Local facilities enhance convention business

A look at the 2006 calendar reveals more than 40 groups booked by the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Add in the groups that book directly through hotels rather than the CVB and the few last-minute bookings that will occur, and 2006 will be a big year for the city.

The groups booked by the CVB represent a wide range of interests and industries, from religion to ornamental concrete. In total, more than 210,000 people will attend these events and meetings, spending an average of approximately $150 per person per day, generating significant revenues for a variety of Springfield businesses.

Income generated by visitors help fund improvements, which further improve residents’ quality of life and the ability of the city to entice more meetings and conventions to Springfield.

CVB Sales Director Dana Maugans said some of the groups have never convened in Springfield before, but meeting planners who wouldn’t consider Springfield in the past are now selecting the city because of improvements in recent years.

One of the factors most often mentioned is the city’s dining options.

“Meeting planners who tour the city always rave about the quality of dining,” Maugans said. “A lot of them are surprised to learn Springfield has so many unique places to eat.”

Springfield also offers plenty of attractions and shopping, along with high-quality hotels priced well below other cities.

Toss in the Expo Center and the 112,000 square feet of space it offers, the recently expanded E*Plex at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and renovations at Oasis Inn Hotel & Convention Center, and Springfield is perfect for many groups.

“Without the Expo Center, some groups simply could not meet in Springfield because other facilities in the city aren’t big enough,” Maugans said.

The Missouri Dump Truckers Association is one such group. The size of equipment displayed during the association’s trade show requires high ceilings and lots of floor space, both available at the Expo Center.

Though the Expo Center makes it possible for new groups to convene in Springfield, other facilities also offer unique amenities that draw groups to the city.

The American International Junior Charolais Association, for instance, needs the facilities available at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds to house and display livestock. For the Amateur Athletic Union national girls’ basketball tournament, air-conditioned gymnasiums are a must. The Amateur Softball Association needs quality ball fields.

For others, having meeting space available at the hotel where delegates are staying is a requirement that can be met by several Springfield hotels.

Some meeting planners, such as the Izaak Walton League, a conservation group, select the city because of its outdoor amenities, such as Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

“Every meeting or event planner is looking for something different,” Maugans said. “More often than ever before, Springfield has what they’re looking for.”

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