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.
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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.
