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| Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association |
| Type | Nonprofit tourism promotion organization |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Headquarters | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Region served | Kansas City metropolitan area |
| Leader title | President & CEO |
Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association
The Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association is a nonprofit destination marketing organization based in Kansas City, Missouri, promoting tourism, conventions, and cultural attractions across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The association collaborates with venues, cultural institutions, hospitality providers, and civic entities to attract meetings, sporting events, concerts, and leisure travel while supporting urban development and hospitality employment. It works closely with local arts organizations, sports franchises, exhibition centers, and municipal partners to package Kansas City as a regional and national destination.
Formed during the early 20th century, the association traces roots to civic boosterism linked to the Pan-American Exposition, 1920 Republican National Convention, and postwar promotional efforts that involved entities such as the Chamber of Commerce (Kansas City, Missouri), Missouri State Fair, and local tourism bureaus. Its growth paralleled major projects including the construction of the Bartle Hall Convention Center, revitalization efforts tied to Power and Light District, and collaborations with the Kansas City Southern Railway and Union Station (Kansas City) revitalization. The organization navigated economic cycles tied to events like the Great Depression, World War II, and late-20th-century urban renewal linked to partners such as H&R Block, Hallmark Cards, and regional foundations. Landmark campaigns engaged institutions like Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and Country Club Plaza to integrate cultural tourism with convention sales. The association has responded to contemporary shifts including digital marketing, partnerships with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and event bidding processes involving entities such as the U.S. Travel Association.
Governance is structured around a board of directors drawn from the hospitality industry, municipal leaders, and cultural institutions including representatives from Hyatt Regency Kansas City, Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Sprint Center (now T-Mobile Center), and academic partners like University of Missouri–Kansas City and Park University. Executive leadership liaises with municipal governments such as the City of Kansas City, Missouri and regional authorities including the Jackson County (Missouri) officials and the Mid-America Regional Council. Committees include finance, marketing, convention services, sports development, and cultural partnerships, which coordinate with entities like Visit KC, trade associations including Meeting Professionals International, and labor organizations representing hospitality workers. Funding oversight involves collaboration with bodies such as the Missouri Tourism Commission and municipal finance offices.
The association provides convention sales, site selection assistance, bid development, and attendee services tailored to meeting planners from organizations like the American Bar Association, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Society for Human Resource Management. Programs include sports bid support for events affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, USA Track & Field, and United States Bowling Congress, as well as cultural programming that partners with Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Kansas City Symphony. Hospitality training and workforce development efforts coordinate with Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City) and Johnson County Community College workforce programs. Visitor services operate visitor centers near landmarks such as Union Station (Kansas City), Country Club Plaza, and Crown Center.
Marketing campaigns highlight attractions including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the city's jazz heritage linked to artists like Charlie Parker and venues such as Green Lady Lounge. Promotional strategies leverage partnerships with media outlets including The Kansas City Star, KCUR-FM, and national travel platforms while engaging sporting franchises like the Kansas City Chiefs, Sporting Kansas City, and former events at BB&T Arena. The association develops digital content, social media campaigns, and cooperative advertising with airlines such as Southwest Airlines and American Airlines and hotel brands including Loews Hotels and Drury Hotels. Signature promotions have included food and music trails featuring barbecue institutions like Arthur Bryant's, Gates Bar-B-Q, and culinary partners such as City Market (Kansas City). Collaborative branding has involved regional tourism organizations like Travel South USA and national programs from the U.S. Travel Association.
The association bids for and services conventions, trade shows, and sporting events at venues including Kansas City Convention Center, T-Mobile Center, and Kauffman Stadium. It has supported large meetings from organizations such as American Institute of Architects, Rotary International, and Association of American Geographers, as well as fan conventions, music festivals involving acts who played at Starlight Theatre, and auto shows that use proximate exhibition space. Major sporting events include collegiate tournaments affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and championship events coordinated with the NCAA Final Four planning processes. The association also promotes cultural festivals such as Plaza Art Fair and music series at Crossroads Arts District venues.
Economic impact analyses link visitor spending to lodging tax revenues collected by Jackson County (Missouri) and municipal treasuries, and to jobs in hotels affiliated with brands like Choice Hotels International and local independent operators. Funding sources include transient guest taxes, membership dues from hospitality partners including Convention Center Hotel Consortiums, and cooperative advertising grants from the Missouri Division of Tourism. Fiscal planning assesses direct and indirect impacts using methodologies promoted by the U.S. Travel Association and regional economic research from institutions such as University of Missouri System and Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Key facility partners include Kansas City Convention Center, T-Mobile Center, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Union Station (Kansas City), and major hotels like Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Strategic partnerships extend to cultural institutions including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, National WWI Museum and Memorial, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and performance organizations such as Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Symphony. Transportation and logistics partners include Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City Streetcar, BNSF Railway, and regional transit agencies like JoCo Transit. Collaborative projects have involved redevelopment initiatives with entities such as Downtown Council of Kansas City, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and philanthropic supporters including Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Category:Organizations based in Kansas City, Missouri