Meeting Planners Guide 2025

Page 1


NATURALLY Original.

With more than 6,600 hotel rooms available, meeting facilities for groups of all sizes and types, and an ideal blend of city amenities, outdoor activity and community spirit, Springfield, Missouri, will be at the top of the list for your attendees’ favorite meeting spots!

Springfield is the city of the Ozarks, a truly authentic community where we’re ready to introduce you to our best-kept secrets—because hidden gems are meant to be found.

WHY Springfield, Missouri?

In Springfield you’ll find that the pulse of the city meets the exhale of the outdoors. A city that’s both innovative and easygoing, a place that treasures its heritage while embracing the future. See what makes Springfield an ideal place to host an event.

GETTING TO Springfield, Missouri

3rd largest city in Missouri

Springfield, Missouri, is located just an hour west of the U.S. population center. Our central location makes us a great destination for travelers from all over the country, and our airport makes it easy to travel from anywhere.

Miles to Springfield from...

◆ Bentonville, AR 120

◆ Branson, MO ................................ 45

◆ Chicago, IL ................................. 515

◆ Dallas, TX 420

◆ Des Moines, IA ........................... 360

◆ Indianapolis, IN......................... 460

◆ Kansas City, MO 170

◆ Little Rock, Arkansas ............... 215

POPULATION:

170,000 City // 487,000 Metro (2023 census)

Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) is less than a 20-minute drive to downtown Springfield, with 13 nonstop destinations.

◆ Memphis, TN 285

◆ Minneapolis, MN....................... 600

◆ Nashville, TN ............................. 440

◆ Oklahoma City, OK 290

◆ Omaha, NE ................................. 360

◆ St. Louis, MO ............................. 220

◆ Tulsa, OK 185

◆ Wichita, KS ................................. 270

Airlines Serving Springfield (SGF)

13 Nonstop Flights

◆ Atlanta, GA (ATL)

◆ Charlotte, NC (CLT)

◆ Chicago, IL (ORD)

◆ Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW)

◆ Denver, CO (DEN)

◆ Destin/Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS)

◆ Houston, TX (IAH)

◆ Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

◆ Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

◆ Orlando/Sanford, FL (SFB)

◆ Phoenix/Mesa, AZ (IWA)

◆ Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, FL (PGD)

◆ St. Petersburg/Tampa, FL (PIE)

DINING

From top-notch fine dining to beloved local spots, we’ve got restaurants for every taste and time of day when offsite meals are needed before, during or after your event.

Springfield’s dining scene offers a world of flavor with cuisines from across the globe, including Lebanese, Dutch, Peruvian, Cuban and Italian restaurants – and that’s just all on one street! Plus Indian, Thai, Japanese and several international food trucks around town.

HISTORY

Main Street of America

Springfield is known as the Birthplace of Route 66, and international visitors from all over the globe stop by when touring the Mother Road on a classic American road trip. There are many fun ways to “get your kicks” to this day!

Local History

Springfield is home to the site of the first recorded Wild West shootout, which took place on the town square in 1865. Discover more about this and other local history at the award winning History Museum on the Square.

Civil War

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River in 1861. More than 5,000 artifacts are on display at the onsite Civil War Museum.

SPRINGFIELD-STYLE CASHEW CHICKEN

Dating back to the original 1960s recipe at Leong’s Asian Diner, this ultimate comfort food is bite-sized fried chicken covered with Chinese oyster sauce, cashews and chopped green onion.

LOCAL Activities

Wonders of Wildlife

National Museum & Aquarium

Located right next door to the flagship Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and named America’s Best Aquarium six times by USA Today readers.

Bass Pro Shops

The flagship Bass Pro Shops store is the “granddaddy of all outdoor stores” offering 500,000 square feet of immersive shopping and exploring.

There are countless ways to entertain attendees in Springfield. All the fun doesn’t have to take place in the meeting rooms! Take your groups offsite to explore what makes the Ozarks so special.

History Museum on the Square

There are interactive exhibits and several photo ops covering Springfield history, including the Birthplace of Route 66, Native American history and the first Wild West shoot-out site.

Springfield Art Museum

Our art museum will reopen in 2027, and after some major renovations, it will be an even better place for the community and visiting groups to enjoy.

Ozark Greenways

This dynamic network of connected streams, parks, businesses and neighborhoods is available for visitors of every age, ability or interest to enjoy the beautiful Ozarks outdoors.

Springfield Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Double-A affiliate team calls downtown Springfield home during baseball season. The Springfield Cardinals offer priority seating and memorable experiences for groups of 20 or more.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

From First Friday Art Walk and downtown galleries to Sculpture Walk Springfield’s yearround outdoor art collection, our city’s visual art scene is always active.

