Springfield, Missouri - In celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week May 2-10, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau has a variety of activities planned.

The bureau will host its Travel Connections Mixer from 5-7 p.m. May 5 at The Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St., in conjunction with Travel Rally Day during which people are encouraged to wear red to show their support of the industry.

Refreshments, beverages and live entertainment will be provided at the mixer, which is an opportunity to network with people involved in the local travel and tourism industry, such as restaurant owners, hoteliers, retailers, attractions representatives and CVB staff.

People planning to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 417-881-5300, ext. 100, or send email to CVB@SpringfieldMO.org. The event is free.

Other activities include providing complimentary popcorn, soft drinks, coloring books, Route 66 stickers and wooden nickels to visitors at the Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center, 815 E. St. Louis St.; delivering  candy, balloons and information about the local travel industry to its constituents and media; sending tourism-related news releases to media; and posting information about the travel industry on its newsletter at www.IssuesandInfo.com.

National Travel & Tourism Week is an annual tradition established by a congressional resolution in 1983 and first celebrated the following year.

The theme for 2015 is designed to reflect the wide-ranging ways the U.S. travel industry contributes to the fabric of America. It also allows destinations to tailor the message to fit their market. The theme: “Travel is (fill in the blank)” will be seen all over Twitter and can be seen by following @USTravel and using the hashtag #NTTW2015.

The CVB will carry the theme throughout the Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center with red signs and by asking visitors to write a note about what travel is to them and posting them on the interior windows. The bureau also will encourage visitors and local business owners to post pictures on their social media pages with a message about what travel is to them and using the hashtag #TravelSGF.

The CVB is a non-profit marketing organization dedicated to boosting the local economy through programs that grow travel and tourism in Springfield and the surrounding area.

For more information, call the CVB at 417-881-5300 or visit www.SpringfieldMo.org.