Tucked between the metro heavyweights of Kansas City and St. Louis are Jefferson City, Columbia and the Lake of the Ozarks region. Although lesser known than their neighboring cities, these three destinations are meetings standouts with a wealth of cultural attractions, top-notch venues, culinary hot spots and some of the friendliest residents west of the Mississippi.
Jefferson City
Missouri’s capital of Jefferson City is a perfect spot for value-seeking groups, says Marianne Thies, sales manager for the Jeffereson City CVB.
"We have a lot of free, historic attractions," she says. "Groups can take free tours of the state capitol, which is really incredible. It was chosen as the most beautiful interior of any state capital in the 50 states by USA Today.
"You can also get a free guided tour of the Supreme Court of Missouri, which is located just across from the capitol," she adds. "We also have the Highway Patrol Museum, the Museum of Missouri Military History, Runge Nature Center and the Veterinary Museum of Missouri, all of which are free to guests."
One of the city’s biggest attractions is the Missouri State Penitentiary, which opened in 1836 and closed in 2004. Although a hardhat tour will cost you $12, it is worth it, Thies says.
"In 1893 it was considered the most efficient prison in the country," she says. "It housed and fed prisoners for just 11 cents per day. You can learn a lot of fun things on the tour, like the fact that Sunny Liston learned to box there."
With a population hovering just below 40,000, Thies says residents are "very friendly" to visiting groups and always happy to help when needed.
Jefferson City, which houses more than 1,300 guest rooms, primarily attracts association and government groups with somewhere between 200 and 300 delegates, filling in holes with education, military and family reunion events.
Although the city does not yet have a dedicated convention center, planners can find ample meeting space inside venues such as the Capitol Plaza Hotel, offering 200 sleeping rooms and 22,000 square feet of meeting space. Also on the top of meeting space lists is the 232-room Truman Hotel & Conference Center, which features 24,000 square feet of group gathering space.
The Doubletree Hotel Jefferson City is another meetings hot spot with 151 guest rooms and 6,000 square feet of meeting space.
After meetings end, delegates can visit an array of cultural and dining options in Jefferson City. Theater-loving groups can take in a performance at The Capital City Players, while delegates looking for an excellent meal can check out Sapphire Bar & Grill (located in the Doubletree Hotel) and Domenico’s Italian Restaurant & Lounge.
Columbia
Smack-dab in the middle of the Show Me State is the vibrant city of Columbia, home to the University of Missouri, Stephens College and Columbia College.
"We are right in the middle of the state, which is a positive for association groups that have a membership base dispersed throughout the state," says Lorah Steiner, executive director of the Columbia CVB. "Our location tends to increase attendance."
The city’s location isn’t the only thing that is attractive. A five-minute stroll down Broadway in the District neighborhood reveals a locale bustling with activity and chuck-full of funky boutiques, bookstores, art studios, ice cream shops and quaint galleries.
"If you go into the District, you will find places like The Blue Note, which is one of the best-known music venues in the country," Steiner says. "One of the things we hear from planners is that they didn’t think there was much to do in Columbia, but after they’ve been here, they plan to return for years to come. We have close to a 95 percent excellent rating on our post-conference surveys."
In addition to the District, Columbia hosts a wide variety of festivals all year long.
"I always find out if there is a festival going on so I can recommend it to my attendees," Steiner says. "We have so many festivals, including the True/False Film Festival, Heritage Festival, Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival, Art in the Park, and Living Windows Festival (a contest for prettiest storefronts) at the end of the year."
Primarily entertaining association and SMERF events of between 100 and 300 delegates, Columbia offers a variety of meeting options, such as the recently renovated Holiday Inn Executive Center, Days Inn and Stoney Creek Inn; the new Holiday Inn Hotel Columbia-East; the Hampton Inn Columbia and the Hilton Garden Inn Columbia.
The city features an array of dining options for groups, including Sycamore, Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar and Murry’s Restaurant, which features live jazz five nights per week.
Lake of the Ozarks
Head south down U.S. Route 54 from Columbia and a little more than an hour later you will find yourself in the picturesque Lake of the Ozarks region, consisting of the communities of Lake West, Lake Ozark, Eldon, Camdenton and Osage Beach.
"The Lake of the Ozarks is a great area for groups because of its central location, beauty and unique venues," says Lagina Fitzpatrick, director of sales for the Lake of the Ozarks CVB. "Due to our central location and the fact that we have one of the largest resorts in the state, Tan-Tar-A Resort, the association market is our top market for convention properties with corporate coming in second."
In addition to Tan-Tar-A, in 2008 the region welcomed Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark. The property, which is located right at Toad Cove Yacht Club, offers 116 guest rooms, 16,000 square feet of meeting space, retail shops, a 48-seat theater, a pool and a swim-up bar.
Other meetings properties include the newly renovated Lodge of Four Seasons, the soon-to-be-updated Country Club Hotel & Spa, Resort at Port Arrowhead, Old Kinderhook Resort & Golf Club and the Inn at Grand Glaize.
Outside the meeting room, delegates can get their fresh air adventure fix by visiting Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton.
"Ha Ha Tonka is a geological wonderland with sinkholes, natural caves, a huge natural bridge, soaring bluffs and Missouri’s 12th-largest spring," Fitzpatrick says. "More than 15 miles of trails traverse the park, leading visitors to spectacular scenery, natural wonders and famous castle ruins. It’s a can’t miss."
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Media editor.
