Trade Show News

Planet Comicon Kansas City, held at Bartle Hall from March 27-29, 2026, attracted an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 attendees. The pop culture convention generated a significant economic impact of approximately $13.8 million to $14 million for the downtown area, including over 2,000 hotel room nights.

Planet ComiCon Kansas City, held from March 27-29, 2026, drew approximately 75,000 attendees to Bartle Hall, generating an estimated $13.8 million in economic impact for the downtown area. The event filled seven different hotels and resulted in over 2,000 hotel nights.

Planet Comicon Kansas City drew approximately 75,000 attendees to Bartle Hall, significantly boosting the downtown economy. The event filled seven hotels and accounted for over 2,000 hotel nights, with an estimated economic impact of nearly $14 million.

Planet Comicon Kansas City attracted approximately 75,000 attendees to Bartle Hall, generating a nearly $14 million economic impact on the downtown area. The event filled seven hotels and accounted for over 2,000 hotel nights.

Planet Comicon Kansas City, held from March 27-29, 2026, at Bartle Hall, attracted over 75,000 attendees and generated an estimated nearly $14 million in economic impact for the downtown area. The annual pop culture convention filled multiple hotels and supported local businesses, showcasing its significant role as an economic driver for the city.

A prominent hospitality entity in Kansas City is seeking an Assistant Director of Events, a role that involves managing event sales and planning, building guest relationships, and collaborating with teams to ensure successful events. The position requires four years of progressive hotel event planning experience and offers competitive benefits.

A prominent hospitality entity in Kansas City is seeking an Assistant Director of Events, a full-time role requiring four years of progressive hotel event planning experience. Key responsibilities include building strong guest relationships, planning and managing events within budget, and collaborating with internal stakeholders for successful outcomes.

The PCMA Heartland Chapter will host an April Education Event on April 15, 2026, titled 'Partners in Place: How to Collaborate with Cities to Deliver Better Meetings,' focusing on effective collaboration with cities for successful events.

Visit KC has announced its 2026 Board of Directors, comprising up to 11 civic and business leaders from the greater Kansas City area, with Stacey Paine as Chair and Brian Johnson as Vice Chair. The board plays a crucial role in guiding the organization's efforts to promote Kansas City as a destination for meetings and events.

The PCMA Heartland Chapter will hold an April Education Event on April 15, 2026, at the Kansas City Airport Marriott, focusing on "Partners in Place: How to Collaborate with Cities to Deliver Better Meetings." This session will feature representatives from Visit KC, experienced event planners, and supplier partners. The discussion aims to provide strategies for building productive city partnerships to support successful and sustainable meetings.

Planet Comicon Kansas City concluded its 27th annual pop culture convention at Bartle Hall, drawing an estimated 70,000+ attendees. The event, which ran from March 27-29, 2026, featured celebrities, artists, writers, and vendors. The next Planet Comicon Kansas City is scheduled for April 2-4, 2027, also at Bartle Hall.

The 2026 B2B Expo is announced as a premier gathering for Kansas City-Kansas business leaders to meet, network, and discover new opportunities. This event aims to foster meaningful conversations, strategic connections, and business growth under one roof.

Planet Comicon Kansas City, held from March 27-29, 2026, at the Kansas City Convention Center's Bartle Hall, attracted between 75,000 and 80,000 attendees. The annual pop culture convention is estimated to have generated a nearly $14 million economic impact and over 2,000 hotel room nights for the downtown area.

KC Nerd Con 2026, a major celebration of anime, video games, and pop culture, has been announced to take place at the Overland Park Convention Center. This inclusive, community-focused event invites enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy immersive experiences and connect with fellow fans.

The 56th annual UCDA Design Conference is scheduled for November 4-7, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, with programming and events across multiple venues including the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza and the Kansas City Art Institute. Registration for the conference will open in May.

Downtown Kansas City's Barney Allis Plaza is undergoing a $118 million reimagining, slated to open in 2026, offering multifunctional outdoor event spaces near the Kansas City Convention Center and hotels. Additionally, new hotel developments, including a 99-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites, are planned to open by 2026, adding 350 rooms to the Bluhawk complex.

Kansas City is undergoing over $3.5 billion in new district development, enhancing its appeal as a meetings destination. The reimagined Barney Allis Plaza, slated to open in 2026, will offer premier outdoor event spaces near the Kansas City Convention Center, while the Bluhawk development will add approximately 200,000 square feet of event-ready spaces and new hotels by 2027.

Kansas City is undergoing a transformation with over $3.5 billion in new district development, enhancing its appeal as a meetings destination. Projects include the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza, slated to open in 2026, offering multifunctional outdoor event spaces near the Kansas City Convention Center.

Over $3.5 billion in new district development is transforming Kansas City into a premier meetings destination, with the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza slated to open in 2026 near the Kansas City Convention Center. This renovation will offer multifunctional outdoor event spaces, alongside new hotel developments, including a 99-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites opening in 2026.

Slated to open in 2026, the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza will become a premier public space in Downtown Kansas City, offering multifunctional outdoor areas adjacent to the Kansas City Convention Center and nearby hotels. Designed to host standalone events and complement gatherings at surrounding venues, the plaza will feature flexible spaces including an event plaza, sloped lawn, pavilion plaza, and oval lawn.