Jim Wetherington, General Manager of the SMG managed Peoria Civic Center, was honored at the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting on May 9, 2013 with the Steve Kouri MVP Award. Wetherington has been with the Peoria Civic Center for 23 years, and has been the General Manager for 2 of those years.
The award Wetherington received is named after Steve Kouri who was instrumental in acquiring the IHSA State Boys Basketball Tournaments in 1996. The PACVB recognized an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the betterment of the economy and quality of life in the Peoria area through conventions or sporting events.
“He [Wetherington] would come in to our office almost every day to check on the sales team and staff to see if we needed anything and to help us stay focused with the business of generating leads and gaining new business. He not only helped in the replacement of our leadership but went above and beyond in so many areas. He also assisted with the resurrection of a PACVB-Peoria Civic Center booking agreement,” said Lelonie Luft, Marketing Manager for the PACVB, who presented the award to Wetherington.
“Receiving this award is truly an honor for me. I look forward to continuing this relationship with the PACVB,” said Wetherington.
