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Volume 9, Issue 11 January 2013 |
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Greetings!
2013 has arrived and here at the CVB we are very much looking forward to a new year of welcoming visitors to Jefferson City and promoting all of our community's attractions & events. Thank you for all of your continued support in 2012 and here's to another terrific year! Ryan Winkler-Burns |
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Upcoming Meetings
January 4
Jefferson City Outdoors
January 8
Hotel/Motel Council
January 8
Discover Jefferson City
January 9
Diplomat Meeting
January 16
Athletic Events Committee |
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Missouri State Penitentiary Posts Record-Breaking Season
 Annual tour attendance at the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) has once again surpassed previous seasons. In 2012, 19,121 visitors explored the historic site; nearly 2,000 more visitors than 2011. The addition of the 2012 attendance numbers brings the cumulative prison tour attendance to more than 50,000 since the CVB started offering tours of MSP in 2009.
"The final numbers of 2012 are incredibly encouraging," said Prison Tour Coordinator Sheila Sanford. "Despite losing the ability to offer tours in the month of March and another unbelievably hot summer, we still met and even exceeded our total numbers from last year. Our staff works extremely hard to provide an enjoyable experience for visitors and it is clear their hard work is paying off as visitors continue to come from all over the world to see this historic gem we are so lucky to have right here in Jefferson City."
More than half of the visitors touring MSP in 2012 enjoyed a 2-hour History Tour, but the number of visitors coming for a Ghost Tour continued to increase, growing from 20% of total tours to 25%.
"The popularity of the prison tours has continued to grow incrementally," said Communications Manager Ryan Winkler-Burns. "We do a fair amount of traditional marketing for the tours in the form of billboards and print advertising, but a huge chunk of the interest is generated from word of mouth and non-traditional social media outlets. MSP has proven to be quite an anomaly and we are looking forward to seeing how its popularity continues to develop in the future."
So what is in store for the Missouri State Penitentiary next year? Sanford and staff will spend the winter evaluating the 2012 season to see which tours sold best and determining what, if any, changes should be made to the lineup for 2013. Additionally, an MSP Prison Museum, which will be housed in the 2nd story of the CVB's office at 100 E. High St., will be opening in the spring of 2013.
"The Prison Museum will give us a brand new way to showcase the history of MSP." Sanford added. "When out-of-town visitors or bus groups tour the prison, the museum will give them another reason to come Downtown and hopefully explore a little more than they might have before."
For more information about the Missouri State Penitentiary tours visit www.MissouriPenTours.com or call (866)998-6998. Please email Sheila Sanford at sheila@visitjeffersoncity.com for further questions. |
 CVB Launches "Be a Good Sport" (BAGS) Campaign
The Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau and Athletic Events Committee are excited to launch the first-ever "Be a Good Sport" (BAGS) Campaign in conjunction with the 2013 Athletic Events Committee Fundraiser, which will be held on February 1st, 2013.
10 sports-related service packages were initially created to test community interest. In less than two weeks, students from local schools, faculty, sports buffs and other "good sports" donated their time and talent and all 10 of the original treasures were purchased. Now more than 20 additional packages are being offered for consideration. A full description of each BAGS package is posted on www.VisitJeffersonCity.com/BAGScampaign. If you would like to purchase one or more of the BAGS please fill out an BAGS bid form or call CVB Sports Sales Manager Chris Wilson at (573) 632-2820. The minimum and maximum bid per package is $100. If more than one person submits an offer for the same BAGS package, a drawing will be held prior to the February 1st Athletic Events Committee Fundraiser to determine the winner (you do not pay if you do not win).
The packages include: fun party activities for birthdays, holidays, etc., perfect solutions for dreaded chores, delicious dinner/lunch/brunch "carry-ins" for small groups, and clever gifts you can give to others who will cherish your thoughtfulness. 100% of the proceeds will be used to promote sporting events in the Capital City. |
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BEST WESTERN PLUS Capital Inn Recognized as a
2012 Customer Care Champion
 The BEST WESTERN PLUS Capital Inn recently received the 2012 Best Western Champion Customer Care Award for the third year in a row. Since re-opening in the spring of 2007, owners and brothers Larry & Dale Gerstner have been proud to accept 15 awards from Best Western International for their hard work and dedication to creating a superior experience for each of their guests.
Dale and his daughter, Dayla, accepted their most recent award at the Best Western International Convention and Global Conference held in Las Vegas. This honor is bestowed upon properties that demonstrate and best exemplify exceptional levels of service and care. BEST WESTERN PLUS Capital Inn met those standards by ranking in the top 10 of over 2,000 Best Western hotels nationwide for guest satisfaction surveys and scoring a perfect 1,000 points during their most recent Quality Assurance assessment.
The Gerstners are also proud to announce the green initiatives they recently completed. Missouri Solar Apps completed the installation of 216 solar panels on the roof of BEST WESTERN PLUS Capital Inn in November of 2012. These panels are expected to produce 15% of the electricity for the hotel. In addition, nearly 100 florescent and metal halide light bulbs have been replaced with LED lighting throughout the property.
Congratulations to BEST WESTERN PLUS Capital Inn on these recent accomplishments!
