SLAA NEWSLETTER February/March 2016
President’s Corner
Wow! Was that January that just sped by? It’s already February, a month for throwing beads, drinking hurricanes, and getting our attractions ready for the upcoming spring season. Thank you for coming to our January meeting where Stephen Foutes from the Missouri Division of Tourism gave us a run down on how Missouri is marketing the state and how they can help us bring visitors to our cities and attractions. Their campaign is fresh and exciting and bound to help us all have a profitable tourist season. Our 2016 Board of Directors is also firmly in place working on bringing timely and useful meeting topics and locations to our members. We are very excited fo this year and hope you are, too.
Save the Date – March 16th!
Our next program meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at the Saint Louis Science Center. Come join us for an afternoon of networking inside the Boeing South Exhibit Hall. Thank you in advance to our friends at the Saint Louis Science Center and Starlite Events for hosting our March membership meeting.
Program Suggestions?
Your SLAA Programs Committee appreciates feedback and ideas for program topics, potential presenters, speakers, etc. If you have a suggestion or connection to potential speakers, please contact Jessica Utterback at jessica.utterback@howlatthemoon.com or Anne Grossmann at agrossmann@forestparkforever.org.
Thank You to Our Host
Don’t Forget to Renew Your SLAA Membership & Stay Informed!
We provide our members the opportunity to network, gain industry contacts, learn more about marketing and operations, as well as build an awareness of your business through partnering with other local attractions. We look forward to programming that will help you stay connected to your region, as well as to changes and trends in the tourism and hospitality industry. Whether it’s a local and state-wide tourism update or learning how your industry colleagues are using technology to attract new visitors, join us as we continue to make the tourism industry in St. Louis strong and vibrant.
Additional advantages of being a member include business exposure through sponsorship or membership meetings; opportunities for greater involvement through committees; free listings on our website and membership directory; free bi-monthly informational e-newsletter; promotion of your organization’s internship programs; opportunities to distribute your information to our membership; an annual scholarship program for member employees, interns or family members; and much more.
Click here to renew your membership online, or contact the SLAA office at info@stlattractions.org or (314) 416-2233 to request another copy of your membership renewal. We look forward to your continued participation!
Plans For a New SLAA Website Are in the Works!
As you may have seen from the recent announcements, plans are in the works to give the SLAA website a much needed overhaul. We are reaching out to all members, asking them to please consider supporting this project at one of the available sponsorship levels. The mission is that SLAA can be proudly represented with a new website that will better serve all members. Complete details are included on the website sponsorship form. Thank you for your consideration.
Scholarship Applications Available Online for 2016 School Year
Scholarship applications are now available online for the 2016 Saint Louis Attractions Association Carole Moody Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any undergraduate college student or high school senior entering college majoring in a field that could contribute to the tourism/hospitality industry and maintain a 3.0 or B grade point average. In addition, the student must have accomplished one of the following:
- Work in the industry for SLAA member
- Completed an internship with a SLAA member
- Be a current member of SLAA (student memberships are available)
- Be a family member of a SLAA member
- Belong to a hospitality organization
Each July at the SLAA luncheon meeting, one or more students are awarded a scholarship in the amount of at least $1,000. One or more students may be awarded an Honorable Mention Award in the amount of $500.
Please note that the deadline to apply for the scholarship is June 10, 2016.
Click here for additional information or contact the Scholarship Committee Chairman, Jennifer Hollenkamp, at jhollenkamp@explorestlouis.com or (314) 992-0642.
SLAA Announced 2015 Spirit of St. Louis Award Recipients at January Meeting
The Saint Louis Attractions Association announced the recipients of the 2015 Spirit of St. Louis Awards at the January 20th lunch meeting. Brooke Emshoff, Sales and Marketing Manager at Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis, received the Spirit of St. Louis Individual Award. Metro St. Louis and Forest Park Forever received the Spirit of St. Louis Program Award for the Forest Park Trolley. Dave Roemer, Park President of Six Flags St. Louis, received the Spirit of St. Louis Hall of Fame Award. Click here to read more.
SLAA Internship Program
The 2016 Winter, Summer and Fall Saint Louis Attractions Association Internship Booklet is now available. This program has been a successful way to promote your company’s internship opportunities to qualified students. Please contact Jennifer Hollenkamp at (314) 992-0642 or jhollenkamp@explorestlouis.com if you have any questions.
Thank You!
Our first meeting of 2016 was hosted at Dave & Buster’s on a cold and snowy January day. SLAA members and guests were treated to an informative presentation from Stephen Foutes, Public Relations Specialist with the Missouri Division of Tourism. Stephen provided statistics on the economic impact of tourism in our region, and across the state. Attendees also got a sneak peak at the 2016 advertising and marketing strategies targeting potential visitors to the state.
