Overland Park Convention Center

2023 Annual Report

OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER

2023 IN REVIEW

Venue of the Year

Named KultureCIty's 2023 Community Venue of the Year

Exhibition Advantage Program

Launched a first of its kind program for producers, contractors, and exhibitors.

New website Launch

Unveiled a new website at opconventioncenter.com.

Record-breaking revenue

Reached the largest gross revenue in our 21 year history.

“I am delighted to reflect on the exceptional year we’ve had in 2023. The achievements highlighted in our annual report underscore the dedication and hard work of our amazing team. This year stands out as our greatest revenue year ever, a testament to the unwavering commitment and professionalism of our outstanding employees.

In 2023, we not only achieved financial milestones but also garnered the most venue recognition in our history. This success is a direct result of the collective efforts and passion displayed by every member of our team. From hosting memorable events to delivering unparalleled service, our employees have been instrumental in positioning the Overland Park Convention Center as a leading venue in the region and nationally.

As we navigate through the accomplishments outlined in the annual report, it’s clear that 2023 was a year of growth, excellence, and community impact. I extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated team for their hard work and to our valued clients and partners for their ongoing support. Together, we look forward to building on this momentum and reaching even greater heights in the coming years.”

– Brett C. Mitchell, General Manager

2023

Client Feedback

Notes from clients

What can we say? We love our clients and they seem to love us back! See what they have to say about their events with us in 2023.
Banquets & Galas

Top notch service and attention to detail. Highly recommend this staff and facility!

St. Luke's Health System's Books & Boutiques

Convention

Everyone from the OPCC deserves credit for making our event a very successful once in a lifetime experience. We are so grateful and the attendee survey shows how pleased the participants were with the facility and the wonderful food. Thanks to everyone!

International Master Gardener Convention

Banquets & Galas

I understand why your team and venue are highly ranked and top of its class. There is nowhere else in KC I’d rather host this event.

Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors

Meetings & Conferences

We had a great experience. Can’t wait for next year’s event!

Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference

Consumer & Trade Shows

Our attendees come from all across the country and they enjoy meeting at OPCC. We always get rave reviews on the meeting facilities and staff!

Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo

Consumer & Trade Shows

We love OPCC!

Apartment Association of Kansas City

Meetings & Conferences

Fabulous experience. Thank you so much! We are already looking forward to next year.

Foulston Siefkin Law

Meetings & Conferences

The AV team did a great job. They really came through on Thursday night when a speaker changed his mind at the last minute. He even mentioned to me how wonderful the staff was. In fact, he may move his conference to the center.

KC Southwest Clinical Society

Dance & Cheer Competitions

The OPCC is in my opinion the best place to hold our event for many reasons! It’s like coming home every year we host our event at OPCC. Thank you for all that you do!!

Stage One Dance Competition

Banquets & Galas

Excellent customer service and the absolute best experience we have had with the State of the County event. Kudos to the professional team at O.P. Convention Center!

Johnson County Governmen

Consumer & Trade Shows

Your employees always go the extra mile. Thank you for always welcoming us to your facility. Sometimes I feel like we live there!

Just Between Friends

Banquets & Galas
Meetings & Conferences

Our employees loved it. 5 stars!

Benefit Communication Insourcing

Meetings & Conferences

I enjoy working with the team at the Overland Park Convention Center. Its great to see everyone each time and even more great to work with the same people. When you have history and employee longevity, that makes everything so much easier.

Kansas City Cyber Security

Consumer & Trade Shows

As always we were treated like family and always enjoy coming to OPCC.

Overland Park Boat Show

Special Event

I tell everyone I work with at OPCC this, but KantCon LOVES your venue.  It’s felt like home for us for years now.  Every element of our event has always been incredible, even down to the chairs and the food.  (Our attendees rave about the Pho.)  I’ve been around conventions of

KantCon

Special Event

I tell everyone I work with at OPCC this, but KantCon LOVES your venue.  It’s felt like home for us for years now.  Every element of our event has always been incredible, even down to the chairs and the food.  (Our attendees rave about the Pho.)  I’ve been around conventions of various sorts my whole life, in a variety of cities, and OPCC beats pretty much everyone.  In ten years, or however long it’s been, I don’t think we’ve ever had a single real problem pop up.

KantCon

SURVEY SCORES

In 2023, our staff achieved an overall survey score of 4.79. On a scale from 1 to 5, our surveys are based on a number of factors and distributed to all of our clients to ensure a superior level of service is met and to create an even better experience for their next event with us.

2023

Signature Events

NAKA-KON ANIME CONVENTION

Every year, voice actors, musicians, cosplayers, artists, designers and industry experts come to the convention center to catch performances, join in cosplay competitions, and learn about working in the anime, manga, and music industries.

INTERNATIONAL LINEMAN’S RODEO & EXPO

The International Lineman’s Rodeo Convention and Trade Show attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on skill. The event has grown to over 200 teams and 300 apprentices.