The performing arts in Springfield offer a variety of entertainment for all ages, from family-friendly musicals to contemporary live theater, to world-class opera, ballet and symphony performances.

Get a closer look at local theater performance venues on page 23.

INTERACTIVE NEON MURAL #23

A new addition to Sculpture Walk, this neon mural by Spanish artist Spidertag spans 4,000 sq. ft. and lights up downtown every night. Find the north-facing mural on the back of the Historic Fox Theatre.

THE GREAT Outdoors

Springfield is located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. We have 100+ miles of outdoor trails and 90 public parks. Plus, bike trails and water activities are just a short drive away!

MIZUMOTO JAPANESE STROLL GARDEN

The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is a serene, 7.5-acre oasis featuring winding paths, koi-filled ponds, and traditional Japanese landscaping in the heart of Springfield.

Tee Time

For avid golfers, the Springfield area is home to several golf courses and is close to multiple award-winning courses in the Ozarks, including Top of the Rock and the Tiger Woods-designed Payne’s Valley.

WELCOME TO THE Neighborhood

Not far from our convention hotels are three neighborhood districts bursting with food and shopping you can only experience while you’re here!

Downtown

From alley-way sandwiches to rooftop cocktails, there really is something for everyone in center city.

Commercial Street

Also known as C-Street to locals, this historic area of town offers some of the most diverse food options that can be found in Springfield.

Cherry & Pickwick

A walkable neighborhood with historic homes, tree-lined streets, and plenty of inviting patios.

ASKINOSIE CHOCOLATE

Askinosie Chocolate crafts bean-to-bar, direct trade chocolate with weekly tours offered at their factory on Commercial Street.

ONLY IN THE Ozarks

Once the official events have wrapped up, flip the switch from work mode to play and get the most out of your trip to the Ozarks.

Dickerson Park Zoo The Discovery Center
Caverns
Blue Room Comedy Club
Photography by Karen Knuth Photo
Springfield Symphony Andy B’s Bowl Social
Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City
Dogwood Canyon
Nature Park
Titanic Museum DAY
Branson

MEETING SPACES & VENUES

CONVENTION & EVENT FACILITIES

Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center and Wilson Logistics Arena 417-833-2660 | ozarkempirefair.com

Springfield Expo Center 417-864-7333 | springfieldexpo.com

Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque (auditorium) 417-869-9164 | abashrine.com

White River Conference Center 417-891-5111 | whiteriverconferencecenter.com

Old Glass Place 417-501-8035 | theoldglassplace.com

Relics Event Center 417-883-1143 | facebook.com/RelicsEventCenter

Missouri State University Conference Services 417-836-5653 | missouristate.edu/conferences

Evangel University Conference Services 417-865-2815 ext. 7981 evangel.edu/about/conferences-events

Savoy Ballroom 417-865-2255 | cstreetsavoy.com

Barley House at Moon Town Crossing 417-799-2500 | moontowncrossing.com

425 DownTown 417-888-3025 | 425downtown.com

E Factory 417-837-2600 | efactory.missouristate.edu

ATTRACTION EVENT VENUES

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium 417-225-1137 | wondersofwildlife.org

Finley Farms & The Ozark Mill 417-210-6644 | finleyfarmsmo.com

History Museum on the Square 417-831-1976 | historymuseumonthesquare.org

Pythian Castle 417-865-1464 | pythiancastle.com

BigShots 417-427-3040 | bigshotsgolf.com

Areas within the museum are available for group functionsCall

Areas within the castle are available for group functionsCall venue for more information

Areas within the venue are available for group functionsCall venue for more information

Plaza Hotel & Convention Center 417-864-7333 | upspringfield.com

Oasis Hotel & Convention Center 417-866-5253 | springfieldoasis.com

by Hilton Glendalough Conference Center 417-799-9549 | springfield.doubletree.com

Inn Hotel & Suites 417-865-8600 ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/ springfield/sgfno/hoteldetail

SPRINGFIELD EXPO CENTER & UNIVERSITY PLAZA

UNIVERSITY PLAZA HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER

The University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown, just across the street from the Springfield Expo Center.

◆ 39,000 sq. ft. of meeting space

◆ 267 guest rooms

◆ On-site fitness center, indoor and outdoor pool

◆ Full-service catering available

SPRINGFIELD EXPO CENTER

Across the street from University Plaza, the Expo Center hosts trade shows, conventions, sports and special events all year long. It offers a wide array of exhibit configurations and seven breakout meeting rooms.

