Welcome to the “Gateway to the West,” Where BBQ is King and Home to the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale

The USEA Annual Meeting and Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in additions to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun. This year’s focus is all about you, the competitors and the people who keep us forging ahead through unparallel obstacles. Come out to see the future of the sport of three-day eventing and become a part of the various seminars to educate yourself on all the latest information of the sport!

Questions or suggestions about Convention? Contact Jennifer or call
703-779-0440 ext. 3003.

Details

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers, and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering qualified competitions and clinics, the USEA offers strong and continuous training opportunities for an ever-expanding field of world-class competitors. Just as importantly, the USEA provides a means for all riders, regardless of age or ability, to experience the thrill of eventing.

The USEA (formerly USCTA) was founded in September 1959 through the vision of Alexander Mackay-Smith who felt that, in addition to the AHSA and USET, a third organization was needed to promote the fledgling sport of combined training in the United States. Initially, the Association’s roster included just two dozen names, including Mackay-Smith and other notables such as Jack Fritz, Philip Hoffman, Roger Maher, and Lana Wright (née DuPont). On December 1, 2001 the USCTA became the USEA when the Board of Governors decided to follow the FEI’s adoption of the term ‘eventing’ for the international sport previously known as combined training.

Hotel

Marriott St. Louis Grand

800 Washington Avenue,

St. Louis, MO 63101

(314) 621-9600

The Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel is in the heart of St. Louis, within a 5-minute walk of the National Blues Museum and Dome at America’s Center. This 4-star hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Busch Stadium and 0.6 mi (1 km) from City Museum. Stay in one of the 917 guestrooms that feature flat-screen televisions, beds with down comforters and premium bedding, wireless internet access and satellite programming. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations offer complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Take advantage of recreation opportunities, such as a 24-hour fitness center and other amenities like concierge services. This hotel also features gift shops, newsstands, wedding services and a ballroom. Grab a bite to eat at Zenia Bar & Grill, a restaurant with a bar and lounge.

Trip advisor has rated this hotel a 4-star property (very good).

Reservations

Reservations can be made at the following Booking Website: book.passkey.com/event/50512478/owner/home. The room block closes on Tuesday, November 21, so please be sure to make your reservations prior to that date.

If you require assistance making your reservation, you can contact the Marriott St. Lous Grand at 855-680-3239 or make your reservations online through Bonvoy with your USEA Reservation code.

Fun Facts about St. Louis

The Show me State! The birthplace of 7-Up, First in the World Fair, the tallest man-made monument - The Gateway Arch, the site of the Exorcist movie, home to the largest collections of mosaics in the world, and home to Anheuser Busch and the Budweiser Clydesdales at historic Grands Farm.

Covid is here to stay, so be safe and follow the CDC guidelines for the visiting city:

The safety and wellbeing of our guests and colleagues is always a top priority. In light of COVID-19 and its variants for precautionary measures, some services and facilities will be impacted. For inquiries, please contact the hotel directly.

Government mandate - This location may have COVID-19 travel restrictions in place including national, local and health advisories and requirements. Learn more.

Getting to St. Louis, MO

The nearest airports to St. Louis, Missouri are Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL), the most historic airport in the US, and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV).

BY AIR: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is situated 13 miles from Downtown St. Louis. STL served nearly 15.9 million passengers in 2019. The airport has more than 250 daily departures to 70+ domestic and international destinations. Southwest Airlines is the most prominent carrier at STL, but American, United, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Cape Air, Frontier, Spirit and Lufthansa also serve customers from this airport. If you are in need of transportation from the airport to the hotel, you can utilize popular transportation options such as Uber or this car service.

BY TRAIN: If you’d rather travel to St. Louis on the ground, Amtrak is the ideal solution. Trains run daily from stations located in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood and at the Gateway Transportation Center located on South 15th Street. Along with Amtrak the Gateway Transportation Center serves Greyhound and Burlington Trailways interstate buses and is conveniently located one block from a MetroLink Light Rail Station and Historic St. Louis Union Station.

BY CAR: If you’re driving to St. Louis with your own wheels – Check for the best driving directions here.

From St. Louis International Airport (14.2 miles or 18 min.): From the Airport Take I-70 East follow I-70 to St. Louis. Take exit 292B from I-44. Follow N. Broadway and Washington Ave to your destination Marriot St. Louis Grand Hotel.

From MidAmerican St. Louis Airport (BLV): (24.2 miles or 27 min.) Take I-64 West N 3^rd Street in East St. Louis. Take Exit 2A from I-64 W. Take Riverpark Dr, Eads Bridger and Washington Ave to your destination in St. Louis.

PARKING

Downtown St. Louis Preferred Parking:Visitors who choose to drive their own vehicles will find no shortage of parking in downtown St. Louis. 2,700 smart metered curbside parking spaces are available on the streets. Find convenient preferred parking with www.GetAroundSTL.com, a mobile website that lists parking options around Downtown St. Louis, or by looking for signage with a white “P” in a blue circle. Preferred Parking providers have uniform credit card payment options, security, accessible spots, identifiable signage and wayfinding to make parking safe, affordable, and convenient. Look for signage with a white “P” in a blue circle or go to the mobile website to find Preferred Parking garages and lots.

