Enhancing KC Through Tourism

The Visit KC Foundation is a 501(c)3 entity associated with the region’s destination management organization. Through programming such as Kansas City Restaurant Week, Visitor Influencer Program and other initiatives, the Foundation enhances the quality of life for the Kansas City region through tourism advocacy and workforce development.

Below are a few of the Foundation’s recent initiatives and the impact they’ve made.

Mesob – Pilsen Photo Co-op (69)

Kansas City Restaurant Week

Held each January, Kansas City Restaurant Week is a 10-day event showcasing the region’s diverse dining scene, offering Kansas Citians and visitors the opportunity to directly support Kansas City’s restaurant industry—including many small, family-owned businesses.

A portion of all proceeds also benefit local charities with missions to feed or nurture communities of need. Since its inception in 2010, the event has raised more than $4.2 million for Kansas City causes.

Learn More about Kansas City Restaurant Week

Guadalupe Centers – MMGY (6)

Culture & Hospitality Training Series

In preparation for FIFA World Cup 26™, the Visit KC Foundation launched the Culture & Hospitality Training Series to help Kansas City’s hospitality workforce prepare for an influx of international visitors. Presented in partnership with The Protocol School of Washington, the program offered in-person and virtual training focused on cultural awareness, global hospitality standards and creating memorable visitor experiences.

Visitor Influener Program – Jenny Wheat (20)

Visitor Influencer Program

The Visitor Influencer Program (VIP) was created to elevate the knowledge of our front-line hospitality employees and ensure every visitor encounter is both informative and friendly. Classes are designed to accommodate our hospitality professionals’ schedule and kept to two hours. If you’d like to attend or have general questions, reach out to Stacey Smith at ssmith@visitkc.com to learn more.

Past Initiatives & Projects

Over the years, the Visit KC Foundation has supported a variety of programs and partnerships designed to strengthen the region’s tourism industry and improve quality of life across the Kansas City community. Explore a few additional initiatives that have made a lasting impact.

DEI Within Hospitality

Through dynamic workshops led by the experts at Sophic Solutions, the Visit KC Foundation helped facilitate a five-part series of community conversations about race among Kansas City tourism professionals.

The Community Meals Project

The Visit KC Foundation was a launch partner for the Community Meals Project, working with Chef Collective KC, Bank of America, Charlie Hustle and others to transform restaurants into community kitchens during the pandemic. At its peak, the initiative provided more than 7,000 meals each week to Kansas Citians in need.

Downtown Dazzle

Created in 2014, Downtown Dazzle was a signature holiday experience that connected Kansas City’s downtown neighborhoods through festive lights and activities, drawing visitors and residents from across the region to explore local shops, restaurants, nightlife and urban living.

Contact our Team

The Visit KC Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Kansas City region through tourism advocacy and workforce development initiatives. Whether you’re interested in partnering with us, supporting our mission through a donation or have another inquiry, we’d love to hear from you.