www.peoriachamber.org CHAMBER OCTOBER 2019 REPORT Vol.24 Issue 22 A quarterly publication of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Member Feature: Peoria CHARTER TRAVEL 2 WelcomeNew Chamber Members Employee Size Code (number of full-time equivalent employees in the tri-county area): (A) 1-10 (B) 11-25 (C) 26-75 (D) 76-150 (E) 151-300 (F) 300+ 160 Driving Academy (A) Elevate Trampoline Park (B) Planet Fitness - Northwoods Mall 8800 N. Allen Rd. Grand Prairie (B) 2200 W. War Memorial Dr. Peoria, IL 61615 Grand Prairie Mall Peoria, IL 61613 5201 W. War Memorial Dr. Flat Branch Home Loans (A) Peoria, IL 61615 3D With A Twist, Inc. (A) 3408 W. Willow Knolls Dr. Northwoods Mall Peoria, IL 61614 POINTCORE Construction (C) 2200 W. War Memorial Dr. 601 SW Water St. Peoria, IL 61613 Illinois Home Solutions of Peoria, IL 61602 America, Inc. (A) Academy of Fretted 177 Thunderbird Ln. Smo-King Pit (A) Instruments (A) East Peoria, IL 61611 Northwoods Mall Northwoods Mall 2200 W. War Memorial Dr. 2200 W. War Memorial Dr. Jeffrey S. Hamilton Peoria, Illinois 61613 Peoria, Illinois 61613 Photography (A) 9 Sable Oaks Ct. Soccer Shots Peoria (A) AvisBudget Group, Inc. (B) Bloomington, IL 61704 4707 W Lynnhurst Dr. Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria, IL 61615 Peoria Airport Junior Leage of Peoria (A) 6100 W. E. M. Dirksen Pkwy. 114 State St., Ste, 2A Tomorrow’s Treasure (A) Peoria, IL 61607 Peoria, IL 61602 4929 Hamilton Rd. Peoria, IL 61615 Blended Restaurant & The McMahon Group (A) Bakery (A) 80 Washington Plz. 4100 W. Willow Knolls Dr. Washington, IL 61571 Ste. C-12 Peoria, IL 61615 Mentoring Women Millennials, LLC. (A) Brighton Collectibles (A) 6010 North Smith Rd. Grand Prairie Mall Edwards, IL 61528 5201 W. War Memorial Dr. Suite 547 MuziqueBaux LLC. (A) Peoria, IL 61615 Northwoods Mall 2200 W War Memorial Dr. Byrider (A) Peoria, Illinois 61613 1613 W. Pioneer Pkwy. Peoria, IL 61615 Origin Amateur Combat Championship (A) Cumerford-Hurd Funeral Northwoods Mall Home (A) 2200 W War Memorial Dr. 428 West McClure Ave. Peoria, IL 61613 Peoria, IL 61523 Peoria Estate Sales by Detail Peoria (A) Julie Revallo (A) 1020 W Detweiller Dr., Ste. C 1038 W. Teton Dr. Peoria, IL 61615 Peoria, IL 61614 3 Member Feature Peoria Charter Travel | History of Family Business Peoria Charter was founded in 1941, Illinois without rail transportation, these Peoria Charter expanded their service when Walt Winkler sold his family connections are vital to our cities ability beyond ground transportation by car and took a loan from his sister’s to grow. The business is a 24 hour launching a Travel Agency known as, chicken egg farm to purchase his first operation, with phones answered on Peoria Charter Travel. “We are excited bus. His goal was to aid in solving the site 24/7/365 to assist all travelers. The to see how quickly we have gained gas crisis for his friends and family largest expansion for the daily service momentum in the Travel Agency needing transportation to their jobs to Chicago has come from the Urbana- industry. This has allowed us to grow at the Caterpillar factories in Peoria. Champaign area. Since 2013, ridership larger each year.” In 2018, Peoria The company’s formula of customer has risen 450% and is expected to Charter purchased To-Go Away Travel service, quality equipment, and well- exceed 200,000 ticketed passengers, in Morton, IL. This marked their third trained drivers has allowed this four- just from Urbana-Champaign, by the location after Junction City and Normal, generation, family business to grow end of 2019. IL. Whether planning a honeymoon, into one of the largest bus companies In the last two years, Peoria Charter work retreat, or a trip around the world, in the Midwest. Today, they have 60 has undertaken a major effort of the Travel Agents at Peoria Charter pieces of luxury equipment, over 140 reinvigorating their fleet. The company Travel have the tools to manage the employees and locations in Peoria, now has 21 pieces of equipment that airfare, ground transportation, hotels & Normal and Urbana. In 2018, Peoria are 2016 or newer. “Our dedication more! Charter’s buses traveled 3.8 million to improving our fleet is proof of our Along with growth in the Travel Agency, miles, which is the equivalent to 152 commitment to ensure that Central Peoria Charter doubled the Urbana trips around the earth. Each year more Illinois has the cleanest, safest, and most location by purchasing the building than 500,000 passengers board Peoria comfortable ground transportation next door in 2018. Peoria Charter also Charter’s buses to travel to places such in the State of Illinois,” said Company released 2 Bradley Braves branded as Chicago, Washington D.C., New President and Third Generation coaches in 2018 that can be seen York, Canada, Colorado, Florida and Owner, Bill Winkler. Peoria Charter is transporting the BU sports teams from many more destinations across North the contracted ground transportation the Hilltop. Bill Winkler says, “We are America. provider for the University of Illinois, blessed to have a successful family Peoria Charter connects Peoria, Normal Illinois State University, Bradley business and continue to grow. We are and Champaign to O’Hare Airport and University, Eureka College, Illinois grateful to have our headquarters in the Chicago Area 14 times every day Central College and a half dozen other Peoria, and we are so thankful for the without Local, State, or Federal funding. Universities and Colleges in Central support the Central Illinois community With Peoria being the largest city in Illinois. has shown our business.” 