Significant convention bookings to bring millions to local economy for years to come

(KANSAS CITY, Mo. July 17, 2023) – Fueled by recent infrastructure improvements and recent sales efforts by Visit KC, Kansas City is experiencing dramatic momentum in its meetings and conventions sector. This resurgence of meeting planner interest comes as industry leader Cvent recognizes Kansas City as a top convention destination in America.

In the first two quarters of 2023, among the 185 total events hosted, Kansas City welcomed major gatherings for key organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers, the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Building Owners and Managers Association. These three events alone attracted nearly 22,000 attendees and generated more than $27 million in estimated economic impact.

Major bookings continue to be announced, including three major conventions which will bring more than 15,000 attendees to Kansas City with an estimated economic impact of nearly $24 million over the next several years. Economic impact is based upon several factors, including a combination of attendance and room nights.

Additional upcoming major conventions in Kansas City include:

  • The National Baptist Convention, USA – The religious denomination will host its 2023 Annual Fall National Convention in KC, bringing more than 5,000 attendees and nearly $4 million in economic impact.
  • United States Conference of Mayors – This conference, pursued in partnership by Mayor Quinton Lucas and former Mayor Sly James, will welcome almost 1,500 high-profile attendees to Kansas City next summer.
  • National Education Association – The nation’s largest professional employee organization will host its 2029 Annual Meeting in the Heart of America, bringing nearly 9,000 attendees and creating an estimated economic impact of more than $18 million.

“We are proud to start this year strong in convention sales, with more than 290,000 future room nights confirmed through the first half of the year,” said Nathan Hermiston, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services at Visit KC. “This is a testament to the incredible amenities offered here, both at the Convention Center and in the city, and we are thrilled that groups are seeing that.”

Hermiston said these major bookings are a credit to last year’s voter-supported GO Bond, which is currently investing $45 million in maintenance and capital improvements to the Kansas City Convention Center. Work completed and in process includes new carpet throughout the facility, replacement of escalators, upgrading and modernizing bathroom facilities and a complete upgrade of wireless and technology infrastructure that will make the building competitive into the next decade and beyond.

In addition to the major upgrades at the KC Convention Center, Kansas City has completed significant improvements to the city’s infrastructure in recent years, including the opening of the new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport in February and adding 1,100 new and renovated hotel rooms to the Central Business District. Major projects in progress include expanding the free KC Streetcar route (expected completion in 2025) and opening the Kansas City Current Stadium (expected in 2024), which will be the first women’s professional sports stadium in the world.

To learn more about meetings and conventions in Kansas City, go to VisitKC.com/meetings.

About Visit KC

Headquartered in Downtown Kansas City, Visit KC is the chief hospitality sales and marketing organization for the region. With a mission of igniting global passion for Kansas City, Visit KC collaborates with nearly 1,000 community partners to drive the marketing, sales and service of the destination’s convention and tourism industry—a sector that supports more than 40,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in wages. For more information about Kansas City, go to VisitKC.com.

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