GARMIN INTERNATIONAL

Every January, the Overland Park Convention Center is transformed into the epicenter of celebration as Garmin, a locally rooted yet globally renowned company, chooses our venue to host their annual employee party.

This event, spanning the entire facility, serves as a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to their dedicated employees for their commitment throughout the year. The festivities include a dynamic mix of live music, interactive entertainment, a casino night, and a culinary experience curated by our talented culinary team, showcasing a delectable ensemble of dishes.

In 2023, the event welcomed nearly 6,000 attendees. It’s a testament to the success of this annual tradition and the enduring partnership between Garmin and the Overland Park Convention Center.

MARKETPLACE EVENTS: Holiday boutique

At Holiday Boutique, attendees can find one-of-a-kind shopping finds for everyone on their list, including new holiday decor, apparel, toys, treats and more. The four-day show put on by MarketPlace Events is an annual favorite, and in 2023 approximately 34,071 people came through our doors.

Beyond the numbers, it was a collective experience—families, friends, and individuals coming together to explore, discover, and partake in the festive spirit that’s created when Holiday Boutique comes to the convention center each year.

MIDWEST AUTO CARE ALLIANCE: VISION HI-TECH TRAINING & EXPO

For four days, thousands of automotive professionals from 37 states, Canada and Australia gather for the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo hosted by Midwest Auto Care Alliance.

2023 ACTUALS

  • Number of Events

  • Attendance

  • Total Revenue

  • Total Expense

  • Total Income

  • 198

  • 310,315

  • $14,308,125

  • $(13,058,370)

  • $1,249,755

Economic Impact

Month

  • January

  • February

  • March

  • April

  • May

  • June

  • July

  • August

  • September

  • October

  • November

  • December

  • TOTAL

Total Event Impact

  • $3,450,927

  • $4,070,355

  • $4,354,749

  • $2,427,818

  • $3,317,379

  • $2,612,121

  • $820,503

  • $2,360,571

  • $4,194,655

  • $4,673,901

  • $4,552,679

  • $1,327,762

  • $38,163,420

Another example of Corporate Conference Venues Kansas City

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

Exhibition Advantage Program

Elevating the exhibition experience

The Overland Park Convention Center announced the OPCC Exhibition Advantage, a full-service program designed to show appreciation, reduce costs, and elevate the show experience for convention and trade show producers, general service contractors, and exhibitors.

The first of its kind, the program includes a cash-back loyalty program, 50% discount at concessions, storage space, digital content displays, equipment and tool sharing, swag bags, complimentary coffee and snacks, and much more. 

Learn More

“Venues have always talked about the tremendous economic benefit exhibitions have on destinations. Our team wanted to do more than talk—we wanted to make a difference so we created the Exhibition Advantage program. By listening to our clients and service partners, we identified areas we could add value and eliminate pain points. The program targets the three key members of the exhibition industry: show producers, exhibitors and general service contractors.”

Brett C. Mitchell, General Manager

Highlights Include:

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

NEW WEBSITE

SEAMLESS & DYNAMIC

Step into a digital realm of sophistication and seamless exploration with the Overland Park Convention Center’s new website, unveiled in 2023. Our online presence has been reimagined to captivate and engage, offering visitors an immersive experience from the moment they arrive.

Journey through a visually stunning landscape that mirrors the elegance of our physical spaces. The website’s vibrant and exciting visuals serve as a gateway to the world of possibilities within the Overland Park Convention Center. Navigating through event highlights, amenities, and services is now a breeze, thanks to a streamlined user experience that puts convenience at the forefront.

INTERACTIVE EXCELLENCE

Explore the interactive and user-friendly features—where every click is an invitation to a seamless and engaging experience. Whether you’re planning an event or simply exploring what the Overland Park Convention Center has to offer, our new website is your interactive companion, ready to elevate your digital journey.

The best part? You’re already on it right now. So feel free to take a look around, get acquainted and let us now what you think! We hope you like what you see.

JUMP TO HOMEPAGE

A person composting as a part of our sustainability program for event venues

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

PETE'S GARDEN & SUSTAINABILITY

Food Recovery Initiative

In 2023, the Overland Park Convention Center announced a partnership with Pete’s Garden, a food recovery organization that takes surplus prepared foods from local caterers, restaurants and food service operations, and repackages and redirects the food as healthy take-home meals for families who need assistance in the greater Kansas City area.

Learn More

“Minimizing food waste is a significant challenge in the hospitality industry, especially in larger venues like ours. To tackle this issue, we have implemented a two-pronged approach: first, by donating prepared food to those in need, and second, through food composting as a part of our current sustainability program. We are always seeking ways to be more sustainable while also being a people-focused organization—what better way to meet this goal then by serving those in our local community.”

