Kansas Association of City/County Managers 2018 Annual Conference Presented by Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau B.J. Harris, Director 117 West 4 th Street, P.O. Box 1115 Pittsburg, Kansas 66762-1115 (620) 231-1212 (800) 879-1112 (620) 231-3178 fax bjharris@visitcrawfordcounty.com www.visitcrawfordcounty.com
Kate Cooley Thursday, November 17, 2016 Conference & Marketing Coordinator League of Kansas Municipalities 300 SW 8th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603 Dear Ms. Cooley, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the Kansas Association of City/County Managers and League of Kansas Municipalities for the opportunity to present this bid to be the host community of the 2018 KACM Annual Conference. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau has a policy when working with associations and organizations, If it can t be done first class, don t do it. I assure you, should the KACM and LKM select Pittsburg, Kansas; you will not be disappointed. In the past, the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau has had the pleasure to execute a number of quality conferences, conventions and meetings including the Kansas Housing Conference, the Kansas Autism Awareness Association State Conference, the Kansas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance State Conference, Kansas Association of Family and Community Education, the Kansas Native Plant Society and the Kansas Economic Development Alliance. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau has a proven history of executing successful conferences, conventions and meetings. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide assistance with media contacts and helping promote your event locally, if desired. We also look forward to working with your organization to provide entertainment activities throughout your stay in area. The Pittsburg area has seen tremendous growth over the past five years and your during your conference we will work to make sure your attendees have an opportunity to experience it all. Including the all new $80M Kansas Crossing Casino, the $33M Bicknell Family Center for the Performing Arts, the $17M Robert W. Plaster Center and our revitalized downtown district. Which by 2018 will feature the completion of our Block 22 Project, a $20M restoration of 100 year-old building into 21 st Century Student Housing. The City of Pittsburg and the Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau are excited about the opportunity to show off all our recent accomplishments to community leaders from across Kansas. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Kansas Association of City/County Managers and League of Kansas Municipalities and look forward to hosting your event in 2018. Sincerely, B.J. Harris Executive Director, Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Why should the 2018 KACM Conference be held in Crawford County? Affordable Compared to similar markets in Kansas and throughout the Midwest, Crawford County and Pittsburg has proven to be a very affordable choice for meeting facilities, accommodations and entertainment. Entertainment Pittsburg and Crawford County offers a perfect blend of continuing education opportunities, social events, attractions, retail and restaurant choices making it the ideal conference and convention location. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau has the ability to bring together various attractions, restaurants and community members to offer a host of entertainment opportunities for the 2018 KACM Conference. The addition of the Kansas Crossing Casino will certainly add to the overall entertainment options. In addition to the Kansas Crossing Casino, Pittsburg now also features the $33M Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, which hosts a variety of cultural events and could be entertainment option for the 2018 KACM Conference. Our vibrant Downtown District will also give attendees a great place to end their day. The Crawford County CVB can arrange transportation at no cost to entertainment districts, if desired. Hospitality Upon arriving in Crawford County and Pittsburg, your organization will immediately sense the sincere warmth extended to visitors in Southeast Kansas. The residents of Crawford County and Pittsburg welcome guests to our beautiful part of the state with open arms knowing a positive experience will result in guests leaving here with a good feeling and a willingness to share with others the experience enjoyed in Crawford County and Pittsburg. Could attendance be affected by conducting the 2018 KACM Conference in Pittsburg? Southeast Kansas is closer than you think. Crawford County and Pittsburg is a quick 2½-hour drive from Wichita on Kansas Highway 400 and 1½-hour drive from Kansas City on Kansas Highway 69. In fact, Pittsburg is within 3 hours of nearly 70% of all Kansans. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau encourages all organizations to establish a statewide rotation of destinations to conduct conferences and conventions. The travel and tourism industry is best served by sharing the economic impact of events throughout Kansas. In fact, it is in the best interest of all organizations to rotate throughout the state in order to increase awareness of the organization, to increase membership and to maintain identity. Does Pittsburg and Crawford County have what it takes to conduct the 2018 KACM Conference? Our record speaks for itself. Numerous organizations, including the Kansas Shrine Bowl, the Kansas Lions, Kansas Kiwanis, Kansas Association of Ag Educators, Fellowship of Christian Writers and more have had exceptional events in Crawford County and Pittsburg. All have enjoyed successful conferences, conventions or events, with the desire to return and numerous recommendations to other organizations about the efforts of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Why Crawford County and Pittsburg? We Have Meetings Cornered! With strong industry and Pittsburg State University serving as the foundation, Pittsburg and Crawford County offer the amenities, culture and resources of a larger city, with the hospitality and sense of community you expect from a small, Midwestern town. The Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau, The City of Pittsburg