KC Convention Bookings Run Strong at Year-end

December was a busy month for the convention business in Kansas City. A total of 46 conventions – a nearly 50 percent increase from last December – were booked in December 2011 by the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association. Collectively, these bookings will generate more than 85,000 room nights and bring an estimated economic impact of nearly $60 million to Kansas City, particularly to Downtown.

“We are excited to end the year on a high note,” said Rick Hughes, president & CEO of the KCCVA and an executive committee member of the Downtown Council. “As the industry adapts to securing bookings closer in, making top 10 lists like Frommer’s and Budget Travel keeps us in the national spotlight of go-to destinations. We’ve worked hard over the past several years on making our Downtown vibrant and thriving, and we are now enjoying the fruits of our labor.”

Among the major conventions booked last month was the biennial meeting for the American Baptist Churches of the USA, which will generate nearly 2,500 room nights with 3,000 attendees and an economic impact of more than $1.7 million.

Other major December bookings which were previously announced include the American Contract Bridge Championships. The competition will bring 4,000 attendees to KC, generating 10,000 room nights and create an economic impact of more than $5.3 million over the 10-day event.

“The impact these meetings have on Kansas City will be felt throughout the metropolitan area,” said Hughes. “The average convention attendee spends $208 per day during their stay, which brings much needed tax money from outside the city to help do things like pave our roads and fix our sewers.”