The Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce was honored with the Innovator Award at the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Chase Park Plaza in St Louis, Missouri.
The Innovator Award honors a small tourism organization or individual which achieves significant results on a modest budget and is chosen from a destination market organization, tourism attraction, lodging, restaurant, festival and event, publications or other entities contributing to the tourism industry in Missouri.
Accepting the award were Megan Schmitt, Chamber Executive Director, Michelle Greenwell, Tourism Specialist, and Ashley Nolte, Administrative Assistant.
The Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce received the award for “Junk Junktion” and the economic impact the event had on the Moberly Depot District in 2021. Junk Junktion started as a small idea in 2018 and by 2021 grew to be one of the largest annual vintage markets in Missouri. In addition to their assistance with the development and marketing efforts for the Moberly Depot District.
The Chamber began focusing on Moberly’s downtown as a tourism destination after the completion of its Strategic Plan on Tourism in 2018. The vintage vendor market concept was developed to increase foot traffic in support of businesses in downtown Moberly. The Chamber estimates the direct economic impact of Junk Junktion in 2021 was over $1.8 million. In 2022 Junk Junktion again brought large crowds and high sales volumes to businesses in the area for the 5th year.
“The Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce has truly been an innovator of bringing new and unique ideas to the Moberly Area. Junk Junktion is just one of those examples. Their tourism effort implementation and service to the community has been beyond excellent. We are thrilled to receive this award,” said Chamber Board President Tim Seidel.
The Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Moberly and Randolph County.
For more details on the organization visit moberlychamber.com and moberly.com