and Pittsburg State University will work to provide an excellent experience for 2018 KACM Conference attendees. Pittsburg is in the midst of a cultural and economic renaissance. Pittsburg has experienced investments in entertainment, lodging, dining, manufacturing and education, totaling more than $300M in the past three years. Projects include the $80M Kansas Crossing Casino, the $33M Bicknell Family Center for the Performing Arts, the $17M Robert W. Plaster Center and our revitalized downtown district. By 2018, the Downtown District will feature the completion of our Block 22 Project, a $20M restoration of 100 year-old building into 21 st Century Student Housing. These projects, along with new and exciting investments expected, will be of interest to City and County leaders from across the state. These projects will also offer a variety options for on-site training, off-site excursions, creative education opportunities and great social events. Testimonials The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau provided unvalued assistance with the Kansas Autism Conference. The Kansas Chapter of the National Autism Association was truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of people to go above and beyond to help make the conference a success. Mandy Commons President National Autism Association Kansas Chapter Although Pittsburg was the smallest community to ever host our event, the Kansas Housing Conference attracted more people nearly 350 than it ever had before. Pittsburg provided wonderful accommodations for our conference. The hospitality of our hosts was second to none. So many of our guests commented on what a welcoming community Pittsburg is! Because of the hard work of the Crawford County CVB, Pittsburg State University, Memorial Auditorium and so many others, our large three-day conference went off without a hitch. We will not soon forget the care our hosts took to help us plan this important event, and we hope through the Kansas Housing Conference we introduced a new generation of regional tourists to the wonders of Pittsburg. We ve been singing your praises to the mountaintops! Gary Allsup Executive Director Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
Lodging The following hotel is offering special rates for the 2018 KACM Conference. Room availabilities are based on the following proposed dates November 14 th 16, November 28 th 30 th or December 5 th 7 th. Pittsburg is experience tremendous growth in our hospitality industry, this includes the opening of two new hotels in the next six months. Rooms can contracted following the completion of the Hampton Inn & Suites and La Quinta Inn in spring 2017.
Lodging (cont.) The following hotel is offering special rates for the 2018 KACM Conference. Room availabilities are based on the following proposed dates November 14 th 16, November 28 th 30 th or December 5 th 7 th. Pittsburg is experience tremendous growth in our hospitality industry, this includes the opening of two new hotels in the next six months. Rooms can contracted following the completion of the Hampton Inn & Suites and La Quinta Inn in spring 2017.
Lodging (cont.) The following hotel is offering special rates for the 2018 KACM Conference. Room availabilities are based on the following proposed dates November 14 th 16, November 28 th 30 th or December 5 th 7 th. Pittsburg is experience tremendous growth in our hospitality industry, this includes the opening of two new hotels in the next six months. Rooms can contracted following the completion of the Hampton Inn & Suites and La Quinta Inn in spring 2017.
Lodging (cont.) Additional Pittsburg Area Lodging Hampton Inn & Suites Total rooms: 123 Hwy 400 & 69 Intersection Pittsburg, Kansas www.kansascrossingcasino.com (Opening Spring 2017) La Quinta Inn & Suites Total rooms: 72 2410 South Broadway Street Pittsburg, KS 6672 Total number of Rooms: 72 (620) 231-8300 General Manager: Manisha Bhakta www.lq.com (Opening Spring 2017) Super 8 Motel 3108 North Broadway Total rooms: 64 Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 232-1881, 800-800-8000 www.supertelinc.com Contact person: Miranda Lies, General Manager Regency Inn 4023 Parkview Drive Total rooms: 60 Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 232-2800, 877-302-2550 (620) 232-6692, fax General Manager: Amit Desai, Owner and General Manager www.regencyinnpittsburg.com Himmel House Bed & Breakfast 402 West Euclid Total rooms: 3 Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 232-9497 Contact person: Sherri Stephens, Owner/Operator http://www.himmelhouse.com/home
Meeting Facilities Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel Intersection of Highways 69/400/171 Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (469) 503-2351 www.kansascrossingcasino.com Contact person: Tommy Yates, Regional Director of Sales Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel is the latest state-owned casino to be licensed in Kansas. Kansas Crossing is a new $80 million development that will feature 625 slot machines, 16 gaming tables, a 123-room Hampton Inn and Suites, casual dining restaurant and a 600-seat event complex. Set to open in March 2017, The Kansas Crossing Casino is located just three miles south of Pittsburg s south retail district and four miles south Pittsburg State University, the Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel serves as a convenient location for conferences, conventions, tradeshows, weddings and more. The event complex specification include, 5,100 square feet of meeting space. This includes a 1,000 square foot stage, and 700 square feet of foyer space, ideal for vendors and registration. Catering options can be secured with the assistance of the Crawford County CVB. The Crawford County CVB will also work with the La Quinta Inn & Suites, located 3 miles north of the Kansas Crossing Casino to secure the additional room block necessary to meet the bid requirements. The Crawford County CVB will also arrange complementary shuttles to and from the La Quinta Inn & Suites for conference attendees. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Memorial Auditorium would like the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns during a site visit to the facility. Please feel free to contact Crawford County CVB to schedule a visit.
