by Murrel Bland
If all goes well, the American Royal could break ground on its new complex in Village West during the spring of 2020.
That was the message that Glenn Alan Phillips brought to about 35 persons who attended the 34th annual meeting of Business West at the home of Nathan and Erin Reasons Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Phillips, who recently joined the American Royal Association as its president, was the keynote speaker at the meeting.
He said the Royal is a nonprofit organization that has a 120-year history of being focused on entertainment and education.
It was founded in 1899 and has always been in the West Bottoms of Kansas City, Missouri.
The move to Village West comes because of the need for new and larger quarters; that is particularly true when considering the Royal’s traditional livestock and horse show.
Phillips said the new complex will be an ideal location for a variety of food and agriculture events.
He said the Royal will create a learning experience unlike any other.
Because of its central location, the Royal will become the hub of agriculture; it will attract agriculture industry leaders, associations and entrepreneurs.
Phillips said that the American Royal Barbecue competition, being held at the Kansas Speedway, is the largest event of its type attracting nearly 500 teams.
He said it has not been determined whether the barbecue event will be moved to the new Royal complex.
Phillips said the new complex will be near 118th Street and State Avenue.
Phillips comes from San Antonio Stock and Rodeo organization where he spent 15 years; he received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A & M University and a master’s degree from Angelo State University.
Business West elected its officers and directors for the coming year. They are Donna Tilden, president; Melissa Brune Bynum, president-elect; Brent Lathrom, treasurer; Chuck Stites, past president; directors who will serve two-year terms, Tami Bartunek, Kathleen Meyers Baska, Sheryl Raglow Becker, Rusty Roberts and Pam Rowe; and those directors who will continue to serve another year, Earl Freeman, Joe Maderak, Dr. Jane Winkler Philbrook, Nathan Reasons and Linda Wolford.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.