About Visit KC

Visit KC is an economic development organization dedicated to being the heart of the tourism industry in Kansas City. Our mission is to create global passion for Kansas City. We do this through sales and marketing efforts to attract visitors and conventions to Kansas City.

Our Structure

Visit KC is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization contracted by the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Formerly the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association, we began doing business as Visit KC in 2014.

Our People

Visit KC is supported by a full-time staff of 47 and directed by a board of 11 civic and business leaders. The organization is comprised of five teams in the areas of convention sales/services, marketing/communications, finance/administration, partnerships/events and tourism development.

“The Visit KC team was nothing short of fantastic. Other cities could learn from them in ensuring open, honest and proactive communication and coordination.”

– U.S. Department of Energy, Senior Event Manager

Budget & Funding

Visit KC has an annual operating budget of $17* million. We receive public funding from the hotel lodging tax and arena fees in Kansas City, Missouri, and private funding from nearly 900 community partners in the region.

Sell Kansas City

• Destination branding to position Kansas City as a vibrant, creative community
• Convention sales efforts to attract conventions, meetings and sporting events to Kansas City
• Integrated marketing campaigns to drive visitors to Kansas City through advertising, public relations and social media

MEETINGS HELD IN KC (2025)
565,278 Attendees
522,042 Room Nights
$420 Million in Economic Impact

Welcome & Connect Travelers

• Assist with the successful execution of nearly 500 meetings and conventions each year
• Creation of maps, guides, content and other visitor resources to help guests discover all there is to do in Kansas City

“World famous for barbecue and jazz, Kansas City is now staking a claim as a global leader in sports and entertainment.”

– Travel + Leisure

Promote Local Businesses & Events

Drive business to local hotels, attractions, restaurants and Visit KC’s nearly 900 partner businesses while organizing and supporting major events like KC Restaurant Week, Tap Tour and the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship that showcase the destination and generate economic impact.

Support Our Community

Advance the Kansas City region through the Visit KC Foundation by supporting charitable and educational initiatives that strengthen the hospitality and tourism industry, foster workforce development and promote economic vitality throughout the community.

Tourism sustains so many of the things we love about Kansas City, including our iconic institutions, beloved attractions, sports venues and celebrated restaurants. With millions of people visiting Kansas City annually, tourism also supports thousands of local jobs and contributes millions to local tax revenue, helping to provide essential services.

Tourism Economic Impact

Tourism generates $6.7 billion in economic impact for the region annually, including indirect and induced impact. Spending by visitors reduces the average tax burden by more than $630 per household in Kansas City each year.

Local Jobs

More than 122,000 jobs in the region are sustained by tourism either directly or indirectly, supporting billions in wages.

Visitors

Kansas City hosts 29.3 million visitors each year. Of these, 46% of visitors stay overnight.

Sources: Tourism Economics, Longwoods International, U.S. Travel Association, 2023