1. Convenience Right Outside Your Door

Hop aboard the KC Streetcar, which makes 16 stops along Main Street, from the River Market to the Power & Light District and Union Station/Crown Center. The 2.2-mile route takes you through Downtown, connecting hotels, restaurants and the convention district. Best of all? The KC Streetcar is free—allowing you to enjoy an affordable way to visit the sights of Downtown Kansas City.

As home to 36,000 guest rooms, with 4,600 of them being within blocks of the Kansas City Convention Center, the city offers a variety of amenities and accommodations no matter your budget. An additional 4,200 rooms are scheduled for availability within the convention core by 2020, including the addition of Loews Kansas City Hotel, which will feature 800 rooms and 60,000 square feet of event space linking directly to the Kansas City Convention Center via a connector bridge.

In the here and now, the trendy Crossroads Hotel dazzles as a boutique property with 131 rooms, meeting space and a rooftop bar. The newly opened 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City notably showcases curated exhibitions, cultural programming, culinary offerings and 120 guest rooms. Nearby is the new Hotel Indigo, which features 118 guest rooms and a short walk to both the Kansas City Convention Center and the Power & Light District.

Easily accessible by KC Streetcar and known for its all-in-one attractions, shopping and lodging, Crown Center also shines as a premier business hub thanks to 150,000 square feet of meeting space and 1,500 guestrooms at its marquee properties, the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center and the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.

2. Soak Up the Culture

From late-night jazz clubs to world-class art museums, your attendees will love the arts and culture that surround the city.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features a collection encompassing more than 5,000 years of global history—and offers free admission. At the iconic Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, attendees can enjoy performances by Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Symphony and nationally recognized Kansas City Ballet.

Visit the Crossroads Arts District to meet the makers and doers who drive First Fridays, a monthly celebration of creative expression. At the east end of the district, explore Art Alley, home to an ever-changing display of graffiti art decorating the brick walls.

Check out the thriving jazz scene at one of KC’s many live music venues. Post up at the retro-cool Green Lady Lounge, hear the stories and songs that make up the American Jazz Museum and take a step back in time to the 1920s and ‘30s with jam sessions at The Blue Room. 

3. After-Hours Entertainment

Add to your already-perfect bleisure vacation with unique KC experiences both before and after your convention. Explore the city’s signature cuisine with KC Barbecue Tours or take in notable sights and sites with KC Double Decker Tours.  

Families are more than welcome, too. Expect jaw-dropping thrills at Worlds of Fun and get face to face with more than 1,700 exotic animals at the Kansas City Zoo. Other places for perfect for young ones include SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

Shop and dine at the Country Club Plaza, Kansas City’s premier retail district, or head to back downtown for a night out at the high-energy Power & Light District.  

4. Elevate Your Meeting

Treat your attendees to a lively networking event at Tom’s Town Distilling Company, a beautifully designed space modeled after KC’s Prohibition past. Your group can enjoy tours, a tasting room with craft cocktails and small plates and an event space for parties up to 200 people.

Originally opened in 1927 and renovated in 2008, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland is the region’s premier indoor theater for live music and events. While available for corporate events and parties, don’t overlook the breathtaking fifth-floor banquet room—Windows on Main—for dramatic views of the city.

Over at the Kansas City Convention Center, customize the event you need thanks to more than 800,000 square feet of space, including Bartle Hall, which features 388,000-sq.-ft. of column-free exhibit space. Meanwhile, the 46,484-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom is a LEED Silver-certified venue featuring waterless plumbing and energy efficient heating and cooling systems. Looking to take your event outdoors? The Outdoor Plaza and sculpture garden can host up to 2,000 people.

Home to Kansas City’s sporting events, concerts, tournaments, shows and more, Sprint Center is the anchor to the city’s $6 billion reinvestment. Treat your attendees to a big-time concert or host your next event there by utilizing its personalized service and onsite catering provided by Levy Restaurants.

5. Reap the Rewards

At the end of the day, your bottom line is what matters most. Hotel rates, food costs and admission prices in Kansas City are among the lowest averages in the nation, making it an affordable destination in the Heart of America. Plus, it’s within a three-hour flight of each coast, only adding to the convenience.

Let’s Start Planning

Ready to host your next event in Kansas City? Submit an RFP and let the Visit KC team start working for you. They’ll gather proposals and information about the facilities to match your group’s needs.

From securing hotel blocks to assisting with logistics for an off-site event and more, the team is ready to show you how Kansas City does meetings.