Competitive Assessment Presented to Task Force
A competitive assessment of Springfield is complete and was presented to a task force on June 2. Hunden Strategic Partners, the company that conducted the study, made several recommendations to improve Springfield's ability to attract conventions.
- Build a full-service hotel adjacent to the Expo Center
- Renovate the Expo Center
- Upgrade University Plaza
- Create a restaurant, retail and entertainment environment on St. Louis Street
- Create a visible, urban, walkable environment from the Expo Center to dow ntown
This is just a snapshot of the report. We encourage you to review the entire report by clicking the image.
The study, paid for by the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hammons Hotels & Resorts and the City of Springfield, was commissioned to compare Springfield with other cities that have convention and expo-type events, 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 and recommend strategies to improve revenues at the Expo Center.
The City, CVB and Hammons 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.
The city will now reexamine the property agreement with Hammons and determine a course of action.
CVB Extends Condolences to Our Neighbors in Joplin
The CVB staff extends heartfelt condolences to the residents of Joplin who were affected by the tornado of May 22. We cannot comprehend what you are going through but we hope it helps to know we are thinking of you and doing what we can to assist in relief efforts.
The CVB encourages Springfield businesses to let us know of fundraisers, collections and other things you are doing to help Joplin as it begins the recovery process. Please send information to news@springfieldmo.org and we will post as many events as we can on our online calendar, on Issues & Info and on our blog at www.ILoveSpringfieldMO.com.
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.
- The Review Shoppe
- The Quilt Sampler
- IBody Directory
- Gallery Art Market
- Cosmic Fish
- Savor Restaurant
- Swing Right
- Steinert’s Nursery Greenhouse & Gardens
- Avon Store
- Merrily We Quilt Along
- Prima’s Cantina & Grill in Ozark
- National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrooke
For information about marketing opportunities with the CVB, contact Melissa Divincen at 881-5300, Ext. 105, or mdivincen@springfieldmo.org.
Board Action
The CVB board of directors in May:
- Heard a report from the Springfield Regional Arts Council.
- Approved a succession plan for the CVB.
- Approved the Action Plans section of the FY11-12 Marketing Plan.
- Approved the annual Sports Commission contract renewal.
- Heard a report on the Competitive Assessment study.
The next meeting of the board is at 8am June 16 at the CVB offices. Board meetings are open to the public.
Groups Booked by the CVB in May
Special Olympics Summer Games, May 2011, 245 room nights
June Meetings
- Springfield Hotel Lodging Association, 11:30am June 15, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
- CVB Board of Directors, 8am June 16 at the CVB Offices
- Sports Commission Board of Directors, 11:30am June 22, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
CVB in Action
- Several CVB staff members attended the Missouri Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus annual conference June 5-7 in Springfield.
- The CVB Sales Department is conducting a convention planners familiarization tour of Springfield June 9-10.
- Staff will participate in a Civil War Expo July 15-17 at the Battlefield Mall.
- Sales Department staff will attend and serve as volunteers at the American Society of Association Executives annual meeting in August in St. Louis.
- The CVB provided convention services for 11 groups totalling more than 8,085 delegates and 3,265 room nights in April.
Springfield Travel Statistics
| April 2011 | YTD 2011 | YTD 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Centers Visits | 3,027 | 7,823 | 11,070 |
| Tourist Inquiries | 9,038 | 15,163 | 31,433 |
| Website Unique Visitors | 28,297 | 112,969 | *See Below |
| Total Contacts | 40,362 | 135,955 | *See Below |
| Airline Passengers | 55,168 | 210,477 | 255,897 |
*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
| March. 2011 | YTD 2011 | YTD 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Supply | 189,860 | 547,071 | 549,177 |
| Room Demand | 106,970 | 246,622 | 244,086 |
| Percent of Occupancy | 56.3% | 45.1% | 44.4% |
| Average Daily Rate | $68.66 | $65.45 | $65.05 |
| Revenue Per Available Room | $38.68 | $29.51 | $28.91 |
| Room Sales | $7,344,098 | $16,142,153 | $15,878,526 |
Welcome Groups with Your Marquee!