Plaza Convention District
The Country Club Plaza stands as a testament to Kansas City’s beauty and timeless charm, and as the home of some of the most renowned hotel properties in the city, it’s a stellar backdrop to meetings of any size, from small association conferences to lodging for citywide events. Not to mention that this 15-square-block outdoor shopping and entertainment district is filled with romantic Spanish architecture, European art and dazzling fountains—meaning event attendees will relish all there is to do and see between meetings.
MEETING HOTELS
Eight notable Plaza properties immediately jump out to meeting planners, offering a range of accommodations and costs. The recently renovated InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza touts 366 guest rooms while the Marriott Country Club Plaza comes in at a close second with 295 rooms.
Four other properties account for nearly 1,000 rooms: Embassy Suites Country Club Plaza, Hilton Kansas City Country Club Plaza, Aloft Kansas City Country Club Plaza and Hampton Inn & Suites Country Club Plaza.
On the west end of the Plaza is The Fontaine, a chic boutique hotel with 132 rooms, a restaurant and a secluded rooftop pool that’s perfect for days off. Just southeast is The Raphael, a completely renovated historic property that dates back to 1927—and offers 126 luxurious guest rooms.
EVENT SPACES
Many of the biggest hotels on the Plaza also offer meeting spaces ideal for small and mid-sized meetings.
The largest meeting space at the InterContinental checks in at 11,868 square feet (26,000 square feet total) while the largest at the Marriott is 5,628 square feet (18,000 square feet total). At the Hampton Inn & Suites, the largest amounts to 3,261 square feet.
Outside of hotels, a few other venues are perfect for receptions and cocktail hours, such as the Grand Street Event Space and Cellar 222, among private dining rooms at many of the area’s culinary institutions.
DINING + NIGHTLIFE
Every street and every block offer a little something different for after-hours entertainment. Grab dinner with clients at hip, elevated cuisine spots like Gram & Dun and Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant. For a taste of the area, treat guests to quintessential Kansas City ‘cue at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue or elevated Midwestern comfort classics at Rye.
Quick bites make meetings easy thanks to health-conscious True Food Kitchen, popular café and work spot Messenger Coffee Co. (two locations), and national sensation Shake Shack.
Drinks are a must at The Monarch Bar, which combines a stylish setting with thoughtfully crafted cocktails. Other popular spots for spirits include Nine Zero One Rooftop and O’Dowd’s Gastrobar.
Catch live performances at The Raphael’s resident restaurant, Chaz on the Plaza, or travel to nearby Westport for champagne sips at Ça Va. Prefer something more fast-paced? The Power & Light District and Crossroads Arts District are only a short ride away.