Now that the All Star Game, parties, concerts and related activities have been completed, the visitors to the city have left, the media exposure and financial impact to the local economy has been felt, there are a number of people who worked behind the scenes who will receive little or no recognition for their efforts in making this a success. The city of St. Louis and Major League Baseball recruited thousands of volunteers to assist with the events at Fan Fest or the All Star Game, greeting people at the airport and hotels, providing information to tourists, and assisting those who came to the city in any way they could to make their experience more enjoyable.

The Teamsters worked at the Convention Center unloading trucks, vans, cars, trailers, or any other vehicle bringing in the exhibitions or items sold by the vendors during Fan Fest.

The Decorators, Stagehands, Electricians, Carpenters, and other unions worked late hours constructing every event provided at Fan Fest, The Sheryl Crow concert, or any other event scheduled.

Visitors and vendors from all parts of the country; Rhode Island, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Boston, New York, Georgia, and other cities or states all enjoyed their stay and considered St. Louis and the people who not only came to the event but those who worked to ensure everything went as planned the best people they have ever been associated with.
Not only did we provide the labor involved with everything, we also provided them with information regarding anything from restaurants, bars, parking, or where to order a pizza.

Every visitor met we wished them all a pleasant and enjoyable stay and shook their hands welcoming them to St. Louis. When it was time to pack up everything and leave, there was not one complaint heard from anyone regarding their visit or the people of St. Louis.

Everything was dismantled, loaded back in the vehicles and Fan Fest was a complete success for all the vendors as well as the people attending. Again, we shook many of their hands wishing them a safe trip home and hoping their visit to St. Louis was a good one.

But it was through the work of numerous volunteers and labor unions who provided the services required to ensure these events were a success and those visitors who came, enjoyed a memorable stay.

Jim Kozlowski
St. Louis