- $15.3 billion: Total economic impact in FY14
- 39.2 million: Visitors to Missouri in FY14
- 290,734: Direct jobs supported
- 2.3 million: Visits to VisitMO.com in CY15
- $3.00: State tax revenue per $1 invested in MDT FY14 budget
- Who visits Missouri? The typical visitor:
- Is 47.5 years old
- Lives in a household with an income of $72.3K
- Spends 2.9 nights per trip
- Has 2.8 people in traveling party
- Spends $280 per person/per trip
- Visitors come from:
Special thank you to Stephen Foutes for an informative program, Lori Stahl and the team at Dave & Buster’s for hosting, and to Explore St. Louis and CTM Media for their generous meeting sponsorship.
Thank You to Our January Meeting Host
Featured Attraction – Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis
St. Louis is often referred to as the Gateway to the West, and Hard Rock Cafe St. Louis is your gateway to an unforgettable dining and entertainment experience. You’ll find our cafe at the crossroads of the Missouri and the Mississippi Rivers, in the historic Union Station area. The famous Gateway Arch towers in the distance while Busch Stadium, the Saint Louis Zoo, and Forest Park are just minutes away.
Our St. Louis location is home to plenty of musically inspired excitement. Enjoy freshly prepared American cuisine like our Legendary® Burger, which is practically famous. Our chefs are the best in the business, and it shows on every single plate. Experience the difference of Hard Rock’s service with our energetic, hardworking staff of music enthusiasts, ready to provide you with everything you need to enjoy the perfect meal.
St. Louis is filled with local culture, so before or after you see the sights and sounds, stop by our Hard Rock Cafe to satisfy your every craving. Explore our spacious interior filled with musical memorabilia from the greatest musical legends of all time. Don’t forget to swing by our Rock Shop® to pick up your Hard Rock Cafe souvenir from the “Show Me” state.
| Upcoming Events | |
| February 7th | Big Game Watch Party |
| March 12th | Princess Breakfast |
| April 15th | Sing For Your Supper |
| May 4th | Summer Acoustic Music Series Kickoff – and May the 4th Be With You Patio Party |
| May 11th | Summer Music – Bill Roemer |
| May 18th | Summer Music – Happy Little Trees |
| May 25th | Summer Music – Ridin’ Shotgun |
| Our Summer Acoustic Music Series is every Wednesday from 6pm-8pm on the Patio! It will run from May 4th to October 26th! | |
Welcome New Members!
Allied: Ballpark Village
Contact: Kacey Miller
Ballpark Village is the newest dining and entertainment district in St. Louis and the Missouri area. This is the first ever sports anchored entertainment district located next to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Come join us for great food, drinks and a great sports viewing experience!
Allied: GoodEye PhotoShare
Contact: Bruce Seymour
GoodEye PhotoShare is a portable interactive installation which allows venue guests to time travel, space travel or go to other interesting locations.
Happy February From the Fundraising Committee!
A big thank you to Fuzzy’s Taco, MX Movies and the Magnolia Hotel for the wonderful Trip Raffle at the January meeting. Congratulations to Bob Dietrich on winning the Trip Raffle, and Kathy Welty from Six Flags St. Louis on winning the 50/50 Raffle!
Just a friendly reminder, the Fundraising Committee does not stop collecting donations – we collect all year long for the Trip Raffle. If you would like to donate something to have your business featured in our Trip Raffle, let either Amie Bossi or Brooke Emshoff know. Thanks again for always donating to SLAA!
Sponsor a Meeting
Friendly reminder to get your meeting sponsorship month secured while dates are still available: March, May, July, September, and November (Silent Auction).
For only $200, you can sponsor a SLAA membership meeting, and get the word out about your business or promote your upcoming events. This could be a great opportunity to update fellow SLAA members about something new, promote your business to fellow members, share upcoming events, explanation of your organization, and more! Sponsorship of a SLAA meeting includes:
- The opportunity to greet incoming guests at the door
- Four minutes to speak at the meeting about your organization
- A reserved table to distribute your organization’s materials
- The opportunity to distribute your organization’s materials on each individual table
- Recognition as a sponsor on email meeting notices
- Recognition in the bi-monthly newsletter
Click here to download the sponsorship agreement form. Still have questions? Contact the SLAA office at (314) 416-2233 or info@stlattractions.org for additional information.
Submit Your Nomination for the 2016 Spirit of St. Louis Awards!
Nominations for the Spirit of St. Louis Awards are accepted year-round. The purpose of the Spirit of St. Louis Awards is to honor those members of the attractions and hospitality industry who go the extra mile and put forth exemplary effort in helping to further the goals and objectives of the industry and the Saint Louis Attractions Association. The Association recognizes these noteworthy achievements each year at the January meeting.
Eligible nominees may have served in any of a variety of positions, ranging from front-line service to management, at an attraction, hotel, restaurant, or with any other associated or affiliated industry. Both members and non-members of SLAA are eligible to receive awards; however, nominations must be submitted by a SLAA member. You are welcome to make unlimited nominations.
Click here for more information and to submit your nomination.
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