Springfield calls for convention help

Springfield officials are concerned the city might have to back out of tourism activities because of a lack of facilities. City Manager Tom Finnie says Springfield wants to build an exposition center and needs some help from the state to get the job done. This concern follows Springfield’s decision to back out of hosting the 2003 American Baptist Convention because of the shortage of space. Finnie says Springfield will continue to lose conventions unless the state helps the city build some facilities.