about + faqs
Glad you’re here! Get to know us better!
Explore Christian County (ExploreCCMO) is the official tourism initiative of Show Me Christian County (SMCC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to economic development and community growth across Southwest Missouri.
Created in collaboration with local chambers, municipalities, and community partners, ExploreCCMO was developed to highlight the authentic experiences, outdoor recreation, events, and locally owned businesses that shape Christian County. Inspired by a feature partnership with National Geographic Traveller UK, the initiative was designed to share the county’s story with both residents and visitors seeking meaningful connections beyond well-known destinations.
Through destination storytelling and regional promotion, ExploreCCMO works to increase awareness of Christian County as a complementary destination within the Ozarks. By supporting tourism visibility and encouraging community engagement, the initiative contributes to the long-term vitality of the local economy.
Revenue generated through promotional opportunities on the platform is reinvested into continued tourism marketing efforts and community-focused initiatives that strengthen Christian County.
Whether planning a visit or rediscovering local favorites, ExploreCCMO exists to celebrate and support the places and people that make this community unique.
About Show Me Christian County
Show Me Christian County (SMCC) is more than a resource for businesses — it is a collaborative partnership dedicated to the ongoing development of a thriving, innovative, and growing county. Committed to advancing economic health, mobility, and opportunity throughout Southwest Missouri, SMCC works to foster strong businesses, cultivate skilled talent, and help shape spaces where communities can grow and succeed.
Mission
We advance economic growth and quality of life in Christian County, Missouri by connecting partners and resources.
As a countywide nonprofit organization, SMCC aligns its work around three key areas of focus:
Areas of Focus
Business Development
Supporting business growth and investment across all sectors to strengthen the local economy.
Community Enhancement
Collaborating with partners to improve infrastructure, livability, and community resources.
Promoting Christian County
Showcasing the region as a place to live, work, and explore through strategic marketing and community storytelling initiatives, including ExploreCCMO.
FAQs
Step 1: Register for an Account
To submit an event, you must first register for an account on Explore Christian County. Click the "Register" button at the top right corner of the website and fill out the required information. If you already have an account you can login here.
Step 2: Choose Your Listing Option
Explore Christian County offers different listing options based on your needs:
- Basic Listing: Standard business information like name, address, and contact details.
- Preferred Listing: Additional features like adding specials, more social media links, replying to reviews, and including extra content. If you are a member of a local chamber within Christian County, contact us for a discount code that covers a 'claimed' listing as a free benefit.
- Featured Listing: Includes all the benefits of a claimed listing but with priority in viewing order within their category pages, giving your business more visibility. Paid ads still take precedence over featured listings.
- Listing Advertising: Ads appear below the search bar and at the bottom of business listings pages within their respective categories (e.g., restaurant ads will not show up in shopping or places to stay pages).
Note: Businesses must be tourist-friendly to be listed. Non-acceptable examples include insurance, roofing, and similar services. All submitted content will be reviewed by admins to ensure it meets acceptable criteria before publication.
Alternative Step 2: Access and Manage Your Listings After logging in, you can also access the 'Manage My Listing' section, located in both the header and footer, to easily manage your existing listings or submit new ones. You can also use the direct submission links in the footer for quick access to listing options.
Step 3: Create or Claim Your Listing
If your business is already listed, click on your business name and select the “Claim Listing” button. Follow the verification steps to take control of your listing.
If your business is not listed: After logging in, you can access the 'Manage My Listings' section in both the header and footer to easily add and manage your listings or events. Alternatively, use the direct submission links in the footer for quick access.
Step 4: Review and Publish
Review all the information to ensure accuracy. Once you're satisfied, click "Submit" to publish your listing. Your business will be visible on Explore Christian County, pending admin approval!
Step 5: Manage and Update
Log in anytime to update your business information, respond to reviews, and make the most of the features available in your chosen listing plan. After logging in, you can easily find "Manage My Listings" options in the footer, along with account management and the advertising dashboard.
Step 1: Register for an Account
To submit an event, you must first register for an account on Explore Christian County. Click the "Register" button at the top right corner of the website and fill out the required information. If you already have an account you can login here.
Step 2: Go to the 'Manage My Listings'
After logging in, you can also access the 'Manage My Listings' section, located in both the header and footer, to easily manage your events and other listings. Alternatively, you can use the direct submission links in the footer for quick access.
Step 3: Fill Out Your Event Details
Enter the required information, including event name, date, location, photos, and a brief description. Be sure to include any additional details that will help promote your event to the community.
Step 4: Review and Submit
Review all the information to ensure it’s correct and complete. Once you're satisfied, click "Submit" to publish your event. Your event will be visible on Explore Christian County, pending admin approval.
