By Regina Lynch-Hudson

Editor’s note: Doing Biz In features continuously updated coverage of a full spectrum of top cities where readers conduct business. Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, AirTran Airways and North American Airlines.

City Smarts: An energetic city forged by a rich history, Kansas City is brimming with activities that you’d expect to find in a major metropolitan city—dynamic convention facilities, world-class hotels, professional sports and live theater. Part of the city’s charm lies in its beauty, which includes an impressive network of boulevards, parks and exquisite fountains. And, the city has another lure or two that will make your time there special—eclectic cuisine, swinging jazz, one-of-a-kind museums, a thriving arts scene and fantastic shopping districts. There are 1.9 million people in the metropolitan area (15 counties) who chose to call Kansas City home.

Nicknamed the “Heart of America”, Kansas City is in the center of the country, so it’s easy to get there! Once there, it’s a breeze to get where you want to go because you don’t experience the traffic jams you’ll find in other cities. Add in the fact that hotel rates, food costs, labor, rental charges and admission prices are some of the most competitive in the nation, and you’ll discover that Kansas City is one of the best meeting values in America.

The city currently has $3 billion of construction under way in downtown Kansas City, transforming KC into a prime business destination. Those projects include the new Power and Light District, which adds nine-blocks of restaurants, shopping retail and office space by fall 2007 and the Kansas City Convention Center Ballroom, which opened in May as one of the ten largest convention centers in the nation at 46,450 square feet.

“Kansas City is accomplishing in a few years what takes most cities decades to do,” said Rick Hughes, president of the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association. “The resurgence of the city’s downtown will create an unsurpassed convention destination, adding to its unique mix of attractions, office space, dining, hospitality and service that you can only find in the Heart of America.”

But it’s not only the businesses in the city’s central business district that will prosper from this construction. Throughout the region, office, retail and shopping developments are being built. These create jobs and offer exciting new spaces for business to get done.

Jetsetter: Originally from Sacramento, Calif., Thelma Oliver has made Kansas City home since 1999. She opened the Mango Room two and a half years ago, with no restaurant experience –fulfilling her lifelong dream. “I came to downtown, due to research that showed promise of revitalization, and moved into a building that was vacant for four years on the corner of 12th and Main,” explains Oliver. A tell-it-like-it-is woman who minces no words, she says, “It has been a struggle for several reasons. There is no lure for anyone to be downtown yet – there is no retail, there is nothing to do, so once folks get off from work they leave the downtown area.” The foot traffic that was predicted just hasn’t hit downtown, according to Oliver. “The other issue is the construction. I have not seen any type of compensation to assist businesses that are struggling due to the heavy construction,” she says. Her faithful clientele are the ones that have been coming since she opened, for love of the Caribbean and soul food and the service. Kansas City is “way behind” Sacramento and other major cities she visits, she says. However, her pioneering spirit prevails. She will stay put ― for her business and faith that downtown will “someday” boom. 1111 Main St., Ste. 102, 816-268-4600, www.kcmangoroom.com.

Getting’ Around: Kansas City’s extensive highway and interstate network assure you will arrive with ease. And with so much to see and do, you’ll want to get out and explore as soon as you arrive! MAX (Metro Area Express), Kansas City’s rapid-transit system, is perfect for travelers wanting to quickly get to the city’s River Market, Crown Center or Country Club Plaza entertainment districts, and fare is only $1.25. The Metro, the city’s public bus service, provides extensive service to many parts of the city. Visitors can also grab a taxi outside major hotels and entertainment districts. 816-221-0660, www.kcata.org.

Survival Kit: Barbecue is KC's signature food, and Atlanta transplants Dana and Charlie Jones swear by Gates Bar-B-Q, insisting that you can’t leave Kansas City without the 50-year-old magic sauce! The Kansas City natives love to strut their stuff as the self-professed “BBQ Queen and King” of Atlanta, but now their secret recipe is out of the bag! 816-923-0900, www.gatesbbq.com.

Catching ZZZ’s: Kansas City's historic Hilton President Hotel has reopened, after being closed for 25 years in January 2005, following a $45 million renovation. Located downtown, within walking distance of the Kansas City Convention Center and business district, it offers modern conveniences and the charm of yesteryear. 1329 Baltimore Ave., 816-221-9422.

The Power Lunch: Quaint atmosphere abounds in Pierpont's at Union Station, a restaurant located in refurbished Union Station. Named after railroad magnate John Pierpont Morgan, the fine dining spot is a top choice for busy executives. Don’t miss the train! Take your client to lunch or dinner at this quaint depot. 30 W. Pershing Rd. #900, 816-221-5111.

Cultural Chow: The Caribbean and Southern cuisine at The Mango Room is a must-stop in downtown Kansas City. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon through Saturday. 1111 Main St. Suite 102, 816.268-4600, www.kcmangoroom.com.

CyberSite: Have a little art with your coffee at Mildred's Coffee House. Located in the heart of the city's Crossroads Arts District, you'll not only be in the cultural hotspot, but a noted wireless hotspot. 1821 Wyandotte St., 816-471-1155.

Networking: My pick on where to network with the locals is The Blue Room, in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District. Rated by Downbeat magazine as one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world, you can’t visit Kansas City without experiencing its jazz. 1600 E 18th St., 816.474-2929.

To De-Stress: No trip to Kansas City is complete without a stroll throughout the Plaza. This 14-square-block outdoor shopping and entertainment area is filled with romantic Spanish architecture, European art and dazzling and relaxing fountains. Designed in 1922, the Plaza features boutiques and fashionable national stores as well as distinctive restaurants, outdoor cafes and nightlife hotspots. www.countryclubplaza.com.

Footloose and Fancy-free: The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum covers the entire history of the Negro National League from its inception after the Civil War through its demise in the 1960s. www.nlbm.com.

Flight Time: Kansas City International Airport (KCI) is located 18 miles northwest of downtown Kansas City. www.flykci.com. AirTran Airways offers daily low-fare flights to Kansas City, and over 50 major US. cities. AirTran Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717. 1-800-AIR-TRAN (247-8726), www.airtran.com.

Someone helpful: The Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association. 800-767-7700, 800-767-7700, www.visitkc.com.

Thanks to our friends at The Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association and other tourist venues for providing us with facts, figures and fun information for this article.

Editor’s note: Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, AirTran Airways and North American Airlines. She also organizes cultural press trips, and handles destination marketing for resorts, bed and breakfasts, and tourism boards. More information on The Write Publicist and Co. can be found at www.thewritepublicist.com.

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