The conversation took an unexpected turn when Nathan Hermiston made a visit at The Crossroud Hotel, a four-star property located at the former Pabst Blue Ribbon Bottling Strand plant in Kansas City.
Instead of talking about square feet and hotel neighborhoods, clients focus on things that aren’t too obvious.
“There’s the atmosphere here,” the client told Hermiston. “I get it.”
This atmosphere is becoming increasingly important in today’s growing event industry. According to a recent Incentive Research Foundation survey, nearly three-quarters of attendees said experiencing the unique culture of the destination is key to memorable events. It’s not just an inspiration to travel. Hermiston visited KC’s senior vice president of sales and services, and he believes the conference attendees also seek an atmosphere that could not have been possible anywhere.
“They are looking for something different,” Hermiston said. “More and more people prioritize work-life balance. If they are going to spend time and resources to attend meetings, they want more. They want that Instagrammable moment. They want to be part of a cool story.”
Watch the video: Visit the Kansas City “From the Heart” campaign to meet with planners.
Must-visit Cultural Center
As they enter the new 39-door dock at Kansas City International Airport, attendees can start experiencing the story of Kansas City. With amazing sculptures, paintings and installations at the terminal, it feels more like an art museum than an airport – giving out-of-town visitors an instant glimpse of the city’s rich cultural scenes.
“KC has long suffered from a moderately basic inferiority complex, downgraded to the well-known “Skybridge Country,” said Hector Casanova, assistant professor of illustration at the Kansas City Academy of Arts. “Those of us who live here know the richness and diversity of KC culture, especially the art – but most of the country still don’t know how cool KC is.”
In addition to its vibrant art world, attendees will also receive something that makes Kansas City unique.
Every year, winners of the annual champions produced for the KC BBQ Championship take over a local restaurant, a reminder that the typical “know before” emails of the conference might want to give attendees some simple instructions: Hunger.
Bold new developments and deep-rooted history
The new airport terminal has glimpses of the exciting developments that reshape Kansas City. In 2024, the National Women’s Football League team KC has made history by opening the first specially built women’s professional sports stadium in history, a precedent for inspiring other cities to invest in women’s championship games.
While Hermiston can discuss in detail many of the new projects causing buzz, he also stressed that Kansas City is not just the next step, it is also a destination full of history.
“If you’re a history lover, this is the perfect place for you,” he said.
Attendees can dive into the long history of African-American baseball in the Black League Baseball Museum, which offers private event rentals in stunning legendary fields – the museum’s public core is the museum’s public core, which includes 13 life-sized Black League players, with statues selected as National Baseball Hall.
At the National World War I Museum and Memorial, visitors can explore the global influence of the war and then enjoy panoramic views of the Kansas City skyline from the observation deck of the Freedom Memorial Tower.
Meanwhile, in more than 40 nightclubs and lounges, the city’s jazz roots are still alive, where the sounds of swing and improvisation continue to define the musical legacy of KC. In the 1920s and 1930s, a thriving club, gambling shop and speech interest, Kansas City earned the nickname “Paris of the Plains.”
“You mix the gift of the forbidden times with this novel, thoughtful spirit,” Hermiston said. “It’s a perfect blend of these two worlds, which creates an organic, authentic experience that no other city can replicate.”
Connect attendees to the local culture of Kansas City
When conference planners want to inject their plans into authentic local flavor, visiting KC’s sales and service team is committed to connecting groups with the city’s diverse entrepreneurs and communities.
When the Writers and Writing Programs Association hosted its annual conference in Kansas City, organizers worked with KC Rainbow Tour, an operator celebrating the city’s rich LGBTQ history, to guide attendees through its vibrant coffee shops and libraries.
When the National Baptist Congress came to town in September, Visit KC would work with local black-owned businesses such as Vine Street Brewing to arrange discount plans, such as Vine Street Brewing, the first black-owned brewery in Missouri.
“We have already consciously interacted with our business community,” Hermiston said. “We want to provide the local entrepreneurs with the focus they deserve so that attendees can truly experience the people who make the city special.”
Big city atmosphere, budget-friendly value
Kansas City is not only rich in culture, but also budget-friendly. Meeting planners and attendees will appreciate the city’s affordability, making it an ideal destination for business events and even family-friendly accommodation.
With the free KC tram, it connects key areas like Crossroads Arts District, Power & Light District and River Market, which is both easy and cost-effective. Attendees can jump down and head to Pechelon (the rooftop bar in Crossroads) – have fun time before continuing to spend jazz nights at Green Lady Lounge or Black Dolphin.
During the day, attendees can explore top attractions for free, including the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kaufman Memorial Garden.
“In times of economic uncertainty, affordability, ease of doing business and the relationships you can build here can save a lot of money,” Hermiston said. “We are a proud second-tier city.”
To learn more about making Kansas City a great destination, visit Visit KC.
This content was created by visiting KC and Skift’s branded content studios Skift.
