To help you get to know who’s who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month, we introduce Stephen Powell, Executive Director of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Stephen Powell joined the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (PACVB) as its executive director in June 2005. His primary responsibilities include increasing overnight stays in the Peoria area and generating new business when new attractions—such as the expanded Peoria Civic Center to be completed in fall 2007—are built.

Powell is busy promoting the dynamic city of Peoria, which boasts a booming downtown along its scenic riverfront. Last month Peoria’s Museum Square design plans were announced, revealing that the former Sears block downtown area will be home to the Central Illinois Regional Museum and a visitor center for Peoria-based Caterpillar, the world’s largest construction equipment manufacturer. The plans for the Central Illinois Regional Museum call for a state-of-the-art planetarium, a giant-screen theater and an Illinois River learning center, among other attractions. Caterpillar is also constructing a heritage museum along with this project in nearby East Peoria. 

Powell joined the PACVB on the heels of the recent designation of the Illinois River Country National Scenic Byway. A coup for the area, the designation means national exposure and access to a wide variety of destination-marketing vehicles that will elevate current regional marketing efforts and ultimately offer the potential for more visitors, more exposure and increased economic impact.

Under Powell’s direction, the bureau will also be implementing a comprehensive tourism research program to allow them to better target customers, justify expenditures and allocate resources in a more effective manner.

Prior to his arrival in Peoria, Powell served as the CEO and director of the Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau in Missouri for 17 years. During his tenure, the city grew from a day trip destination to a multi-day, full-service destination with a tourism economic impact in excess of $100 million.

Prior to his position with the Greater St. Charles CVB, Powell spent 11 years with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in various roles, including section chief, promotions and programs manager, director of outdoor recreation assistance program and senior planner.

Powell has achieved many successes, including being recognized with a TIA Odyssey Award in October 2005 for the Greater St. Charles Lewis and Clark National Signature Event. He also served as president and vice president of Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, and was an instructor at the University of Missouri’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and at Lewis and Clark Community College.

Born in St. Louis, Mo., Powell attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park administration and a master’s degree in public administration. He has two sons, Christopher, 14, and Ryan, 21, and his interests include his children, canoeing, horseback riding, photography, bicycling and traveling.