St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission Forms St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greg Severin
Lents & Associates
314-968-3060, gseverin@lentsandassoc.com

Donna Andrews
St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
314-421-1023, pr@explorestlouis.com

St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
Forms St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation

ST. LOUIS – Dec. 20, 2011 – To further inspire local residents and organizations about the many virtues of St. Louis, the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission has established the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation, a regional initiative.

“The main goal of the foundation is to create a culture of confidence and pride among our residents,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis CVC. “Many people in our community underestimate the quality of life we enjoy in the St. Louis area. We want to remind them about our region’s unique blend of first-class, yet affordable cosmopolitan amenities and our friendly environment.”

Kim Tucci, who will serve as chairman of the founding board, said the new non-profit organization will address the region’s tendency to under sell itself.

“As a business owner who interacts and serves tourists on a regular basis, I can tell you that the outside world’s perception of us is much more positive than our own,” said Tucci, president of The Pasta House Company.  “It is time for St. Louisans to acknowledge what a hidden jewel we have here. And we have much to be proud of in St. Louis.”

Joining Tucci on the founding board will be Donna Wilkinson,  president of The Wilkinson Group, and Mike Houlihan, president of Homes without Limits. Wilkinson will serve as vice chairman. Houlihan as secretary.

Assisting the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation will be St. Louis CVC liaisons: Ratcliffe, Neil Palacios, chief financial officer; Brian Hall, chief marketing officer; and Lorraine Gustavis, training manager.

Much of the foundation will focus on frontline training, teaching participants customer service skills and helping familiarize them about St. Louis attractions, transportation options, restaurants, parks and museums and other area resources.

Some of the training will be similar to the ongoing CVC Taxi Training Program, an initiative for drivers as a qualification for re-licensure with the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission. More than 500 drivers have already been through the training.

“We are really excited about this new organization and about the potential it has to positively change how we view ourselves as a region,” said Tucci. 

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