Blue Springs Chamber outlines 'Buy Blue Springs' and tourism efforts, cites passport challenge and conference outreach

Representatives of the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 3 presented the Chamber’s Discover/Buy Blue Springs initiatives to the City Council and introduced the Chamber’s leadership class participants.

Trish Tata, vice president of the Blue Springs Chamber, said the leadership program—established in 1991—brings business owners and representatives together for workshops about business, government, quality of life and volunteer services. Tata reviewed the Chamber’s shop‑local and visitor‑focused activities, including a second annual holiday passport challenge that awarded points for check‑ins, receipts and photos; the passport produced 132 active participants, 408 entries and more than 2,000 map views, a 30% increase from 2023, the Chamber reported. Tata said the passport’s grand prize was $400 and that the program runs for two weeks during the holiday season.

Laura Vermillion, chamber president, described the Chamber’s recent conference work and events outreach. Vermillion said the Chamber hosted the Heartland Economic Development Conference and welcomed 80 executives for the Chamber Executives of Missouri conference; the Chamber provided a QR code in materials and welcome bags to guide visitors to local restaurants and shops. She also described the Kansas City Open pool tournament held at Side Pockets Blue Springs (a 128‑player field plus women’s and junior divisions and a $40,000 prize) and a Donnybrook fencing tournament held at Centerline Beach Volleyball that drew out‑of‑town attendees. Vermillion said the Chamber had hired a tourism consultant in 2023 and provided a 95‑page market‑research report and additional draft materials to the city in 2024, including a business plan for a destination‑marketing organization, year‑by‑year activities, sample budgets, and comparable Midwest city data. The Chamber said it plans to spend a portion of its contract funds for 2024 and 2025 on a Visit KC membership (about $650) to monitor regional marketing and World Cup opportunities.

Council members thanked the Chamber for its work; no formal action was taken. Several participants from the Chamber’s leadership class introduced themselves by name and affiliation during the presentation. Council members and the mayor commended the Chamber’s events and outreach.