St. Louis
- The Laurel (314.231.0400; www.bradycapital.com/The_Laurel.html), a 630,000-square-foot development adjacent to America's Center, is a mixed-use project that will feature a 212-room Embassy Suites Hotel, a restaurant, bar and the National Blues Museum (314.534.2100; www.nationalbluesmuseum.org) when it opens in late 2011 or early 2012.
- The 92-room Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis/South I-55 (314.894.1900; http://hamptoninn.hilton.com) opened in November with meeting space for groups of up to 40 people, an indoor pool and a fitness center.
- In May 2010, the 220-room Parkway Hotel (314.256.7777; www.theparkwayhotel.com) opened a new meeting room that seats 55 theater style.
- The former Kiel Opera House, which opened in 1934, is undergoing a $78 million renovation and is scheduled to reopen as the Peabody Opera House (314.421.1023; www.explorestlouis.com) in fall 2011. In addition to the main 3,200-seat theater, the facility will feature four smaller theaters that can accommodate special events.
- Slated to open in summer 2011 are the Missouri Civil War Museum and MCWM Studies Center at Jefferson Barracks Historic Site (314.845.1861; www.mcwm.org). The two facilities will become the state's largest educational complex dedicated exclusively to the study of Missouri's role in the Civil War.
St. Charles
- The Grand Opera House Banquet Center (314.406.3783; www.ohbanquets.com) opened in 2010 to serve groups from 50 to 200 people. Originally popular in the 1930s, this unique meeting space located in the Historic District features hardwood floors, chandeliers, an antique bar and the original 16-foot decorative tin ceiling.
- Quintessential Dining & Nightlife (636.443.2211; www.q-stl.com) recently opened a rooftop terrace. This indoor-outdoor meeting space features a granite bar and intimate gazebo-style lounge seating.
Kansas City
- The $175 million Livestrong Sporting Park (888.452.4625; www.sportingkc.com) is an 18,500-seat arena that will open this summer for soccer games, concerts, rugby matches and other events.
- The initial phase of the new Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway (610.373.2400; www.hollywoodcasinokansas.com) will include a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor with 2,300 slot machines and 86 table games. Additional phases include a 300-room hotel, a spa, a convention center and an entertainment district.
St. Joseph
- A new Candlewood Suites (877.226.3539; www.ichotelsgroup.com) is being constructed in the northeast section of St. Joseph with 81 rooms. Groundbreaking on the $5.5 million project should occur in July, with completion slated for spring 2012.
Jefferson City
- Baymont Inn and Suites Jefferson City (573.636.5231; www.baymontinns.com) finished a major renovation in January. The property offers amenities that include banquet and meeting spaces and a fitness room.
Branson
- Radisson Hotel Branson (417.335.5767; www.radisson.com) is starting a renovation in August. Scheduled for completion by spring 2012, the project will include remodeling of its on-site restaurant and lounge, suites and meeting space.
- In March, the Track Family Fun Parks (417.334.1612; www.bransontracks.com) opened Heavy Metal High Rise, a new four-story go-kart track experience.
Springfield
- The Hilton Garden Inn Springfield (417.875.8800; www.hiltongardeninn.hilton.com) opened in spring 2011 with a business center, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and 3,500 square feet of meeting space. The building features a variety of environmentally friendly amenities and the owners anticipate receiving LEED certification later this year.
- Wonders of Wildlife (417.245.9453; www.wondersofwildlife.org) is undergoing major renovations and expects to reopen in 2012. The facility includes aquariums, educational displays, hands-on activities and live animal exhibits.