The Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is undergoing an unscheduled change in leadership. Peoria Public Radio’s Tanya Koonce reports:

Multiple sources confirm Bob Marks is no longer the director of the organization.  Marks resigned late last week. The move comes after he said publicly that the delay in the Pere Marquette Marriott project was harming potential conference and tourism.

Marks served as director of Peoria’s convention and visitors bureau about two years.  He was hired after the departure of former TV newsman Brent Lonteen.

It’s unclear what direction the CVB might go at this point.  However Mark’s departure comes in the middle of some of the largest conferences the city sees each year, last week the Illinois Music Educators Association and March Madness to come.  It also coincides with Peoria City Staff’s review of the CVB’s value to the city.  That report to the city council is anticipated next month.