KCCVA SECURES EIGHT LARGE CONVENTIONS FOR KANSAS CITY

New bookings for 2014-2019 total $67 million in local economic impact

Kansas City, Mo. - The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association (KCCVA) announced today several key convention bookings for Kansas City, all secured in the first half of 2014. Collectively, these eight bookings are estimated to attract 50,600 attendees and generate a local economic impact of more than $67 million. 

The largest booking announced today is the Junior Volleyball Association World Challenge. The competition will be held in the metro area for the first time in April 2016—bringing approximately 15,000 attendees, 11,000 room nights and an economic impact of more than $7.5 million.  

“The Junior Volleyball Association is looking forward to the 2016 JVA World Challenge in Kansas City,” said Jenny Hahn, JVA Executive Director. “We chose KC because our participants love a location that is centrally located, a nice convention center for the tournament and lots of great food and entertainment right outside the door.”

Another sports group, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), also selected Kansas City. The “World’s Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches” returns to KC in January 2019, attracting 10,000 attendees, 8,700 room nights and an economic impact of $7.2 million. Headquartered in Kansas City, the NSCAA last met here in 2012. 

"The NSCAA has called Kansas City home for more than 20 years, and we are happy to again showcase our hometown during the 2019 Convention," NSCAA CEO Joe Cummings said. "Since 2012 when we last hosted the convention here, the city and Visit KC have shown why this region is an emerging hub for soccer in the U.S. I'm sure our 10,000 attendees will see why in four years."

Other major conventions announced today: 

  • Amway Global, one of the world’s largest direct selling businesses, will return to KC this October for its Signature EquipoVision Winter Convention. The meeting will attract 10,000 attendees and generate an economic impact of more than $5.1 million. 
  • WATT Global Media has selected Kansas City as host of its Petfood Forum for four consecutive years beginning April 2015. This leading conference for the industry will bring 1,600 attendees and generate $1.5 million every year through 2018.
  • The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., will welcome 4,000 delegates in July 2016 and pour more than $3 million into the region’s economy. This organization is one of the oldest Pentecostal groups in existence.
  • The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers will hold its annual conference in Kansas City in October 2016. An estimated 2,000 attendees will generate an economic impact of $3 million.
  • Educational Testing Services has extended its contract in KC, selecting Kansas City to host its Advanced Placement Reading Program meeting over the course of two weekends in June 2019. Held in Kansas City since 2008, ETS attracts 4,000 professors and educators and generates an economic impact of more than $15.3 million annually.
  • Lastly, the International Conference on Missions, a non-profit ministry focused on world missions and evangelism, will return to KC in November 2019. The annual convention will bring 4,000 members and generate an economic impact of more than $2.9 million.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the market for our destination,” said Ronnie Burt, KCCVA President & CEO. “We know from research that KC ranks high with meeting planners in service and hospitality. We want to continue to build on this momentum to showcase KC to the nation.” 

Media Contacts

Devin Aaron
Devin Aaron 
(National/International Media)
Visit KC
816-691-3805
daaron@visitkc.com
Makenzie Wolters
Makenzie Wolters 
(Kansas City/Regional Media)
Visit KC
816-691-3811
mwolters@visitkc.com

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