St. Louis, MO Event Planning

Key Highlights

Hotels	201
Total Sleeping Rooms	60,870
Committable Sleeping Rooms*	900
Committable Meeting Rooms*	83
Largest Exhibit Space	502,000 Sq. Ft.
Largest Ballroom	28,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $104
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $66
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $330
*Maximum for a single hotel

St. Louis, MO Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to Cvent’s Saint Louis meeting planning guide – a city guide for St. Louis meeting planning professionals. No stranger to hosting meetings and events, St. Louis is more than prepared to accommodate the needs of any planner. The 500,000-square-foot America's Center convention complex houses five exhibit halls, over 80 flexible meeting rooms, a ballroom, a lecture hall and the 67,000-seat Edward Jones Dome. Located in the heart of downtown, the center is minutes away from 35,000 hotel rooms and various dining establishments and attractions. Travel to farther destinations will not pose a problem, though, as guests can choose from various taxi cab companies and public transportation services of the 46-mile-long MetroLink light-rail or the 50-route MetroBus.

St. Louis certainly does not lack unique meeting facilities either. The culture-rich city is bursting with museums, parks, gardens and St. Louis event venues that serve as a perfect setting for a distinctly St. Louis experience. The Missouri Botanical Garden is 79 acres of gorgeous indoor and outdoor garden displays. Over 11,000 guests can take a seat at The Muny, the nation's largest outdoor theater, while the St. Louis Zoo has event space that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. And though its location in the Midwest does not afford mountainous terrain for skiing or coastal beaches for water activities, its continental position keeps it at an enjoyable and temperate climate that averages 56°F annually.

St. Louis continues to expand and upgrade what it has to offer. Over $500-billion worth of new development projects have revitalized the face of downtown St. Louis, while an impressive $500 million of new developments are underway. In 2007, the airport announced plans for $70 million renovation of the main terminal, the largest in the airport’s history. While the entire program is expected to be completed in 2013, already completed projects include a faster baggage carousel and new restaurants and food vendors. Guests are sure to enjoy both the travel to and the stay in St. Louis.

St. Louis, MO Area Destinations

Saint Charles, MO

St. Louis Downtown

Central West End St. Louis, MO

About St. Louis, MO / Additional Info

This beautiful Missouri city was founded as a trading post in 1763 by French fur trader Pierre Laclede. Bounded by three rivers - the Missouri to the north, Meramec to the south, and Mississippi to the east - it's not surprising that St. Louis has strong ties to the water. When the Steamboat Era came to St. Louis in 1817 and river trade became more efficient and dependable, the city flourished as inland port for commerce and trade. Immigrants began to stream in from Germany, Bohemia, Ireland and Italy, causing the population to soar from 20,000 to 77,860 during the 1840s. St. Louis quickly grew into a well-reputed location, both for residents and travelers. As its reputation expanded, its size did as well, furthering growth and development, including the construction of Union Station, the largest and busiest railroad stop in the country. The city was also selected to play host to the 1904 World's Fair and the Olympics, the first games to be held in an English-speaking country.

St. Louis' role as a hub for culture and commerce is still seen in many of its present-day attractions. Laclede's Landing showcases dining and entertainment in preserved historic buildings from the city's original riverfront establishment. Replica steamboats ferry visitors up and down the Mississippi River as they did in the early 1800s. Renowned Italian community "The Hill," established by the influx of Italian immigrants in the 1800s, serves world-famous authentic Italian cuisine, including St. Louis' original toasted ravioli. Forest Park, site of the World's Fair and now one of the nation's largest urban parks, still preserves some of the fair's original construction, along with a host of modern attractions such as the St. Louis Zoo and St. Louis Art Museum.

Today, the landscape of St. Louis has transformed greatly from its humble beginnings as a small riverfront town. As the 18th largest city in the U.S., over 350,000 people call St. Louis home. Tall buildings, high-rises and the its trademark Gateway Arch populate the skyline, as large corporations such as Anheuser-Busch, Energizer and Charter Communications are headquartered in the city.

St. Louis, MO Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Central Time (CT)
Convention Center(s):

Hotel at Convention Center? No
Sleeping Rooms 1 Mile from Convention Center: 5,200

Airport(s):

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
140
Population
2,845,298
Restaurants
1,000
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
6.08%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

St. Louis, MO Area Destinations

	Population	Meeting Hotels	Hotel Rooms	Special Event Venues
Saint Charles, MO	65,000	35	3,750	15
St. Louis Downtown	13,500	23	7,808	25
Central West End St. Louis, MO	14,473	-	-	20

