Committee

The National Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Committee (NLPBC) is dedicated to commemorating the role of the Louisiana Purchase in the history of the United States and of Missouri. Leading up to and including the anniversaries of the signing of the Purchase treaty (April 30, 1803) and the final transfer of power over the Louisiana Territory in St. Louis (March 10, 1804), the public events and other programming planned by the committee will highlight the continuing importance of the Louisiana Purchase in American politics and culture.

The NLPBC is a coalition of major St. Louis area public and private organizations, including representatives of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County (Missouri), St. Clair County (Illinois), the offices of U.S. Senator Bond, U.S. Senator Talent, and Congressman Gephardt, the Missouri Lewis and Clark Commission, the Missouri Historical Society, Les Amis (a private group dedicated to preserving the French Colonial heritage of the Mississippi River Valley), the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, and several leading private citizens. The University of Missouri-St. Louis is the host for the committee and provides support for the endeavor. The Committee's Executive Director is Wendell Smith.

A number of additional local and state organizations are also assisting with the Festival. These include the Missouri Department of Tourism, the State Department of Parks and Recreation, the St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Downtown St. Louis Partnership. The Downtown St. Louis Partnership is providing significant logistical support to the Festival. Patrick Davis Communications, Inc serves as the committee PR consultant.