Stay In The Know!

Team Meeting Dates • Project Updates • Team Members & More

The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. is made up of 8 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

Next Meeting Date: June 6, 2024 • 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

• May 2024
  • 18th Annual Wine Festival continuing to accept wineries, breweries and vendors.
  • Considering taking over ownership of the Opal Wapoo Gravel Grinder Bike Race.
  • Working with Parks & Recreation and Public Works for lawn maintenance prior to the kick off of Lyrics on the Lawn.
• April 2024
  • Sippin’ Into Springtime estimated economic impact was $34,759.02
  • Continuing to book food trucks for each night of Lyrics on the Lawn.
  • The Whiskey Walk will be renamed due to copyrights in place.
• March 2024
  • Continuing to finalize details for the Gin & Jazz event on May 4.
  • Finalizing graphics for promotional efforts of the new event, Lyrics on the Lawn – A Summer Music Series.
  • Continuing to solicit winery, brewery and vendor participation in the 18th Annual Wine Festival.
  • Changes to Eventbrite ticketing platform. DEP will begin absorbing the fees, as opposed to passing them on.
• January 2024
  • Chocolate Tour sold out in 30 hours.
  • Volunteers will be reaching out to solicit donations for the Chocolate Tour giveaway.
  • Ordering 6-8 kiosks to be placed throughout downtown during event days that will include a map of participating locations, trolley stop information, and any other details of importance.
  • Due to Easter weekend, Sippin’ Into Springtime has been moved to March 23, 2024.
  • There are discussions about the vision for Gin & Jazz being held in conjunction with Art Deco Days.
  • DEP has requested a meeting with City Department Heads to determine logistics of moving the Wine Festival to the streets of downtown.
  • Sippin’ Into Springtime tickets are on sale February 1, 2024.

Next Meeting Date: June 12, 2024 • 9:00 AM • Hall of Waters Conference Room
Active Team Members: Nate Williams, Jeanine Stubbs, Jill Rickart, Jim McCullough, Allen Amos

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• May 2024
  • Working on laying out the Downtown Raffle that will begin in the middle of July.
  • Continued looking at and researching grant opportunities.
  • Having discussions regarding setting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
• April 2024
  • Made recommendations for Missouri Main Street Connection Evening of Excellence Award Nominations.
  • Continued the discussion of ways to celebrate volunteers of DEP.
• March 2024
  • Completed the 2023 Annual Report and will be presenting to City Council.
  • Purchasing Maestro software. A system designed for downtown revitalization organizations to better track contacts, businesses, properties, work plans, reporting and more.
  • Sponsoring the Plein Air Paint Out as the Best of Show Sponsor.
  • Highlighting DEP Investors through Social Media posts.
• February 2024
  • Continuing to search for additional event insurance coverage for upcoming events.
  • Created a DEP Events Participation Policy & Application for future events in downtown.
• January 2024
  • Working on a program to better reintroduce the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. since we have had several new businesses join the downtown district.
  • Discussion of investor and annual sponsorship renewals and solicitations.
  • New messaging to be implemented about the importance and accomplishments of DEP.

Next Meeting Date: June 13, 2024 • 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

• May 2024
  • Continued to discuss ways to program the July Merchant Mingle.
  • Discussed possible AI uses that could benefit downtown small business owners.
  • Will be looking at the Poplar Bluff entertainment district.
    • Discussed changing the language from entertainment to social or dining.
  • Further discussed the new sign ordinance going before P&Z and City Council.
  • Discussed the 2026 World Cup and brainstormed ways to make our community a destination for visitors.
• April 2024
  • Decided to make the next Merchant Mingle a lawn party in front of the Hall of Waters.
  • Discussed the application to host the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference in 2025.
• March 2024
  • Renewing Placer.ai location tracking software for a one year additional term.
  • Reviewed recent Placer.ai data.
  • Sign code is being considered this month by the Planning & Zoning Committee.
  • Working with City of Excelsior Springs and Chamber of Commerce to put together an application to host the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference.
• February 2024
  • Launching a weekly “Meet The Business” Blog.
  • Looking at ways to take advantage of neighboring community events.
  • Discussion of future contracts for location tracking services through Placer.ai.

