As a GCUC participant for the last few years it seemed strange to have attended SXSW without starting with a coworking hangover! This year GCUC has changed months and moved to Kansas City, leaving some folks wondering, \u201cWhy KC?\u201d<\/p>\n
Being a native midwesterner, and admitted lover of Kansas City, I thought I\u2019d try to answer a few of the questions that have popped up.<\/p>\n
Is Kansas City in Kansas or Missouri?<\/strong> Ok, but why Kansas city?<\/strong> Google Fiber, really? What\u2019s there to do?<\/strong> Any other businesses based here?<\/strong> Where to visit (when not coworking)?<\/strong> Ok, most important, where\u2019s the best BBQ?<\/strong> Sports?<\/strong> Ok, I\u2019m in!<\/strong> but how will I find my way around? oh yeah, Garmin is based there too\u2026<\/p>\n See you all in Kansas City!<\/p>\n Jeff Joerling<\/p>\n @JeffJoerling As a GCUC participant for the last few years it seemed strange to have attended SXSW without starting with a coworking hangover! This year GCUC has changed months and moved to Kansas City, leaving some folks wondering, \u201cWhy KC?\u201d Being a native midwesterner, and admitted lover of Kansas City, I thought I\u2019d try to answer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[15,1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/353"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/353\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/gcuclegacysite.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nActually, its both. GCUC will technically be on the Missouri side, but you\u2019d never notice the difference. \u201cState Line\u201d road runs right thru the city where gas prices can be Lower on one side of the street and you can buy a 6-pack on Sundays on the other.<\/p>\n
\nWhile the State of Kansas can get a bad rep for being a bit\u2026let\u2019s just say \u201cold fashioned\u201d\u2026there is no doubt however the city of Kansas City is a world class, progressive city. It is currently experiencing one of the fastest growing startup booms anywhere in the world. Supported by amazing large companies and not-for-profit backers, the creative energy, innovative spirit, and drive to make their city great is palpable. Kansas City is a creative oasis for the heartland that has been a beacon for creative spirits since the very beginning.
\nThe city has a history of innovation ever since it\u2019s days as a major railroad crossroads with hundred of early entrepreneurs supporting trade, commerce, and furthering westward expansion. Later this midwest melting pot boiled into a legendary Jazz scene rivaling Chicago and New Orleans. More recently, Kansas City has undergone a revitalization bringing back that free entrepreneurial and creative spirit fueled by a midwest work ethic that has lead to some of the best loved brands and fascinating startups.
\nI\u2019ve heard more than one entrepreneur in Kansas City say, \u201cwe don\u2019t want to be the next Silicon Valley, we want to be Kansas City and want cities to try to be the next us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Yes really, Kansas city was the first Google Fiber city. with 1 Gig up and down, some really exciting companies and groups like TechStars have followed the fiber.<\/p>\n
\nOf course! There are several independent spots that will be highlighted on the coworking tour. Even locally based Sprint now has a coworking space that offers a portion free to the entire community.<\/p>\n
\nA surprising number of companies we all know well including: Sprint, AMC, Kauffman Foundation, Hallmark Greetings, H&R Block, Cerner, Applebee\u2019s, and several large banking and financial institutions.<\/p>\n
\nKnown as \u201cThe city of fountains,\u201d Kansas City is said to have more fountains than Rome! These 50+ exquisite fountains highlight the 100-200 year old architectural treasures in this meticulously planned city.
\nThe new Power and Light district is a great example of successful urban\/industrial redevelopment into a tourist attracting entertainment district.
\nThe Plaza has long been known for world class shopping. Stores include big name designers to local boutiques.
\n18th and Vine. This famous intersection in the historic African American neighborhood is once again vibrant and thriving. It is anchored by the American Jazz Museum and the Negro League Baseball Museum\/Hall of Fame.
\nNelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Even the building itself has been named, \u201cone of the top 10 new architectural Marvels on the planet\u201d and is impressive to see at night.<\/p>\n
\nKansas is famous for it\u2019s BBQ, trumping North Carolina, Texas, and even Memphis. Mostly seeking beef brisket and signature sweet sauce, everybody in KC has their favorite. They might argue with my list, but they\u2019d be wrong. In descending order: Arthur Bryant\u2019s, Oklahoma Joe\u2019s, Gate\u2019s, Jack Stacks, and then, if you must KC masterpiece.<\/p>\n
\nKC Royals (MLB), play at home 5\/1-5\/4
\nKC Sporting (MLS), play at home 5\/4
\nKC Chiefs (NFL), sorry not in season yet.<\/p>\n
\njjoerling@myturnstone.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"