Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/999395
B M & T ••• May/June 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 52 AREA GUIDES • • KANSAS CITY • • It's springtime in KC, a time for a renewed appreciation of everything that makes the city great, and experiencing all that's new in the Paris of the Plains. And for this reason, Kansas City is the per- fect city to hold outdoor events this time of year. Not to mention the plentiful assortment of unique meeting venues the city holds. Whether you seek an intimate experi- ence at one of many smaller venues across the metro, or a spectacular evening reception within the 800,000-sq. ft. KC Convention Center, Kansas City's event facilities have you covered, often with room to spare. Stay in the middle of the all the action in Downtown KC, where excellent hotel facilities are available at reasonable rates. The Kansas City metro — now more con- nected than ever thanks to the KC Streetcar — offers more than 32,000 guest rooms, with nearly 2,500 hotel rooms within three blocks of the Convention Center, plus a new 800-room Loews downtown convention hotel open- ing in 2020. In Kansas City, creativity thrives. Internationally known museums, dynamic gallery districts and outstanding perform- ances create a colorful palette for both business and leisure travelers. The 18th and Vine area is a major focus and business hub for the African- American community. The area, known for its nightclubs and jazz, is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (which recreates the look, sounds and feel of the game's storied past), the American Jazz Museum (brings to life the great American art form of jazz), and the Black Arhives (houses a wide collection of pho- tographs, oral histories and correspon- dence documenting the history of the African-American community in the Midwest and in particular the Kansas City area. Within striking distance, the Bruce R Watkins Culrural Heritage Center at 3700 Blue Parkway is a prominent cultur- al resource providing gallery exhibitions, workshops, film series, musical and stage productions. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is located 19 miles northwest of down- town Kansas City. KCI is equipped with 11 airlines, 50 non-stop destinations and more than 400 daily flights. • • SPRINGFIELD • • The heart and soul of Springfield is rooted in its genuine dedication to hard work and homegrown innovation. With a unique mix of a metropolitan city and warm hospitality, Springfield is an ideal place for meetings and events. The city offers an array of new and updated facilities to accommodate a vari- ety of events, and services can be tai- lored to ensure your event is a success. The Oasis Hotel & Convention Center offers 173 beautifully decorated guest rooms and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space featuring a full-ser- vice convention center with built-in stage, theatrical lighting, state-of-the- art audio/visual capabilities and built-in screens. Includes 10 individual meeting rooms and banquet facilities to accom- modate up to 1,500 guests. This small city is pet friendly with plen- ty to do with the kids as well. There are an array of restaurants, art galleries, muse- ums and stores to shop at as well. Business and leisure travelers are both in for a treat when it comes to Springfield keeping its guests entertained. Springfield Contemporary Theatre, a non-profit corporation, presents a wide variety of year round productions. SCT is currently located in downtown Springfield at the corner of Pershing Street and Robberson Avenue at their interim venue SCT's Center Stage at Wilhoit Plaza. Flights to most major cities can be made at the Springfield-Branson National Airport. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Springfield CVB (800) 678-8767 www.springfieldmo.org • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Crowne Plaza Hotel Kansas City Downtown 800 Hilton President Kansas City 453 Kansas City Marriott Downtown 385 Adam's Mark Hotel & Conference Center 360 DoubleTree by Hilton Kansas City – Overland Park 356 Intercontinental Kansas City at the Plaza 371 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Minneapolis Convention Center Total Exhibit Space: 388,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms: 48 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit KC(816) – 691-3831 www.visitkc.com American Jazz Museum Photo Credit: Minneapolis C.C.