Stay In The Know!

Team Meeting Dates • Project Updates • Team Members & More

The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. is made up of 9 volunteer teams that make the revitalization and promotion of Downtown Excelsior Springs possible. If you’re ever wondering about what they are up to or are currently working on, check in here for the latest updates. If you are interested in joining one of our teams, please join us at their next scheduled meeting.

Promotion • Organization • Economic Vitality • Design • Website • BBQ & Fly-In • Home Brew • Christmas • Opal Wapoo

Next Meeting Date: February 6, 2025 • 6:00 PM • Atlas Saloon Brewery
Active Team Members: Carol Baxter, Nate Williams, Jade Williams, Denise Riley, Morgan Newkirk, Keith Hudson, Cheyenne Tavares, Amber Schmidt, Amy Graves

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• January 2025
  • Finalized details for upcoming Chocolate Tour.
  • Determined event participation pricing for 2025 events.
  • Locking in final Lyrics on the Lawn performances.
  • Will be launching Wine Festival registrations in February. DEP will secure liquor licensing for wineries in 2025 to make our event more attractive to Missouri wineries.
    • Also determining ways in which wineries can participate and add unique things to the wine festival this year.
  • Continuing to update Visit Excelsior event pages to reflect relevant information for 2025.

Next Meeting Date: February 12, 2025 • 9:00 AM • Hall of Waters Conference Room
Active Team Members: Nate Williams, Jeanine Stubbs, Jill Rickart, Allen Amos

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• January 2025
  • Reviewed and updated Investor renewal strategy for 2025.
  • Developed list for potential 2025 Annual Sponsorships.
  • Finalized plans and program for Trip Planner Launch Party & Merchant Mingle.

Next Meeting Date: March 2025 • 8:00 AM • Other Trails Coffee + Goods
Active Team Members: Molly McGovern, Melinda Mehaffy, Jeff Algie, Amy Graves, Kathy Duncan, Brenda Kilgore, Jeanine Stubbs, Reggie St. John

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• March 2025
  • Discussion on being volunteer driven and assigning action items.
  • Finalizing plans to launch Shop Local Late to the businesses.
  • Determining if a passport program would be beneficial to better navigate consumers to participating locations.
  • Developing a social media challenge with selfie light stick giveaways.
  • Discussion of bringing back the business seminars to better equipment businesses with today’s market.
• January 2025
  • Reviewed downtown visitation data and discussed the best way to present the information to downtown small businesses.
  • Developing an after hours promotion and will be putting together a plan before roll out.
  • Working to collect end of year data for annual reporting.
  • Discussed business needs in downtown, as well as business recruitment opportunities.

Next Meeting Date: March 2025 • 9:30 AM • Via Zoom
Active Team Members: Sonya Morgan, Kevin Morgan, Courtney Cole

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• March 2025
  • Discussion on content creation, new partnerships and new volunteers on the team.
  • Review needed website updates and event marketing.
  • Relinked Downtown Instagram to the feed.
  • Discussion of new businesses in the district.
  • Create an Explore Excelsior page to showcase public art and public spaces throughout the community.
  • Adding additional community events to the event calendar.
• January 2025
  • Advertisers have been sent link to complete form to update information for their ad space listing.
  • Discussed ways to attract new advertisers.
  • Will be sending quarterly reporting to advertisers.
  • Reviewing last year’s Google & YouTube Ads Calendar to make updates for 2025.
  • Determining new event ticketing systems.

Next Meeting Date: February 20, 2025 • 8:00 AM • Payne Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast
Active Team Members: Mark Spohn, TJ Sturm, Shelley Spear, Brian Rice, Trish Guarino

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• March 2025
  • We’re submitting a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Historic Preservation Commission for installation approval. Mayor Mark Spohn will be leading the installation efforts, while Trish Guarino and TJ Sturm will co-lead planning for the Mini Mural Art Walk Reveal Party, tentatively scheduled for May 1st!
  • We’re getting closer than ever to making wayfinding signage a reality, improving navigation and highlighting key downtown destinations!
  • This Friday, we’ll be removing winter greenery from the planters and adding faux spring flowers until it’s time for summer planting. Get ready to see some fresh, cheerful blooms downtown!
  • Chamber President Brian Rice is coordinating with Job Corps to assist with repairs and maintenance of the existing downtown kiosks.
  • TJ Sturm presented possible solutions for resident and overnight guest parking permits in the downtown district.
• January 2025
  • Working to develop new locations for the Mini Mural Series installation this spring.
    • There will be an implementation of QR codes for interactive engagement, a Visit Excelsior art page, and artists biographies.
  • Received a $15,000 grant from Missouri Division of Tourism to further Wayfinding implementation.
    • Determining preferred placement within project budget.
    • Creating signage samples.
  • Contacting Job Corps to discuss assistance repair of current downtown kiosks.
  • Volunteers working to lay out plant selections for downtown planters.

Next Meeting Date: February 20, 2025 • 6:00 PM • Atlas Saloon Brewery
Active Team Members: Jim McCullough, Keith Hudson, Allen Amos, Terri Reynolds, Dee Delana, Joe Arthur, Sherry Ballinger, Jeff Algie, Charlie McDaniel, Geoff Clark, Kevin Cline, Carol Baxter

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• January 2025

Next Meeting Date: February 20, 2025 • 5:00 PM • Atlas Saloon Brewery
Active Team Members: Allen Amos, Keith Hudson, Charlie McDaniel, Jeff Algie, Terri Reynolds, Carol Baxter, Mark Kilgore

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• January 2025

Next Meeting Date: March 2025 • 6:00 PM • Warbird Whiskey
Active Team Members: Amber Schmidt, Amanda Romazon, Val Linnenburger, Brenda Eales, Robin Wilkins, Jessica Miller, Elizabeth Dean, Katrina Becker, Melissa Bartlett

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• January 2025
  • Final clean up will occur after snow and ice melt.
  • Reviewed end of season financial statements.
  • Created a list of purchase dreams for the upcoming year.
  • Focusing on volunteer recruitment for the 2025 season.

Next Meeting Date: March 2025 • 6:00 PM • Other Trails
Active Team Members: Phillip Scherer, Stacey Scherer, Craig Pettus, Bea Pettus, Ben Bolin, Dan Tato, Morgan Newkirk

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• January 2025
  • Sponsorship solicitation is underway. Some commitments early.
  • Making post-race plans. Likely celebration will occur on Hall of Waters lawn.
  • Securing event photographers.
  • Jersey design has been selected. Agile is kicking back 25% to Opal Wapoo this year.