award. conferences, banquets, open houses, weddings, receptions, themed *A badge to attend the show is required to get through to the events, outdoor events, picnics, and more. Barrack’s also is a select luncheon, for more information on obtaining a badge visit caterer at the following facilities: Stoney Creek Inn, Gateway Building, www.restaurant.org/show. Please note that IRA Members are enti- Kathy Schaeffer, co-chair for the Winterfest committee, and Brian Pehr of the HOI Professional Chef’s Association # emceed the evening, which recognized several outstanding businesses and individuals in the hospitality industry. Those Ravina on the Lakes, East Peoria Event Center, East Port, Ramada & tled to one free badge for the show. Conference Center and your home or business. To reserve your seat at# the IRA Luncheon email, acknowledged were: Pizza Inn, Casual Dining award; Boyd’s Steakhouse, Upscale Dining award; Staybridge In 2006,# Barrack’s serviced nearly 2000 events accommodating [email protected] Suites, Limited Service Hotel award; Hotel Pere Marquette, Full Service Hotel award Antonio’s Pizza & approximately 160,000 people. With 45 full and part-time employ- Pasta, Newcomer of the Year; Brewer’s Distributing for Outstanding Purveyor; and Eurest Dining ees, Barrack’s remains committed to quality customer service for all PEORIA CIVIC CENTER Services, Educational/Institutional/Business & Industry award. their clients. The Peoria Civic Center’s elegant new Ballroom/Flexible meet- The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce in 2002 awarded ing space is now open for business! James Richardson, Regional Vice President of Eurest Dining Services was honored with Barrack’s the “Outstanding Small #Business of the Year Award.” In #The Ballroom is located on the fourth floor of the Civic addition, Barrack’s has received recognition in the hospitality indus- Center’s new space, directly on top of the new Exhibit Hall D. The the Friend of the Industry Award for over 45 years of dedicated service in the Peoria area hospi- try. Also in 2002, Barrack’s was featured in the national trade pub- fourth floor is accessible via the Great Hall escalators and the eleva- tality and food industry. The Dearl Morris Employee of the Year Award was awarded to Erin #lication CATERSOURCE. tors and features 12,000 sq. ft.of pre-function space, a guest servic- Schuette, Holiday Inn City Centre. Other Employee of the Year nominees included: Wes For more information please visit www.caterinn.com. es window, a coat check, restrooms, a new state-of-the-art kitchen, Broombaugh, inPlay, LLC; Ann Meinders, Staybridge Suites, Peoria; Lucas Neuhaus & Jason and a sweeping wall of floor to ceiling windows with a walk-out Swearingen, Hampton Inn; Kate Schindler, Stoney Creek Inn. HOLMES MURPHY & ASSOCIATES CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY patio offering a spectacular view of downtown Peoria. This years Holmes Murphy & Associates celebrates its 75th year The 27,000 sq. ft. fully carpeted Ballroom can# seat up to 1,600 The Heart of Illinois Hospitality Association is very grateful for all of the incredible silent auc- as one of America’s premier risk management and insurance broker- for a banquet or 2,880 for a meeting, and it is also divisible into 9 tion item donations and the generous sponsors who make this event possible year after year. age firms. Throughout this time,# Holmes Murphy has been driven breakout rooms. The Ballroom features a high, sweeping ceiling by its core values of excellent customer service, expert advice and varying in height from 23 to 25 feet, carrying out the river theme. integrity, to become the country’s 29th largest insurance brokerage, The Ballroom/flexible meeting space is currently being booked according to Business Insurance magazine. Peoria is just one of 11 for meetings,# banquets, wedding receptions, and a variety of private offices throughout the Midwest and Southwest allowing Holmes and corporate parties. Murphy to offer the “best of both worlds”: local focus and national For more information contact, Melissa Aga, Public Relations presence. Lodging and Hospitality Risk Solutions, as division of Coordinator, Peoria Civic Center, at 309-680-3586, or by fax 309- Holmes Murphy, is dedicated to serving insurance and risk manage- 673-9223. ment to the hotel, motel, resort and restaurant industry. For more information contact, Jodi Tarter,# AIS at 309-683- SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT PEORIA 1065 or by email [email protected] First Hospitality Group, Inc. announces the new General Manager of the SpringHill Suites# by Marriott Peoria, Jeff McLinden. HOTEL#PERE MARQUETTE – CARNEGIE’S 501 Jeff is very excited to have been chosen to lead the SpringHill Team Bill Carter, General manager of Hotel Pere Marquette, is the and is honored to work at this successful Peoria property. He brings Second Annual HOIHA Leaders of Tomorrow: A Training Day = SUCCESS! recipient of the General Manager of the Year Medium Size Property with him years of hotel experience and looks forward to a long and This year the second leadership training seminar held by the Heart of Illinois Hospitality Association proved again to be a Award. Bill will receive his award on June 13, 2007 in Nashville at prosperous career with First Hospitality Group, Inc. great success for the organization and its members. The seminar, entitled HOIHA Leaders of Tomorrow: A Training Day, was the AH&LA Summer Summitt. Way to go Mr.# Carter!!! # held Tuesday, February 27th at Eastport Restaurant & Banquet Center. Over 45 professionals from out local area turned out for a morning of education on various leadership topics. Professional speaker Jennifer White of Methodist Medical Center and J.L. White Communications has worked for more than SECOND ANNUAL HOIHA RIVERMEN OUTING 10 years as a leadership consultant with organizations ranging from Caterpillar to Heartland Bank & Trust, the Peoria Civic For the second year HOIHA held a social event centered around the Peoria Rivermen. It was held Wednesday, April Center to Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing. She gave the keynote address entitled “Platinum Rule Service” and also discussed 11th at the Peoria Civic Center Arena. Several employees of HOIHA member-organizations enjoyed fun and excitement the “Fish Philosophy”. as the Peoria Rivermen took on the Milwaukee Admirals. The game was very exciting, it went into overtime and then a A survey of participants turned out promising reviews with great suggestions on how to improve the event. This event will be shoot out, unfortunately the Rivermen lost the game 2 – 3. It was a great night and we look forward to doing it again held again next year, please watch for more information. next year. GO RIVERMEN!!!