Discover Peoria tells county board 2025 digital campaigns drove major traffic and outreach gains
March 25, 2026 | Peoria County, Illinois
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At a Peoria County board meeting, Discover Peoria representative JD presented 2025 performance figures and a preview of 2026 marketing activity for Peoria County, saying the bureau has broadened digital promotion and partner outreach across the region.
JD said the bureau placed 695 Peoria-area business listings on discoverpeoria.com that delivered about 131,000 views and that its digital campaign produced roughly 6.8 million Google impressions last year. "Because of the support we're able to put nearly 700 business listings, 695 to be exact, on our website which have garnered 131,000 views," JD told the board.
JD said social channels also grew: the bureau's social following is near 36,000 and total social impressions for 2025 topped 12 million, a year-over-year increase the presenter described as substantial. He also noted distribution of 23,000 printed Discover guides and said the Doorway to Discovery advertising funded by the City of Peoria's marketing fund helped drive an 84% increase in users for county-focused content.
On lodging, JD said Peoria County's year-end hotel occupancy was 55% in 2025, with an average daily rate of $106.71 and RevPAR of $53.65, and he described ongoing work to increase event retention at venues such as the Louisville Slugger complex and the Peoria Civic Center. "We are working with Louisville Slugger now and potential developers to do more of that opportunity to drive more sales around the complex," he said.
Board members asked about promotion of local attractions and itinerary linkage. Member Rosenbohm pointed out Wildlife Prairie Park and asked whether it is included in promotional materials; JD confirmed the park is a formal partner and receives advertising and shuttle support through the bureau's sales and marketing channels. Member Elsasser asked if the bureau links multiple activities into digital itineraries; JD said the website and blogs are being used to produce itinerary-focused guides and noted a Pinterest pilot to target a demographic that plans household trips.
The presentation concluded with an offer to share media assets with the county for festival and venue promotion and a request for any follow-up questions from board members.
JD said the bureau placed 695 Peoria-area business listings on discoverpeoria.com that delivered about 131,000 views and that its digital campaign produced roughly 6.8 million Google impressions last year. "Because of the support we're able to put nearly 700 business listings, 695 to be exact, on our website which have garnered 131,000 views," JD told the board.
JD said social channels also grew: the bureau's social following is near 36,000 and total social impressions for 2025 topped 12 million, a year-over-year increase the presenter described as substantial. He also noted distribution of 23,000 printed Discover guides and said the Doorway to Discovery advertising funded by the City of Peoria's marketing fund helped drive an 84% increase in users for county-focused content.
On lodging, JD said Peoria County's year-end hotel occupancy was 55% in 2025, with an average daily rate of $106.71 and RevPAR of $53.65, and he described ongoing work to increase event retention at venues such as the Louisville Slugger complex and the Peoria Civic Center. "We are working with Louisville Slugger now and potential developers to do more of that opportunity to drive more sales around the complex," he said.
Board members asked about promotion of local attractions and itinerary linkage. Member Rosenbohm pointed out Wildlife Prairie Park and asked whether it is included in promotional materials; JD confirmed the park is a formal partner and receives advertising and shuttle support through the bureau's sales and marketing channels. Member Elsasser asked if the bureau links multiple activities into digital itineraries; JD said the website and blogs are being used to produce itinerary-focused guides and noted a Pinterest pilot to target a demographic that plans household trips.
The presentation concluded with an offer to share media assets with the county for festival and venue promotion and a request for any follow-up questions from board members.
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