4 The Business Briefs are an excellent marketing opportunity offered to Chamber members. Information must be received by December 10th to be included in the next issue. All content is subject to editorial review. Please submit items of interest to business briefs [email protected]. awards & recognition business moves Advanced Correctional the prestigious US Water Prize in Peoria Fire Department Chief Ed Nurses to Cecelia Escamilla, and Healthcare, Inc. (ACH) presented the Private Sector category for Olehy just completed the 4-year a Golden Stethoscope Award an Overdose Revival Award to its work in advancing the way Executive Fire Officer Degree from to Kathy Tarantino for saving a Kathy Tarantino for saving a stormwater is managed for partner the National Fire Academy in patient’s life! patient’s life! They are celebrating City of Peoria, Illinois. Maryland. Advanced Medical Transport, Brittany Krysinski for receiving Howard & Howard has announced Phoenix Community Development Inc (AMT) Announced that it the ISMTE 2019 Early Career the launch of its redesigned and Services received a grant from has entered into a definitive Award, and Shelly Winklepleck, upgraded corporate website. Ameren Illinois that will help expand agreement to acquire Medics First Danielle Allen, and Abby Trapp for The roll-out of the rebuilt website services and provide support for of Springfield, IL. Founded in 2008, receiving an Associate Degree in coincides with the firm’s 150th more homeless citizens in the Medics First provides emergency Nursing. 5-Year Service Awards anniversary celebration this year. region. and non-emergency ambulance were presented to Mary Brandon, Howard & Howard is pleased to Savant Capital Management, service in Springfield. Cheryl Overlin, and Lynn Skaare, announce that attorney Michael has been recognized by Financial The Bleeding and Clotting and Lori Ehler was presented with D. Gifford has been elected Advisor, Financial Times, and Disorders Institute (BCDI) is a 10-Year Service Award. ACH president of the Peoria County Bar InvestmentNews as a leading excited to announce that Dr. presented a Golden Stethoscope Association. Registered Investment Advisor Michael Tarantino has recently Award to Mallory Oatman for Illinois American Water (IAW) (RIA) firm and by Accounting been named the CEO and the saving a patient’s life! President Bruce Hauk was awarded Today as one of the nation’s Chief Medical Director of BCDI. Barrack’s Hospitality Group was the 2019 Inclusion and Diversity leading CPA firms by assets under Becky Burns was named the COO honored to have been voted in the Award by the National Black management (AUM). and CFO and Chanel Unzicker category of Caterer as a “Best of Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Stuber Land Design, Inc. was named the Chief Nursing the Best” for 2019. Over 20,000 during its annual conference in celebrated their 25th anniversary Officer. These moves will continue votes were cast from online Atlanta, Georgia. Rhonda Carter in business with an open house on the mission of BCDI to provide readers for this award. Adams, IAW’s Diversity Lead, was June 22. Vendors, employees, and integrated, family-oriented care, The Central Illinois Chapter of recognized by Who’s Who Diversity some customers were invited. treatment and education for the Association of Fundraising in Color (WWDIC) in the Most University of Illinois, Peoria persons with bleeding, clotting and Professionals has announced Intriguing People category. Center’s medical student, other blood disorders. the 2019 National Philanthropy Illinois Central College alumnus Jeremy Huckleby, is one of 50 The City of Peoria hired Rick Powers Day award recipients. The 2019 Dr. Jonathan Sauder has been students nationwide selected for as Director of the Public Works National Philanthropy Day award honored on the national stage as the Medical Research Scholars Department. Formerly the Deputy recipients are: Outstanding President Trump recently named Program at the National Institutes Commissioner for the Indiana Philanthropic Corporation - Par-A- 18 NASA researchers as recipients of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Department of Transportation, Dice Hotel Casino, Lewis J. Burger of the Presidential Early Career Research from the University of Mr. Powers assumed the Director Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award for Scientists and Engineers Illinois College of Medicine Peoria position on Sept.