Stand United with #KC Tourism & Vote Yes! on Question 1
By:Kathy Nelson
President & CEO
Visit KC

Following the swift and devastating blow of the pandemic to our local convention and tourism
industries, we are finally starting to rebuild and welcome visitors back to the City of Fountains once
again. It’s been a long and winding road toward recovery but thanks to the resiliency and pride within
our local industry, our city has once again displayed its Midwestern grit and determination. From the
2023 NFL Draft to a revitalized airport experience, new opportunities beckon at our doorstep. Our
workforce of 41,000 strong are rolling up their sleeves and getting back to work doing what we love –
showing off our city.

It’s in this sentiment that Visit KC, together with its Board of Directors, strongly endorses voting YES
to Question 1 on the Nov. 8 KCMO ballot. In addition to delivering much-needed improvements to
amenities we often take for granted – neighborhood pools, parks and community centers – this
important initiative will also authorize funds for critical repairs and upgrades to our main convention
asset, the Kansas City Convention Center. Whether you know it by Bartle Hall, Municipal Auditorium
or simply the downtown convention center, the fact remains that the facility is the driving force to one
of Kansas City’s largest economic engines – let alone the source of hundreds of good-paying jobs.

The meetings and conventions segment will be one of the last sectors of travel to recover
post-pandemic and we need every advantage at our disposal. From sporting events to major,
citywide conventions, event planners look closely at local amenities such as venues and facilities
when choosing where to take their business. In the same vein of the KC Streetcar expansion and the
new single terminal at Kansas City International, our continual investment in our local convention
facilities is critical for maintaining our seat in an extremely competitive national marketplace. Voting
YES on Nov. 8 is that critical first step toward regaining our momentum.

Rest assured – voting yes on Question 1 won’t raise taxes for anyone in Kansas City. Instead, it
unlocks available bond dollars to fund critical improvements to help power our community forward.
And improving conditions at the Kansas City Convention Center won’t just help us deliver a top-notch
event experience for out-of-town guests. It also improves the quality of life for our citizens, generating
significant tax revenues at a time when our region needs it most.

So, let’s keep KC at the forefront of welcoming destinations by investing in our convention facilities.
Let’s deliver on our obligation to prioritize Downtown and stand united with the local tourism
workforce. Let’s Vote Yes on Nov. 8.