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Meeting Planners can find everything they need in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS -- October 31, 2007 -- In October, the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) unveiled its new branding initiative during the organization's 2007 Annual Meeting.
"St. Lou ... IS All Within Reach" promotes the region as an ideal place to live, work and visit. The message reflects the destination's numerous amenities for conventioneers and leisure travelers and touts St. Louis' convenient location and easy access.
"St. Louis has a wealth of attractions, entertainment options and unique venues all within a city that is manageable, affordable and friendly - those are key elements for successful conventions and meetings in today's market," said Kathleen "Kitty" Ratcliffe, President of the St. Louis CVC. "Our downtown area has undergone a resurgence that includes almost $4 billion in development in recent years, with additional entertainment districts, residential, retail and restaurants in the works. The new St. Louis brand reflects the access to all the amenities meeting planners need and want for their events."
The City and County of St. Louis were each at the table when the concept was designed to communicate the region's traditions, history and unique joie de vivre, while espousing St. Louis' strong Midwestern worth ethic, excellent quality of life, and attractiveness to visitors and convention attendees.
The rollout will utilize all forms of advertising, including billboards, radio, TV and the Internet, and will be supported by national advertising in consumer and travel trade publications. The best
and brightest chief marketing officers from several St. Louis Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies stepped up to the plate to weigh in with ideas for the new brand.
A National Customer Advisory Board, comprised of meeting planners from across the country who donated their time to assist the St. Louis CVC in becoming the best meeting and convention destination, helped in developing the brand concept and the new look and feel of the CVC's website at www.ExploreStLouis.com. The state-of-the-art website sports a fresh look that is clean and concise, with improved navigation and a unified appearance.
"Great meetings don't just 'happen,' but St. Louis has all of the tools and the CVC has a team of professionals who make great meetings happen a lot easier," added Ratcliffe. "With our 500,000 square feet of convention space, an abundance of conveniently located hotel rooms, and a
never-ending menu of dining and entertainment options, St. Louis has everything meeting planners need to plan and produce a tremendous event in St. Louis - and it really is all within reach."
The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission is the official destination marketing organization of St. Louis City and County. The CVC also operates the America's Center convention complex, which includes the Edward Jones Dome.
MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.
