Trade Show News

Discussions are ongoing among business and tourism leaders regarding the potential redirection of hotel-motel tax revenue towards convention and sports efforts in St. Louis. This could influence funding for future trade shows and events.

St. Louis is preparing to host the International Barbershop Convention from June 28 to July 5, 2026, with an estimated 6,000 attendees. This event is projected to generate between $3.8 million and $7.8 million in direct visitor spending, significantly impacting the local economy.

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis is facing a state audit, with discussions among business and tourism leaders about potentially redirecting hotel-motel tax revenue towards convention and sports efforts. This comes as RAC defends its financial practices and commitment to the arts sector.

U.S. hotel room demand increased for a seventh consecutive week in mid-March, with St. Louis experiencing a 29% increase in RevPAR for the week of March 15-21. This surge was significantly driven by sporting events, including the opening rounds of the NCAA March Madness tournament. The overall U.S. hotel industry saw a 4.9% increase in RevPAR.

A recent article discussing St. Louis County's budget priorities highlighted a $6 million annual commitment towards the $240 million downtown convention center expansion. This financial allocation underscores the ongoing investment in the city's convention infrastructure.

Explore St. Louis has been recognized as an Engage-level member of the U.S. Travel Association for 2026. This membership signifies an active role in shaping the travel industry's national agenda and provides access to industry leadership, peer networks, and participation in U.S. Travel events. It highlights St. Louis's continued engagement in the broader travel and tourism sector.

A PCMA Convene article discusses how simple, intentional gestures can be the most powerful elements of hospitality, emphasizing that great hospitality doesn't always require significant cost. It also touches on the importance of event codes of conduct extending beyond mere compliance.

Rodney Crim, CEO and president of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, along with other STL Partnership leaders, were named among St. Louis Magazine's 2026 Business 500 list. This recognition highlights key influencers in the region's business community.

PCMA Convene highlights five marketing strategies from the Savannah Bananas, a team that recently secured a streaming deal with ESPN, ABC, and Disney+. The article offers insights for events to cultivate a strong fan base by drawing lessons from the Bananas' marketing playbook.

Julie DeQuattro has achieved Diamond-level Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) credentials, signifying a high level of expertise in trade show and event marketing. This accomplishment underscores her commitment to professional development and best practices within the industry.

Creativation by NAMTA 2026, a trade show for the creative industries, is scheduled for May 15-19, 2026, at the America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis. This event will showcase products and trends for art, craft, and hobby businesses.

The VEX Robotics World Championships, organized by REC, are scheduled to take place at the America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis from April 21-30, 2026. This major competition will utilize the convention center facilities for its events.

TechSTL is organizing STL Tech Week at the America's Center Convention Complex from April 13-14, 2026. This event will bring together the technology community in St. Louis for various activities and discussions.

Quilts Inc. will present the St. Louis Quilt! Knit! Stitch! event at the America's Center Convention Complex from April 10-12, 2026. This exhibition focuses on quilting, knitting, and stitching, attracting enthusiasts to the convention center.

The American Taekwondo Association (ATA) will host its Spring National Tournament at the America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis from April 9-11, 2026. This event will bring participants to the convention center, impacting the facility's schedule and operations.

An article discussing St. Louis County's spending priorities mentions a $6 million annual commitment towards the $240 million downtown convention center expansion. This highlights ongoing financial support for the America's Center project. The commitment is part of broader county expenditure discussions.

KAI provided engineering for the $210 million expansion and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center at America's Center, which was completed in November 2024. The Washington Avenue entrance modernization, part of the larger AC Next Gen project, is currently under construction, enhancing the facility's functionality and capacity.

KAI provided engineering and sustainability consulting for the recently completed $210 million expansion and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center at America's Center in St. Louis. The AC Next Gen project, completed in November 2024, aimed to modernize and enlarge the complex to attract major conventions, with the Washington Avenue entrance modernization currently under construction.

KAI provided MEPFP engineering and sustainability consulting for the recently completed $210 million expansion and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center at America's Center in downtown St. Louis. The AC Next Gen project, completed in November 2024, aimed to modernize and enlarge the America's Center Convention Complex to attract major conventions and events. Upgrades include a 75,000-square-foot expansion of contiguous exhibit space and enhanced loading docks, with the Washington Avenue entrance modernization still under construction.

KAI provided MEPFP engineering and sustainability consulting for the recently completed $210 million expansion and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center at America's Center in St. Louis. This project aimed to modernize and enlarge the facility.