For years, Wal-Mart has been holding its annual convention of national managers at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Kansas City and had agreed to continue doing so through 2012. But Midwest Voices reports that Wal-Mart just backed out on its agreement and will be moving its convention to Orlando. Kansas City residents, who have already spent millions of their tax dollars to keep the hotel open and have come to rely on the business the convention brings to the city every year, naturally feel like they've been abandoned by the giant retailer.

Two days ago, we commented on a recent Harris Interactive poll which showed that, of the 60 most well known companies in America, Wal-Mart is rated 47th on the question of sincerity. Their behavior in Kansas City shows that their reputation for insincerity is well justified. The poll also showed that Wal-Mart's reputation was worse last year than in 2006. If Wal-Mart keeps breaking its promises to communities around the country, its image will likely continue to deteriorate.