Special Event Location: The Lariat Steakhouse & Grill - 2232 West Glen Ave. Peoria, IL 61614

Join us as we conclude the 2021-2022 PRA meeting year with our annual awards.
Learn who will win:

• PR Professional of the Year - Awarded to an individual who excels in the fields of public relations, marketing and communications. They are considered subject matter experts and leaders amongst their peers.

  • This year’s nominees were:

    • Haley Krus, Public Relations Specialist, Bradley University. 

    • Jill Peterson, Public Relations Coordinator, City of East Peoria

    • Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright, Executive Director, Big Picture Initiative (also known as Big Picture Peoria).

• PRAise Award –Board Nominated/Voted: The PRA of Central Illinois board has taken notice of the (extra) hard work you have done this past year. So in addition to the PR Professional of the Year, we’re also handing out a few PRAise awards to recognize these efforts.

This meeting will be via Zoom. Details will be sent the day of the event.

Join us for a virtual networking and brainstorming session this month where you can propose industry / workplace / project / COVID challenges you’re facing and get solutions from your peers! 

 Who should come? You!
And invite your marketing and/or communication professional friends, too!

You may have a question for yourself or you may have the answers for someone else.
Feel free to send questions ahead of time to pracentillinois@gmail.com.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 15.

This meeting will be via Zoom. Details will be sent following your RSVP.

The Greater Peoria 2030 campaign purpose is to promote the diverse, creative, and population-driving revitalization efforts of the Greater Peoria area – attracting new residents, increasing the region’s workforce talent, and prospering the Greater Peoria area. This presentation will further explain campaign goals, performance measurements and our approach to attracting newcomers to Greater Peoria.

Presenter Bios: 

Randy McDaniels, President – McDaniels Marketing

With over 35 years of experience in guiding a diverse roster of clients in industries from local municipalities to healthcare systems and international companies, Randy leads a team of experts in delivering powerful solutions to create success for clients of his firm. Randy’s areas of expertise include overall strategy and consultation, traditional + digital marketing, public relations, talent recruitment + development, and fundraising. He has a marketing degree from Bradley University.

Beth Geier, Vice President – McDaniels Marketing

A marketing and communications professional with over 26 years of experience, Beth helps lead the McDaniels Marketing team in the planning, creation, and execution of marketing campaigns for their clients. She has a marketing degree from Bradley University.

About PRA monthly meetings & membership:

PRA members ($50 annual membership fee)
- Zoom meetings: Free

Non-members
- Zoom meetings: $10

Please RSVP by noon on Friday, January 14.

For 40 years, Simantel has been known in our community as a great place to work. We’ll dig into how and why they have intentionally created a culture and workplace where people want to be. While still headquartered in Peoria, the agency has full-time remote employees in 10+ states and now offers a hybrid schedule for all 100 of their employees. Cultivating a great place to work ultimately cultivates a great marketing agency that clients want to work with. Find out more about how you can apply some of these best practices to your own company.

Presenter Bios: 

Jillian Light—Director of Human Resources

Jillian Light | Simantel

Alicia Ruemelin—Marketing and Brand Director

Alicia Ruemelin | Simantel

About PRA monthly meetings & membership:

PRA members ($50 annual membership fee) can attend all PRA monthly meetings and order lunch for $20.  Guests (non-members) can attend ONE annual meeting and order lunch for $25.

Please RSVP by noon on Friday, December 10.

Diversity and inclusion is a phrase that is thrown around a lot today, but what does it actually mean.  Should we be striving for diversity and inclusion, or fighting for equity, representation, and creating a platform for underrepresented voices. Join us as we engage in conversation and education on how to truly represent the populations you want to work with and generate a safe space for them. 

 Presenter Bio:  Alexander Martin is a multiracial black, queer, and trans artist and performer living and working in Peoria, Illinois.  Born in Hurricane, West Virginia, they completed their BFA at West Virginia University in 2010, then went on to receive their MFA in printmaking from Bradley University in 2017.  In 2015 they co-founded the artist-run project space Project 1612 with Jessica Bingham and Zach Ott, bringing contemporary artists and their practices to Central Illinois in an accessible manner while highlighting the efforts of the Central Illinois arts community. After receiving their MFA, Alexander spent a brief time in residency at T.H.I.Studios in Tottenham North London, then served as resident and program director at the Prairie Center of the Arts.  As a drag queen performing under the name Artemisia VanHo, Alexander was crowned Miss Gay Peoria and Miss Gay Illinois USofA 2019 and often contributes performances to community education events.  Community engagement is a major theme of their studio practice, so they are involved with several organizations and community art planning efforts, for example the 2020 project ‘Remember Her Peoria’ that commemorated and called attention to the lives of local women lost to violence. Alexander currently works as the peer outreach and marketing coordinator for Central Illinois Friends, doing work with the LGBTQ+ and black community around sexual health and destigmatization. They are also a founding member and the Community and Outreach Liaison for the newly formed Peoria Guild of Black Artists (PGOBA).   Their practice is a combination of mixed media work, found objects, performance, ritual, and education.  

