History

The Saint Louis Attractions Association (SLAA) was formed in 1987 as a way for area tourism and hospitality professionals to share ideas, methods and information. Over thirty years later, the group that set its sights on being the industry’s “ticket” to success continues its mission to provide beneficial education and awareness for its member organizations.

SLAA was formalized under the direction of Carole Moody, who in 1987 was serving as the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission’s (CVC) (now DBA as Explore St. Louis) Director of Tourism. Although area attractions met periodically with the CVC to inform each other of developments at their respective institutions, they were the only sector of the hospitality industry lacking an organized body, such as the Greater St. Louis Restaurant Association or the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.

A group organized as SLAA under Moody’s leadership as President of the Board of Directors. Since then, the association has been led by members of the organization, with Explore St. Louis maintaining a close relationship by filling a permanent liaison position on the Board.

Today, active SLAA member organizations include regional attractions from museums and historic homes to casinos and wineries. Allied memberships are available for businesses that provide related services in the hospitality industry, such as hotels, restaurants, advertising agencies, tour operators and more. Student memberships are also available.

Meetings at unique venues every other month provide members with an important networking opportunity with other industry colleagues. Speakers educate attendees on timely and appropriate topics pertaining to the tourism and hospitality industry, with the intent to help members raise their standards of performance.

SLAA also hosts a popular silent auction each year. A portion of the auction proceeds benefits the Carole Moody Scholarship Fund for students majoring in a field that could contribute to the tourism and hospitality industry. SLAA also organizes an internship program to distribute member openings to area schools and universities, and presents annual “Spirit of St. Louis” Awards to honor members exemplifying the goals and objectives of the industry.

Do you want to become more involved in SLAA? You can become as involved as you choose, whether it’s selling Trip Raffle tickets at bi-monthly meetings, or helping set up the Silent Auction. This is a great way to meeting members outside of the membership meetings and an avenue to share your time and talent.

Committee Descriptions:

• Programs – Selects topics and speakers for meetings (except the Silent Auction);secures and coordinates the meeting venue and speaker logistics; and develops the content for the meeting notice/
• Fundraising (Meetings Sponsorship, Silent Auction, Experience Raffle and 50/50 Raffle) – Solicits, secures, and packages auction items; selects and coordinates venue and logistics for the auction; provides volunteers to facilitate the auction, including table monitors and check-out staff; solicits Experience Raffle packages at the membership meetings; committee members serve as greeters at the membership meetings; and selling 50/50 and Experience Raffle tickets at the membership meetings.
• Communications – Coordinating website updates, and social media for SLAA.
• Membership – Recruiting and retaining membership; welcoming and orienting new members; and assisting in the renewal procedures and follow-up.
• Scholarship/Internship – Reviewing the scholarship application packet annually and making any necessary updates; updating the school contact information as needed; distributing the scholarship application packets and internship opportunities to the schools; receiving and reviewing scholarship applications to determine the winners; soliciting internship opportunities from SLAA members; and compiling the internship opportunities in an easy-to-follow format for distribution.
• Spirit of St. Louis Awards – Reviewing and updating the nomination and application packet annually; distributing the award nomination forms to the membership; sending award applications to those candidates nominated for the awards; coordinating judges to determine award winners (announced at the January meeting); and facilitate the winner’s presentation at the January meeting.

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