Step 5: Manage and Update Your Event
Log in anytime to update your event details if needed. You can also add more information or make changes as your event date approaches.
Basic Listing - Free
Explore Christian County welcomes all tourism-friendly businesses to join our platform with a free listing. This option provides a basic presence on our site, perfect for those just starting out.
Cost: Free forever
Features:
Business name and basic contact details.
Limited visibility within search results.
Preferred Listing Subscription - $25 per Year
For just $25 per year, elevate your business presence on Explore Christian County. Our Claimed Listing subscription is designed for businesses that want more control and visibility.
Features:
Enhanced Profile: Add business hours, social media links, special offers, and up to 10 images.
Customer Engagement: Respond to reviews directly from your dashboard.
Priority Placement: Your listing appears above Free Listings in search results, increasing visibility.
Exclusive Ad Access: Unlock the option to purchase paid ads to further boost your reach.
Ideal For: Businesses like shopping, restaurants, accommodations (Airbnbs, VRBOs, campgrounds), and more that want to engage more with their audience and manage their online presence effectively.
Featured Listing Subscription - $150 per Year
Gain premium exposure with our Featured Listing subscription, offering the highest visibility for your business throughout the year.
Features:
Top Placement: Your business will appear at the top of search results, just below any paid ads and before all Claimed and Free Listings.
Comprehensive Listing Control: Includes all Claimed Listing benefits, plus the ability to showcase your business more prominently.
Year-Long Visibility: Ensure your business stands out to potential customers all year round.
Ideal For: Businesses looking to make a strong impact and gain maximum visibility.
Ready to get started? Choose the subscription that best suits your business needs and explore our advertising options to make the most of your presence on Explore Christian County.
Additional Advertising Opportunities:
Looking for more ways to promote your business or upcoming event? Explore Christian County offers a variety of placements designed to help businesses connect with locals and visitors who are actively planning where to eat, shop, stay, and explore.
For full advertising and partnership opportunities, please complete the Advertising Inquiry Form so recommendations can be tailored to your goals.
To advertise, an account is required (a business listing is not required). All advertisements must be family-appropriate.
Leaderboard Ads (728x90) - $150 per month
Place your banner on high-traffic lead-in pages such as Parks & Trails, Attractions, Outdoor Activities, and more. This placement offers strong visibility across popular sections of the site.
Ad Size: 728 x 90 pixels
Placement: Homepage and multiple lead-in pages, excluding mobile devices and specific business listings.
File Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF
Tracking: Access a dashboard for performance metrics.
In-Content & Mobile Ads (320x50) - $100 per month
These banners appear throughout the website within content and across mobile devices, helping your business stay visible while users browse listings and plan their next stop.
Ad Size: 320 x 50 pixels
Placement: Displayed within content across the entire website, including business listings and mobile-only views. These ads will also appear in leaderboard locations on mobile devices.
File Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF
Tracking: Includes access to an advertising dashboard to monitor clicks, CTR, and impressions.
We are incredibly grateful for your support through these advertising opportunities. Your contribution helps fuel our organization and allows us to continue serving and uplifting the communities we care about. Together, we’re making a lasting impact!
What can I do in the Advertising Dashboard?
The Advertising Dashboard allows you to manage all your active and past ads. You can easily track your ad performance, including click-through rate (CTR), total clicks, and impressions.
What information will I see in the Advertising Dashboard?
You’ll have access to detailed metrics such as:
CTR (Click-Through Rate): The percentage of users who clicked on your ad compared to the number of times it was shown.
Clicks: The total number of times users have clicked on your ad.
Impressions: The total number of times your ad has been displayed to users.
How do I access the Advertising Dashboard?
After logging in, you can access the Advertising Dashboard from the 'Advertising Dashboard' page, located in the footer, or by accessing 'Manage My Listings'.
Refund and Return Policy
- Claims for Misprinted, Damaged, or Defective Items: Submit claims within 30 days of receiving the product.
- Lost Packages: Submit claims within 30 days of the estimated delivery date.
- Returns: All returns are sent to the designated fulfillment center. Unclaimed returns are donated after 30 days.
- Non-Refundable Situations: Buyer’s remorse, incorrect sizes, and sealed goods (e.g., face masks) are not eligible for return.
For claims, email [email protected] with:
- Order number
- Description of the issue
- Supporting photos.
For full details, please visit our complete Refund and Return Policy.
If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click on the “Forgot Password?” link on the login page and enter your email address. You’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password. Follow the instructions in the email to create a new password and regain access to your account.