The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau ended an era on Oct. 31 when it closed its Tourist Information Center at 3315 E. Battlefield road.
The center on West Battlefield Road welcomed more than 1,271,840 visitors since it opened in April 1990. The record month was July 1992 when 12,872 visitors came through the doors. The record year was 1997 with 81,789 visitors, closely followed by 81,729 visitors in 1992.
Due to declining visitor counts and increased operating costs, the CVB board of directors decided it was time to close the center. This year, the center served about 12,000 visitors.
The decline in information center usage can be attributed to more people using the bureau’s website, mobile devices and other technology for travel information.
On its final day, the bureau hosted a reception at the center for the volunteers who have helped operate it over the years.
Volunteers will continue to be utilized by the bureau at the Route 66 Visitor Information Center at 815 E. St. Louis St. and the welcome center at Springfield-Branson National Airport. Besides welcoming guests to the city, volunteers serve the bureau in a variety of ways, including staffing information tables and conventions and events, preparing visitor information packets for mailings, etc.
For more information about the Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 417-881-5300 or 800-678-8767. The CVB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting the local economy by promoting travel and tourism to Springfield.