PEORIA MAGAZINE March 2023

S P O T L I G H T

BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO PEORIA’S DOWNTOWN Peoria Civic Center General Manager Rik Edgar has presided over record sales and sold-out shows

BY AMY TALCOTT PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

Rik Edgar, manager of the Peoria Civic Center

was general manager of the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. “My wife grew up in Ohio, and at one point we lived in Wisconsin and really enjoyed the Midwest,” he said. “I came to Peoria and fell in love with the city. It has so much to offer for its size.” NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOB When asked about a day in the life of a civic center general manager, Edgar laughed. “The reason I chose this profession is because when I start my day, I have no idea what’s in store – and I say that in a positive way,” he said. “I worked 9-to 5 jobs, and it was not a lifestyle that appealed to me. This job is 24/7/365, and it’s in my blood.” Edgar says he’s lucky his staff, which includes 40 full-time employees and close to 600 part-timers, has the same mentality: “We ask them to work crazy, weird hours sometimes, but they put their heart and soul into what they do.”

Edgar has worked in markets both big and small but said the best training he received was in smaller venues where he learned a little about everything. “Those skills have helped me be a better leader,” he said, “and to offer guidance while allowing people to do their jobs.” Guidance also comes from networking with other local venues such as the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette Hotel. General Manager Thomas Hobson has had a working relationship with Edgar since he started at the hotel 18 months ago. “Rik is a personable, thoughtful, detailed individual and a great communicator,” said Hobson. “We meet often to discuss trends in the market, upcoming events and how past events fueled the downtown economy. I think he’s been the perfect fit to lead the Peoria Civic Center.” RECORD NUMBERS The Civic Center is coming off a record year, including 239 events and

W ill it play in Peoria? If you ask Peoria Civic Center General Manager Rik Edgar, the answer is, “Absolutely.” Since he came to Peoria in 2018, Edgar has worked to diversify the Civic Center’s entertainment options. And it appears to have paid off with record-breaking sales and sold-out shows. Pretty good for the (relatively) new guy in town. Originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Edgar lived most recently in Huntington, West Virginia, where he

40 MARCH 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE