Dear 2009 Conference Attendees:

We have heard concerns about whether hotel space will be available in Peoria and I wanted to share the latest info, so you will be up-to-date.

While it is true that rooms in the Pere Marquette have sold out and the Holiday Inn has sold out of double rooms, this does not mean that accommodations are not available. There are limited single rooms still available at the Holiday Inn, although you should not delay if you plan to book a room there. Several other hotels in the vicinity offer reasonable rates if you prefer a double room. Below is a list of hotels that are close to the Peoria Civic Center where SDP Conference will be held.

Why did rooms sell out so quickly this year? The Society is required to fill a block of rooms for Conference each year. If this "room block" isn’t filled, SDP must pay a penalty. In order to reduce the chances of this happening, the SDP room block for Peoria Conference was reduced. Making the room block smaller was the only way for us to guarantee that all rooms in the room block would be filled, especially during these challenging economic times.

There are still rooms available in Peoria near the Civic Center. Please don’t delay in making your reservations. Contact the Holiday Inn for single rooms or see the list below for doubles. Thank you so much for your understanding!

Happy Painting,
Elizabeth Stevenson
SDP Conference Director

• Staybridge Suites
  300 Romeo B. Garrett Avenue
  Peoria, IL 61615
  309-673-7829
  1 800 225 1237
  Across the Street from the Peoria Civic Center

• Mark Twain Hotel
  225 NE Adams Street
  Peoria, IL 61602
  309-676-3600
  Reservations:1 866-325-635
  1 Mile from the Peoria Civic Center
  *Complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport and a 5 mile radius from the hotel.

• Embassy Suites
  100 Conference Center Drive
  East Peoria, IL 61611
  309-694-0200
  (800) 362-2779
  1.24 Miles from the Peoria Civic Center
  *Complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport and a 5 mile radius from the hotel.

• Radisson Hotel
  117 N. Western Avenue
  Peoria, IL 61604
  309-673-8040
  Reservations: (888) 201-1718 US Toll Free
  2 Miles from the Peoria Civic Center