If the definition of entertainment, according to Merriam-Webster, is "something diverting or engaging," the Show Me State is absolutely abundant with entertaining opportunities for groups outside of the meeting room.
Throughout Missouri planners will find numerous entertainment outlets to spice up a group itinerary, from live music and off-site gatherings at unique performance venues to amusement parks and even miniature golf.
St. Louis Area
In November 2010, Chuck Berry took up permanent residence in The Loop neighborhood when an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of the legendary St. Louis rocker was unveiled across the street from Blueberry Hill, the iconic restaurant and music club where Berry still plays monthly concerts. The Harry Weber-designed sculpture is an entertaining sight in an thoroughly entertaining Midwest destination.
"St. Louis has a great musical history," says Julie Krull, spokesperson for Destination St. Louis, a DMC Network Company, citing artists from Berry to Scott Joplin, who made his home in St. Louis. "Groups visiting St. Louis can experience the full range of musical entertainment, from a night out at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, to a Broadway performance, to a rousing concert in one of our jazz and blues clubs."
Many of the concert halls and theaters in town are available to groups for off-site meetings, including two located in the Grand Center arts and entertainment district. The circa-1929 Fox Theatre is an amazing example of Siamese Byzantine design, Krull says, and Powell Symphony Hall's interior design of red, gold and cream was modeled after the royal chapel at Versailles.
The destination also offers a variety of free entertainment, from Shakespeare in the Park to the Big Muddy Blues Festival, according to Donna Andrews, spokesperson for the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, who adds that St. Louis has many tasty options to entertain groups, including tours at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, cooking classes at the Kitchen Conservatory and group wine tasting at nearby wineries.
Meanwhile, delegates can head to Lumiere Place for exciting and entertaining diversions, from casino fun and hot nightclubs to concerts and other events at the Lumiere Theatre. The attraction also features Hotel Lumiere Suites and Casino, Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and a variety of meeting space.
Entertainment options are overflowing in neighboring St. Charles as well, according to Martha Little, director of sales at the Greater St. Charles CVB.
The anchor showpiece on the north leg of the city's Historic District is the Foundry Art Centre, she says, explaining the renovated railcar manufacturing facility showcases Smithsonian-caliber art galleries, the studios of more than 20 local artists and a grand hall that's used for concerts, events and private functions.
Another popular St. Charles venue for shows and meetings is the Lindenwood University-based J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, including the Bezemes Family Theater, a 1,200-seat Broadway-style venue.
"And while you're in town, don't forget there are more than 120 shops, restaurants and pubs throughout the St. Charles Historic District," Little says.
She adds that groups also enjoy outings to see the minor league River City Rascals play baseball, and team-building adventures via Adrenaline Zone, where laser tag is played in a multilevel arena filled with lights and sounds.
Kansas City Area
Kansas City, Mo., part of the Greater Kansas City area that also includes Overland Park, Kan., and Kansas City, Kan., is home to the entertaining and increasingly popular Power & Light District. The district, according to Denise DeJulio, executive director of convention sales at the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association, is a huge hit with groups.
"It opened a few years ago with more than eight blocks of restaurants and nightclubs, everything from fine dining to line dancing," she says, adding that attendees like its close proximity to the Kansas City Convention Center. "It is also available for group buyouts if planners are interested."
When it opens this September, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will also be available for group rentals. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the $413 million Kauffman Center will be home to the city's ballet, opera and symphony companies.
"A great new museum I would recommend is the National World War I Museum," DeJulio says. "Few people realize the national museum for the Great War is located here, not in D.C. It's simply magnificent and one of our strongest draws for group diversions."
Group-friendly barbecue joints, which Kansas City is known for, include Arthur Bryant's and Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue.
Nearby St. Joseph is a strong arts and entertainment community, according to Jolene Dempster, group sales manager at the St. Joseph CVB.
"We are known for Broadway-caliber shows at the Missouri Theatre, dinner theater and comedy skits at Robidoux Landing Playhouse, and our 12 annual festivals, including Trails West!, the largest arts festival in northwest Missouri, complete with three stages of live entertainment over the third full weekend in August," she says.
