Kansas City Convention Center Comparison
If you’re looking for an event space in Kansas City to hold your next convention, conference, or tradeshow, it’s important to do your research of all the convention options in Kansas City before making your final decision. To help you with the comparison process, we decided to do it for you. Below is a comparison between the top convention and meeting space locations in Kansas City: Kansas City Convention Center, Overland Park Convention Center, and the KCI Expo Center.
The Kansas City Convention Center:
The Kansas City Convention Center is known for offering different options for space for events, all located in downtown Kansas City, MO. The convention center has multiple venues including Bartle Exhibit Hall for large events, the Grand Ballroom, Music Hall, small meeting rooms, Municipal arena, and the outdoor Barney Allis Plaza, among others.
Pros for using the Kansas City Convention Center:
- Versatile space options
- Downtown location, close to restaurants and hotels
- 388,800 square feet of exhibit space
- Preferred service providers
- Outside catering
- Positive reviewers usually note the ample room, clean space, and friendly staff
“I’ve been to multiple events at this convention center, both at the exhibit hall and across the street at the Municipal Auditorium. Both great venues with plenty of room for any convention. The main Convention Center & exhibitor Halls are clean, contemporary and easy-to-navigate, while the Municipal Auditorium is a gorgeous Art Deco building that has different venues within itself from a beautiful main stage to space below in the belly for sporting events.” -Delayna Adams, Local Guide.
Cons for using the Kansas City Convention Center:
- Downtown location can make space feel crowded
- Higher priced
- Difficult parking, traffic
- Negative reviewers usually note the expensive parking, slow Wi-Fi, and higher-priced food.
“I was a vendor there the place was constantly in disarray price excessively expensive parking horrible and Wi-Fi is ridiculous.” – Jim Cummins, Local Guide.
Overland Park Convention Center
The Overland Park Convention Center has an array of options for planners looking for a meeting space or convention space. The Overland Park Convention Center offers ballrooms, exhibit halls, courtyard rooms, and an outdoor courtyard. The convention center has ample parking space and on-site coffee, concession stands, and concession carts. Located in Overland Park, this convention center is convenient for attendees that live on the south side of downtown.
Pros for using the Overland Park Convention Center:
- Parking
- On-site coffee shop
- Hotels within walking distance
- Customizable spaces
- 60,000 square feet of exhibition space
- Positive reviewers typically note the clean bathrooms and friendly staff
“Great venue and excellent location. We’ve been here for a couple of events and they are always well done. The area is kept very clean and the staff is friendly. The space available is very large. The events I’ve been to have had several hundred people in attendance and it is never crowded.”– Matt McDonald
Cons for using the Overland Park Convention Center:
- Higher price
- Location in a high-traffic area of Overland Park
- 45-minute drive from the airport
- Negative reviewers typically complain about not enough parking space and it being too cold or too hot inside.
- Over-priced concessions
“Was there for a health expo. It was super hot inside which I know can be difficult when Kansas weather is like it is. When you cram a ton of people into an area even though pretty open need to lower the heat. Also, every time I have been to any event the parking is awful. There is just not enough parking so always see people parking on the landscape/curb areas.”
KCI Expo Center
The KCI Expo Center is known for holding conventions, business meetings, and weddings in the Kansas City Northland. Located just five minutes from the airport, its ideal location is great for those traveling out-of-state and want to avoid the hustle and bustle of downtown Kansas City or Overland Park.
Pros for using the KCI Expo Center:
- 70,000 square feet of exhibit hall space
- Free parking
- On-site catering
- Concessions
- On-site restaurant and hotel
- Five minutes from KCI Airport
- Positive reviewers usually note the easy access to highways and the airport and the cleanliness.
“Great place to have an event. We went to a regional dance competition. Great space & easy access by major highways & Kansas City Inter. Airport.” Lee Skywalker, Local Guide.
“It was a beautiful place our company held some training here, the staff was friendly and helpful. The food was really good served in a buffet style in our own banquet room.”
Cons for choosing the KCI Expo Center:
- No outside catering
- Farther distance from Overland Park
- Negative reviewers usually note the crowded parking lot and lack of food choices in the area.
“Not enough food choices around. Felt stuck until the end of the event.”
Overall, as you do your research and need to make a decision on a location, just know that you can’t go wrong with any of these convention and meeting spaces in Kansas City. Each location has its own positive features that will attract attendees from all over the Kansas City metropolitan area and beyond. If you’re interested in learning more about hosting a convention or meeting at KCI Expo Center, fill out our request for proposal form.
