A passion for tourism

Diane Gillespie poses in front of a large mural of the 1954 riot, located in the second floor museum dedicated to the former Missouri State Penitentiary.
Diane Gillespie poses in front of a large mural of the 1954 riot, located in the second floor museum dedicated to the former Missouri State Penitentiary.

Diane Gillespie may be new to the job, but not to the industry or to Jefferson City.

The new executive director of the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau has been in her post for about one month and is still trying to gain her bearings on projects that have been in development for months, if not longer. But she's no stranger to tourism or large projects.

Gillespie, who has lived in Jefferson City since 1999, spent nearly 20 years working for the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, joining the bureau right after it formed. With the Springfield CVB, Gillespie said her focus was sales and she loved landing a new event.

"It's always fun going after a big event and making it happen," Gillespie said.

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