St. Louis is the host city for the 2024 ATA Show, Jan. 11-13. While you’ll likely spend most of your trip at the America’s Center connecting with old friends, making new friends, inspecting new products, writing orders and completing your business checklist, you may still have time to discover why over 28.2 million people visit the city each year. If you haven’t registered yet, don’t wait. Click here to reserve your spot now. Then, start planning!
St. Louis is famous for its iconic Gateway Arch, fiercely loyal sports fans and blues music scene, but it offers so much more. Experience the city to its full potential with these tips and hot spot recommendations from Jennifer Poindexter, director of Meet St. Louis through Explore St. Louis.
A St. Louis native, Poindexter has worked in the hospitality industry for 25 years and spent the last five with Explore St. Louis. She’s well versed in St. Louis culture, dining and experiences and wants all ATA members to have the best time during their visit.
"When people arrive in St. Louis, they can immediately feel like they have stepped into our culture and history,” she said. “Whether it’s walking throughout the city and seeing historic sites like the Arch or St. Louis Union station, or interacting with our community, visitors feel they’ve been woven into the fabric of St. Louis. Our people are what make our city exceptional. This is why when first time visitors leave St. Louis, they feel they have experienced a welcoming city full of kindness. We are excited to welcome ATA and provide the level of hospitality the Midwest is known for!”
With a lifetime of St. Louis knowledge, Poindexter has numerous restaurant recommendations with local table fare so delicious, you can satisfy whatever food mood you’re in.
| Steak | Seafood | Italian | Mexican | Pizza | BBQ | Bar/Brewery | Misc. |
| Al’s Restaurant | Broadway Oyster Bar | Favazza’s on the Hill | Rosalita’s Cantina | Imo’s Pizza | Sugarfire | 4 Hands Brewery | Armory STL |
| Carnivore | Peacemaker Lobster Co. | Charlie Gitto’s | El Burro Loco | Katie’s Pizza | Salt & Smoke | Schlafly Tap Room | City Foundry |
| Morton’s | Landry’s | Athonino’s | Mission Taco | Dewey’s Pizza | Papp’s Smokehouse | Urban Chestnut | Puttshack |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | Peno Soul Food | Rockwell Beer Co. | |||||
| Tucker’s Place | Bridge Tap House |
If you’re looking for live entertainment, she recommends The Dark Room, National Blues Museum, Tin Roof, City Winery, Blueberry Hill or 1860 Saloon & Hardshell Café. For sports fans, she suggests dining at Horseshoe Casino, Sports & Social, Flamingo Bowl or Start Bar. And if you want an amazing breakfast spot, Poindexter said Clark & Bourbon has the best waffles. ATA’s Trade Show Director Beth Berkheimer agrees!
Find restaurant specifics, including menus, prices and atmosphere vibes on the Explore St. Louis Dine & Drink webpage.
Poindexter said St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods. “The food, entertainment and attractions are different wherever you travel in the city,” she said. “It would take a long time to explore all of the unique offerings. You can travel to a new neighborhood in less than ten minutes from the downtown area.” Pick a direction and go, or if you want a more specific heading, check out these recommendations.
Poindexter’s “can’t-miss” St. Louis attractions include:
Three lesser-known hangout spots that make Poindexter’s list of favorite places include:
The Explore St. Louis See & Do webpage has other ideas to consider. Check them out!
“We try to make it easy for you in St. Louis,” Poindexter said. “Our website is full of great information about where to eat, what to see, how close your hotel is to the convention center, where you can see all of the St. Louis Cardinals World Series rings and what time tours and events begin.”
Visit the Explore St. Louis website for more information on the places mentioned and details on all things St. Louis. You can also check out the Explore St. Louis social pages for inspiration, travel tips and more.
https://www.facebook.com/ExploreStLouis
https://twitter.com/explorestlouis
https://www.instagram.com/explorestlouis/
To register for the 2024 ATA Show, click here. Not a member? Join or renew to attend the 2024 Show. More information is available at www.archerytrade.org/membership, or by reaching out to Kim Watson, director of membership, at kimwatson@archerytrade.org or 507-233-8133.
Hotels in the ATA block are guaranteed to have the lowest rates. Plus, all ATA-member retailers who book in the ATA Hotel Block can save through ATA's First Night's on Us promotion in partnership with Explore St. Louis. Each retailer account will receive one $150 credit on their bill toward their first night’s stay. You stay and we pay $150 toward the first night! The official housing block closes Dec. 21, which is when the promotion ends.
Beware of scammers! The only provider of the official ATA housing block is Orchid Events. Any other communications you receive regarding ATA Show hotels are scams.
For registration questions, please contact Sarah Haala, Trade Show coordinator, at sarahhaala@archerytrade.org or 507-233-8130.
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