Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/722202
guides crossed the Mississippi River from St. Louis, attempting to reach a route to freedom through Illinois. Accompanying them was Mary Meachum, a free woman of color. Business travelers and leisure travelers alike are encouraged to explore this his- toric site. There are three general aviation air- ports serving the area: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Spirit of St. Louis Airport and St. Louis Downtown Airport. Our Central location means shorter flights, easy access, and a real choice of non-stop flights between major destinations. ••KANSAS CITY•• The City of Fountains is practically overflowing with adventure. Whether it's the scent of smoldering BBQ luring you to a plate of ribs, the sweet echo of jazz welcoming an evening of entertain- ment or the spray of fountains inviting you to kick off your shoes and make a splash, you'll sense inspiration in the air – and find it along every boulevard. Consider this just a sneak peek of all you'll see, hear, feel and taste when you discover KC. Whether you seek an intimate expe- rience at one of many smaller venues across the metro, or a spectacular evening reception within the KC Convention Center, Kansas City's event facilities have you covered, often with room to spare. Encompassing more than 800,000 sq. ft., the Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities can serve all your meeting needs under one roof. The eight-square block convention and special event facility can accommodate every need with 388,800 sq. ft. of col- umn-free exhibit space on one floor supplemented by 48 state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Excellent hotel facilities are available at reasonable rates in downtown KC. The Kansas City metropolitan area offers more than 32,000 guest rooms, with nearly 2,500 hotel rooms within three blocks of the Convention Center. The New downtown convention hotel will be opening in 2018. Be sure to reach out to President/CEO Ronnie Burt and his team at the Kansas City CVA. They will provide you with all the support services you need to make your event in Kansas City a successful experience. An energetic city forged by a rich history, Kansas City is brim- ming with activities to keep you entertained — eclectic cuisine, swinging jazz, one-of-a- kind museums, a thriv- ing arts scene and fan- tastic shopping. The history of the African-American community is an important component of the history of Kansas City. The 18th and Vine area became a major focus and business hub for the African- American community. The area, later known for its nightclubs and jazz, held significant African-American businesses including the Kansas City Call Newspaper, which published its first edition in 1919. The Black Archives in the 18th & Vine area houses a wide collection of photographs, oral histories and corre- spondence documenting the history of the African-American community in the Midwest and in particular the Kansas City area. The Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center at 3700 Blue Parkway is a prominent cultural resource providing gallery exhibitions, workshops, film series, musical and stage productions. Kansas City International Airport (KCI) is located 19 miles northwest of down- town Kansas City and services the area with 11 carriers and connecting partners, more than 400 daily flights and non-stop service to nearly 50 locations. B M & T ••• May/June 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 47 • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Marriott Kansas City Downtown 983 Crowne Plaza Kansas City – Downtown 385 Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa 250 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Kansas City Convention Center Total Exhibit Space 388,800 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 48 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Kansas City CVA (800) 767-7700 www.visitkc.com Black Chamber of Commerce (816) 474-9901 AREA GUIDES R ONNIE B URT Kansas City Convention Center skystations Photo Credit: Kansas City CVB