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 Kansas City, MO. -- More meetings and conventions are choosing to hold their events in Kansas City. The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association’s (KCCVA) convention bookings are up significantly for the first half of the year, exceeding the organization’s goals.
For the first half of 2007, definite room night bookings have increased 79 percent (225,243 YTD June 2007 vs. 125,990 YTD June 2006). Economic impact is up 50 percent ($146 million YTD June 2007 vs. $97 million YTD June 2006). In total, meetings booked for future years have increased 31 percent (169 YTD June 2007 vs. 129 YTD June 2006).
"Our Convention Sales Team has exceeded our sales goals by 10 percent, despite the fact that we’ve increased these goals over last year," said Bill Bohde, vice president of convention sales and services. "Interest in Kansas City as a convention destination has increased significantly because of our new downtown convention package. Meetings that were once reluctant to come to our city are now committing to Kansas City."
Not only is the KCCVA booking more meetings, the organization is booking more large conventions. Convention Center bookings are up 27 percent (14 YTD June 2007 vs. 11 YTD June 2006) bringing 136,803 future room nights to the city. Recent major booking announcements include Church of God in Christ who will bring 15,000 attendees to KC for their International Women’s Convention in 2008. Sam’s Club has extended their contract an additional year, adding 15,815 room nights in 2012. Educational Testing Service has extended their contract an additional two years, generating an additional 40,385 room nights over 2010 and 2011. And the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry will be bringing 20,000 attendees to Sprint Center for their 2009 meeting.
"Sprint Center, and it’s location in the heart of our convention district, was the major factor for National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry selecting Kansas City," said Bohde.
Bookings for one-hotel meetings have also strengthened significantly, with a 26-precent increase in room nights and 29-percent increase in bookings.
"While Kansas City has landed several large conventions recently, we rely heavily on organizations that plan smaller meetings," said Bohde. "One-hotel meetings account for 89 percent of our meetings booked this year. They have been the driving force that has spurred our meetings growth."
About the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance economic growth and quality of life for the region and its residents through marketing, sales and service for the convention and tourism industries. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at VisitKC.com.
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Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention
& Visitors Association
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Kansas City Convention Center - Ballroom Expansion #1
Caption: The 46,450-square-foot ballroom is one of the ten largest convention center ballrooms in the country. Opened April 28, 2007.
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Kansas City Convention Center - Ballroom Expansion #2
Caption: The new 46,450-square-foot ballroom features a unique water theme throughout its interior. Opened April 28, 2007.
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Sky Stations at the Kansas City Convention Center
Caption: The Kansas City Convention Center is topped with four dramatic sculptures titled "Sky Stations/Pylon Caps"
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Sky Stations at the Kansas City Convention Center
Caption: The Sky Stations atop the Kansas City Convention Center pay tribute to the city's Art Deco buildingsThis image is not available for download.
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