In a metropolitan area of about 10,000 square miles, and over 2 million people, you would think there would be more than one or two choices of venues for dog shows.
When Heart of America Kennel Club went back to their spring show and they kept the American Royal Complex, we were all glad. The show site is huge, the parking is great, inside bathing facilities, showers, the works. The worst thing we could probably say is that there are not any nice hotels that are close.
This spring things will be different. The show will be March 14-17, 2013 at Bartle Hall, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Think downtown, very few, if any dog friendly hotels and areas, no parking, St. Patrick's Day weekend in the city with one of the largest St. Paddy's Day Parades in the country, combined with the NAIA College Basketball Championships from March 13 - 19 right across the street, as well as the Dance America competition, also across the street. At the same time, the Big 12 Mens Tournament is at Sprint Center right down the street. Plan for a very crowded time, with hotel room prices jacked up all over the area because of the tournaments. Another thing to consider is the crime rate, which is bad enough on a regular day, but with all of this out-of-town activity, it will definitely go up. Be very careful out there.
We live here and don't know if we will go. The club is no where near as organized as the IKC in Chicago, so good luck to us all.
