DOING BUSINESS IN
KANSAS
CITY, MISSOURI
by Lawrence Ferber
Lacking a giant
arch, sky tower, or widely seen taller-than-tall skyscraper,
Kansas City, Missouri may not boast an identifiable icon,
yet this quintessentially Midwestern city is home to a
few iconic, quintessentially American businesses: AMC,
Applebees, Sprint, Russell Stover candies, and H&R
Block. The animal health industry is also a major presence
here, as is telecommunications. The current revitalization
of KC’s downtown—including a very cool arts
and boutiques district, The Crossroads—is pointing
more eyes and visitors’ attention towards the Sky
Station/Pylon Caps, a series of four art deco-style metal
sculptures adorning the Kansas City Convention Center’s
roof.
Bordering Kansas City, Kansas, this is a major tourist
destination for inhabitants of neighboring Midwestern
states. It’s also a significant arts city, and home
to numerous small galleries and a pair of major ones.
Remarkably, one percent of the cost of all public buildings
must be dedicated to art (that’s how the Sky Station
came to be in 1994). In 2007, the city received an international
glut of art and architecture press thanks to the addition
of a stunning new wing—housed within a quintet of
glowing, translucent blocks designed by architect Steven
Knoll—of the already acclaimed, world-class Nelson-Atkins
Museum of Art. Meanwhile, several major shopping districts
and developments offer both big chains as well as boutique-style
shopping and dining. With a healthy number of LGBT-owned
businesses, including restaurants and bars, gay business
travelers can find plenty to do while here.
Although small, and often blissfully uncrowded,
the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) boasts
free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, a tornado shelter,
and Wizard of Oz-themed goods like ruby slipper snowglobes
and
t-shirts. MCI is a hub for Midwest Airlines, a
carrier that offers one of the more comfortable and enjoyable
domestic coach services, including decent leg/tray room
and two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies during the
flight.
While KC is the second largest rail hub in the country,
personal autos are the number one mode of transportation
here. Rare is the sight of pedestrians strolling for more
than several consecutive blocks. A rental car is a must,
but if you’re going to stick to one area, taxis can
be called and generally aren’t too expensive. As
a generalization, Kansas Citians are definitely laid back
and content, and that attitude applies to the way they
do business: being ten minutes late to an appointment
or reservation will rarely be met with ruffled feathers.
Like many cities with downtowns long condemned to a sorry
state of disrepair, Kansas City is finally turning the
tide with a full-on revitalization. Opening in 2008, the
Power & Light District is a nine-block development
of entertainment and dining options, including a Lucky
Strikes Lanes, a dueling piano bar, and the first all-digital
movie theater complex in the country. A new arena, The
Sprint Center, opened this fall—Elton John was
the christening act—and in 2010, a new sports stadium
will see completion, while sparkling, modern new condos
are cropping up throughout the area.
Hotel-wise, a couple of boutique properties adjacent to
downtown’s Convention Center, Hotel Philips and The
Aladdin, offer flair and indoor comforts. Renovated in
2001, the 217-room Hotel Phillips helped bring
boutique style to Kansas City’s hospitality landscape.
A mezzanine level overlooks the somewhat stately lobby,
but the rooms are modern with latte tones, minty headboards,
and Aveda toiletries. There are two in-house restaurants:
the classic dark wood, upscale Chophouse, and more
casual bistro-style 12 Baltimore.
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Even more recently renovated, and
even more chic in its design aesthetics, the 193-room
The Aladdin re-opened its doors in May 2007. Guests
check-in at individual “pods” where they are
greeted with a complimentary glass of wine or sparkling
cider. Rooms feature quite pleasing olive, dark red, and
grey tones, while amenities include high-speed Internet,
32-inch flat screen HDTVs, dual showerheads, coffeemaker
and complimentary coffee, an iPod preloaded with music,
bathrobes, and a custom pillow menu. The ground level’s
art deco Zebra Room restaurant also provides room
service, while the mezzanine’s Martini Loft
bar serves cocktails. Event and business space is available
for groups of 25–225 in the Roof Garden Ballroom,
Roof Garden Terrace, and other areas.
For those who desire an already revitalized, lively, and
pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with things to do immediately
outside their hotel’s front door, a property on The
Country Club Plaza is recommended. Simply referred
to as “The Plaza,” this is a major shopping/dining/entertainment
development modeled after Seville, Spain’s town square,
and is home to many major retail chains. You can find
all the city’s free papers in boxes peppered throughout
the Plaza, including glossy gay quarterly, Verge. You
will also find gorgeous fountains in this area and throughout
the city. KC is called “the city of fountains”
and is home to almost as many waterworks as Rome.
On the high-end, the InterContinental Kansas City
at the Plaza overlooks the Plaza, as does its large swimming
pool. Rooms are nicely appointed and spacious, with outdoor
decks and amenities including a 24-hour automated business
center (the only one in KC), mobile phone rentals, courier
service, high-speed internet, a health club, 16 meeting
rooms (from 16-person boardroom to 1,200 person reception
space), and a bar and steakhouse.
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