◆ 112,000 sq. ft. of event space can hold 543 8x10 booths

◆ 35 ft. ceiling

◆ Concession areas available

◆ Tractor/trailer loading docks to exhibit floor

◆ 220V 3-phase electrical

TOWER CLUB

Located on the 21st and 22nd floors of Hammons Tower, the Tower Club offers spectacular panoramic views of Springfield. It is available to rent for meetings, reunions and any other special event needs.

Photo courtesy of University Plaza Hotel

OASIS HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER

OASIS HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER

The Oasis Hotel and Convention Center is a modern tropical escape. This resort-inspired, independently owned property offers a truly unique experience.

The convention center features a built-in stage, state-of-the-art audiovisual and theatrical lighting. Additional meeting rooms are available for smaller meetings and intimate events.

◆ 172 guest rooms, including five lavish suites

◆ Complimentary business center and wireless highspeed internet

◆ More than 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space including the 20,000 sq. ft. Oasis Convention Center

DOUBLETREE HOTEL BY HILTON & GLENDALOUGH CONFERENCE CENTER

DOUBLETREE HOTEL BY HILTON AND GLENDALOUGH CONFERENCE CENTER

At the DoubleTree Hotel and Glendalough Conference Center, the vibe is contemporary comfort. Convenient event planning resources include complimentary personalized group websites.

◆ 13 meeting spaces totaling 20,000 sq. ft.

◆ 203 guest rooms

◆ Hilton Honors Meeting Planner Points

◆ State-of-the-art A/V technology

◆ Full-service sales and catering team

OZARKS EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS & WILSON LOGISTICS ARENA

OZARK EMPIRE FAIRGROUNDS & EVENT CENTER

Conveniently located off Interstate 44, the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center offers diverse indoor and outdoor facilities with ample parking capacity.

◆ Over 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor space on a 76-acre complex

◆ E*PLEX features 85,000 sq. ft. of clear-span exhibition space

◆ Roofed, 8,000-seat Grandstand for outdoor events

WILSON LOGISTICS ARENA

Opened in 2024, Wilson Logistics Arena is designed for trade shows, concerts, sporting events and competitions. Capabilities for concrete or dirt floors can accommodate motorsports, horse shows and more.

◆ 100,000 sq. ft. facility

◆ Arena seats over 6,400 patrons with upper-level seating for 2,800+

UNIQUE Venues

Springfield has many traditional and non-traditional spaces available for meetings of all sizes—including iconic performing arts spaces in the heart of downtown and other unique venues just a short drive away. Our team can help you find the perfect fit!

Juanita K. Hammons Hall

THEATER CAPACITY: 2,264

Located on the Missouri State University campus, this performing arts venue hosts touring Broadway productions and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment

THEATER CAPACITY: 1,047 | BANQUET CAPACITY: 300

This fully restored historic venue is home to concerts, conferences and film screenings. The Gallery at the Gillioz is a second-floor reception space.

Wonders of Wildlife

There’s nothing quite like meeting next to a three-story saltwater aquarium. Private events at WOW have a wowfactor unlike anywhere else. Group tours are also available.

Finley Farms

Located in Ozark, Missouri, Finley Farms is home to a restored historic mill, functioning farm and riverside views, with indoor and outdoor meeting spaces for up to 150 attendees.

BigShots Golf

A swinging spot for team building with 54 driving range bays, private event space and a full-service food and drink menu. The whole venue can be rented for large groups.

BOUTIQUE HOTELS, ROOFTOP

VIEWS & NEIGHBORHOOD BREWS

Downtown Springfield features two unique boutique hotels, each with a rooftop bar space perfect for after-hours gatherings or group celebrations.

Hotel Vandivort

A staple of downtown life for nearly a decade, Hotel Vandivort is the only AAA 4-Diamond-rated hotel in the city.

◆ Vantage Rooftop Bar

◆ The Order Restaurant

◆ 2800 sq. ft. Vandivort Ballroom

◆ NEW - 1550 sq. ft. Compass meeting room

◆ Full and half-day meeting packages available

The Moxy Hotel

The brand new Moxy Hotel is a fully renovated Marriott property located in a former bank building, offering a mix of historic and modern vibes.

◆ Eyrie Rooftop Bar & Kitchen

◆ 1521 sq. ft. meeting space across 3 event rooms

◆ Largest capacity: 75

◆ Adjacent parking lot

LOCAL BREWERIES

From independent microbrewers in shopping districts to breweries with sprawling backyards and patios, Springfield offers a selection of spots to add to your after-hours itinerary. You’ll find these in or near downtown:

◆ Hold Fast Brewing Co.

◆ Mother’s Brewing Company

◆ Springfield Brewing Company

◆ Tie & Timber Beer Company

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Meeting Planners Guide 2025 by Visit Springfield, Missouri - Issuu