TASTE OF
ST. LOUIS
Taste of St. Louis is the region’s premier food event where you can taste STL’s entire menu at once! With flavors for every age, diet, nationality and lifestyle, the event features world-class entertainment and guest accommodations, demanding some meticulous planning and clever execution. And, did we mention it was our first time running the show?
The Event:
Blank Slate was tasked with planning the popular and long-running Taste of St. Louis event, this year held adjacent to the home of the St. Louis Cardinals in Ballpark Village. In order to maximize on this great opportunity and bring as much value as possible to our new client, we kept one eye on the budget process and the other on refreshing the event programming to attract more visitors and deliver an even more engaging experience for St. Louis foodies, young and old.
The Challenges:
When working on such a long-standing event where many things are set in how they operate, we must quickly figure out what areas are ripe for change and what areas aren’t. For Taste of St. Louis, we found working within the world-class Ballpark Village/Cardinals ecosystem to be exhilarating, but it comes with unique constraints (security clearance, facility access and small vehicle restrictions, to name a few).
The Blank Slate Solutions:
To establish a strong working relationship from the start, Blank Slate’s team closely monitored revenue and expense data on a daily basis, from start of contract through to the end of the event. This ensured accurate projections and made it possible for us to bring the event in under budget.
We also engaged local food influencers, and brought back a stage dedicated entirely to culinary experts and demonstrations in order to feature fresh programming. Turns out, the baseball-related truism of “if you build it, they will come” applies to foodies, too!
THE RESULTS:
A 38% uptick in attendance from the year prior and great reviews from participating restaurants, vendors, sponsors and culinary programming participants.
Blank Slate played a pivotal role in the astounding success of Taste of St. Louis. With their innovative approach and meticulous planning, attendance soared to unprecedented heights, turning the event into a true sensation. Their adept management of the budget not only ensured financial success but also allowed for exceptional enhancements across the festival. What truly stood out was their exceptional crew – a dedicated team that executed flawlessly, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for all involved. Blank Slate’s contribution has set a new standard for event excellence.
Kyle Vogt
Co-Owner, Taste of St. Louis & Vice President, Klance Unlimited