Central Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri's capital, has recently become a hotspot of activity because of the decommissioned Missouri State Penitentiary, otherwise known as the "Alcatraz of the Midwest." According to Steve Picker, executive director at the Jefferson City CVB, the facility opened in 1836, almost 100 years before Alcatraz, and housed infamous inmates including Sonny Liston, James Earl Ray and Pretty Boy Floyd.
"Meeting planners are finding the tour to be an excellent entertainment activity for attendees," Picker says, explaining they can choose from a history tour, twilight tour, ghost tour or ghost hunt tour. "Tours can be arranged to fit the conference schedule."
Another unique setting for a group dinner or entertaining evening is the G2 Gallery, located in downtown's historic Lohman Opera House.
"The G2 Gallery's owners offer creative custom menus as well as friendly service with space for 150 people, Picker says.
One of Jefferson City's two wineries, Summit Lake Winery, offers live music every Tuesday through Saturday and also accommodates group meetings.
Columbia also has a variety of entertainment offerings, according to Beth A. Mead, tourism marketing manager at the Columbia CVB.
"We are fortunate to have several live music venues that book a very eclectic range of music, from Willie Nelson to Snoop Dogg," she says.
Among the options are the group-friendly Blue Note, which began as a vaudeville theater in 1927 and is known as one of mid-Missouri's finest live entertainment venues, and the University of Missouri Concert Series, which features everything from modern dance and opera to Broadway shows like Mamma Mia.
Two more entertaining group options in Columbia are outings to Deja Vu Comedy Club, which has hosted performers including Tim Allen and Dennis Leary, and team-building programs with the University of Missouri's Venture Out.
"Venture Out programs can be tailored to specific groups and can include an experience on the Alpine Climbing Tower," Mead says.
According to Karen Kopis, spokesperson at Lake (of the Ozarks) Area COC, an entertaining must when convening in the area is the Osage Beach-based Main Street Music Hall, a live musical extravaganza in its 15th season. The lighthearted show features two hours of current and classic country, gospel and patriotic songs, as well as some comedy.
Southwest Missouri
The start of a long tradition of live music in Branson happened with its first show in the late 1950s. Today, according to Deborah Cohen, director of meeting and convention sales at the Branson/Lakes Area COC and CVB, planners can count on 100-plus shows in more than 50 theaters to entertain groups.
The "Live Music Show Capital of the World" is also known for Branson Landing, situated adjacent to the Branson Convention Center, where attendees will find dining options, nightlife and shopping; three pristine lakes where attendees can enjoy boating, kayaking, parasailing and water skiing; and 200-plus holes of golf, from miniature to championship.
"The Showboat Branson Belle, a traditional paddlewheel boat, cruises Table Rock Lake and provides chartered lunch and sunset dinner cruises for up to 750 guests," Cohen says.
In the late 1940s, Cohen adds, the Herschend Family purchased Marvel Cave, which over the years has become one of the top theme parks in the world, Silver Dollar City. This group favorite features all manner of entertainment, from live shows and thrilling rides to unique dining options.
In downtown Springfield's entertainment district there are dozens of nightclubs and restaurants, a movie theater and performing arts venues that can be used for meetings, according to Dana Maugans, director of sales at the Springfield Missouri CVB.
"It's a lively, vibrant section of the city with lots of musicians, special events and entertainment options," she says.
The most well-known attraction in Springfield, Maugans adds, is Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.
"The Springfield store is the first and largest in the Bass Pro family, with more than 300,000 square feet of retail space, aquariums, taxidermy displays and more," she says. "More than 4 million people visit Bass Pro each year—it's definitely a must-see!"
Among Springfield's popular off-site venues are Pythian Castle, which offers unique entertainment and tours, and the Gillioz Theatre, a member of the National Register of Historic Places, with a calendar of performances and space for meetings.
In nearby Joplin, Route 66 Carousel Park is an entertaining destination for meetings. According to Martha Getz, convention and tourism assistant at the Joplin CVB, attendees can enjoy carnival rides, play a round of miniature golf, take some swings at the batting cages, or ride the go-kart track or bumper boats.
"Another popular stop for groups of all ages is the Candy House Chocolate Factory," Getz says. "Groups can walk through the factory on a guided tour as they learn about the hand-dipping process and watch the candy makers in action."
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus.
