SBJ takes home national award for Bass Pro hotel scoop

Springfield Business Journal took home a national award Saturday for its scoop of Bass Pro Shops' plan to build a hotel near its flagship store in Springfield.

The award for Best Online Scoop was presented during the Alliance of Area Business Publications annual conference in Indianapolis. The prize is the journal's seventh honor since 2005 from the organization, which comprises area business newspapers from across North America and Australia.

Web Editor Jeremy Elwood broke the story July 10 after SBJ received word from area residents that Bass Pro's owners had filed a request for rezoning at the 1900 block of South Campbell Avenue, across the street from the store.

A letter sent to members of the adjacent Seminole/Holland Neighborhood Association included information about plans for a five-story, 147-room hotel fronting Campbell along with the possibility for commercial space at Campbell Avenue and Cherokee Street.

The story was later picked up by numerous other news outlets, with KY3 and KSPR citing SBJ's initial reports.

"This Web-based exclusive about a new hotel for tourists and other visitors has community appeal that transcends business interests," AABP judges said in their review of the report. "In that sense, it's fitting that some of the most important details came from a neighborhood association rather than city hall."

In 2009, SBJ received awards for best scoop and best newspaper in the small tabloid category. The awards are judged by faculty from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.[[In-content Ad]]