At a time when the region is well along in planning for what is arguably going to be one of the most extensive (approximately 2,400 square miles in Missouri and Illinois) regional parks-and-trails systems in the nation, our cover story by Laurie Burstein interviews some of the region’s top executives who cycle for fitness and fun. Read why Steve Lipstein, president and CEO of BJC HealthCare, says “St. Louis is a great cycling town.” With plans underway for 850-miles of trails and 52 greenways, the Great Rivers Greenway District and Metro East Park and Recreation District are in the process of developing plenty of more green space. Bill Beggs Jr. writes about the District’s system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails known as the River Ring. This regional initiative is funded by a one-tenth of one cent sales tax. This issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine also takes a look at a dimension of our regional economy that is responsible for an increasing share of job creation and economic activity; namely, the hospitality and conventions industry. Brian R. Hook writes about how conventions and meetings are providing the St. Louis economy with billions of dollars. One of the recent conventions held at the America’s Center convention complex downtown was for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Total attendance for this one convention was 18,000 with total hotel room nights of 21,300. The St. Louis Convention & Visitor’s Commission estimates that each convention attendee spends $945 while in town. With the CVC now under new leadership, we would like to welcome back to town Kathleen Ratcliffe as the organization’s new president. Most recently she worked in the convention and meetings sector in New Orleans. Before that she held posts in Jacksonville and Baltimore. She started her career as a sales executive at the CVC from 1985 to 1989. Finally in our spotlight, Christine Imbs interviews Michael Collins, group president of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical. For 30 years Collins has played a unique role at what is now a part of Tyco Healthcare. Mallinckrodt under his leadership is now approaching total annual revenues of $4 billion. Read how a “little thing called happenstance” landed him in St. Louis. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine. As always, please send your comments and suggestions to us at dfleming@stlrcga.org. RICHARD C.D. FLEMING President and Chief Executive Officer St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association

June 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover Story: Laura Radcliff, Rebecca Brown, Walter Metcalfe and Steve H. Lipstein Alaska The Al Foster Trail Raging Rivers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.technologygateway.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - America’s Center Bruce Holland and David Birk Michael Collins The Gelateria