DiscoverStCharles.com; @DiscoverStCharlesMO
With a scenic riverfront and a unique history as Missouri’s first state capital and the starting point of the Lewis & Clark expedition,
St. Charles is a premiere destination for meetings and events, just 10 minutes from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), according to Joanie Ohlms, director of sales for Discover St. Charles. “Located just outside St. Louis,
St. Charles offers the perks of a major metropolitan area without the congestion, making it an ideal retreat-style location for planners who want both convenience and charm,” she says. “The Missouri Riverfront provides a stunning backdrop for events, festivals, and outdoor gatherings, adding a natural element that enhances experiences, and our year-round festivals and events, like Festival of the Little Hills and Legends & Lanterns®, immerse visitors in cultural and historic experiences.”
St. Charles Convention Center is the city’s largest event facility, with 86,000 square feet of function space, including a 16,200-square-foot grand ballroom, a 35,700-square-foot exhibit hall, multiple breakout rooms, and pre-function and networking areas. The center is connected to the 296-room Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis St. Charles.
The AAA Four Diamond Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles has 400 guest rooms and a 22,000-square-foot conference center, which can host 700 banquet guests. According to Ohlms, the facility is undergoing a significant expansion. “The project aims to triple the size of its meeting and convention center, adding 43,000 square feet of state-of-the-art event space and an enhanced pre-function area. Upon completion in fall 2025, the resort will feature 65,000 square feet of event and meeting space, making it one of the largest convention centers in the St. Louis metro area.”
Other hotels and venues in St. Charles include the 179-room Drury Plaza Hotel St. Charles, located at Streets of St. Charles, an entertainment, dining, and shopping destination, with a reception capacity of 300 guests; 123-room Courtyard by Marriott St. Peters, with 2,300 square feet of event space; and 133-room Best Western Plus – The Charles Hotel, with space to seat 70 people theater style. There are 2,587 guest rooms in the city, according to Discover St. Charles.
Unique offsite venues for events or excursions include Good News Brewing in Frenchtown, Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade, and the Soda Museum & Main Street Arcade. The Foundry Art Centre offers teambuilding experiences, exhibits, workshops, and performances.
The wine country of St. Charles County offers opportunities for excursions and teambuilding, with numerous wineries and breweries, art galleries, and small-town shopping and dining.
