Thousands of people to attend events in Springfield this winter

Nearly 9,000 people are expected to visit Springfield this winter as events heat up the local economy.

Starting in December and continuing through February 2019, five events are expected to result in 4,287 room nights at area lodging facilities, according to the monthly newsletter issued by the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Topping the list, in terms of room nights, is the Dec. 6-9 National Beta Club Missouri Senior Beta Convention. It’s expected to impact hotels to the tune of 2,340 room nights via 3,000 attendees at the Springfield Expo Center, according to the CVB.

The other events, by room nights and attendees, are:
    •    National Beta Club Missouri Junior Beta Convention, Dec. 5-6 at Expo Center, 895 room nights, 3,300 attendees;
    •    Common Ground Alliance Damage Prevention & Excavation Safety Summit, Dec. 5-6 at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 628 room nights, 1,700 attendees;
    •    Missouri Dairy Association Heart of America Dairy Expo, Jan. 17-19, 320 room nights, 500 attendees; and
    •    Missouri Water Well Association Annual Conference, Feb. 18-20, 104 room nights, 190 attendees.

By year’s end, CVB officials predicted the annual occupancy rate at Springfield lodging facilities will be 65.6 percent, according to Springfield Business Journal Book of Facts research. Annual room tax collections are predicted to hit $5.9 million.