Springfield tourism sees 2.9% increase in visitors

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Through October 2002, Springfield registered 2.9 percent more visitors than a year ago, according to Tracy Kimberlin, director of the Springfield Convention and Visitor Bureau. |ret||ret||tab|

Kimberlin said business travel has been down a little, a result of Sept. 11. But leisure travel is up and meetings and convention bookings are up slightly. |ret||ret||tab|

Kimberlin estimated tourists spent $520 million in the community in 1999. No dollar amounts have been tabulated by the CVB since then, though Kimberlin believe the totals have increased in proportion to the number of visitors since that time.|ret||ret||tab|

Springfield has 5,590 hotel and motel rooms available within the city limits and another 600 to 700 in the surrounding communities, Kimberlin said.|ret||ret||tab|

According to the most recent figured released by the CVB, leisure travel accounts for 42 percent of hotel and motel room occupancy in Springfield. Business travel accounts for 32 percent of room occupancy and meetings and conventions account for 20 percent of stays.|ret||ret||tab|

"We're hoping business travel picks up in 2003 and leisure travel stays at least where it's at," Kimberlin said.|ret||ret||tab|

Expo Center|ret||ret||tab|

The new Jordan Valley Expo Center is expected to draw many groups and individuals before the end of 2003. Expansion of the original 60,000 square foot structure to more than 100,000 square feet will be completed in September 2003. |ret||ret||tab|

The Expo complex will include a 950 capacity parking garage, Kimberlin said.|ret||ret||tab|

John Q. Hammons will be adding a minimum of 80 rooms to the University Plaza. Hammons also plans to construct a 130-room Holiday Inn Express type of facility near the newly expanded Expo Center. Neither of these projects will be complete in 2003, Kimberlin said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Sporting events|ret||ret||tab|

Kimberlin said sporting events are the fastest growing draw for travelers, with the Jordan Valley Ice Park serving as a popular destination.|ret||ret||tab|

The facility is the home of the Southwest Missouri State University Ice Bears Hockey Team and the Junior A Springfield Spirit. |ret||ret||tab|

"We've been pleased about the reputation for quality the rink has achieved among professional ice skaters outside the area," said Gene Trotter, controller and assistant general manager of the complex.|ret||ret||tab|

The ice park has held a number of hockey tournaments, which has brought people from Tulsa, Okla., Wichita, Kan., Springdale, Ark., St. Louis and Kansas City.|ret||ret||tab|

"If a team comes in with 15 members, you have parents and grandparents coming along with them," Trotter said.|ret||ret||tab|

In late 2002 the ice rink hosted three Christmas tournaments for youth hockey teams and a special Christmas Ice Show on Dec. 14 that brought several spectators from outside the area.|ret||ret||tab|

Springfield also won the bid to hold the Amateur Athletic Union Boys Under 10 Basketball National Championships for July 15-24, 2005. The 2004 tournament also will be in Springfield. It is expected to have about 5,000 attendees.|ret||ret||tab|

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Ozark Empire Fairgrounds|ret||ret||tab|

The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds brings in its fair share of visitors through the many events held at the multiple fairgrounds facilities, according to Marla Calico, general manager.|ret||ret||tab|

"About 250,000 people come through the fairgrounds each year, not including the fair itself," Calico said.|ret||ret||tab|

The E*Plex hosts two RV shows annually, plus antique and craft shows, gun shows, assembly events and trade shows.|ret||ret||tab|

At the fairgrounds arena, horse, dog and cattle shows are regularly scheduled events. At least 100 different events of all types and sizes are held each year, Calico said.|ret||ret||tab|

The fairgrounds complex has major events scheduled far in advance, some are booked all the way into 2006.|ret||ret||tab|

Three major annual events besides the annual fair held at the fairgrounds exceed 40,000 in attendance, Calico said. They are the Ozark Fall Farmfest, the Ozark Antique Auto Club Swap Meet, and the Street Machine Fall Nationals Car Show.|ret||ret||tab|

There are at least six events that bring in 10,000 to 40,000 people and many more that bring at least 5,000 visitors.|ret||ret||tab|

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Bass Pro Shops|ret||ret||tab|

Bass Pro Shops retained its rating as the No. 1 tourist attraction in Missouri for 2002, according to Larry Whiteley, manager of corporate public relations.|ret||ret||tab|

Whiteley estimated 50 percent of the store's visitors are from Missouri.|ret||ret||tab|

Bass Pro Shops also sponsors the annual Spring Fishing Classic and the Fall Hunting Classic that draw people from all over the country. Approximately 125,000 to 150,000 people come through the facility during each of these four-day events.|ret||ret||tab|

A Camping and Boating Classic will be added to the special events lineup for 2003, Whiteley said. It will be held May 24-June 1.|ret||ret||tab|

Bass Pro Shops now has 16 stores nationwide and plans to have 25 stores, including stores in Columbia, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Bossier City, La., by the end of 2003.|ret||ret||tab|

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