Websites:

alexanderandrewmartin.com

peoriagoba.com

project1612.com 

Instagram:

@xander9210

@artemisiavanho

@project1612

About PRA monthly meetings & membership:

PRA members ($50 annual membership fee) can attend all PRA monthly meetings and order lunch for $20.  Guests (non-members) can attend ONE annual meeting and order lunch for $25.

Please RSVP by noon on Friday, November 12th.

Join us and local Tik Tok influencer, Angie Ostaszewski, to learn HOW to use Tik Tok and WHY. It’s not too late to learn how to use this social media platform to elevate your personal hobbies, passion projects and brand.

Presenter Bio: Since 2016, Angie Ostaszewski has worked for Ameren Illinois in their communications, charitable giving, and energy efficiency groups. In her current role as Energy Efficiency Advisor, she supports residential programs and the Market Development Initiative. Outside of work, Angie is also grateful to serve on the Center for Prevention of Abuse, Peoria Chamber of Commerce, and Illinois Central College Foundation boards, and is the vice president of Renaissance Park Community Association. She graduated #1 in her class at Bradley University's MBA program, and prior to that studied Economics and Sociology at Knox College.

More about Angie:

https://www.peoriamagazines.com/.../best-community...

https://will.illinois.edu/.../tiktok-host-helping-move...

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by noon on Friday, October 15th.

Join us for a casual but fun PR-YAY Happy Hour, Wednesday, August 25 from 5:30-6:30 PM at POUR BROS. Craft Taproom! How has your summer been? After a year apart, we can't wait to catch up!

Competing on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight looked like a 15-minute endeavor when the national TV show aired on Dec. 16, 2020, but for Team Folepi, representing the East Peoria Festival of Lights, it was actually a two-year effort to win the lighted trophy. Learn about the behind-the-scenes effort to move the Festival of Lights to the national stage during this Zoom To Lunch meeting from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. Team Folepi member Jill Peterson of the City of East Peoria will discuss the steps for getting accepted as a contestant, what the filming was like, how being a contender was promoted, local media interest, the effect on festival attendance, and what the festival will do with the $50,000 prize money.

This is a free Zoom to Lunch meeting. Bring your own lunch and Zoom in from the comfort of your workplace, whether that’s at the office or at home. The Zoom link will be provided in the reservation confirmation.

Things are moving fast this year in the digital marketing world. Scott Clanin, President/Owner of Clanin Marketing, will review the latest updates and new features to help you better communicate and market into 2021. Learn about new tools from Google My Business, Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram and more.

This is a free Zoom to Lunch meeting. Bring your own lunch and Zoom in from the comfort of your workplace, whether that’s at the office or at home. The Zoom link will be provided in the reservation confirmation.

Who knew many of us would have thought about pivoting our businesses because of a pandemic?  Small business owner, Sara O’Shea, did just this when her two So Chic Boutique stores and So Chic Events businesses shut down overnight.  Sara will share how she temporarily shifted 100% of her business to an online platform, became an expert personal shopper & shipper, and how shutting down helped to strengthen relationships with her customers, team, and other small businesses. 

This is a free Zoom to Lunch meeting. Bring your own lunch and Zoom in from the comfort of your workplace, whether that’s at the office or at home. The Zoom link will be provided in the reservation confirmation.

Most corporations have a crisis plan in place, but when you’re facing unprecedented events, how do you manage and adapt the crisis plan in place? Monica Hendrickson, public health administrator at Peoria City/County Health Department, will discuss how the health department has handled crisis management, addressing if a crisis plan was in place, any modifications along the way and how they were managed, key learnings and absolute must know items, and tips/tricks for managing media relations. She will also share a brief update on coronavirus in central Illinois.

This is a free Zoom to Lunch meeting. Bring your own lunch and Zoom in from the comfort of your workplace, whether that’s at the office or at home. The Zoom link will be provided in the reservation confirmation.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 | Kelleher’s | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Join PRA's celebration of the top PR, marketing and advertising campaigns in the community. $20 for members $25 for non-members. Appetizers provided. Cash bar available and members receive one free drink.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

Slowing Down to Speed Up. Presenter: Sara O’Shea, owner of So Chic Boutique. Please note: This month’s event will take place at So Chic Boutique located at 4605 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights.