Meeting Facilities (cont.) Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center 503 North Pine Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 231-7827 www.memorialauditorium.org Contact person: Jeff Wilbert, General Manager Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center is a full-service convention center complete with ample tables and chairs, table skirting and table clothes, space for a 400-seat banquet, seven breakout rooms, a 1,600 seat auditorium with the latest sound technology, the latest technology in audio visual equipment including power point projectors, screens and wireless microphones. Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center is 100 percent ADA accessible and features free, high-speed wireless internet. As part of the City of Pittsburg s financial commitment to the KACM Conference, the cost of Memorial Auditorium will be included as an in-kind contribution. The Crawford County Convention &Visitors Bureau will work with Memorial Auditorium to include any additional rental fees; table clothes, table skirts, etc. Catering options can be secured with the assistance of the Crawford County CVB.
Meeting Facilities (cont.) Lamplighter Inn & Suites 4020 Parkview Drive Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 231-8700 www.lamplighterpittsburg.com Contact person: Sara McMechen Lamplighter Inn and Suites is one of the area's favorite hotels. The Lamplighter features 100, comfortable sleeping rooms. Adjacent to the lobby and overlooking the outdoor pool is the breakfast room where guests may enjoy a free continental style breakfast. The lobby/lounge offers a comfortable waiting area and Mulligan's bar. The Lamplighter Inn is conveniently located on Highway 68 on the north end of Pittsburg, near great shopping and dining options The Lamplighter Inn and Suites features over 5,000 square feet of meeting space that can be situated to serve groups ranging in size from 10 to 500. The Lamplighter has seven meeting rooms, tables and chairs, kitchen, high-speed wireless internet, audio-visual equipment and is ADA accessible. If chosen to serve as the host hotel for the 2018 KACM Conference, the Lamplighter Inn & Suites will provide our conference center at no charge. We are also offering the KACM one comped room for every twenty-five rooms booked at our hotel. Catering options can be secured with the assistance of the Crawford County CVB.
Superlatives Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau 117 West Fourth Street Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 231-1212, 800-879-1112 bjharris@visitcrawfordcounty.com Contact person: B.J. Harris, Director, (931) 436-0455 (cell) The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau offers the following: Arrange site visit and FAM (familiarization) tour prior to the conference. Assist with conference planning including theme, logo design, events and entertainment. Secure local dignitaries to present an official welcome. Assist with conference registration and pre-conference information distribution. Assist with name tags or name badges. Provide welcome bags complete with information, maps and goodies to all participants. Assistance securing any catering needs. On-site conference assistance and on-site information booth. Gift baskets for conference VIP s. Event promotion locally and throughout the region, including press releases, calendar of event listings and newspaper listings. Provide at conference transportation at no cost to KACM Community financial contribution The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau will guarantee the minimum sponsorship of $4,000 and will work the City of Pittsburg vendors and community organizations to exceed KACM financial expectations. Helpful Websites www.visitcrawfordcounty.com/lodging www.visitcrawfordcounty.com/entertainment www.visitcrawfordcounty.com/travel www.visitcrawfordcounty.com/visitors-guide/
Bid proposal prepared by: Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau B.J. Harris, Director 117 West 4 th Street, P.O. Box 1115 Pittsburg, Kansas 66762-1115 (620) 231-1212 (800) 879-1112 (620) 231-3178 fax bjharris@visitcrawfordcounty.com www.visitcrawfordcounty.com This proposal contains information that is confidential and/or legally privileged to the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is intended only for the use of the individual (s) and entity named as recipient (s) in the proposal. All quotes are pending until contracts by all parties have been agreed upon and signed.