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Museum After Hours Continues in 2013
If you haven't yet experienced walking through the Missouri State Museum at night, have no fear - the Museum After Hours events will be continuing through 2013. The Missouri State Museum, located on the first floor of the Missouri State Capitol, offers free monthly Museum After Hours events for those who can't visit during normal hours or who are looking to explore the Capitol after dark. During these events, held on the first Wednesday of every month, the Museum is open for evening hours from 5-9 pm. Special interpretive programs are also offered at 7 pm on these nights in the Museum classroom, located in the east wing.
Upcoming interpretive program topics include presentations on the Meskers and the Iron Works on January 2nd, "A Fight for Freedom and Union - African American Response to the Civil War in Missouri" on February 6th, and "Vincent Marmaduke - The Confederacy's James Bond" on March 6th. Evening entry to the Museum for Museum After Hours events will be through the carriage entrance on the south side of the Capitol, underneath the grand staircase. For more information, contact the Missouri State Museum at (573) 751-2853 or visit www.MoStateParks.com/Park/Missouri-State-Museum. |
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January Events
"Meskers in Missouri" Museum after Hours --- January 2
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Location: Missouri State Museum, located on the 1st floor of the Missouri State Capitol
Description: In January, the Missouri State Museum will continue to have "Museum After Hours" on the first Wednesday of each month, when museum galleries will stay open until 9pm. Also, at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 2nd, museum curatorial staff member Muriel Anderson will present a program called "Meskers in Missouri." The Mesker Brothers Iron Works Company in St. Louis was a family business that manufactured and shipped pressed metal building facades across the country during the late 19th century. Come learn how to identify "Meskers" and see if you can spot them in towns across Missouri. This program will take place in the museum classroom, which is located in the History Hall (east wing).
Contact Information: call (573)522-9060
Cost: Free
30th Annual Gospel Music USA 2013 --- January 4-6 Time: Concert starting times: Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 1:00pm, and 7:30pm and Sunday 9:30 am
Location: Capitol Plaza Hotel
Description: Don't miss this fun-filled weekend at one of John Q Hammons most luxurious hotels. Bring the entire family and enjoy the fine accommodations, spa and indoor heated pool, fine restaurant, workout room, gift shops and more. Make your sleeping reservations now by calling the Capitol Plaza Hotel (573)635-1234. Concerts to feature: Journey Bound, Crimson Gold, Final Authority, The Goulds, The McCunes, The Kellys, New Horizon, Calvarymen and The Gospelmen Quartet.
Contact Information: call (660) 665-7172 email info@spbgma.com .
Cost: Ticket price: Friday $10, Saturday (day and night concert) $15, Saturday night only $12, Sunday $6. 3-day pass $25. Children under 12 FREE with parents.
26th Annual Bridal Spectacular 2013 --- January 6
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Jefferson City Area YMCA, Firley Center
Description: Brides to be...Central Missouri's Largest Exhibiting Bridal Show Just Got Bigger!!! Arcobasso Promotions & Special Events announces its 26th Annual Bridal Spectacular. This year's show will feature 22,000 sq. feet of showroom with nearly 90 vendors and a runway fashion show at 3:30 p.m. Bride registration form is available on website along with bridal show links.
Contact Information: Vicki Arcobasso at (573) 636-4094 or go to www.CentralMissouriBridalAssociation.com.
Cost: $5 (nine years old and under Free)
Art by Women, for Women, about Women Exhibition at Capital Arts Gallery --- January 12 - February 28
Time: Tuesday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
Location: Capital Arts Gallery (1203 Missouri Blvd.)
Description: The exhibition showcases a wide variety of one of a kind artistic items from female artists!
Contact Information: (573) 635-8355 or www.capitalarts.org
Cost: Free admission.
"Love is On the Air" --- January 17 - February 2
Time: Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Stained Glass Theater, 830 E. High Street
Description: Love is in and on the air at the Family Bible Broadcast. Jerry secretly loves Opal. Opal loves the broadcast. And Stan Silver simply loves to be admired. Add Widow Gentry's matchmaking wiles and the ambitious dreams of the broadcast crew and you've got a mix-up made in heaven. Will misunderstandings destroy the broadcast, or will newfound stardom and faith put "Love On the Air?"
Contact Information: www.sgtmidmo.org
Cost: $7 on Thursdays, $8 on Fridays and Saturdays |
Tell us about it...
Are you submitting your events for inclusion in the CVB's Calendar of Events? The Calendar of Events is one of the most popular pages on the website! To enter an event, click here.
This is a completely free service the CVB offers, so get out there and enter in your information! Submissions are not guaranteed. Call Ryan at 573-632-2820 with questions. |
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Monthly Statistics
Marketing Report
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Visitor Requests |
December |
780 | |
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YTD |
14,568 | |
Website Unique Visitors |
December |
5,585 | |
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YTD |
85,114 | |
Website Visitors (Total) |
December |
6,744 | |
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YTD |
104,224 |
Diplomat Volunteer Hours
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Volunteer Hours |
December |
2 | |
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YTD |
432 |
STR (Smith Travel Research) Report
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November 2012 |
% Change 2011 | |
Occupancy |
43.4% |
1.4% | |
Room Rate |
$63.97 |
-1.2% | |
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Year-to-Date |
% Change 2011 | |
Occupancy |
51.2% |
2.7% | |
Room Rate |
$67.45 |
-1.2% |
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Thank you for your interest in Jefferson City. We look forward to sharing more about our wonderful community in the future. Feel free to contact the Bureau with any questions you may have! | |
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