Located just south of where the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet, St. Louis is a vibrant, diverse city with world-class attractions and an award-winning food and beverage scene. Site of the 1904 World’s Fair, this historic region boasts the country’s smallest national park and tallest man- made monument—the iconic 630-ft. tall Gateway Arch, where groups can ride a tram to the top for spectacular views. Thanks to $10 billion of new development in the region, planners have many options to create memorable St. Louis moments. By Wendy Helfenbaum CONVENTION CENTRE NEWS America’s Center Convention Complex will complete a $259-million expansion by year’s end—in time to host MPI’s WEC 2025—including a new 72,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, an increase in exhibit space to 574,000 sq. ft., a swanky facade, a food farm to grow produce, double the number of covered loading docks and 88,000 sq.ft. of new community green space suitable for outdoor events. The building’s concave shape was designed to resemble open arms—a nod to the Midwestern hospitality St. Louis is known for. WHERE IN THE WORLD: ST. LOUIS MISSOURI Lovely Lodging Located right across from the iconic Gateway Arch, the 200- room Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis offers plenty of newly refurbished indoor/outdoor event spaces, including 7,300 sq. ft. of ballroom space and a rooftop pool deck. Groups can buy out the entire eighth floor, including Ramsay’s Kitchen, which launched in April. fourseasons.com/stlouis With its newly refurbished grand lobby and upscale vibe, the 299-room Ritz Carlton Hotel, St. Louis is a favourite for corporate groups, offering a 13,000-sq.-ft. ballroom with 4,500 sq. ft. of pre-function space plus an amphitheatre. The hotel’s recently built solarium hosts receptions or seated dinners, and its on-site restaurant Casa Don Alfonso serves elevated yet casual Mediterranean cuisine in a stunning new space. ritzcarlton.com Built in 1894, the St. Louis Train Station transformed into the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in the 1980s. The 567-room property includes three stunning clock tower suites. Each day in the Grand Hall, a 3D light show is projected onto the walls and ceilings. The complex also houses the St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Wheel and a high ropes course, totalling more than 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space. stlouisunionstation.com Fast Facts: explorestlouis.com/meetings-conventions Population: 2,221,000 Accommodations: 40,000 hotel rooms—with about 8,000 rooms downtown; more than 30 newly completed or under-construction hotel properties Accessibility: Direct flights to Lambert International Airport from Toronto and Montreal on Air Canada; connecting flights via various airlines.
