CVB Presents Travel & Tourism Awards
The Convention & Visitors Bureau presented its Salute to Travel & Tourism Awards Feb. 17 at University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.
In keeping with the Civil War theme of the banquet, CVB staff, board president Matt Gifford and Missouri Division of Tourism director Katie Steele Danner wore period costumes. The costumes drew lots of comments from the guests and were definitely a crowd pleaser!
See photos from the banquet here.
2011 Ad Campaign Promoting Springfield Underway
The CVB’s 2011 advertising campaign is underway and will go into full swing in March. The campaign includes television, radio, newspaper, magazine and online advertising.
The more than $1 million campaign is funded in part by a matching program from the Missouri Division of Tourism. The state monies are matched through a cooperative effort including the CVB, Bass Pro Shops, Wonders of Wildlife, Fantastic Caverns, Springfield Cardinals and the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation.
New Website Launches
The CVB has launched a new website! The site developed by Kansas City-based MMG Worldwide has a completely new look and will include interactive and social media features, lots of photos, videos and more. Check it out at www.SpringfieldMo.org.
For advertisers, now is the time to lock in at current primary and secondary banner prices. There is still time to purchase web links, banners, web listings, online coupons, and spots on the “Must See” section. For more information, contact Partner Development Manager Melissa Divincen at Mdivincen@springfieldmo.org or 881-5300 ext. 105.
New Brochure Distribution Racks Available for Springfield Attractions
Springfield attractions can deliver two to three boxes of brochures to Kirk Hansen at Fantastic Caverns for distribution in new brochure racks that will be placed in 24 locations, primarily hotels. Participation in this free service will help your information stand out when visitors search the racks because they racks will contain only Springfield information.
Brochures and rack cards should not be taller than nine inches and trimmed to 3 13/16 inches or 3 ⅞ inches.
Contact Hansen at 833-2010 for more information.
Volunteer Recognition Reception Planning Underway
The CVB is planning a reception to honor its volunteers this spring.
Nearly 100 people serve as volunteers for the bureau. Volunteers perform a variety of tasks for the bureau including staffing information booths at conventions and events, preparing information packets for mailing and staffing the bureau’s tourist information centers. They are an invaluable part of the CVB team and each volunteer is appreciated.
The bureau is accepting donations of gifts for the volunteers. If you would like to contribute items, gift certificates, admission passes to attractions, etc., contact Sharon Wittig at 799-0940 or swittig@springfieldmo.org.
Date Change for Capitol Days for Tourism
Take note! The date for Capitol Days for Tourism in Jefferson City has changed to March 9-10. This annual event includes visits to legislators to discuss tourism-related issues and the popular pancake breakfast in the Capitol rotunda.
CVB staff members participate in this event. For information on how you can participate, call the Missouri Travel Council at 573-636-2814.
CVB Board Action in February
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors in February heard reports on revenue projections for fiscal year 2011-12. The 2010-11 budget is $2,912,000; the projection for 2011-12 is a decrease to $2,869,000. The anticipated decrease is due to changes in the Missouri Division of Tourism’s Cooperative Marketing Program that will result in a reduction in funds distributed to Springfield. The change also is due to funds received in 2010-11 from the City of Springfield and John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts to pay for a portion of the competitive assessment study that is underway. Those funds were a pass through and will not be included in the bureau’s budget in 2011-12.
The board also heard a report on the competitive assessment study expected to be completed in March and scheduled its annual retreat for April 21.
CVB in Action:
Capitol Days for Tourism: Four CVB staff members will participate in the annual Capitol Days for Tourism event in Jefferson City. Capitol Days includes one-on-one visits with legislators and the popular pancake breakfast in the capitol rotunda.
Jefferson City Sales Blitz: CVB staff and hotel representatives will call on 200 convention planners in Jefferson City April 14-15. The sales blitz will promote the CVB’s new website and its section for meeting planners. For more information, contact CVB sales director Dana Maugans at 881-5300, Ext. 111, or dmaugans@springfieldmo.org.
