2026 East-West Gateway Council of Governments Annual Meeting

Join us! 61st Annual Meeting Luncheon and OLGA Awards Ceremony, plus a morning leadership panel on major regional initiatives!
About this Event

A DAY TO CELEBRATE LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND REGIONAL ACTION

More than 400 local, county, state, and federal government leaders as well as dozens of agency partners across multiple disciplines are expected to attend East-West Gateway's 61st Annual Meeting. The day includes:

• Free morning panel discussion on major regional initiatives taking shape to advance the St. Louis region.
• Annual Meeting Luncheon and presentation of Outstanding Local Government Achievement (OLGA) awards.

Register separately for the panel discussion and the luncheon.

TICKETS

Tickets/registration are required for the Luncheon/Annual Meeting and the 10 a.m. panel discussion.

10 a.m. Moderated Panel Discussion
Connecting the Dots: Leadersip Panel on Emerging St. Louis Regional Initiatives
The panel is free and open to the public. Pre-registration required through Eventbrite. Speakers and topics include:

• Karen Branding, Regional Business Council, on ending the "great divorce" and why St. Louis City rejoining St. Louis County can build a stronger more competitive region for generations to come.
• Brad Dean, Explore St. Louis, on the St. Louis visitor economy as a catalyst for regional growth and prosperity.
• Ron Kitchens, Greater St. Louis, Inc., on its mission to change lives and move the St. Louis region forward by creating more and better jobs, leveraging collaborative partnerships, and revitalizing downtown St. Louis.
• Ryan McClure, Gateway Arch Foundation, on its next steps to better connect Gateway Arch National Park to downtown St. Louis, including the riverfront, and explore an expansion of the park to East St. Louis.
• Dr. Jason Purnell, James S. McDonnell Foundation, on its collaborative effort to build an Inclusive Prosperity Partnership to increase access to well-paying jobs and economic mobility.
• Jim Wild, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, on its joint work with Greater St. Louis, Inc. to create a Partnership for Regional Alignment to unite civic sectors around a shared vision and collective action plan for a growing and thriving St. Louis region.

Noon Luncheon and Annual Meeting
Purchase individual tickets or tables of eight through Eventbrite. Deadline: October 22, 2026

• Early bird individual tickets - $75 through October 5, 2026
• Regular price individual tickets - $85 after October 5, 2026
• Early bird table tickets (8 seats) - $600 through October 5, 2026
• Regular price table tickets (8 seats) - $660 after October 5, 2026
• If you are a mayor, special guest, EWG Board or EAC member, or OLGA award winner, please register for your individual tickets through [email protected]. Do not purchase tickets on EventBrite.
  

PARKING

Complimentary parking for paid guests is available at Stadium East Parking Garage, 200 S. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102. Guests must bring their Stadium East Parking Garage entrance ticket to the event for validation to receive free parking. The garage accepts credit and debit cards only - no cash is accepted.

Agenda

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Connect the Dots: Leadership Panel on Emerging St. Louis Regional Initiatives

Info: 2026 has been an exciting year for the St. Louis region. Leaders across various disciplines are working together to move St. Louis forward through significant investment in various regional initiatives. Learn about these initiatives from regional leaders as they discuss pathways to success and ways to work collaboratively. Speakers include:
Karen Branding, St. Louis Regional Business Council; Brad Dean,  Explore St. Louis; Ron Kitchens, Greater St. Louis, Inc.; Ryan McClure, Gateway Arch Foundation; Dr. Jason Purnell, James S. McDonnell Foundation; Jim Wild, East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch and OLGA Awards Ceremony

Info: Join us at a luncheon to celebrate local and regional leadership! The luncheon includes a brief membership meeting and the annual Outstanding Local Government Achievement (OLGA) awards ceremony to celebrate this year's honorees who are making a difference in the St. Louis region through collaboration and action. Honorees include recipient(s) of the Gateway Lifetime Public Service Award. Register and purchase your Eventbrite ticket no later than October 22, 2026.