World Trade Center meeting to be in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Increased exports are a big part of U.S. hopes for turning the economy around, and local business and civic leaders want to make sure Kansas City isn't left behind.

As part of that push, they announced Wednesday that the World Trade Center Association's North American regional meeting will be held in Kansas City in May. The event will be at Union Station, which also will be the new home of World Trade Center Kansas City.

It's part of a recharged effort to boost the area economy by expanding its global reach.

"We believe expanding global trade relationships will be a key factor in growing the Kansas City regional economy over time," said James Heeter, president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

In a new collaborative effort, several area groups have dusted off Kansas City's membership in the World Trade Center Association, dormant since the late 1980s. The groups plan to be actively involved with the global trade organization, which counts 326 members in 92 countries.

The World Trade Center Kansas City services will include hosting and mounting trade missions and events, educating international trade professionals and providing a variety of other services to help businesses large and small develop new trade relationships.