Convention Services: The bureau provides a variety of services for conventions including setting up information tables at events, organizing information packets for delegates, writing and distributing news releases, etc. For information, contact convention services coordinator Carrie Chavez-Edinborough at cchavez@springfieldmo.org or 881-5300, Ext. 108.
Upcoming Conventions and Events
| Date | Event | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Mar. 3-6 | Missouri Art Education Association | 600 |
| Mar. 4-6 | Sports Car Club of America | 150 |
| Mar. 11-12 | Lions Club District 26 Convention | 150 |
| Mar. 11-13 | Greater Springfield Sports Commission Champions Challenge | 4,000 |
| Mar. 14-19 | National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships | 10,000 |
| Apr 7-9 | Missouri Archaeological Society Spring Meeting | 3,500 |
| Apr. 8-9 | TOPS Club, Inc., Convention | 1,200 |
| Apr. 14-17 | Rocky Mountain School of Photography | 200 |
| Apr. 15-16 | Missouri Baptist Convention Womens Missionary Meeting | 400 |
| Apr. 27-30 | Missouri District United Pentecostal Church Ladies Conference | 1,600 |
| Apr. 27-May 1 | Sertoma International Heart of America Regional Convention | 300 |
| May 5-7 | Southwest Home Education Ministry Homeschool Convention | 1,700 |
| May 17-19 | U.S. Forest Service Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference | 300 |
| May 18-22 | National Christian Homeschool Championships Spring Nationals | 1,000 |
| May 27-30 | NSRA Mid America Street Rod Nationals | 4,500 |
| May 31-June 5 | MSHSAA Baseball Championship | 375 |
Groups Booked Recently by the CVB
| Date | Event | Room Nights |
|---|---|---|
| February 2011 | Show Me Curriculum Administrators | 15 |
| February 2011 | Homeschool Debate - National Open | 180 |
| September 2011 | National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials | 165 |
| April 2011 | Missouri Air Conservation Commission | 15 |
| May 2011 | National Christian Homeschool Spring Nationals | 1,020 |
| June 2011 | Missouri Assoc. of Community Action | 267 |
| July 2011 | Missouri Center for Career Education | 633 |
| July 2011 | Game Day USA Baseball and Softball | 500 |
| August 2011 | Lake Country Founders Cup | 70 |
| September 2011 | Missouri Assoc. for Family and Community Education | 97 |
| October 2011 | National Christian Homeschool Fall Nationals | 1,127 |
| June 2012 | American Gold Wing Assoc. | 327 |
| September 2014 | National Fireworks Assoc. | 1,052 |
March Meetings
- March 8, 11:30 a.m., Attractions Council at the CVB Offices.
- March 16, 11:45 a.m., Springfield Hotel & Lodging Association at University Plaza Hotel
- March 17, 8 a.m., CVB Board of Directors at the CVB offices.
- March 23, noon, Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
A big THANK YOU to volunteers who worked 474 hours for the CVB in January.
Springfield Travel Statistics
| Jan. 2011 | YTD 2011 | YTD 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Centers Visits | 1,416 | 1,416 | 1,986 |
| Tourist Inquiries | 398 | 398 | 1,224 |
| Website Unique Visitors | 26,602 | 59,697 | *See Below |
| Total Contacts | 28,416 | 28,416 | *See Below |
| Airline Passengers | 50,713 | 50,713 | 53,408 |
*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
| Dec. 2010 | YTD 2010 | YTD 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Supply | 187,581 | 2,217,862 | 2,226,981 |
| Room Demand | 68,301 | 1,101,879 | 1,092,645 |
| Percent of Occupancy | 36.4% | 49.7% | 49.1% |
| Average Daily Rate | $63.67 | $65.87 | $66.39 |
| Revenue Per Available Room | $23.18 | $32.73 | $32.57 |
| Room Sales | $4,349,005 | $72,580,301 | $72,535,730 |
