“On with the show!” Missouri Meetings & Events has gone “Hollywood” with the 2005 Kansas City Expo. Titled “MM&E LIVE!” this Expo will prove to be one of the most entertaining, educational and enlightening experiences you’ll ever have! And we’re having it at the contemporary and swank Kansas City Convention Center and Entertainment Complex (yes, that’s it on our cover). We have two days of events, beginning on Sept. 14 with a marketing seminar and a networking reception. On the 15th, get ready to learn and rub elbows with the top planners and suppliers in the market. The days starts with an open trade show and continental breakfast and moves on through a fabulous line-up of educational seminars. Of course, we will have wonderful prizes, a working lunch, and much, much more. Get all the details in the Expo planner beginning on page 23.

Speaking of entertainment, have you ever wondered whether hiring a comedian would be a grand idea or a terrible mistake? Read our Events 101 story beginning on page 8, and you’ll have a lot more insight.

Our Leadership Profile beginning on page 12 features the dynamic Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes. Her vision and collaboration have literally helped bring Kansas City on the brink of a renaissance that includes both private and public enthusiasm.

Contributing Editor Michael Humphrey turns in one of the most compelling stories we have every published with “Has Missouri Gotten Religion?” This is the first in a series of features on various meeting and event market segments and their roles and influences on our state. Humphrey discovers that when it comes to religion, Missouri is attracting quite a congregation.

Ste. Genevieve and Springfield are our Destination Spotlights this fall, and both have very exciting stories to tell. Ste. “Gen” is steeped in history and celebrates that with pride, but new enterprises are blooming all around this French town, including some wineries with an eye towards the meetings and events market.

Springfield just seems to be booming these days! Known as Missouri’s Queen City, this city is thriving in the midst of civic, corporate and private enthusiasm, innovation and commitment. The story begins on page 34.

In our Facility Focus section, we are pleased to present three distinctly different venues. First, we take a look at Cedar Creek Conference Center in New Haven. If a place can feel “down home” and still be sophisticated, it’s Cedar Creek. Plus, it now boasts a fantastic Western town that will make your job a cinch. Next, we visit the truly magnificent Downtown Kansas City Public Library. This is like no library we’ve ever seen, and it boasts some of the most incredible meeting and event space in the city, as well as what is perhaps the most unique parking structure in the state. Departing planet earth for a moment, we explore the St. Louis Science Center, another environment where creativity and inspiration are around every corner and meeting and event space are defined by your imagination.

This is one of our best issues ever! Enjoy it, and we’ll see you in Kansas City!

Jean Kennedy

Editor In Chief

jkennedy@PC40.com