February/March Newsletter
Area Updates

Get Involved! Volunteer!
Do you want to get more involved in SLAA? Click here for more information.

Would you like the opportunity to the Featured Attraction in the SLAA newsletter? Submit your name!
President's Corner
Hello everybody!

Andy Waterman here, your new SLAA President for 2023. For those that I have not yet had the pleasure to meet, I am the Communications Director for Discover Downstate Illinois (formerly ILLINOISouth Tourism). Our tourism bureau covers 21 counties throughout the southern portion of the state, making us geographically the largest bureau in Illinois. In my role I oversee our website, social media channels, and I write much of the content for our publications. I have been on the board of the St. Louis Attractions Association since late 2018, and I am very excited to be this year’s President.
Register for the March 15th Meeting!
Please join us for a regional tourism update as Butler's Pantry hosts our March meeting at one of their newest event spaces - 18Rails inside City Foundry! Learn about what's new for the upcoming busy tourism season from leaders at Explore St. Louis and Discover Downstate Illinois. We'll also be rolling out a membership referral contest, talking about the Scholarship and Spirit Awards luncheon in May and more! After the meeting, check out the other new venues at City Foundry like Alamo Drafthouse, Puttshack and Sandbox VR! We can't wait to see you!
AV Generously Provided by
Meeting Sponsor
Featured Attraction: Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch National Park is an inspiration as well as a destination. With over 43,000 tons of concrete and steel the 630’ wide and 630’ tall iconic, elegant arc is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the Gateway Arch commemorates westward expansion. Since, it’s completion in 1965, millions of visitors have enjoyed the stunning views, stretching 30-miles east and west, from the top of the Arch as part of the Tram Ride to the Top experience. Read more...
Submit Your Nominations for the 2023 Spirit of St. Louis Award!
The Spirit of St. Louis Awards recognizes programs and individuals that exemplify the spirit of hospitality and have a positive impact on the tourism industry in St. Louis. Nominations for each category are accepted year round and can be filled out online. Winners will be announced at the May 2023 meeting.

Eligible nominees may have served in any of a variety of positions, ranging from front-line service to management, at an attraction, hotel, restaurant, or with any other associated or affiliated industry. Both members and non-members of SLAA are eligible to receive awards; however, nominations must be submitted by a SLAA member. You are welcome to make unlimited nominations. Click here for online nominations.
Now Accepting Applications for the Carole Moody Scholarship!
Applications for the 2023 Saint Louis Attractions Association Carole Moody Scholarship are due April 14, 2023. The scholarship is open to any undergraduate college student or high school senior entering college majoring in a field that could contribute to the tourism/hospitality industry. Don't forget to forward this information to your interns! 

Don't Forget to Renew Your SLAA Membership!
SLAA provides members the opportunity to network, gain industry contacts, learn more about marketing and operations as well as build an awareness of your business through partnering with other location attractions. We look forward to programming that will help you stay connected to our region and to the changes and trends in the tourism and hospitality industry. Whether it's a local or state-wide tourism update or learning how your industry colleagues are attracting new visitors, join us as we continue to make the tourism industry in St. Louis strong and vibrant.

Additional advantages of being a member include business exposure through sponsorship of membership meetings; opportunities for greater involvement through committees; free listings on our website and membership directory; promotion of your organization's internship programs; opportunities to distribute your information to our membership; an annual scholarship program for member employees, interns or family members; and much more.

SLAA has been a great resource for the tourism industry since 1987, and we are looking forward to another great year of excellent programming and networking opportunities, providing useful tools and resources, and offering volunteer opportunities as well.
Saint Louis Attractions Association | www.stlattractions.org