Visit KC announced 17 major convention bookings for future years, marking a fruitful first half of 2018 for the organization. Representing the corporate, religious, health science, sports and educational market segments, these events will cumulatively generate more than $174 million in local economic impact based on a calculation using the combination of attendance and room nights.
The largest event announcement is the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) Quadrennial General Conference, which will be held in 2028. AME is acknowledged as the first major religious denomination in the Western world and includes members in 39 countries on five continents. AME will attract an estimated 30,000 attendees and will generate more than 25,000 room nights during its stay.
Additionally, KC-based Cerner recently extended its contract through 2021. Cerner held its first meeting in KC in 1988 and, since 2007, has consecutively hosted its annual meeting in Kansas City.This year marks the return of the organization’s Annual Health Conference, which will bring nearly 14,000 attendees to KC in the fall.
“It’s been exciting to see Kansas City’s continued commitment and investment in creating an even stronger convention destination,” said Tricia Geris, Senior Director, Meetings & Events/Office Services at Cerner. “With the new Loews hotel opening in 2020, the connectivity of KC Streetcar and a responsive Convention Center, we are very excited about our continued relationship—and our attendees love it.”
Other conventions included in today’s announcement:
- Midwest Sports Productions will bring 256 premier fastpitch teams to KC for its World Fastpitch Championships, July 9-15, 2018. An estimated 10,000 fans, coaches and players are expected to attend the event, which will take place at both the 70-acre Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee, Kan., and the expansive Blue Valley Rec Complex in Overland Park, Kan., generating 9,900 room nights.
- UBM Life Sciences – Veterinary is an educational conference for veterinarians, technicians and practitioners. This convention returns to KC in August 2019, attracting 7,000 attendees and generating 6,500 room nights. This group has held its meeting in KC since 1989.
- LifeVantage is a burgeoning science-based nutraceutical company that will return to KC in June 2019, bringing an estimated 6,000 attendees and generate 2,900 room nights.
- National Association of Credit Management (NACM) is an organization that has advocated for business credit and financial management professionals since 1896. In May 2021, Kansas City will host an estimated 1,700 NACM members, who will generate 6,000 room nights.
- The National League of Cities will convene its City Summit in November 2022 and will bring an estimated 4,000 municipal officials and local government experts from across the country to KC, generating 15,500 room nights.
- The American Dairy Science Association for the first time bring its annual meeting to KC for the first time in June 2022. An estimated 2,000 dairy science professionals will generate 3,400 room nights.
- Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. is a trade association that serves the communication and signal segment of the rail transportation industry. The group will bring an estimated 1,600 attendees to KC for its May 2022 annual exhibit and tradeshow, which will generate nearly 3,200 room nights. The group last met here in 2001.
- International House of Prayer has extended its contract with Kansas City through 2021, attracting an estimated 15,000 attendees and generating 5,200 room nights.
- The American Occupational Therapy Association is a national professional organization that was established in 1917 and represents the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners. The group will host its 2023 Annual Conference and Expo in KC for the first time, attracting 10,000 attendees and 13,400 room nights.
- Kubota Tractor Corporation will meet in Kansas City for its first time ever in September 2023, bringing with it an estimated 3,400 attendees and generate 7,900 room nights.
- An estimated 2,000 commercial real estate professionals from the U.S. and Canada will gather in KC for the Building Owners and Managers Association International meeting in June 2023—its first in KC since 1990. The event will generate 5,500 room nights.
- Another first-time group to KC is the American School Counselor Association, an international organization that provides professional development and other resources to professional school counselors. The group will bring an estimated 3,000 members to KC in July 2024 and will generate 4,700 room nights.
“Visitation to our region is up, which means that the city’s investments are continuing to pay dividends,” said Cori Day, Vice President of Sales & Services at Visit KC. “When paired with forthcoming upgrades, such as our new single-terminal airport, a new Loews Convention Center Hotel and the expansion of our Streetcar line, it’s clear Kansas City is a premier convention destination.”
