Kathleen (Kitty) Ratcliffe, President of Explore St. Louis, retired on August 31, 2024, ending her tenure 10 months before her contract was due to expire in June 2025. She spent 18 years with Explore St. Louis; however, her work had not been without criticism. Ratcliffe’s departure came after the onslaught of intense scrutiny and challenges she and the organization were embroiled in this year, particularly concerning the contentious expansion of the downtown convention center, The America’s Center.
The downtown convention center expansion project, a key initiative under Ratcliffe’s leadership, has been plagued by budget overruns and delays since 2018. Originally anticipated to bring more growth to the city’s convention facilities, the expansion project has faced accusations of mismanagement and insufficient scale to make a substantial impact. Critics argue that the $250 million expansion project has not positioned St. Louis favorably compared to other major cities that funded massive expansions, like Denver, Indianapolis, and Nashville. In terms of the current exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and ballrooms, The America’s Center still ranks nearly the same as it did in 2016.
In June 2024, it was revealed that despite Ratcliffe’s statement in 2022 to cut costs, the first phase of the expansion project increased its costs by $7 million due to overruns, exhausting nearly all contingency funds. This financial mismanagement was a significant factor in the calls for Ratcliffe’s resignation.
As reported by local news outlets, staff morale and sales performance have also been points of controversy. A virtual meeting in early June, mistakenly left open to the public, revealed a board member’s call for Ratcliffe’s removal due to these ongoing issues. Additional reports highlighted that hotel room bookings, a critical performance measure for downtown, remained below pre-pandemic levels, unlike in other cities, which have seen a recovery in sales and tourism.
On July 23, the Board of Commissioners of Explore St. Louis announced the appointment of Robert Wallace, the organization’s longstanding attorney, as interim president effective August 12, 2024. Wallace took over as interim president while Explore St. Louis continues to search for Ratcliffe’s replacement. As the search process unfolds, the future leadership of Explore St. Louis will face the dual challenge of completing the troubled expansion project and restoring confidence in the region’s tourism and convention sectors.
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