Mike Mathieu is the National Events Committee Chairman of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Mike is also a Kansas Citian and is passionate about the city he calls home. Mike and the local chapter of the Barbershop Society were instrumental (pardon the pun) in bringing the 2011 convention to Kansas City. The local chapter worked with the KCCVA Sales Team to develop an outstanding bid that convinced this wonderful group to meet in Kansas City.

During the bid process, Mike answered questions about the group and provided background on the meeting. Mike also created a special song for the bid presentation, which was sung by a quartet from the local chapter. Below is a recent interview with Mike on how he helped bring 12,780 room nights to his hometown – Kansas City.

SINGING THE PRAISES OF KANSAS CITY: The CVA Sales Staff worked with the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society to put together a FANTASTIC bid.

MR. MATHIEU: "In 2003, when we were making our bid for bringing our convention to Kansas City, we started with 19 cities vying for three years of conventions. And, because of the cooperation from the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association we were lucky enough to get the bid where it started with three cities, but the bid from Kansas City was so fantastic they decided to let four bids be included at that go round in order to take advantage of the fantastic bid that was prepared by Kansas City."

MIDWESTERN HOSPITALITY: Kansas City's central location and the wonderful people that make up our city are two big reasons group book Kansas City for a convention. We also have great meeting facilities and affordable prices.

MR. MATHIEU: "The attractiveness of Kansas City is always the location. The hospitality shown by Kansas City on the whole once the people get here. The friendliness of all the people involved, plus the cooperation of the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association, which is always fabulous."

ALWAYS NICE TO COME HOME: The Barbershop Harmony Society was founded in Kansas City's Muehlbach Hotel in 1938. The story goes two business men from Tulsa, Okla., were stranded in a snowstorm in Kansas City. And to pass time, they were singing and harmonizing in the hotel. When they returned to Tulsa, they formed  the very first barbershop quartet.

MR. MATHIEU: "We as a chapter (Central States District) had already hosted at that time (2003) four international conventions, which is more than any other chapter in the society."

THE NEW KANSAS CITY... AN ADDED BONUS: The $5 billion revitalization of downtown Kansas City is an added perk for the Barbershop Society. When they booked their convention in Kansas City, much of what is now downtown Kansas City was still on the drawing board.

MR. MATHIEU: "We are getting a better package then what we had originally applied for because since the original accepting of the bid, we now have the world-class Sprint Center, which will be the host of all our contests.  We also have the Power & Light District. So, we are very excited to offer much more to the attendees of our convention than what we had originally bargained for."

10,000 REASONS TO SMILE & SING:  With our affordable prices and central location, many groups find their attendance surpasses previous years meeting numbers.

MR. MATHIEU: "Last time we were able to bring 10,000 people to our convention, which increased it by 30 percent over previous convention that we had hosted in 1989. We are always happy to bring 10,000 people to Kansas City, and we hope to do the same in 2011."

FOR THE LOVE OF THE CITY: There's a civic pride that goes along with bringing your convention to your hometown.

MR. MATHIEU: "Why do I do it? Because I believe in Kansas City. I love Kansas City. I live here, and I think it’s the greatest place in the world to hold a Barbershop convention or any other kind of convention. We love it here. We’re the Heart of America and as far as I’m concerned we are the heart of the world."

About the Barbershop Harmony Society

The Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA), is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C. Cash in Kansas City in 1938, the organization quickly grew, promoting barbershop harmony among men of all ages. As of 2007, just under 30,000 men in the United States and Canada are members of this organization whose focus is on a cappella music.