Planners throughout Missouri can easily hit a home run with groups that appreciate the addition of a sports outing sometime during the meeting.
Tickets to professional and collegiate sporting events can be arranged, and groups of varying activity levels can get competitive during sports-centric teambonding activities, from bowling and laser tag to golf and fishing.
St. Louis
St. Louis is a sports-friendly destination where groups can arrange outings to watch a game, take a tour or participate in other fun activities, according to Anthony Paraino, director of public relations for Explore St. Louis. Venues include Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals; Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues hockey team; and Toyota Stadium, where the Saint Louis FC soccer team plays.
Planners can also partner with several other area sports facilities, including Gateway Motorsports Park Kartplex and Pole Position Raceway, where groups can participate in a kart-racing teambuilding event. They can also check out Climb So iLL or Upper Limits for indoor rock-climbing.
At Flamingo Bowl, which has two party rooms, groups can enjoy the Art Deco decor while bowling and sharing appetizers, and at Chesterfield Sports Fusion, which has an on-site executive meeting room, groups can engage in a variety of games from laser tag to miniature golf.
Kansas City
Missouri’s other major sports destination is Kansas City, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, who play at Arrowhead Stadium, and MLB’s Kansas City Royals, who play at Kauffman Stadium.
Kauffman Stadium has several different spaces for a group experience, according to Becky Harsch, Visit KC’s national accounts manager for the sports market.
“I love the dugout suites,” she said, and added the stadium has some delicious Kansas City food and drink, including barbecue and microbrews.
Conveniently located downtown within walking distance of the Kansas City Convention Center is the interactive College Basketball Experience (CBE), where groups can arrange a fun teambuilding outing as well as receptions and other events. CBE also houses the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Branson
The sporty teambuilding possibilities in Branson are seemingly endless, according to Terra Alphonso, director of sports marketing and development for the Branson/Lakes Area CVB.
Among the options are Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours, which has a pavilion groups can use for meal functions, and Fritz’s Adventure, an indoor attraction filled with ropes courses, underground tubes and tunnels, and suspended bridges.
“After your attendees are done buzzing about the tree houses, interconnected walkways and water tower complete with spiral rope staircase and slide, they can enjoy healthy food-and-beverage options from Fritz’s restaurant,” Alphonso said.
Branson is also home to award-winning golf with views of the Ozarks, including the course at Thousand Hills Golf Resort, where a dedicated staff will assist with group tournaments.
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There are many on-the-sidelines options in Branson as well, from baseball at Ballparks of America to men’s basketball at College of the Ozarks.
Springfield
In Springfield, groups will have a ball checking out a Cardinals Minor League Baseball game at Hammons Field.
“Groups can be seated in specific sections of the stadium or even rent the Redbird Roost where they can enjoy an all-you-can-eat concession stand,” said Susan Wade, public relations manager for the Springfield Missouri CVB. “Scoreboard welcomes, throwing out the first pitch, and participating in the wacky on-field games between innings also are options.”
Springfield also offers a variety of group-friendly golf courses, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which has space for receptions and banquets, and the recently remodeled Andy B’s, an entertainment center with bowling, laser tag, a game room, a full-service restaurant and space for private events.
Columbia
Groups will find an active sports calendar in Columbia, home to the University of Missouri.
According to Megan McConachie, strategic communications manager for the Columbia CVB, groups may purchase tickets to Mizzou football, basketball, baseball and softball games.
“The Mizzou department of athletics has a dedicated staff to review group ticket options ranging from preferred blocks of seating at Mizzou football games to suites at Mizzou basketball games,” she said.
Groups can also hit the links in Columbia at either the group-friendly L.A. Nickell Golf Course, which is adjacent to Cosmo Park’s ample outdoor meeting spaces for group gatherings, or Lake of the Woods Golf Course, which has a new shelter area and a recently renovated clubhouse that can accommodate private events.
“Having two courses makes for greater opportunities to host corporate tournaments,” McConachie said.
Lake of the Ozarks
The Lake of the Ozarks offers 13 golf courses, several of which are associated with a convention property.
“Many groups offer a scramble or some other type of tournament play with their conference,” said Lagina Fitzpatrick, director of sales for the Lake of the Ozarks CVB.
The Lodge of Four Seasons recently implemented a new golf-by-the-hour concept that according to Frederik Houben, the property’s director of sales and marketing, creates an exceptional value and opportunity for convention guests.
“Even an hour between meetings is enough to play a few holes,” he said.
Beyond golf, boat rentals and fishing guides, including Bassing Bob and Big Ed’s Guide Service, are available for groups that would like to spend the day out on one of the country’s top fisheries, and beach/sand volleyball is becoming another lake-area favorite.
“Old Kinderhook has added a space for sand volleyball in the season that converts to an ice-skating rink in the wintertime,” Fitzpatrick said.
St. Charles
Spectator sports in Greater St. Charles include the River City Raiders indoor football team, which plays at the Family Arena, and River City Rascals Minor League Baseball team, which plays at CarShield Field.
“River City Rascals provide an ideal atmosphere for group events and game-day experiences at affordable prices,” said Joanie Ohlms, director of sales for the Greater St. Charles CVB.
Getting in on the game is also a snap in the area, including group-friendly golf tournaments at Bogey Hills Country Club and Old Hickory Golf Club.
There is also an entertaining collection of recreational destinations here, including Boschertown Go-Karts, where groups can hold fun teambonding races as well as off-site receptions; Kokomo Joe’s, where groups will find meeting space and activities including bumper cars, miniature golf and laser tag; and Demolition Ball/Adrenaline Zone, which specializes in demolition ball, combining hockey, football, polo and basketball all played in bumper cars.
Jefferson City
Sporty opportunities in Jefferson City include outings to Vivion Field, the host site for the Jefferson City Renegades, a collegiate summer baseball team, and Washington Park Ice Arena, the winter home for the University of Missouri’s hockey team.
At Turkey Creek Golf Center groups will find several competitive options for socializing and networking, including an 18-hole miniature golf course, a covered outdoor driving range and a nine-hole golf course at the brand-new Ken Lanning Golf Center.
Also recently opened is The Linc, a wellness and recreation center that was completed in February, according to Chris Wilson, film/sales manager for the Jefferson City CVB.
“This 80,000-square-foot multiuse facility will positively influence the sports tourism market in Jefferson City because it will give us a resource that we have never had before,” he said, adding the facility has four basketball courts, six volleyball courts and about 35,000 square feet of open space. “The facility also features a concession stand with a healthy vibe, meeting space and a lobby area with tables and TVs.”
