and a nightly 3-D light show. Courtesy Explore St. Louis
ExploreStLouis.com; @ExploreStLouis
In St. Louis, history meets innovation, offering a unique blend of cultural, architectural, and culinary experiences to distinguish it as a must-visit destination, according to Ed Skapinok, chief commercial officer for Explore St. Louis. “Our central location makes it easily accessible, while our rich heritage and forward-thinking development continue to captivate meeting and event planners,” he says. “The America’s Center Convention Complex, with its recent AC Next Gen expansion, exemplifies this commitment to excellence. Also, the city’s affordability, paired with the ease of navigating its compact downtown, makes it a practical yet inspiring choice for conferences and events. Beyond the convention floor, attendees can immerse themselves in St. Louis’ thriving entertainment districts, such as the vibrant Ballpark Village and buzzing Delmar Loop, which offer dining, live music, and nightlife experiences.”
According to Explore St. Louis, the heart of the recently completed $256 million AC Next Gen expansion at The America’s Center Convention Complex is a 72,000-square-foot exhibit hall with cutting-edge technology and adaptable infrastructure to accommodate a diverse range of gatherings. “Another standout feature is the innovative culinary garden, which exemplifies America’s Center’s commitment to sustainability and fresh, delicious cuisine. The garden supports the complex’s in-house catering team while serving as a unique event space for attendees,” Stapinok says.
With 574,000 square feet of exhibit space, 95 meeting rooms, and a 28,000-square-foot ballroom, the convention complex also includes the 67,000-seat Dome at America’s Center, a 1,400-seat theater, and the Executive Conference Center for smaller meetings and events. The city offers more than 7,500 guest rooms within a mile of The America’s Center.
According to Explore St. Louis, the city has undertaken several significant infrastructure projects to enhance transportation, public safety, and urban development. These include a greenway expansion in midtown to connect the area to the Metro Transit system; security and comfort enhancements at all MetroLink stations, scheduled for completion in 2026; and the 7th Street Revitalization Project, to enhance downtown roadways, sidewalks, and public spaces.
Larger convention hotels include the 910-room Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, the closest hotel to Gateway Arch National Park, with 83,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space; the historic Marriott St. Louis Grand, with 917 guest rooms and 74,014 square feet of function space across 40 event rooms; 671-room Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, with 36,436 total square feet of event space across 23 meeting rooms and seating 1,200 guests theater style; 293-room Holiday Inn St. Louis Downtown Convention Center, with 14,000 square feet of function space; 173-room 21c Museum Hotel, with an art gallery, a full-service wellness center, and more than 14,000 square feet of function space; and 216-room Live! By Loews St. Louis, with 10,500 square feet of indoor event space and a 6,000-square-foot outdoor venue.
The AAA Four Diamond St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton has been a St. Louis icon since 1894. It has 567 guest rooms and 104,799 square feet of total event space across 48 meeting rooms. Its largest space, the Midway, can accommodate 2,382 guests for banquets or 2,863 for receptions. The complex features the St. Louis Aquarium, a 200-foot-tall observation wheel, and a nightly 3-D light show.
Horseshoe St. Louis Casino features table games, poker, slot machines, boutique shopping, multiple dining options—including Morton’s The Steakhouse and Ramsay’s Kitchen—and two hotels: the 294-room Hotel Lumière at the Arch Rooms and Suites and the 200-room Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, which includes The Spa at Four Seasons. Together, the casino and hotels offer more than 20,000 square feet of function space.
Distinct event destinations include Ballpark Village, with more than 10 venues, five concert stages, and additional spaces, including rooftop venues with views into Busch Stadium; 18 Rails THE Venue at City Foundry, with 6,724 square feet of function space to host 700 guests for receptions; and the 32-acre Energizer Park district (formerly CityPark), with a 22,500-seat stadium that is home to Major League Soccer’s St. Louis CITY SC. The district and park have a variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces, including the ULTRA Club, which seats 350 theater style. Event space at the city’s famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery includes the 150-person-capacity Lager Room, an outdoor tented and heated Biergarten for up to 300 guests, and an indoor Biergarten, which can seat up to 150 guests, or 500 guests when combined with the outdoor space.
Family-friendly attractions abound in the city, including the iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Gardens, City Museum, and Forest Park, one of the nation’s largest urban parks.
