June 1, 2011, was a dark day in the history of Springfield, Massachusetts.
That afternoon a tornado devastated the western New England city, killing several people and destroying at least 500 buildings, including key parts of the downtown area. Since then, this city and its 153,000 residents have fought back with determination. The community is in full recovery mode.
“It’s a city that is really undergoing revitalization,” said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “I think there is a tremendous mind-set among people because of the many wonderful things that are starting to happen in our city.”
Wydra cited specific examples such as the city’s historic Union Station, now undergoing an $88 million renovation that will turn the old structure into an intermodal bus, transit and rail station when work is completed in December. In addition, many new companies are moving to Springfield, an encouraging sign said the CVB director.
“In 2018, we will also welcome MGM Springfield, a casino with a six-story hotel, right in the heart of downtown,” said Wydra. “The new casino’s footprint will be exactly where the tornado struck the riverfront. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons.”
The city has had its share of nor’easters, those wintry hurricanes, over the decades and is fairly used to them, but the rare tornado shook up the community. However, many residents feel the disaster afforded the city an opportunity to come back even stronger. The CVB urges meeting planners to take a fresh look at this city located in the region known as Pioneer Valley.
Alicia Szenda, director of sales for the CVB and a Springfield native, puts her heart and soul into sales pitches because she believes in her hometown, its people and its capabilities.
“We want visitors to feel like big fish in our small pond,” said Szenda. “We want them to feel welcomed and that we’ll do whatever we can to make their stay pleasurable. We also want them to return as convention attendees or leisure travelers.”
Accessible and Affordable
The CVB’s promotional efforts center around three reasons people should consider Springfield for their next major activity: access, affordability and attractions.
“If you’re planning an event, it is super easy for your attendees to get here,” said Wydra. “We intersect at two major highways: Interstate 91, which travels north and south, and Interstate 90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, which runs east and west. And we’re in western Mass., so we don’t have the big traffic issues.”
Air travelers to Springfield often use Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, just 17 miles south. Springfield is also serviced by Amtrak, with trains running to Boston; Providence, Rhode Island; New York; Stamford, Connecticut; and beyond.
Wydra said Springfield usually beats its competition on price while providing high value. “We have beautiful hotel properties with name recognition, like Sheraton and Marriott,” she said. “Our headquarter hotels are right downtown. We have added or will add some new hotels that have very attractive rates.”
A Range of Attractions
Springfield is home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Whether it’s high school, college or professional basketball, all are celebrated in these galleries in what is essentially an impressive American history museum. Nearly 350 outstanding players and 10 teams are honored in the hall. Visitors can wander the galleries for hours. Canadian-born doctor and physical education teacher James Naismith invented the game of basketball in Springfield in 1891 to give students an activity during the winter months. Little did he know how the sport would evolve from his little ball game that used peach baskets nailed to walls.
Not many people have ever heard of Springfield native Theodor Seuss Geisel. Perhaps the pen name Dr. Seuss sounds more familiar. The American writer and illustrator is best known as the author of a wildly popular series of children’s books, including “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” The stories have been enjoyed by millions of kids and adults worldwide for generations.
Visitors can see the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden at Springfield Museums. The park area is said to be the inspiration for some of Dr. Seuss’ more unusual literary characters and features numerous bronze sculptures.
In the late spring, summer and early fall, visitors love to take a trip on the Superman: The Ride roller coaster at Six Flags New England, located in the western suburb of Agawam, Massachusetts. The thrill ride has been rated one of the top steel roller coasters in the country. Of course, there are many other rides to enjoy during a full day at the park.
Yankee Candle is a popular consumer product. “Everybody knows that brand,” said Wydra. “They have a flagship village nearby in South Deerfield [Massachusetts] that is not to be missed, with incredible shopping.” It’s the second-most-visited tourist attraction in the state.
Groups visiting Springfield often do dine-around events, said Szenda. That could mean appetizers in one restaurant, then hopping onto a double-decker bus for the trip to the next food stop and a main course. It’s then back on the bus for another stop for dessert at a third location. The Basketball Hall of Fame complex alone has five restaurants, and there are other activities in which to take part there as well.
Hockey is huge in New England, and Springfield is home to the professional American Hockey League. The city also supports its own team in the league: the Falcons. Companies often buy a block of tickets for a home game so their employees and guests can enjoy a game while in town on business.
Springfield has the 2,600-seat Symphony Hall, a century-old building recently renovated and offering Broadway shows, concerts and performers. Two blocks away, CityStage is the city’s professional not-for-profit theater company; it presents even more comedies, dramas and musicals.