State of the Industry Highlights
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Loose Mansion was filled with chatter as the Second Annual Past Presidents State of the Industry program began on January 28. Attendees were busy networking and eating a delicious breakfast as Immediate Past President Tricia Clement, CMP, called the meeting to order.
Sponsor Cathy Ewing Event Consulting delivered a video message to inspire us to not only be a member of KCMPI, but that your involvement is much more important.
Barbara Saathoff, owner of Loose Mansion, shared with us the vast event opportunities the Mansion has available and some of the interesting history of the building and the family that built it. The attached informational sheet provides a quick reference guide for those interested in additional information on the facility and services.
- Ronnie Burt – President and CEO, Visit KC
- Justin Meyer – Deputy Director of Aviation – Marketing and Air Service Development, Kansas City Aviation Department
- Kathy Nelson – President and CEO, Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation
- Bud Nicol – Executive Director, Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City
The panel’s discussion was interesting and enlightening, a few highlights for me were:
- The airport (and any renovation/new facility) is not funded by KC tax dollars, but by airport usage (parking, buying a coffee, taking a trip).
- With industry consolidation and increasing fares, there is new opportunity for low cost carriers to come to KC.
- Visit KC wants to know ... is your KC the real KC? KC is changing.
- There is still talk about adding a downtown convention hotel with hopes that a decision will be
made in the next two years. - Transient hotel business in the metro area is up, which means there are less rooms available for groups. In order to secure rooms and space, you need to plan early, plan fast, and lock it in.
- Hotel ADR rates are going up year over year – 3-4 percent
- KCI now offers valet parking service at terminal B.
- Kansas City, MO citizens equate to less than 12 percent of airport users.
- We should see state line as a connector of our area, not a divider. This is our community and we own the process of progress in it.
- The Greater Kansas City Sports Commission has been busy; the KC area has been awarded 14 college championships, the most of all cities awarded.
These tidbits are just a small fraction of the great information shared by the panel. As our time came to a close, I am sure all who attended were as excited as I was to share this great information with others in our community. I am already excited for next year’s program!By Shana Hoy, CMP
