Power & Light District helps draw Cerner convention to town

The drawing power of the Power & Light District has lured a hometown convention back home.

More than 7,000 health-care professionals from 13 nations are expected to spend $4.5 million in Kansas City this week during the 24th annual Cerner Health Conference sponsored by Kansas City-based Cerner Corp., an industry leader in health-care information technology.

“We’re thrilled to be home, not only to showcase Cerner to our clients but also to showcase Kansas City,” said Cerner vice president for associate services Angie Stanland.

Cerner’s worldwide conference was held annually in Kansas City through 2001 but migrated away like many others as downtown deteriorated and lost appeal as a visitor destination. The expansion of Bartle Hall and the construction of the Power & Light District and other attractions in recent years have changed that perception.

Cerner’s convention actually returned to Kansas City last year, but the event missed by just a few weeks the opening of the Power & Light District’s first restaurants and pubs.

Cerner is renting the district’s central Living Room stage area, four adjacent restaurants and a one-block stretch of Walnut Street between 13th and 14th streets for a private social gathering tonight.

Although local groups have used the Living Room space for charitable and private events, the Cerner party will mark the first time visiting conventioneers have taken over Power & Light for a private party, said Jon Stephens, director of marketing for the Cordish Co., the district’s builder and owner.

Stanland said around 4,500 convention goers are expected in the district tonight. She said Cerner’s convention service also made about 2,000 reservations this week at 40 area restaurants.

The gathering also is staging events at Kemper Arena, the down­town Midland Theatre and the Hyatt Regency Crown Center hotel. Hyatt general manager Rusty Macy applauded Cerner’s return.

“Cerner is a modern-day hometown hero,” he said. “They’re putting their money where their pride is.”

Stanland said such warmth and cooperation from area business helped tip the scales for the group to return next fall. But she noted Cerner at this point had no commitment beyond 2009.

Cerner has 8,000 employees worldwide, including 4,800 in Kansas City