fbpx skip to Main Content

REGISTER NOW: BIG TABLE GREATER PEORIA 2025!

Big Table Greater Peoria is where bold ideas meet regional collaboration. This year’s event takes place October 17–18, 2025, at the Four Points Sheraton Peoria, and we’re inviting community members from across the region to join the conversation.

The theme for 2025 is Innovation as a Regional Growth Strategy. Together, we’ll explore how innovation is driving growth across industries, communities, and careers—and how we can ensure that momentum reaches every corner of Greater Peoria.

The Big Table is designed to bring together residents, business leaders, educators, public officials, and community builders for candid, productive conversations about the future of our region. Whether you’re joining for the first time or returning to continue the work, your voice matters.

This year’s table conversations will center on four action-driven topics:

  • Build a Talent Pipeline – Preparing people for the jobs of today and tomorrow
  • Foster and Accelerate Startups – Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses
  • Ensure and Accentuate Livability – Investing in quality of life and place
  • Expand Access to Opportunity – Removing barriers to economic participation

When registering, you’ll be able to select which sessions you’d like to attend. Each includes a panel and small-group conversation:

Friday, October 17

  • 9:30–10:45 AM – Expand Access to Opportunity
  • 11:00 AM–12:15 PM – Build a Talent Pipeline
  • 12:30–1:45 PM – Keynote Lunch with Victor W. Hwang (optional, RSVP required)
  • 2:00–3:15 PM – Foster and Accelerate Startups
  • 3:30–4:45 PM – Ensure and Accentuate Livability

Saturday, October 18

  • 9:45–11:00 AM – Topical workshops aligned with each focus area
  • 11:15–12:30 PM – Collaborative Action Session
  • 12:30–1:00 PM – Closing & Call to Action

Please note: The agenda is subject to change. Any updates will be posted here as they become available.

If you’re here to register for the event, simply fill out the form below to reserve your seat at the table.

We’re also recruiting table facilitators—volunteers who will help guide discussions and ensure all voices are heard. If you’d like to serve in that role, you’ll be asked to select the topic area you’re most passionate about in the form below.

Let’s build something bold, together.

Sign up below to attend the event.

Register to be a Table Facilitator.

WHAT:

The Big Table promotes regional community building through conversations designed to strengthen and connect communities. Through open, thoughtful conversations that focus on how we can strengthen our region, we will spark new relationships and new ways for working together by deepening our understanding of each other and what our region needs.

GOALS:

  • Promote Positivity & Community Input
  • Regional Vision for the Future
  • Regional Data for Everyone

THE BIG TABLE 2022

October 20, 2022 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Thanks for joining us at The Big Table 2022! Please find the recap video and the full keynote address videos below.
The 2022 Final Report is available for download below.

Recap Video

Session Leaders:
Dr. Sheila Quirk Bailey, Illinois Central College
Beth Crider, Regional Office of Education
Laraine Bryson, Tri -County Peoria Urban League

If you missed last year’s event, we got you covered! Check out this recap of The Big Table 2022 event.

Keynote Address

Session Leaders:
Nikki Romain, ART Inc
J.D. Dalfonso, Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
John Morris, Peoria Riverfront Museum

One of the highlights of 2022’s event is the Keynote from Bob Ross of the Greater Topeka Partnership. Bob shared their success with talent attraction and how Greater Peoria can maximize it’s assets to attract talent. Watch the full keynote.

THE BIG TABLE 2020

October 19 – 22, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Thanks for joining us at The (Virtual) Big Table 2020! Please find the session videos below.
The 2020 Final Report is available for download below.

Oct 19: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Session Leaders:
Rita Ali, ICC
Brian Ray, PNC
Joshua Gunn, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Oct 20: Workforce & Education

Session Leaders:
Dr. Sheila Quirk Bailey, Illinois Central College
Beth Crider, Regional Office of Education
Laraine Bryson, Tri -County Peoria Urban League

Oct 21: Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Session Leaders:
Chris Setti, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council
Jake Hamann, Peoria Innovation Alliance/Distillery Labs
Samantha Hutchinson, Bear’s Bites
Eric Sampson, Illinois SBDC

Oct 22: Quality of Life

Session Leaders:
Nikki Romain, ART Inc
J.D. Dalfonso, Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
John Morris, Peoria Riverfront Museum

RESULTS: 2021-2025 COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

These conversations resulted in The Big Table: Greater Peoria Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a regional planning document. The CEDS is a tool for organizing and coordinating economic development goals for the Central Illinois region that includes Logan, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. You can learn more about the strategy, progress being made and download a copy of the strategy below.

Participants from all over our region are invited to attend!
The map below shows all the counties that were represented at the 2020 event.

Many Voices. One Vision.

DOWNLOAD REPORTS:

The Big Table: Gather Around Justice

The Big Table: Gather Around Justice seeks to foster mindful conversation around how we can use our individual power and privilege to make the changes our region needs to correct historic racial, economic, and social inequities.

HR & Organizational Policies

Welcome & Introduced by:
Joshua Gunn – President & CEO, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Moderated by:
Brian Ray – Regional President at PNC Bank

Panelists:
Laraine Bryson – President at Tri-County Urban League
Tom Alexander – Co-Founder & CEO at Holistic & Consultant at Distillery Labs
Eric Sutter – Senior Vice President of HR at EP!C

Criminal Justice Reform

Welcome & Introduced by:
Joshua Gunn – President & CEO, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Moderated by:
Brent Baker – Director of Workforce Solutions, GPEDC

Panelists:
Chris McCall – Family & Criminal Defense Attorney
Johanes Maliza – Central District Assistant Federal Public Defender
Nia Mcfarland-Drye -Mitigation Specialist for Central District Federal Public Defender Office/NAACP
Carl Holloway – Executive Director of MAY-I Outreach

Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Mariah Cooley – Young Revolution
Sheriff Brian Asbell – Peoria County
Dr. Rita Ali – ICC, Peoria City Council

Moderated by Andre Allen – Higher Education Administration

On June 23, our panelists and community gathered virtually for mindful conversations around how we can use our individual power and privilege to make the changes our region needs to correct historic racial, economic, and social inequities.  Watch the recording of this discussion to the right.

THE BIG TABLE REPORT:

The inaugural Big Table Greater Peoria  event took place on October 15, 2019 and attracted over 700 attendees. The survey data and qualitative input collected at the event has been analyzed and compiled into a report.

2019 SESSION RECAPS:

Workforce Development & Education

Quality of Life & Place

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Diversity & Inclusion

RESOURCES:

Conversation Guide
Conversation Guide
Social Media Tips
Social Media Tips
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
Regional Data
Regional Data

The Big Table Greater Peoria is supported by:

Black Business Alliance
Back To Top