January 29, 2026 - The Peoria Area World Affairs Council was named as the inaugural winner of the Non For Profit of the Year award by the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce at their 46th Annual Awards banquet!
PAWAC was recognized by the Chamber for their ongoing devotion towards partnering with the Chamber & local businesses through programs like the USMCA roundtable event with Madeleine Féquière & Reyna Torres Mendivil, the International Business breakfast with Enercon Asia's Azhar Othman, as well events shared with the greater East Peoria community. PAWAC has frequently hosted events at East Peoria's Par-A-Dice Hotel including the aforementioned international business breakfast as well as our keynote program with General David Petraeus (Ret.).
East Peoria Community High School were also the 2023 champions of the 22nd International Scholastic Bowl. PAWAC were sponsors of the team for their trip out to Washington, D.C. for national competition at the WACA Academic WorldQuest.
PAWAC was excited to complement keynote speaker, James Shadid, President of Bradley University. President Shadid was quick to point out the value of community partnerships like those with the Peoria Area World Affairs Council in creating connections with the greater world to Central Illinois, as well as being advocates of celebrating diversity in our neighborhood.
Also honored at the 46th Annual East Peoria Chamber awards was PAWAC Board President, Larry Tangel, whose company - Enercon, a proud sponsor of PAWAC, was named Eco-Company of the Year.
Special thanks to East Peoria Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Rick Swan, for all of his help over the years with supporting PAWAC. As well as, outgoing Chamber President, Dennis Triggs and his wife, Judy Triggs, for their continued support of PAWAC. The Triggs have been long-time members of PAWAC, as well as former Board members and Presidents of the PAWAC Board of Directors.
The Peoria Area World Affairs Council thanks the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce for their recognition and looks forward to continued collaboration on future events! Congratulations as well to the PAWAC Board of Directors, to whom this award recognizes the value of all of their hard work in bringing the world to Central Illinois!