Jessica Corona, CMP – Director of Food & Beverage

FOOD & BEVERAGE DIVERSION REPORT

Month

  • January

  • February

  • March

  • April

  • May

  • June

  • July

  • August

  • September

  • October

  • November

  • December

  • TOTAL

Total Landfill Diversion

  • 7,405

  • 8,352.5

  • 8,135

  • 5,997.5

  • 8,467.5

  • 5,664

  • 3,102.5

  • 8,148.5

  • 14,584.5

  • 9,972.5

  • 12,197.5

  • 4,515

  • 95,565

2023

Charitable Giving

26,500 Toys collected for Toys for Tots

The Overland Park Convention Center is home to the biggest Toys for Tots donation location in Kansas City. Every year, staff members from various departments such as security, event services, operations, and marketing come together to make this happen.

In 2023, the Overland Park Convention Center collected over 26,500 toys for Marine Corps League Toys for Tots–our biggest year yet.

CHEF TIM with HopeKids

Executive Chef, Tim Freeman, had the honor of hosting a unique cooking class in collaboration with HopeKids Kansas City, Inc. The experience was nothing short of extraordinary as Chef Freeman shared not just culinary skills but also moments of laughter and the joy of creating delicious food with these incredible children and their families.

HopeKids works with children who have cancer or another life-threatening illness to provide access to events and resources, and to surround these children and their families with the message of ‘Hope.’

All charitable giving

  • Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

  • Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park

  • Blue Valley Education Foundation

  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City

  • Christian Okoye Foundation

  • HopeKids Kansas City, Inc.

  • KVC Health Systems

  • Marine Corps League

  • Midwest Auto Care Alliance

  • MPI Kansas City

  • Stomach Cancer Foundation

  • Toys for Tots (Marine Corps)

  • UMKC School of Law

2023

Industry Accomplishments

An award for OPCC

VENUE OF THE YEAR

We were honored to receive the 2023 Community Venue of the Year award from KultureCity at the KultureBall in Birmingham, AL this summer. This recognition reflects our dedication to an inclusive and sensory-friendly environment at the Overland Park Convention Center. With support from clients and partners, our pioneering sensory room has made a positive impact locally and nationally.

This award reinforces our commitment to prioritizing health and well-being, and we remain steadfast in creating an accessible environment for all. Our heartfelt thanks to KultureCity for this incredible honor, highlighting the collective impact we can achieve together.

NORTH AMERICA’S TOP 25 CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

For the fifth consecutive year, the Overland Park Convention Center was named one of North America’s best convention centers for trade shows and events. Small, medium and large convention centers throughout North America were considered and evaluated using an objective algorithm and rigorous grading scale.

In 2019, EXHIBITOR announced an initiative to identify and recognize North America’s best convention centers for trade shows and events. The recognition considers criteria categorized into five primary areas: Facility & Functionality, Location & Accommodations, Service & Execution, Expansions & Upgrades, and Awards & Industry Participation.

marketing & publicity campaign of the year

We were thrilled to have received Marketing & Publicity Campaign of the Year from the Event & Venue Marketing Conference in Seattle, WA.

Our award-winning campaign, titled “Events for All” highlights our recently launched Sensory Room with KultureCity, and is aimed to foster inclusivity and create a welcoming environment for all attendees. This recognition underscores our commitment to excellence and inclusivity, and we look forward to continuing to elevate the event experience for all in the coming years.

BEST MEETING & CONFERENCE FACILITY

Highlighting the best Kansas City and the surrounding region has to offer, Ingram’s Magazine Best of Business awards lets readers vote on their favorite businesses, services, products and more.

For the last 20 years, the Overland Park Convention Center has been named Best Meeting & Conference Facility.

All Industry Accomplishments

  • Marketing & Publicity Campaign of the Year, Event & Venue Marketing Council

  • Certified Meeting Professional, Events Industry Council – Allie Glidewell

  • Certified Meeting Professional, Events Industry Council – Amber Pietenpol

  • Top 25 Centers of Excellence, EXHIBITOR Magazine

  • Prime Site & Top Destination Award, Facilities & Destinations Magazine

  • Certified Venue Professional, IAVM – Barb Silin

  • Best Meeting & Conference Facility, Ingram’s Magazine

  • GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, ISSA

  • Venue of the Year, Kulture City

  • Toys for Tots Coordinator of the Year, Marine Corps – Britaney Wehrmeister

  • Heart of MPI Kansas City, MPI Kansas City – Amy Worden

2023

Partners & Sponsors

OUR PARTNERS

OUR SPONSORS

2024

What's on the horizon?

2024 Outlook

  • Experience the Overland Park Convention Center like never before with a groundbreaking virtual tour–a new era in venue exploration
  • Continued exterior enhancements and beautification
  • Online Presentation Content Capture, a groundbreaking new audiovisual technology that leaps beyond traditional hybrid solutions

 

“We’re excited to continue the momentum from 2023 into 2024, having already locked in an impressive 87% of our budgeted revenue. PROJECTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR INDICATE YET ANOTHER REMARKABLE MILESTONE ON THE HORIZON, SETTING THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER successful YEAR.”

– Scott Riesterer, CMP – Director of Finance