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Shriners to bring 2020 convention to Kansas City Shriners International will bring their national convention to Kansas City for the first time in four decades. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT KELLY: THIS MEANS THAT 20,000 VISITORS WILL DESCEND ON KANSAS CITY BY JULY OF 2020. BEFORE THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, BANDS WERE PLAYING AND THE PEOPLE GATHERED HERE WHICH GAVE AWAY THE SURPRISE. THE SHRINERS WERE COMING TO TOWN. IN JULY OF 2020, THE GROUP KNOWN FOR ITS CIVIC WORK AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS WILL GATHER FOR ITS IMPERIAL SESSION. MAYOR SLIGH JAMES EXTENDED THE WELCOME -- SLY JAMES. ENJOY THE JAZZ, ENJOY THE BARBECUE, IN JOY THE CUISINE. THE SHOPPING, THE FOUNTAINS, THE MUSEUM, THE NELSON. KELLY: ALL OF THOSE THINGS WERE ON THE LIST AS KANSAS CITY WIND AND DINED THE SHRINERS OVER THE PAST YEAR, HOPING TO LAND THE CONVENTION. BUT TALKING TO THE GROUP'S LEADER, HE NAMED THREE THINGS THAT WON THEM OVER, THE NEW CONVENTION HOTEL THAT WILL BE IN PLACE BY 2020, THE STREETCAR TO GET THEM AROUND TOWN, AT HIS PERSONAL FAVORITE, THE POWER AND LIGHT TO STRICT. -- DISTRICT. YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO MAKE AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL SESSION, ALLOW US TO DO THE BUSINESS WE DO BUT TO HAVE FUN ON THE SIDE AND THAT IS WHY WE CHOSE KANSAS CITY. KELLY: SOMETHING OFF THAT DID NOT HURT IN LANDINGS CONVENTION IS THE CITY WIND AND DINED THE SHRINERS DURING THE WORLD SERIES RUN LAST OCTOBER AND