Registration for WEC St. Louis is now open!
With WEC Louisville concluded, our attention drifts to the future which, in this case, is a mere 265 miles to the west. June 17-19, 2025, the MPI community returns to America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, a venue that last played host to WEC in 2012.
Brian Hall, chief marketing officer, Explore St. Louis, shares some of the many reasons why you should already be excited about WEC 2025 in the Gateway City.
What’s new in St. Louis that would be of interest to meeting planners?
First and foremost, America’s Center is undergoing a $256 million expansion and redesign that will provide meeting attendees with an experience like no other. Dubbed AC Next Gen, the project underway at the America’s Center Convention Complex in downtown St. Louis is scheduled to be completed this year.
The plans for AC Next Gen include a new 72,000-square-foot exhibit hall, new entrance on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and a significant enhancement of the Washington Avenue entrance. The update will offer more than twice the number of loading docks for increased access to the exhibit space. In addition, the docks will be enclosed, making access easier for exhibitors and improving the streetscape for the neighborhood. The plans also include turning what is now a parking lot into a large green space for outdoor events as well as a food garden with around 40 raised beds that will supply our kitchens and allow us to share any unused produce with food pantries in the region.
Beyond the renovation taking place at America’s Center, the St. Louis region has seen an explosion of activity in the past few years, with new hotels, restaurants, entertainment districts and even stadiums adding to the visitor experience. The new museum at the base of the Gateway Arch—which happens to be the nation’s smallest National Park—pulls visitors into the story of our historic city, which was founded along the banks of the Mississippi River in 1764 and where Lewis and Clark began their epic journey in 1804. And we may be historic, but we’re not stuck in the past. 21c Museum Hotel opened in 2023 and is a can’t-miss on any St. Louis itinerary. The renovated YMCA has been named one of the top new hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure and Esquire—and if you’re not staying there, not to worry. The art galleries are free and open to the public and the hotel’s restaurant, Idol Wolf, welcomes people every night of the week with savory Spanish fare.
The city’s new $500 million soccer stadium, CITYPARK, roars with excitement during every home game and its culinary program, curated by James Beard-winning chef Gerard Craft, draws fans hours before each game just to experience the food. Across from the stadium is historic Union Station, where The Wheel, the St. Louis Aquarium and a number of restaurants—including a soccer-themed pub, The Pitch—captivate guests. Entertainment districts like Ballpark Village, Armory STL and City Foundry offer endless activities and delectable dining for groups large and small.
And this is just the beginning of what visitors can explore when they visit the Gateway City. From our nationally recognized art scene to our family-friendly attractions, St. Louis is a world-class city that surprises and delights visitors.
Can you tell us about a meeting trend you’ve witnessed recently?
Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean that your wellness has to take a backseat. Today, meetings are incorporating ways for attendees to tend to their physical health and mental well-being. St. Louis offers a surprising number of outdoor experiences for meeting attendees, from yoga under the stunning Gateway Arch to jogs through Forest Park, one of the most beautiful urban parks in the nation and home to our art museum, zoo, history museum, science center as well as golf courses, tennis courts and miles of hiking and biking trails. Great Rivers Greenway is constructing a region-wide network of accessible trails that connect the city’s diverse neighborhoods and make the region truly walkable.
From a culinary perspective, those wishing to adhere to a vegan or vegetarian diet will find a rainbow of options in our award-winning restaurants. And if attendees are seeking an alcohol-free sip at the end of a day of meetings, bartenders across the city are known for their innovative approach to mocktails.
What sets St. Louis apart from other meeting destinations?
St. Louis is an ideal location for citywide conventions, meetings and events. The area is brimming with free, world-class attractions, and everywhere you look, there’s something new and exciting in development. Developers have recently spent more than $8.5 billion on projects, which range from sports and entertainment facilities to casinos, condos and hotels.
The America’s Center Convention Complex is also a one-stop shop in terms of services—from marketing to catering to security—making St. Louis an easy destination with which to do business. There are approximately 8,000 hotel rooms within a mile of America’s Center and more than 40,000 hotel rooms throughout the metro area. Featuring an arts-and-culture scene that’s second to none, a vibrant food-and-drink scene, endless entertainment, flourishing public parks and exhilarating waterways, St. Louis has everything that you need to delight your delegates.
Why should meeting pros be excited about coming to St. Louis for WEC25?
St. Louis is packed with world-class attractions, impressive art, interesting history, flourishing public parks, exhilarating sports and enticing eateries. Pour on our secret sauce—the hospitality of the residents—and you’ll discover that St. Louis dishes up undeniably epic travel experiences.
