Sign Up Now for Social Media Seminar

Sean Dixon

Registration is underway for a free Social Media 101 seminar presented by Sean Dixon, interactive media manager for the CVB. The seminar is designed for beginners who want to set up a Twitter account or Facebook page.

Two sessions are scheduled. Session I is from 9-10:30am and Session II is 10:30am-noon on Oct. 13. The location is at the MSU Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Department computer lab in room 440 of the Professional Building at Kimbrough Avenue and Cherry Street.

Space is limited for this hands-on seminar so register early!

To sign up, send an e-mail to swade@springfieldmo.org. Be sure to indicate if you are attending Session I or Session II.

Mark Your Calendar for Travel Connections

The next Travel Connections mixer is set for 5-7pm Oct. 20 at the CVB offices, 815 E. St. Louis St. The mixer is an opportunity to relax and network with travel-related business owners and others with an interest in the local tourism industry.

Please RSVP to lwiesehan@springfieldmo.org or call 881-5300, Ext. 100.

Journalist Visiting Springfield this Month

Jerre Repass, host of "Come Away with Me" on KASU-FM, the NPR affiliate at Arkansas State University, will visit Springfield Sept. 13-15. Her show airs during “All Things Considered” and on the weekend as part of "Weekend Edition".

For live streaming of "Come Away with Me," go to KASU.org and click on "Listen Now" at 4:43 p.m. on Thursdays.

Repass visited Springfield last fall and produced five stories about things to see and do in the area.

KASU

CVB Restructures, Hires New Staff

After recent staff departures left positions open and to improve efficiency and communication, the CVB recently restructured to eliminate its administrative department and move those staff members into the marketing and group sales departments along with two administrative staff members now reporting to CVB president Tracy Kimberlin.

The CVB also welcomed three new staff members.

Jane Rips and Dustin Burke have joined the bureau as partner development managers. Rips works primarily with attractions and retailers and Burke with hotels and restaurants.

Also new is Katie McBride, administrative assistant in the sales department.

The CVB in Action

  • CVB president Tracy Kimberlin will participate in the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Visit in September in Tupelo, MS.
  • CVB sales director Dana Maugans and staff from the Ramada Oasis, University Plaza and DoubleTree hotels represented Springfield at the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting and Exposition in August in St. Louis.
  • CVB sales manager Diane Gillespie participated in the Missouri Society of Association Executives Funfest in August in Jefferson City. She also attended the Missouri State Harley Owners Group Rally at Lake of the Ozarks in August.
  • Sales manager Melissa Evans represented Springfield at the Connect Marketplace in August in Chicago.
  • Lance Kettering, CVB sports sales manager and Sports Commission executive director, will represent Springfield at the SPORTS Trade Show in September in Orange Beach, AL.
  • The CVB provided convention services for eight groups in July, totalling more than 3,540 delegates.
  • CVB staff and volunteers provided information tables during the Civil War Expo in July at Battlefield Mall and the 150th Civil War Battle Reenactment and the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in August.
  • Members of the CVB staff will attend the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism in October in Jefferson City.
  • Tracy Kimberlin, CVB president, and Laura Whisler, marketing director, attended the Destination Marketing Association International conference in July in New Orleans.

Join us in Welcoming 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.

  • Grove Spa
  • Herrman Lumber

For information about marketing opportunities with the CVB, call 881-5300.

Board Action in August

The CVB Board of Directors in August:

  • Approved an expenditure of $5,000 to fund one-third of a convention economic impact study along with the City of Springfield and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Approved the 2011-12 Marketing Plan.
  • Heard a report from the City of Springfield.
  • Discussed reevaluating the Tourist Information Center project at U.S. 65 and Chestnut Expressway.
  • The next meeting of the board is at 8am Sept. 15 at the CVB offices. Board meetings are open to the public.

For information about marketing opportunities with the CVB, call 881-5300.

August Meetings

  • Attractions Council, 11:30am Sept. 14 at the CVB Offices
  • CVB Board of Directors, 8am Sept. 15 at the CVB Offices
  • Springfield Hotel Lodging Association, 11:30am Sept. 21, DoubleTree
  • Sports Commission Board of Directors, 11:30am Sept. 28, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

The next meeting of the board is at 8am August 18 at the CVB offices. Board meetings are open to the public.

Groups Booked by the CVB in August:

Fresh Grounded Faith Conference, November 2011, 50 room nights

Stonecroft Ministries, October 2011, 130 room nights

MSU Family Weekend, October 2011, 800 room nights

Welcome Groups with Your Marquee!

  • U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. National Convention, Sept. 5-11, 800 attendees
  • Midwest Gang Investigators Association - Missouri Chapter, Annual Street Gang Training Conference 2011, Sept. 6-8, 200 attendees
  • USS Lapon Shipmates Association Annual Reunion, Sept. 8-11, 150 attendees
  • Missouri National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, 2011 Missouri National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials State Convention, Sept. 14-16, 200 attendees
  • St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad Historical and Modeling Association, Sept. 15-17, 200 attendees
  • Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Veterans Association - Springfield Region, 27th Annual Convention 2011, Sept. 16-18, 100 attendees
  • Missouri Department of Economic Development Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, Sept. 21-23, 700 attendees
  • Central Association of Physical Plant Administrators 2011 Annual Meeting, Sept. 22-28, 425 attendees
  • Association for the Education of Young Children - Missouri Conference, Sept. 23-24, 250 attendees
  • Missouri Association for Family and Community Education State Conference, Sept. 28-30, 100 attendees
  • 2012 Street Machine Nationals, Oct 1-2, 15,000 attendees
  • Frisco Organization - Saint Louis and San Francisco Railroad Historical and Modeling Society 2011 Swap Meet, Oct 1.
  • Missouri Association of Educational Office Professionals 2011 Fall Workshop, Oct. 6-8, 80 attendees
  • Stonecroft Ministries 2011 Christian Women's Club, Oct. 7-8, 100 attendees
  • Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors 2011 Annual Meeting & Convention, Oct. 13-16, 250 attendees
  • Lake Country Soccer Incredible Pizza Fall Classic 2011, Oct. 14-16, 5,000 attendees
  • Missouri State High School Activities Association State Softball Championship 2011, Oct. 20-22, 600 attendees
  • Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System 2011 Annual Meeting, Oct. 26-28, 350 attendees
  • Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World® Outdoor Fitness Festival 2011, Oct. 29-Nov. 6
  • 2011 Fresh Grounded Faith Ministries, Nov. 11-13, 2,000 attendees

Springfield Travel Statistics

June 2011 YTD 2011 YTD 2010
Information Centers Visits 3,810 18,817 25,525
Tourist Inquiries 10,268 40,762 67,060
Website Unique Visitors 44,843 207,876 *See Below
Total Contacts 58,913 252,291 *See Below
Airline Passengers N/A N/A N/A

*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

June 2011 YTD 2011 YTD 2010
Room Supply 185,130 1,108,907 1,103,682
Room Demand 127,911 577,161 542,260
Percent of Occupancy 69.1% 52.0% 49.1%
Average Daily Rate $72.52 $68.29 $66.03
Revenue Per Available Room $50.11 $33.54 $32.44
Room Sales $9,276,750 $39,414,435 $35,805,010