BCD Meetings & Incentives Opens Clayton Office

The new Clayton branch of BCD Meetings & Incentives (BCD M&I) will serve as a training hub and allow the company to reach out to the beverage, corporate real estate, pharmaceutical and financial services industries, its global president said.

"Clayton is the heartbeat of business in St. Louis," said Scott Graf, global president of Dutch-owned BCD M&I.

The Chicago-based company maintains offices around the world and provides services such as corporate-events planning, product launches and incentive travel programs.

It chose to open a St. Louis office this year in an effort to leverage employees' relationships in the area, Graf said. Graf said that he and other employees have tied to the area and that it seemed like a good opportunity as companies emerge from the economic downturn. Additionally, the office's central location will make it a convenient drop-in location for activities of the BCD M&I marketing and sales team.

The office is located at 165 N. Meramec Ave.

Six employees now work at the Clayton office, and job openings have been posted for up to four more positions, Graf said.

"We are ecstatic about the opportunity for a new company to join us," Ward 3 Alderman Alex Berger said Wednesday in remarks after a ribbon-cutting.

Membership director Trish Zupon of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce has worked with Bill Callahan, the company's vice president of sales.

"To have a company of this caliber is an honor," Zupon said.