Representatives from the Missouri Tourism Office recently hosted a celebration of Jazz and Blues for the travel trade during their recent UK Sales Mission. 

The reception featured a BBQ using delicious sauces from the state and guests were treated to live jazz and blues music during the event which was held at the Taittinger Terrace in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.

Delegates from St Louis and Kansas City hosted key industry partners including travel agents from Statesman Travel and Flight Centre, amongst others.

During the week-long mission, Missouri also carried out destination training with Hayes and Jarvis, Kuoni and Funway Holidays.

Donna Cordle-Gray, from the Missouri Tourism Office, commented: “The U.K. is a critical overseas market for Missouri and it is vital that we have face to face meetings with key industry partners to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones. The Sales Mission continues our commitment to the UK marketing campaign and strategy.

“In addition to our cornerstone attractions such as the Gateway Arch, Route 66 and Kansas City Jazz, we have many new things happening in Missouri and found the mission was a successful way to communicate these.”

The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium will open in Springfield in September 2017, and will be the largest, most immersive fish and wildlife attraction in the world. It will consist of an all-new 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds, and a wildlife museum.

Missouri’s iconic Gateway Arch, in St Louis, is also undergoing some improvements which will result in a renovated riverfront and new bike paths, new museum exhibits and increased accessibility.
The recently opened National Blues Museum, also in St Louis, is fast becoming one of Missouri’s most popular attractions. It explores Blues music and celebrates the genre in an entertaining environment that includes high impact technology driven experiences.