Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion and educating the workforce remain among the Greater Peoria area’s key needs, according to a summary of this year’s virtual Big Table discussions presented Thursday.

Clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine are underway in Peoria.

Joshua Gunn has only been in his new role as Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO for seven weeks, relocating from North Carolina with the economy mired in a slump brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and businesses required to enforce a state-ordered mask mandate.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing its next president and CEO.

Joshua Gunn starts the job July 1. He currently serves as vice president of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce in Durham, N.C.

He comes to Peoria with four years of experience in that role, and more than 10 years of professional experience with a focus on entrepreneurship, minority business development, direct business-to-business sales, and community engagement.

Gunn will also lead the CEO Council.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce isn’t worried about keeping it’s doors open – yet – as the coronavirus pandemic strains local businesses. That’s according to Vice President of Operations Sherneka Cagle. She said the organization’s 1,000-plus members account for roughly 80% of the chamber’s budget.

Chris Setti will temporarily serve as the head of both the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and CEO Council President Jeff Griffin will resign early next year.

In a letter to Chamber members Monday, Griffin announced he's taking a job leading the Sioux Falls, S.D. Chamber, Griffin said he's resigning effective Jan. 15. 

Griffin was made leader of the Peoria Chamber in Feb. 2014 and took up the simultaneous leadership of the CEO Council in 2016. 

The executive committees and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and CEO Council will meet to discuss the transition.

Peoria-area community and economic development groups want to redefine their corner of Central Illinois — and they’re asking for input from residents to do so.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council are moving.

The election of Donald Trump presents a clean slate for the US to craft comprehensive immigration policies. That was one conclusion that panelists from a variety of political and professional backgrounds could agree on, during a discussion at the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Mon.

“With a comprehensive immigration policy, which has been lacking for years and years and years, it needs to be overhauled. And in order to achieve economic security, we’re going to have to have a plan," Illinois Business Immigration Coalition Co-Chair Dave Bender said. 

Peoria’s Downtown Development Corporation is planning to see Riverfront Village eventually become a linear park.

Leaders from Peoria School District 150, Illinois Central College, the City and business groups gathered at City Hall Thursday to extend an agreement that connects students to careers.

The collaborative effort, Peoria Pathways to Prosperity, aims to give students who aren’t interested in college a chance to garner career training and exploration.

Interim Superintendent Sharon Kherat says the renewed agreement will further expand options for students:

  Nearly 800 people attended the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce 39th Annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Civic Center Thursday.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce has a new leader. The organization’s board of directors announced Jeffery Griffin as the new President.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce has a new interim President. Mary Ardapple is stepping in until a permanent replacement can be found.

Ardapple has been a Chamber member since 1984 and served as Chamber Board Chairperson in 2006. She is also a Peoria County Board member.

Ardapple says she is excited to get started to help community businesses. She says her goal is to build the organization for future leadership.