CVB celebrates local tourism efforts

The nonprofit marketing agency that promotes the city to travelers is honoring individuals and businesses that make significant contributions to the travel industry during the fifth annual Salute to Travel & Tourism Banquet & Benefit April 28.

With a theme of Baseball to Broadway, the event promises an exciting evening with entertainment provided by Broadway star and Springfield native Kim Crosby. Crosby, who performed at the banquet in 2003, is back by popular demand. Mark Lamping, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, is the guest speaker.

While the event is fun – and a fund-raiser for the Springfield Regional Arts Council, which presents its Ozzie Award that evening – the purpose is to recognize those who help the Springfield area’s tourism industry grow and remain strong.

Awards are presented in five categories. The top award – the Pinnacle Award – has been presented in the past to hotelier John Q. Hammons, Bass Pro founder John L. Morris, Silver Dollar City founders the Herschend family, Springfield City Manager Tom Finnie, and the late Pat Jones, founder of Exotic Animal Paradise.

Many have re-ceived other awards in past years and many others are deserving.

For the CVB, honoring those individuals and businesses is a must.

Tourism is one of Springfield’s top five industries, contributing significantly to the local economy by bringing in thousands who spend money at hotels, restaurants, attractions, events and retail stores. More than 2.2 million people annually spend the night in Springfield and millions more make day trips to the city to enjoy events, dining, shopping and attractions.

Without those visitors and the dollars they bring to the city, Springfield would not have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, nor would it be labeled the state’s economic engine.

While that means jobs for Springfield area residents and income for businesses, Springfield residents benefit in ways many may not realize. Tourists contribute to the tax base and support businesses that might not otherwise survive in Springfield, meaning residents have amenities, including locally owned restaurants, attractions and events they wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy.

Upcoming events include Springfield Cardinals baseball games at Hammons Field, Artsfest on Walnut Street May 7–8, the Mid-America Street Rod Nationals May 25–30, Firefall June 25, Ozark Empire Fair July 29–Aug. 7, the Bass Pro Fall Hunting Classic Aug. 18–21, the Japanese Fall Festival Sept. 9–11, the eighth annual Greater Ozarks Blues Festival Sept. 9–10 and many others.

Watch for visitors coming to Springfield for conventions, meetings and events. They include the Amateur Athletic Association Girls 11 and Under national championship basketball tournament in which more than 5,000 will participate June 24–July 3; the Wally Byam Club International Rally with 4,600 visitors June 25–July 7; and the Missouri Association for Career & Technical Education with more than 3,000 delegates July 24–28.

Those are just a few of dozens of events and conventions in Springfield this year. For a more complete list, visit www.spring

fieldmo.org.

For more information about Spring-field’s tourism industry and how the CVB works to attract travelers to the city, or to purchase tickets to the banquet and benefit, call the bureau at (417) 881-5300. Cost is $425 for a table of 10 or $45 each for open seating.

Susan Wade is the public relations manager with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.