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Business Journals
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
VEX Robotics World Championship sparks talent acquisition, community building and economic growth in St. Louis
In 2026 and 2027, St. Louis will welcome the world's brightest young innovators as the VEX Robotics World Championship takes over America's Center Convention Complex, bringing more than 2,000 teams of student competitors from more than 60 countries to the heart of downtown. 'Events like the VEX Robotics World Championship are a win on every level – they energize our hotels, restaurants and attractions while affirming St. Louis as a top-tier destination for international conventions,' Ed Skapinok, chief commercial officer at Explore St. Louis, says. 'Explore St. Louis' effort to secure the competition for two years will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the region each year, create jobs and inject millions into our economy.' expand Beyond economic activity, events like the VEX Robotics World Championship build lasting social capital. They inspire local students to pursue STEM careers, highlight the region as an innovation hub and even encourage international participants to consider St. Louis universities for future education. 'Whether in classrooms or competitions, our robotics, drone and workforce programs provide a unique learning environment that fosters creativity, problem-solving and adaptability in a world where technology is constantly evolving,' Dan Mantz, CEO of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, says. 'Our industry certifications in robotics and pre-engineering continue to expand, equipping students with the skills and credentials needed for future careers in STEM fields.' That's exactly the kind of talent St. Louis wants to attract – and the VEX Robotics World Championship presents a unique opportunity for local employers to engage with it. From middle and high schoolers to university-bound students, the event will bring emerging talent directly into the region's orbit. 'The true value of meetings and conventions goes far beyond the events themselves,' Skapinok says. 'When attendees and delegates come to St. Louis, we hope to influence them as much as they influence us. By facilitating connections between international students and local companies with events like VEX Robotics, we're helping to strengthen the region's workforce pipeline in a meaningful way. 'As St. Louis continues to grow as a destination for global events, what will truly set us apart is our ability to turn those moments into lasting community impact,' he continues. 'You never know how a student competition, keynote session or even a board meeting might inspire someone – or shape the future of an entire generation. That's the power of meetings with meaning.' Large-scale conventions also provide leadership, service and learning opportunities for local businesses and community members. The VEX Robotics World Championship will rely on some 4,000 volunteers, who will serve as greeters, referees and judges while showcasing St. Louis hospitality. 'Many of our best supporters don't contribute dollars,' Mantz says. 'They contribute time.' In preparation, the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation will hold its planning summit in St. Louis from July 20 to 25, during which time the team aims to meet with local business and community leaders to discuss volunteer opportunities and build momentum.
Business Journals
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Here's a look at tourism's big economic impact for St. Louis companies in 2025
America's Center Convention Complex is buzzing. From Capitol Sports volleyball tournaments to TransWorld trade shows, early 2025 events have already generated more than $142 million in direct spending — activity that fuels business across the region. And there's more to come. In July, the Seventh-day Adventist Church will bring more than 60,000 delegates to St. Louis for its General Conference Session, an event expected to inject approximately $58 million into the local economy. St. Louis will also take center stage in June as host city for Meeting Professionals International's 2025 World Education Congress, a signature gathering of global meeting and event planners. 'Leaving a positive impression on the 2,000-plus attendees will reverberate throughout the meeting planner community, bringing more meetings, conventions and other events to St. Louis,' Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis, says. 'Hosting MPI WEC will generate an estimated $10 million or more in economic impact for the region. The event also exposes St. Louis to an international audience, building awareness, increasing interest and driving visitation.' As the destination marketing organization for the region and the operator of America's Center Convention Complex, Explore St. Louis works to attract leisure travelers as well as high-profile events. But the real takeaway for local businesses? This growing stream of visitors is spending time — and money — in the community. Annually, St. Louis welcomes more than 23 million visitors who spend more than $5 billion, supporting more than 87,000 jobs throughout the area.* 'In total, we'll host more than 46 convention events at America's Center and 207 citywide groups for 2025,' Ed Skapinok, chief commercial officer at Explore St. Louis, says. 'The influx of visitors will be felt throughout the region, bolstering hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops, among other businesses. A packed convention calendar means a strong ripple effect across the community.' Many businesses are already seeing the upside. 'The America's Center expansion has given businesses like us unprecedented opportunities,' Liz O'Keefe, CEO of Technical Productions, Inc. (TPI), explains. 'It's catapulted St. Louis into a different category, attracting larger companies and organizations with more dollars to spend in-market. In my experience, many of these new clients have big-ticket ideas and major production requests, which increase their direct spend in our city.' 'We can feel a rise in the tide,' Jonathan Parker, owner of Parker's Table and The Yale Bar in Richmond Heights, adds. 'Delegates often bring their families to meetings and conventions, and they love exploring the city. Thanks to our proximity to Forest Park, we get a lot of those visitors who stop by for sandwiches and drinks around lunchtime. We've also customized gift baskets for Explore St. Louis to distribute to incoming groups.' Explore St. Louis also showcases regional businesses at industry tradeshows across the country. At last year's MPI WEC in Louisville, David Weglarz of StilL 630 joined the team in the booth, serving craft cocktails and a custom taste of St. Louis. 'We've always strived to be a bright light in this great city, and it's a true honor to represent St. Louis in this capacity,' Weglarz says. 'Partnering with Explore St. Louis has greatly benefitted our business, and the team's work to promote St. Louis aligns with our mission. St. Louis has so many wonderful and unique things to offer both residents and visitors. It's exciting to be able to spread the word — not only for StilL 630, but for all the incredible businesses throughout the region.' As conventions continue to drive record numbers in 2025, the message is clear: Now is the time for St. Louis businesses to tap into the power of tourism and convention travel. There are multiple ways for local businesses to plug into the convention economy. From cross-promotion opportunities on Explore St. Louis channels to visibility at Visitor Information Centers as well as America's Center, getting involved can lead to direct connections with tourists, delegates and meeting planners. expand Explore St. Louis is the official destination marketing organization for St. Louis City and St. Louis County for visitors of all types. It also operates America's Center and The Dome.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Louis expands convention center, draws global robotics hub
ST. LOUIS – Young minds are coming to downtown St. Louis over the next few years and they're looking at innovative ways to feed them. The Vex Robotics Competition will bring tens of thousands to the Gateway City and more than 50,000 hotel room nights. On Friday, the media got a peek at the convention center upgrades and additions. 'I do think that having a world-class convention center is important,' said Mayor Cara Spencer. 'I'm excited about the renovations, at least where we are right now, and we're going to see where they lead to in the future.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The future is bright with an estimated $32.2 million brought into the St. Louis region economy for the robotics tournament in 2026 and 2027. 'This is part of the AC NexGen expansion. I am so we're standing just outside the new hall, 4X, a 72,000-square-foot exhibit hall that was added here at America center and so just outside of that space we have a 40-bed culinary garden, which essentially is an urban farm,' said Ed Skapinok, Chief Commercial Officer of Explore St. Louis. The convention center, formerly in the shape of an L, has become a T with the new added space for multiple conventions at the same time. 'St. Louis is not the largest city in the world but we have our very strong points in terms of our robotics,' said Han KO, Convention Center Commissioner. 'I'm actually safe to say that St. Louis is part of a global robotics hub now and then we swam in the future.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
