PEORIA, Ill. – The state’s premier professional development event for music educators is taking place in downtown Peoria this week.
Illinois Music Educators Association Executive Director Darcy Nendza says over 12,000 people are expected to attend, with plenty of opportunities to learn starting on Wednesday.
“Seminars and demo clinics, and all these things that music educators can go to and help them hone their craft…help them become better teachers,” Nendza says.
The Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC) is annually one of the biggest conferences held at the Peoria Civic Center.
Nendza says IMEC isn’t just for music educators.
“We also have a full complement of the best student musicians in the state of Illinois, from grade four through senior in high school, that will be joining us…right around 1,700 kids,” Nendza says.
With several concerts throughout the conference, parents will also be in Peoria to see their kids perform. That means thousands of people staying in the area’s hotels, eating in the restaurants, and shopping in our retail shops.
The economic boost from the annual conference extends to surrounding communities like East Peoria, Morton and more.
Discover Peoria’s JD Dalfonso talked to WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” about the economic impact from the conference on the community. He said, “It’s a win-win-win for everybody. It’s a win for the community, our local economy. It’s a win for ILMEA. It’s a win for the Civic Center.”
IMEC concludes Saturday with a Senior Honors concert at 3:30 p.m., which is open to the public. Tickets are available through the Peoria Civic Center Box Office.
To learn more about the Illinois Music Education Conference, click HERE.
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