This energetic community-building movement originated with the Columbus Foundation based in Columbus, OH in 2016 as The Big Table.

Borrowing this idea, the partnership with the Columbus Foundation for brand usage, while working with the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (now known as Discover Peoria,) Morton Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Council, East Peoria Chamber of Commerce and a ton of other Community Partners & Collaborators, this group of visionaries was able to come together and collectively create the first in-person event in 2019 in Central IL and subsequent virtual events throughout 2020 as we navigated a global pandemic. This massive event returns to an in-person event format again in 2022 bigger & better than ever.

The first event in 2019 had 800+ attendees, volunteers and community members gather around 4 central topics: 1.) Education & Workforce Development, 2.) Diversity Equity & Inclusion, 3.) Quality of Life & Place and 4.) Innovation & Entrepreneurship with a keynote or panel discussion for each topic before table facilitators led conversations revolving around areas of improvement and meaningful conversations to make the Greater Peoria Region better.

With the event’s return to an in-person format, the number of attendees is expected to be significantly higher along with numerous success stories stemming from the original event in 2019 taking center-stage in October 2022.

Surveys, notes taken during each table’s conversations and post-event sticky notes were all gathered and compiled into a report (& roadmap) for a better future for the Central IL region including Peoria, East Peoria, Peoria Heights, West Peoria, Metamora, Washington, Morton, Chillicothe and other surrounding towns/cities

Below the Big Table: Greater Peoria Logo, Social Media Graphics, Flyers, Large Print Signage, Event Photos, Virtual Event Screenshots, Digital Billboards, Press Releases, Media Links and more can be seen as The Big Table: Greater Peoria has evolved from it’s ideation & execution in 2019 through today as we gear up for another spectacular event!