Cities Near St. Louis, MO

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Columbia, MO	127 mi	2 hr 4 min	3 hr 36 min	USD $530+
Indianapolis, IN	242 mi	3 hr 50 min	1 hr 5 min	USD $170+
Kansas City, MO	249 mi	3 hr 51 min	4 hr 34 min	USD $450+
Memphis, TN	292 mi	4 hr 31 min	1 hr 13 min	USD $440+
Chicago, IL	297 mi	4 hr 50 min	1 hr 13 min	USD $185+

St. Louis, MO Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	28	44	54	67	76	85	89	87	80	69	54	43
Avg. Low (°F)	21	25	34	46	55	65	69	67	59	48	36	26
Rec. High (°F)	77	83	89	93	98	105	115	107	104	94	85	76
Rec. Low (°F)	-18	-10	-5	22	31	43	51	47	36	23	1	-16
Rainfall (in)	2.0	2.1	3.3	3.6	3.9	3.8	3.8	3.0	3.0	2.8	3.1	2.6

St. Louis Midwest location gives it a continental climate with four distinct seasons. The average high is 66°F and the average low is 46°F. July is the hottest month of the year with highs reaching almost 90°F, while January is the coldest month with temperatures dropping as low as 39°F.

The average precipitation is 36.8 inches. Winter is generally the driest month and spring is the wettest. Thunderstorms generally occur 40 to 50 days a year, and are occasionally severe with strong winds, hail and possibly tornadoes. The best time to visit St. Louis is in the fall when temperatures are mild and precipitation is low.

Meeting Planning in St. Louis, MO

America's Center

Only 13 miles south of the airport and two blocks away from the MetroLink convention center station, America's Center Convention Complex is a convenient location for meetings and events of any type and size. Its 500,000 square feet of meeting space includes a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, the Ferrara Theatre, which seats 1,400 people on three terraced levels, over 80 flexible meeting rooms and six exhibit halls ranging from 1,850 square feet to the 104,800-square-foot Edward Jones Dome. Opened in 1995, the $280 million dome is also home to the St. Louis Rams and has hosted numerous sporting events, musical performances and a pastoral visit from Pope John Paul II, which was the largest indoor gathering ever held in the U.S. For smaller meetings of up to 100 people, rooms in St. Louis Executive Conference Center (SECC) are available on the third floor on the complex.

A free airport shuttle, on-site security staff, audio visual capabilities and wi-fi accessibility are among the amenities offered by America's Center, along with on-site catering from nationally-recognized Levy Restaurants of Chicago and Tony's of St. Louis. Services are offered for breakfast, lunch, dinner, receptions and snacks, and menus can be customized for any event or meeting, whether it be filet mignon or a barbecue buffet. SECC also offers an on-site business center for copy, fax and secretarial services and wireless capability, and rooms are equipped with soundproof walls, ergonomic chairs, wireless Internet access in addition to teleconference and cable television capabilities. SECC rooms are also held on a 24-hour basis, privately and securely, so set-ups can remain overnight.

America's Center is located amid several downtown parking garages and surface lots. Over 30,000 spaces are available within a 10-minute walk to the complex.

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Other Convention Centers in St. Louis, MO

Name	Address	Total Meeting Space
St. Charles Convention Center, managed by Global Spectrum	One Convention Center Plaza St. Charles, Missouri 63303	65,000 Sq. Ft.

St. Louis, MO Airport Information

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)

Approximate taxi fare: $30-40 USD

Lambert-St. Louis International is an airport of "firsts," being the first municipally-owned airport as well as the location of the first plane ride of President Theodore Roosevelt and the first parachute jump. Located only 13 miles northwest of downtown, it is the 33rd busiest airport in North America. The airport provided service to over 15 million passengers in 2007 and offers an average of 700 flights each day. The 1,786-acre airport has 83 gates and serves more than 70 nonstop national and international destinations with 13 airlines and two charters.

In 2007, the airport announced plans for $70-million renovation of the main terminal, known as the Airport Experience Campaign, the largest in the airport’s history. Expected to be complete in 2013, finished projects include improved way finding and signage, a faster baggage carousel and new restaurants and food vendors. In the meantime, travelers can enjoy amenities including wi-fi connectivity, retail shops and restaurants such as the St. Louis-style barbecue joint Rib Cafe and chains California Pizza Kitchen and Chili's.

The airport has two parking garages and five open-air parking lots that accommodate intermediate, short- and long-term parking. A free shuttle bus connects the lots and terminals. The MetroLink light rail also connects the airport's terminals to downtown, making stops at points of interest such as the Gateway Arch. A two-hour pass from the airport is $4.

