The Missouri Division of Tourism announced it will have the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism Oct. 1-3, 2013, at the Ramada Oasis Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield.

The annual educational conference is attended by members of the tourism industry, related associations, travel vendors and elected officials. The division also presents its annual tourism awards at the event.

“Following a competitive bid process, we’re pleased to bring the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism back to Springfield,” said Katie Steele Danner, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. “Springfield is a vitally important part of Missouri’s tourism industry. We are confident that our host city for the 2013 conference will provide a world-class environment as we convene all Missouri tourism industry leaders to share ideas and best practices taking advantage of opportunities to learn and grow more travel demand."

Annually, the conference draws about 250 attendees from across Missouri representing everything from canoe-rental facilities, campgrounds and caves to museums, hotels, theme parks and other attractions.

“We are excited about the conference coming back to Springfield next year,” said Tracy Kimberlin, president of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is always a pleasure to showcase our city to our peers from around the state.”

The 2012 Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism is Sept. 11-13 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The 2014 conference will be in St. Louis. The last time the event was in Springfield was in 2005.

For more information, contact Sarah Luebbert, communications director for the Missouri Division of Tourism, at 573-522-5501 or Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov.

For more information about other conventions and events in Springfield, call 800-678-8767 or 417-881-5300.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau serves as the primary marketing organization responsible for implementing programs that increase travel and tourism in the Springfield metropolitan area. The bureau is a nonprofit organization.