Explore St. Louis appoints its interim president amidst America’s center expansion

Thursday, January 16, 2025

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Explore St. Louis, the official destination marketing organization for the St. Louis region, has appointed Robert Wallace as interim president, effective August 12, 2024.

This leadership transition occurs as the organization navigates the ongoing expansion of the America‘s Center Convention Complex, a project aimed at enhancing the city’s appeal as a premier destination for conventions and tourism.

Robert Wallace, a longstanding attorney for Explore St. Louis, steps into the interim role following the retirement of former president Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, who led the organization for 18 years.

Wallace’s extensive experience with the organization’s legal and operational matters positions him to provide steady leadership during this pivotal period.

The America’s Center expansion, known as AC Next Gen, is a significant initiative designed to modernize and enlarge the convention complex.

Key features of the expansion include a new 72,000-square-foot exhibit hall, additional loading docks, and improved amenities to meet the evolving needs of event organizers and attendees.

The project aims to boost St. Louis’s competitiveness in attracting large-scale conventions and events, thereby stimulating economic growth in the region.

In a recent press release, Explore St. Louis highlighted the progress of the AC Next Gen project, noting the completion of Hall 4X and the addition of 23 upgraded, fully enclosed loading docks.

These enhancements are expected to significantly improve the functionality and appeal of the America’s Center.

The expansion is funded through existing hotel tax revenues, with the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County each approving $105 million in new bonds.

This financial strategy ensures that the project’s costs are covered without imposing additional taxes on local residents.

The investment is anticipated to yield substantial economic benefits, including increased direct spending from meetings and events, higher room-night demand, and the creation of full-time equivalent jobs in the hospitality sector.

As interim president, Wallace will oversee the organization’s operations and continue to advance its mission of promoting St. Louis as a leading destination for tourism and conventions.

The Board of Commissioners is expected to conduct a comprehensive search for a permanent president to lead Explore St. Louis into its next chapter.

The leadership transition and the ongoing expansion of the America’s Center underscore Explore St. Louis’s commitment to enhancing the city’s infrastructure and services to attract visitors and events.

These efforts are aligned with broader initiatives to revitalize downtown St. Louis and strengthen the local economy through tourism and hospitality.

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Tags: america, Explore St. Louis, St. Louis