Airline carriers serving Lambert-St. Louis International Airport

Air Canada
American
AirTran Airways
Continental
Delta

Frontier
Great Lakes Airlines
Midwest Airlines
Northwest

Southwest
United
US Airways
America West

St. Louis, MO Train Information

St. Louis Station

Amtrak service in St. Louis arrives at the Gateway Station. Opened in 2008, it is the state’s largest rail transportation station. The station sees over 900 Amtrak passengers daily as part of the Amtrak's Illinois Routes, Missouri River Runner and Texas Eagle. Together these routes include the cities of Chicago, Kansas City, Missouri, Dallas and San Antonio.

St. Louis, MO Public Transportation

MetroBus

The MetroBus runs over 50 routes throughout St. Louis City and County. Hours vary by route and day of the week. MetroBus fare is $2, with reduced fares for children ages 5-12, seniors ages 65 and older and people with disabilities. Exact change is required.

MetroLink

The St. Louis MetroLink is a 46-mile-long light rail transit system with 37 stations. The system consists of two lines connecting Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Shrewsbury, Missouri, to Scott Air Force Base near Shiloh, Illinois. MetroLink stops at numerous points of interest including Union Station, Busch Stadium, Laclede's Landing and Forest Park. Each day an average of 67,684 people ride the MetroLink, which runs daily with hours based on day and location. Cash fare $2.25 and a day pass is $7.50. Reduced fares are available for children ages 5-12, seniors ages 65 and older and people with disabilities. Fare is free for children under 5.

Rental Cars

Various rental car companies operate in St. Louis. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty serve the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Courtesy buses are available to take passengers from the rental car services in the main terminal to their respective off-site lots.

Taxis

St. Louis has numerous taxi cab services available, with over 700 on-call companies holding licenses with the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission. One of the oldest and largest companies is St. Louis County Cab with 250 vehicles. Sample fares, which are in accordance with the MTC's guidelines, for the company are $3 for the first 1/10 mile and $0.20 for each additional mile. Additional charges include $1 for each additional passenger, $1 per trip fuel surcharge and $3 surcharge for each trip originating at Lambert Airport.

Approximate Taxi Fares from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport

Downtown St. Louis
Clatyon
Westport

$43.26
$30.52
$606.33

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Columbia, MO	127 mi	2 hr 4 min	3 hr 36 min	USD $530+
Indianapolis, IN	242 mi	3 hr 50 min	1 hr 5 min	USD $170+
Kansas City, MO	249 mi	3 hr 51 min	4 hr 34 min	USD $450+
Memphis, TN	292 mi	4 hr 31 min	1 hr 13 min	USD $440+
Chicago, IL	297 mi	4 hr 50 min	1 hr 13 min	USD $185+

St. Louis, MO Image Gallery

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Busch Stadium, Home of the St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis, MO Area Discounts and Promotions

Big Cedar Lodge. Anything But a Bored Room.

Big Cedar is the perfect place for hosting gatherings of all kinds, from corporate meetings to incentive trips. Choose from several adaptable meeting and function rooms of varying sizes and rustic decor to accommodate groups up to 1,000. Conference, theatre, banquet, and classroom-style seating arrangements are available. Our staff has a complete inventory of modern audio/visual technology available to suit your needs. Big Cedar Lodge is honored to have corporate groups that return year after year. They are repeat customers because of the hospitality and care to detail they receive along with the unique team-building experiences offered. And of course, Big Cedar provides marvelous views and activities for every age.

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Rediscover Connections at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center.

Gather at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites for your next meeting. We offer the perfect venue for your next event with over 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space to accommodate groups of any size. Featuring 12 separate meeting spaces allows groups to come together or breakout as needed, all while overlooking fantastic views of the downtown skyline. VIP's will arrive in style and comfort under our 5,000 square foot covered motor lobby, the largest in the city, with an elevator leading directly to the meeting space. In addition to everything the hotel has to offer by doing business with the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites meeting planners qualify for Starpoints promotions throughout the year.

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Why St. Louis? Why not!

St. Louis is a city filled with rich culture and world-class attractions, and is the ideal Midwest location for a romantic getaway, a summer family vacation or a spur of the moment escape. Situated in the heart of downtown St. Louis, the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel is just steps away from renowned Washington Avenue restaurants, entertainment & nightlife, blending sophisticated style with an ideal location. Contact us today for amazing group offers and affordable package rates. Experience lavish amenities, outstanding comfort and the highest level of personal service that only Renaissance can provide.

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Busch Stadium - Undeniably St. Louis. Absolutely unforgettable.

Rich with tradition and a colorful past, Busch Stadium has hosted some of the most unique, unforgettable moments in St. Louis history. But beyond World Series championships, All-Star Games and major concerts, Busch Stadium hosts countless meetings, events and corporate celebrations. Busch Stadium’s iconic field and 17 distinct venues offer guests a variety of elegant settings, gourmet dining and panoramic views that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. So, whether it’s a dinner on the track, a star-studded gala or a leadership conference, Busch Stadium Special Events turns every gathering into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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