Competitive Assessment Complete
A convention competitive assessment that began last fall is complete and a final report was presented to the Springfield City Council Aug. 2.
The purpose of the study was to accomplish multiple goals including:
- A comparison of Springfield with other cities that have convention – and expo-type events. It will identify facilities and other amenities Springfield needs in order to remain competitive in attracting such events.
- Determine the best use for the lot adjacent to the Expo Center.
- Recommend strategies to improve revenues at the Expo Center.
The City, CVB and Hammons Hotels & Resorts agreed to conduct the study after a second delay in construction of a hotel adjacent to the Expo Center. Part of the agreement includes that the city will delay repurchasing from Hammons the lot next to the Expo Center. Hammons purchased the land from the city in 2008 with an agreement to begin building a hotel within 60 days of closing. That deadline was extended to April 1, 2010. When construction had not begun by the second deadline, the City began proceedings to repurchase the land for $1 as stipulated in the agreement.
With the final report, the city is expected to reexamine the property agreement with Hammons and determine a course of action.
The entire report is available to download here: http://www.springfieldmo.org/documents/assesment.pdf
Seminar Draws a Crowd
About 40 people from local businesses attended a Crisis Communications seminar presented in July by Melinda Arnold, director of public relations and marketing for Friends of the Zoo at Dickerson Park Zoo.
A huge thank you to Melinda for an engaging and informative seminar and to University Plaza Hotel for providing space for the event.
The CVB is planning on providing seminars for our constituents quarterly, so stay tuned!
Ad Sales Underway for 2012
The CVB is beginning work on the 2012 Visitors Guide and Passport to Family Fun.
Give us a call at 881-5300 or e-mail lwhisler@springfieldmo.org for information on how your business can be showcased to visitors through CVB publications, on our website and through other marketing efforts.
Commission Launches New Website
Take a few minutes to check out the new Springfield Sports Commission website at www.SpringfieldMoSports.org. Learn more about the site via the commission’s new newsletter at http://news.springfieldmosports.org/post/8086460556/sports-commission-launches-new-website.
Board Elects Officers for 2012
The CVB board of directors elected a slate of officers who will begin their terms Jan. 1, 2012. They are:
- Chair: Matt Gifford, general manager of the Springfield Cardinals
- Vice Chair: Randy Blackwood, executive director of athletic and entertainment facilities at Missouri State University
- Treasurer: Kevin Mackey, operations director at Springfield Brewing Company
- Assistant Treasurer: Erik Fjeseth, general manager at Battlefield Mall
Welcome to New Marketing Partners and Advertisers
The CVB staff extends a warm welcome to the following businesses that have begun reaching out to visitors and locals via the bureau’s website, mobile app and other information sources people use to learn about things to see and do in the Springfield area.
- Leadership Ranch near Republic
For information about marketing opportunities with the CVB, call 881-5300.
Board Action
The CVB board of directors in July:
- Heard a quarterly report from the Springfield Regional Arts Council
- Elected officers for 2012
- Adopted a policy regarding more than one board member from the same company serving on the board
The next meeting of the board is at 8 a.m. August 18 at the CVB offices. Board meetings are open to the public.
Groups Booked by the CVB in July:
Scrollsaw Association of the World Expo, July 2012, 100 room nights
American Collegiate Hockey Association, March 2013, 2,100 room nights
Missouri Church of God, November 2012, 400 room nights
Springfield Travel Statistics
| June 2011 | YTD 2011 | YTD 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Centers Visits | 3,302 | 15,007 | 20,114 |
| Tourist Inquiries | 10,268 | 40,762 | 62,600 |
| Website Unique Visitors | 44,843 | 207,876 | *See Below |
| Total Contacts | 58,913 | 252,291 | *See Below |
| Airline Passengers | 72,454 | 345,076 | 374,644 |
*The CVB is using a new analytics program to track website traffic. Because of differences in how the new program works compared to the old program, statistical comparisons with previous years are not possible.
Springfield Hotel Statistics
| May 2011 | YTD 2011 | YTD 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Supply | 191,456 | 923,777 | 921,522 |
| Room Demand | 113,232 | 449,250 | 436,378 |
| Percent of Occupancy | 59.1% | 48.5% | 47.4% |
| Average Daily Rate | $70.66 | $67.08 | $65.53 |
| Revenue Per Available Room | $41.79 | $32.62 | $31.03 |
| Room Sales | $8,001,053 | $30,137,685 | $28,597,882 |
Welcome Groups with Your Marquee!