Published on September 16, 2026 2:02 pm
Last Updated on September 16, 2026 3:17 pm
We shared earlier that the Effingham City Council indicated Tuesday night interest in the acquisition by the City of the Thelma Keller Convention Center.
That information has now been followed by an announcement by the company planning to acquire the convention center.
Here’s what the company released today:
Admiral Parkway in partnership with Southside Hospitality are proud to announce the acquisition of the Holiday Inn, located at 1301 Avenue of Mid-America in Effingham, Illinois, along with the adjoining Thelma Keller Convention Center.
Throughout this exciting transition, the hotel and convention center will remain fully operational. All existing and future bookings will be honored and managed with an elevated level of professionalism, attention to detail, and exceptional service.
First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the City of Effingham for its invaluable assistance throughout this process. We are grateful for the warm welcome and look forward to becoming an active and trusted partner in the community.
Our team brings more than 45 years of hospitality experience across multiple hotel, restaurant, and event operations. Beginning immediately, the hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation designed to elevate the property to our standards of excellence and create an exceptional experience for every guest.
We will also assume responsibility for all operations of the Thelma Keller Convention Center, ensuring that every event receives the care, attention, and high level of service it deserves.
We plan to continue operating the current convention space for the next few years while developing a new, larger, state-of-the-art convention center just minutes from the existing facility. Planning is already well underway, and we look forward to sharing additional details as we work with the City of Effingham to shape a shared vision for this exciting new space.
We are honored to invest in Effingham’s future and excited about the opportunities ahead.
The announcement was made by Southside Hospitality President and CEO Jim Schuette.
