Trade Show News

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.

U.S. hotels reported year-over-year increases in occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR for the week ending March 21, 2026, with St. Louis posting the highest ADR gain and the second-largest RevPAR increase among top markets. This performance was partly attributed to major events, including March Madness. St. Louis saw a 15.5% increase in ADR and a 29.6% increase in RevPAR.

El Mayor Tequila, a brand from Luxco, which was founded in St. Louis, has partnered with Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) to host 'Tales on Tour' industry events. These events aim to bring cocktail culture education and community to bartenders and hospitality professionals across the U.S. Master Distiller Graciela Gonzalez will provide product education at these events.

St. Louis aldermen have approved an exception to the city's smoking ban, a move intended to attract the Premium Cigar Association's international trade show. The region's convention bureau, Explore St. Louis, is actively working to lure this significant event to the city.

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.

Heritage Trade Show Services has been named the general contractor for the 2026 HAA Show in St. Louis. Exhibitors can review their kit for furniture, carpeting, freight, and labor needs, while Edlen Exhibitor Services handles electrical and plumbing. Smart City Exhibitor Services provides internet and phone services, and America's Center offers information on audio-visual, security, and exhibitor rights.

Explore St. Louis, the region's tourism bureau, is nearing a contract to outsource the management of America's Center and the attached Dome, having narrowed its search for a private operator to two firms. Brad Dean, president and CEO of Explore St. Louis, indicated that the chosen firm will need to invest in the facilities as part of the deal.

Explore St. Louis, the region's tourism bureau, is close to finalizing a contract to outsource the management of America's Center and the attached Dome. The search for a private operator for the downtown convention complex has been narrowed to two firms.

The Missouri House has approved a plan to establish a single board of directors overseeing The Dome at America's Center and the adjacent convention center. This initiative aims to streamline governance and marketing for these key downtown St. Louis venues.

St. Louis is set to host the Barbershop Harmony Society's 2026 International Convention from June 28 to July 5, 2026, expecting 6,000 visitors. The event is projected to generate an estimated $7.8 million in direct visitor spending, with a total business sales impact potentially reaching $6-12 million.

The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH) will hold its 2026 convention from August 11-15, 2026, at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in St. Louis, MO. The Gateway Harmonica Club is honored to host the event, which will feature performances, seminars, and open mic sessions.

Co-located with the Fuel Ethanol Workshop, the Sustainable Fuels Summit will also be held at America's Center in St. Louis, MO, from June 2-4, 2026. This premier forum is designed for producers of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to explore process technologies and optimization techniques.

The 42nd annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo is set for June 2-4, 2026, at America's Center in St. Louis, MO. This event offers cutting-edge content and networking for the ethanol industry, focusing on commercial-scale production, new technology, and R&D.

NACM's 130th Credit Congress & Expo is scheduled to take place in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2026. The event aims to bring together business credit professionals for renewal, resources, growth, guidance, and education. St. Louis is highlighted as a fitting location for this conference experience.

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 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.

KAI provided MEPFP engineering and sustainability consulting on the recently completed $210 million expansion and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center at America's Center in downtown St. Louis. This project aimed to modernize and enlarge the America's Center Convention Complex. The article highlights the completion of this significant expansion.