Next Meeting Date: June 13, 2024 • 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 2024
  • Discontinuing the promotion of Paranormal Ghost Tours at the Hall of Waters until a new interest arises.
  • Creating a Summer Music Series event page on the website.
  • Launching a Relax & Rejuvenate page on the website to showcase spas, salons and wellness oriented businesses.
  • Adding the Chamber’s Farmers Market to the Annual Events page.
  • Working to create a Public Art page on the website.
  • Highlighting Experience Excelsior Trip Planner Advertisers through Social Media posts.
• January & February 2024
  • Reviewing and updating all current Visit Excelsior webpages to incorporate all current advertisers.
  • Adding a “What’s Going On With DEP” page.
  • Reviewed 2024 marketing plans and finalizing marketing spend.
  • Experience Excelsior Trip Planner Released.

Next Meeting Date: July, 2024 • 8:00 AM • Payne Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast
Active Team Members: Mark Spohn, Keith Hudson, TJ Sturm, Shelley Spear

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Key Projects/Events/Initiatives

Latest Team Highlights

• May 2024
  • Lithia Landing License Agreement with the City was reviewed and suggestions made.
  • Project status is heavily dependent upon demolition of 237 E. Broadway.
  • Discussing the language to be placed on the wayfinding signage throughout the district.
• April 2024
  • Painting old planners and placed 12 new planters throughout the district.
  • Spring planting day scheduled for May 11th at 9:00 AM.
  • Lithia Landing bid review.
  • Discussion regarding a Creative Space Activation Grant through Missouri Main Street Connection.
• February 2024
  • Awarded 3 additional facade grants totaling $1,594.00
  • Planning to order additional planters for placement throughout the downtown streeetscape.
  • Making final plans and contracts to complete the Mini Mural Series in late Spring of 2024.
• January 2024
  • Completed streetscape study and cost opinion for downtown with consultants ReEnvision Design, Lamp Rynearson and Pixel Foundry. Plans being shared with City in order for community development block grant funds to be sought from implementation.
  • Working through development challenges of Lithia Landing with City of Excelsior Springs.
  • Gave ARPA Facade Grant Award Extension to remaining approved projects. New deadline April 30, 2024.
  • Submitting Missouri Art Council grant application to assist in implementation of the Mini Mural Series.

Next Meeting Date: June 13, 2024 • 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

• May 2024
  • Reviewing sponsorships to date.
  • One BBQ Food Truck confirmed for the event.
  • Brainstorming ways to successfully host a People’s Choice competition.
• April 2024
  • Continuing to solicit event sponsorships
  • D&S Guns donating a gun for raffle
  • Working to determine live entertainment for Friday night.
  • Seeking event insurance. Will need pyrotech to name DEP as additionally insured.
• March 2024
  • Soliciting event sponsors and raffle items. Signed Travis Kelce jersey acquired for raffle.
  • Team and Judging registration is live.
• February 2024
  • Selected to host 1 out of 20 Turkey Smoke Series competitions in the entire nation by the National Turkey Federation and Kansas City Barbeque Society.

Next Meeting Date: June 13, 2024 • 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

• May 2024
  • Found successful beer rating system to put in place.
  • Will be offering a Father’s Day ticket sale promo code that offers 20% off.
  • Securing judges for Best of Show and the Wheat Contest.
• March 2024
  • Home Brewer Team Registration is live on Visit Excelsior.
  • Event sponsorship solicitation has began.
  • Tickets to go on sale June 10 with a Father’s Day Promotion Discount to be available.
  • Atlas Saloon Brewery will be Presenting Sponsor.
  • Atlas Saloon Brewery will also be providing base malt for the Wheat Beer Category.

Next Meeting Date: TBD • 6:00 PM • Pairings by Van Till
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 2024
  • Recently wrapped up the Christmas season for 2023.
  • Only had 12 people show up to help take down the Lane of Lights for the year. Everything has been taken down except the tunnel. A date will be set when weather permits.
  • 2023 Lane of Lights raised $27,642.11 with $11,075.70 going to nightly hosting organizations.
  • Plans to purchase a new Mayor’s Christmas Tree for the Hall of Waters Lawn.
  • RFP to be issued for electrical extension so the Lane of Lights can go.