Entrepreneurs, Startups, Innovators – Converge! Big Kansas City is almost here!

Big Kansas City, one of the region’s most highly-anticipated entrepreneurial conference, is set to begin on Tuesday, March 26. Big Kansas City is the kickoff of the Big Series, with Big Omaha following in May and Big Des Moines wrapping up in October.

What is Big Kansas City?

The conference will span three days in Hangar 9 (also known as the National Airline History Museum) at Kansas City’s Charles Wheeler Downtown Airport, ending on Thursday, March 28. Hosted by Silicon Prairie News, the event provides a space for everyday people to converge with entrepreneurs, inventors, innovators, investors and to hear talks from special guests.

Who will be at Big Kansas City?

Special guests include:

• Scott Harrison: founder and CEO of charity:water, a nonprofit providing more than a million people with clean water
•  Alexis Ohanian: co-founder of social news site/taste-making powerhouse Reddit
• Dan Martell: founder and CEO of Clarity, a 7,000+ community of entrepreneurs offering phone mentorships to entrepreneurs around the world;
• Michael Baldwin: CEO and chief community caretaker of Graphic.ly, a digital comics marketplace
• Bo Fishback: founder and CEO of Zaarly, a proximity based, real-time buyer powered market (built right here in Kansas City)
• And many, many others!

Why should I go?

Dusty Davidson, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Prairie News, said of the event,

“We think that the importance of Big Kansas City lies in bringing the entrepreneurs and the investors and these creative folks that we’ve met in and around Kansas City and the region for two days of high energy and exciting talks, interactions, mingling, and all the things that come out of Big events that we’ve done in the past.”

This is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and startups enthusiasts alike – a chance to hear some of the nation’s most innovative leaders, to network with other entrepreneurs, and to support the Kansas City startup community.

Jeff Slobotski, co-founder and Chief Community Builder of Silicon Prairie News, says,

“I think Big Kansas City is important because of the fact that it brings together so many players in the space. So you have the entrepreneurs interacting and talking with the investors, who are learning from the mentors or other serial entrepreneurs that are there.”

The event is open to the public, but tickets must be purchased for entry. Tickets may be purchased through the conference’s Eventbrite page, and a variety of purchase options are available.  To interact with Big Kansas City, follow @BigKansasCity.  

Missouri: A Top Spot for Conferences

Recently, the Kauffman Foundation announced that Missouri is the number 6 state for entrepreneurs, but did you know it’s also a hot spot for meetings and conferences as well? According to the article “More Meetings in MO” by William Ng, Kansas City, St. Louis and Branson (yes, Branson!) are some of the top choices for business gatherings.

Conference in KC

From the large-scale Kansas City Convention Center to the more intimate, loft-style spaces of the Crossroads District at bizperc, Kansas City has a lot to offer when it comes to meeting spaces.  Downtown KC has been recently revamped and is ready for eager professionals!  Ng writes, “In the first two months of 2012, the city hosted more than a dozen conventions that contributed more than $20 million to the local economy…In 2011, it recorded its best year ever in terms of hotel demand, with 6.6 million room nights sold.”  Tourists and business people alike are discovering that Kansas City is the new hip destination.

Synergy in St. Louis

The Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress love St. Louis so much, they even had their annual meeting there in July.  St. Louis offers the 500,000 square foot America’s Center right in the center of the lively downtown with four convention centers in one—including Cervantes Convention Center, Edward Jones Dome (yep, the football stadium is inside this place!), St. Louis Executive Conference Center and the Ferrara Theatre.  Walk out the door, and you’re immediately surrounded by restaurants, hotels and other attractions.  With room to play and sites to see, St. Louis offers more than just great sports teams and Budwesier beer!

Book it in Branson

You may be surprised to find Branson on this list, but it’s been gaining convention popularity.  At this family reunion destination, you’ll find not only large groups of relatives strolling around in matching t-shirts, but also business professionals attending conferences.  The Branson Convention Center is just moments away from golf courses, a lake and the Landing (filled with shops and luxurious dining). Plus, if you’re really feeling adventurous, Silver Dollar City is just nine miles away.  You’ll also find the lowest hotel room tax out of the three cities here – 12.1 percent!  It’s not just for tourists anymore either.  Branson is getting a well-deserved rep for hosting some pretty important people.

As the Silicon Prairie gains more popularity, the Midwest earns more respect. Missouri has a lot to offer – and professionals everywhere are starting to see it.