Explore St. Louis
Driving Tourism, Culture, and Economic Growth Across a Region
The Challenge
As the official convention and visitors’ commission for the St. Louis region, Explore St. Louis needed to quantify its full economic and social impact across both St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. With responsibilities spanning destination marketing, convention management, and tourism promotion, the organization sought an independent assessment to measure how its efforts drive visitor spending, support local businesses, generate jobs, and strengthen community vitality.
How We Helped
Tripp Umbach conducted a detailed economic impact study to evaluate Explore St. Louis’ role in advancing the regional economy. The analysis measured direct, indirect, and induced impacts tied to the organization’s operations, events, and destination marketing efforts across both St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis. Findings provided stakeholders with a data-backed understanding of how tourism, conventions, and cultural events contribute to regional prosperity.
The Impact
The study confirmed that Explore St. Louis is a key catalyst for economic expansion and cultural enrichment. Its efforts drive visitor spending, support thousands of jobs, and generate essential tax revenues that strengthen public services and infrastructure. With the expansion of America’s Center underway, the organization’s economic reach will continue to grow—further positioning St. Louis as a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient destination for tourism and business.