JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri cities will have greater ability to attract major conventions to the state after Gov. Jay Nixon signed the “Meet in Missouri Act” last week.
HB 1698, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, creates a fund that local convention commissions can use to attract conventions. The fund cannot be used by cities within the state to compete against each other.
“Major convention events are opportunities to showcase Missouri businesses and attractions to visitors from around the world,” Rowden said. “I’m proud we were able to create a program that empowers local communities to better seize those opportunities while also including rigorous oversight and taxpayer protections.”
A major convention plan must be approved by the director of economic development and there are several requirements for a convention to tap into the fund. A convention must occur within five years from the application, the commission competing for the convention cannot compete against other cities in the state, and the economic benefit to the state must exceed the amount of the grant. Conventions will have to draw more than 50 percent of their participants from out of state and require overnight hotel stays.
Grant funds can be used for security, utility costs, cleaning, event production, set-up and tear-down expenses, rental fees, personnel and event-specific construction needs. The amount granted is capped at $1 million or 50 percent of the cost of the convention, whichever is less.
The bill received support during the legislative process from the the the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, Visit KC, the Missouri Restaurant Association, City of Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association.
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry also praised the legislation as a way to bring more business to the state through these large conventions.
“There are so many positive aspects about the convention business in our state. These events create a significant economic boost during the course of the meetings. However, the biggest benefit happens when the attendees return home and tell their family and friends about their positive experience in Missouri,” said Daniel Mehan, the chamber’s president. “Missouri’s central location makes us a natural location for hosting more regional and national conventions. The Meet in Missouri Act will help ensure Missouri cities can be as competitive as possible when it comes to bringing conventions to our state.”
The legislation has a 6-year sunset.