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by noon on April 10.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

Join PRA for a networking social on Wednesday, April 1 at Mack's from 5-7 p.m. Get to know other PR and Marketing professionals in the Greater Peoria area on a more personal basis. We’ll swap stories, connect for future business, and enjoy food and drinks in a casual atmosphere together. Member snad non-members are welcome to attend.

Light appetizers will be offered and PRA members will receive one free drink. (P.S. PRA membership is now half-off for the rest of the year! Check it out at www.pracentillinois.org/membership)

In light of the current national emergency and state/local closings, we have made the decision to cancel the March PRA Roundtables originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18.

For those who have RSVP'd and already paid, you will have the choice of either 1) refund or 2) apply the payment to a future meeting. Please be on the lookout for an email from PRA with additional information.

Scott Clanin, owner and president of Clanin Marketing in Champaign, will insights into digital marketing insights and tips for an effective integrated strategy.

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by noon on February 14.

There are so many methods of communication today. How can your message breakthrough to reach your target audience? Join us at our January meeting to hear from local business owner and marketer, Jamie Messmore.

Please RSVP by noon on January 10.

It’s estimated that by 2020, half of the U.S. workforce will be Millennials and learning how to attract, retain and develop these future leaders is key to their success and the success of growing companies. Understanding what they want from their boss, from their company, and what they want to learn along the way is the key to engaging and empowering this creative, high energy, entrepreneurial generation.

Join us for the presentation by Kathryn Spitznagle, founder and professional coach at Mentoring Women Millennials, LLC.

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by noon on December 13.

Cluttered, overwhelming and unorganized — does this describe your organization's presentations? Jennifer Hammontree Jones, a strategic consultant in Caterpillar’s Aftermarket Services Division, will walk us through her creative approach to presentations that are visual, impactful and help tell your story.

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by noon on November 15.

Camille Yameen, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Center for Prevention of Abuse, will discuss tips and tricks for crafting unique and heartfelt messages about difficult topics, tough conversations and things people have a hard time talking about.

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP by noon on September 13.

Join us in celebrating the best of the best communication and public relations practices in central Illinois! Wednesday, May 15 at the Peoria Civic Center Lexus from from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 8.

Airfare. Destinations. The cost of that, ahem, gourmet cup of airport coffee. The Peoria International Airport has zero say in any of it, but it’s their job to sell the community on why they should fly PIA. Find out from Jennifer Davis, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations for Peoria International Airport on how they navigate those challenges and, in fact, set a record in 2018.

Please RSVP by Friday, April 12.

Join us on Wednesday, March 20 for our annual Roundtable Discussions featuring three industry experts. Please note this meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

Topic 1: The Un-Awkward Networker with Brad Stegall, WEEK-TV

Networking. [Noun] The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. Some people thrive, while others dread the very thought. But, no matter if you love it or hate it, we all have times when it’s necessary to network with other professionals. Join Brad Stegall, Multi-Media Specialist at WEEK-TV (and unofficially, an expert at networking!) during this roundtable as he shares tips on how to make the most of networking events. From the way you introduce yourself to how you dress, there are many factors that can make or break a successful networking opportunity. (P.S. We will NOT practice speed networking during this roundtable. You can thank us later.)

Topic 2: The Power of a Thank You with Carol Merna, The Center for the Prevention of Abuse

We are all busy and sometimes we forget the little things. Something as small as a simple Thank You note, or letter can make a long and lasting impact. During this roundtable, learn from Carol Merna, Executive Director of the Center for the Prevention of Abuse, as she presents on how she uses Thank You notes and letters to build relationships with donors, volunteers, legislators, and community members. No matter if you’re in a role at a non-profit organization or the private sector, remembering to say Thank You can leave a far bigger impression than you might realize.

Topic 3: Spot the (2019) PR Trends—Content Marketing & Earned Media with Sara Skolaski, The Spot Coffee

Sara is the owner/founder of The Spot Coffee, a new-ish and local favorite! The Spot has an incredible marketing strategy—be real, be organic. She celebrates her team (even when they leave her), has a huge heart, and is always looking for a Passion Project. Sara has reached the hearts of our community (especially through social and earned media) by working to highlight her rock star employees and working with her competitors. Content marketing and earned media continue to be important trends for PR in 2019. Join Sara for this roundtable as shares with how she #nailsit.

Please RSVP by Friday, March 15.

Company culture is truly the soul of any organization. Join us as Rhonda Bessert, Vice President of Global Human Resources of Maui Jim speaks about their unique company culture and why it is such an integral part to the success of their growing organization.

Lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Please RSVPs are now closed.