by Mary Rupert
Kansas City, Kan., can expect some good business effects from the Kansas City Royals being in the World Series starting Tuesday night in Kansas City, Mo.
Although all of the official events are taking place in Kansas City, Mo., Bridgette Jobe, executive director of the Kansas City, Kan., Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she anticipated some increased hotel room nights in Kansas City, Kan.
She added the Kansas City, Mo., Convention and Visitors Association has taken the lead on all tourism efforts involving the World Series.
There are expected to be a large number of out-of-town visitors to the metropolitan area for the World Series, including a large media contingent.
Some visitors who were already planning to be in the metropolitan area for reasons other than the Royals probably will be compressed out of their normal stay on the Missouri side because of the game, Jobe said, and Kansas City, Kan., may pick up some room stays in the process.
Currently, she said she is working with the Missouri side convention officials to get banners out, and get a list compiled and sent to the Kansas City, Mo., convention association so that anyone looking for activities may find them.
While all official events are happening in Missouri, Jobe anticipates plenty of other types of events may be held on the Kansas side by restaurants or other businesses that are not official Major League Baseball events.
She noted that even if visitors are not staying in Kansas, they may be driving through the area and shopping here while they are in town.
The Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Kansas City, Kan., is planning to put a “Take the Crown” slogan on its marquee and electronic signage, she said. Also, she’s encouraging others with the capability of changing electronic signs to post the same message next week.
Jobe noted that another big plus for tourism in the area is that Sporting Kansas City, which plays its soccer games in Kansas City, Kan., has recently secured a spot in the Major League Soccer playoffs. The playoff spot was clinched at last Friday’s 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire at Sporting Park.
“It’s a good time to be in KC,” she said.