Mayor James announces Kansas City will host Summit on The New American City

November 7, 2012 - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
CityAge event will draw hundreds including mayors from around the nation

Yesterday, America chose to re-elect the President. Today, Kansas City announces the CityAge Summit on the New American City. Already, mayors, business leaders and officials from nearly 50 cities have committed to take part in the two day conference.

“This national summit on December 3 and 4 will place Kansas City at the middle of the conversation about the new urban center. Cities are the key to a prosperous American future,” said Mayor Sylvester ‘Sly’ James. “I am delighted that my fellow mayors, business leaders and innovative thinkers from across the country are coming to Kansas City to explore how to strengthen our role as powerhouses of job creation. Now more than ever in our history, cities are the foundation of America’s economy and it’s up to us to build — and rebuild — them for generations to come. America affirmed its forward momentum with the re-election of the President. This summit will address ‘What’s next?’”

The Summit on the New American City will be held December 3 and 4 at The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Cities, businesses and city builders already committed to attend will travel from: Chicago, Houston, Oakland, New York, Boston, Charlotte, St. Louis, Des Moines, Omaha, Chattanooga, Memphis, Atlanta, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Fort Worth, Lexington, Boulder, Palo Alto, Indianapolis, Tulsa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and many others.

“I am proud to also announce that our hometown companies are taking a leading role in sponsoring this important conference. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Burns & McDonnell, Populous, Cerner and Black & Veatch make up the initial presenting sponsors,” said Mayor James.

Innovators like Maria Katris, founder of Built in Chicago; Brad Feld, Managing Director, Foundry Group; Stephen Goldsmith, Director of the Innovations in American Government Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government; Nigel Jacob co-founder of Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics; Abhi Nemani, Director of Strategy and Communications at Code for America will all be joining the conference. A full list of speakers can be found at www.cityage.org.

“Kansas City is investing in the future of our city and our business leaders and civic leaders will have a chance to tell our story on December 3 and 4,” said Mayor James. “We will also have an opportunity to meet the investors, entrepreneurs and city builders who are creating new business opportunities and partnerships both in America and around the world.”

To find out more about The New American City, or to register to take part in this critical national dialog, you can contact the mayor’s office or go to www.cityage.org or .

The Summit on the New American City will use the hashtag #CityAgeKC. Follow the conference on Twitter @CityAge and Mayor James @MayorSlyJames.

Contact: Danny Rotert: 816-513-6581 or cell: 816-547-6418