SELF PARKING & VALET PARKING

For the convenience of our guests, the Marriot St. Louis Grand is offering a 10% discount to the USEA guests. Parking is available in hourly and daily rates:

• Daily - $30.00.
• On-site Parking- $2.00 hourly
• Valet: Dailey $48.00. (No discount of Valet)
  • Self or Valet does not accommodate oversize vehicles.

RENTAL CARS: (Remember – discounts available in your USEA Member Rewards Program for your car rental needs)

• Alamo Car Rental-800-462-5266
• Avis Car Rental-800-831-2847
• Budget Car Rental-800-527-0700
• Enterprise Car Rental- 800-325-8007
• Hertz Car Rental- 800-654-3131
• National Car Rental- 800-227-7368

BY TAXI: (Safety is our Priority)

There is no shortage of taxi’s in St. Louis. Taxi drivers are uniformed, and their vehicles must meet strict standards enforced by the St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission, including completing a hospitality training program run by Explore St. Louis.

• STL Taxi APPS: Download the St. Louis Taxi app
• St. Louis County and Yellow Cab and the STLTaxi App

BY BUS:

MetroLink and MetroBus Information
(314) 982-1495
www.metrostlouis.org

RIDE SHARE:

Lyft and Uber both operate throughout the St. Louis area and can be a great way for you to get around town. Visit their websites or download their mobile apps to get started.

GETTING AROUND TOWN

WALKING:

The hotel is perfectly positioned downtown within a mile of the St. Louis Zoo, City Museum, Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village and the Gateway Arch. Originally the Statler Hotel, an icon of the St. Louis skyline since the 1900s, the Marriott St. Louis Grand is a National Historic Landmark.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE:

There are several fun things to do near the Marriott St. Louis Grand hotel. A few of our favorites include:

• Flamingo Bowl (Bowling Alley, less than a 5-minute walk)
• The City Museum (8-minute walk, great for all ages)
• Mastermind Room Escape - St. Louis (Escape Room Activity, 15-minute walk)
• Top Notch Axe Throwing St. Louis (15-minute walk)
• Ball Park Village (15-minute walk)
• Enterprise Center Tours (Professional Hockey Arena)
• Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (Less than a 10-minute drive)
• National Blues Museum (6-minute walk)
• Schlafly Tap Room (local Brewery, 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk)

DRIVING IN TOWN:

Parking can be a challenge in any large city. Check out the Global Reservation Numbers for “Cars Stay Free” promotional package.

11 FUN THINGS TO DO IN ST.LOUIS, MO:

• Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch
• Fly down a 10-story slide at City Museum
• Find your space in Forest Park
• Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery
• Drink up St. Louis’ excellent craft beers
• Admire the architecture of Union Station
• Sample St. Louis’s favorite foods. Eat your heart out!
• Marvel at the mosaics at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

CIRCQUE DU SOLIEL IN ST. LOUIS DURING CONVENTION!

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, June 21st for "‘Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil!"

The Fabulous Fox theatre is only 10 mins from the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel, and the show runs from November 29 to December 10, 2023. Click here for more information and to reserve your tickets. See you there!

HOCKEY FANS: GET DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO THE ST. LOUIS BLUES GAME ON DECEMBER 6!

Sports fans rejoice; the USEA has a special deal for you! Join us in St. Louis before the excitement of the Annual Meeting & Convention kicks off to take in a hockey game at the Enterprise Center. The St. Louis Blues will play the Vegas Golden Knights at 8:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, December 6, and USEA Members can take advantage of the special ticket prices listed below:

• 300-Level Seats: $42
• 100-Level Seats: $89
• All-Inclusive Club Seats: $159

Click here to purchase your tickets today and get ready to cheer on the Blues!

GRAB A PINT AND LEARN ABOUT THE ST. LOUIS BREWING HISTORY

• St. Louis is overflowing with breweries, from world-famous Anheuser-Busch to small craft producers.
• As the city’s first craft brewery since prohibition, Schlafly is a St. Louis stalwart, offering great beer and great food at four area locations. With two locations in St. Louis – Midtown and The Grove – plus one in Germany, Urban Chestnut pours beers made with old-world techniques in a modern style.
• At 4 Hands Brewing Co., which is within walking distance to Busch Stadium, choose from a core lineup of lagers, ryes and ales, or pick a seasonal pour. Looking for a hidden gem?

• Try Narrow Gauge, which is tucked into an Italian restaurant in Florissant and sought after for its creative small batch brews.

FOR THE FOODIE

• The Hill, a quaint St. Louis neighborhood famous for Italian American cuisine.
• Got a sweet tooth? Visit Ted Drewes
• Best BBQ in St Louis
• Sharpshooter’s Pit & Grill - who doesn't love smokey charred meat with an innovative twist? At Sharpshooter’s Pit & Grill, succulent ribs and tasty briskets are served in an indoor shooting range.
• Nubbys BBQ
• Pappy’s Smokehouse
• Salt & Smoke BBQ

DINNING & NIGHTLIFE

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP!

St. Louis has a plethora of unique places to shop. Find vintage-inspired clothing, trendy and unique furniture, locally made crafts and accessories at specialty boutiques. Couture and designer brand-name fashions are available at dozens of high-end shops throughout the city. Hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures at many area antique shops and independent bookstores or get it all under one roof at one of the many local malls and shopping centers. Interested in learning more? Click here.

Additional Information

Questions or suggestions about Convention? Contact Jennifer Hardwick by email at Jennifer@useventing.com or by phone (703) 779-0440, ext. 3003.