An event planner’s job is an important one. When attending a swanky event, it’s easy to forget just how much goes into planning the perfect night. Organizing the appetizers, dinners, drinks, guest list, entertainment, and sound system? That’s no small order.
If you’re looking for information about one of the most unique event venues in Kansas City, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done our best to anticipate your questions and answer them the best we can.
Event Types
No two events are exactly the same, but we can get a good idea of what you might want based on the event type. We’ve hosted countless events over the years, so we can offer advice on how you can run your function smoothly.
Q: What kind of events do you host?
A: We host all kinds of events, including:
- Banquets & galas
- Trade shows
- Meetings & conferences
- Weddings
We’re sure you have a vision for how your event will go and what it will look like, and that’s just fine with us. We’ll work with you to realize your vision and make it a reality.
As you plan, you may run into a few problems that you hadn’t even considered, but we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about unique event venues in Kansas City.
Banquets & Galas
A banquet or gala is the perfect time to celebrate with colleagues, friends, or family. But whether your guests are discussing an important acquisition or toasting to good fortune, you need a venue that’s perfect for your event.
Q: A lot of people are attending my event. Will you be able to fit everyone?
A: You don’t have to be worried about having enough space. Our halls can open up into one large area, so you’ll be able to fit dozens of tables—and hundreds of people—with room to spare.
Q: I have a video I’d like to show during the gala. Will I need to set that up myself?
A: We have multimedia capabilities, often used during fundraising events, presentations, and award ceremonies. We can project a slideshow presentation or video behind the speaker, and we have microphones so their voice can reach the guests in the back. And thanks to our in-house AV team, you can have all the help you’d ever need.
Trade Shows
A consumer trade show is a bustling event, and depending on your industry, you may need a lot of space. A trade show is a great place for attendees to make connections in their industry and stay up to date on the newest trends.
We’ve hosted our fair share of large-scale trade shows, so we can understand what goes into planning an event of this scale. We’ve got the tools to help in at Overland Park, one of the most unique event venues in Kansas City.
Q: I’m planning an auto show. Can you fit multiple vehicles in your center?
A: Yes, we can! Whether it be a car, boat, or motorcycle, we have all the space you could need to display vehicles for a packed trade show.
Q: I’m anticipating lots of guests for the trade show. Where will they park?
A: We have 1,000 parking spaces around the convention center for all of your guests.
Meetings & Conferences
In business, first impressions are very important, so ensure that your meeting venue speaks for itself. We have lots of different spaces for your business event.
Q: I’ve invited a popular speaker to the conference. Will there be enough room for such a large audience?
A: We have stages that are perfect for a conference headliner. The men and women of your industry won’t have to squeeze into a cramped boardroom to hear your pitch. We’ll have enough room to let them spread out and really concentrate on you and your presentation.
Q: I want my client’s presentation to seem as professional as possible. How can you help with that?
We can take care of the technicalities. We offer all of the necessary amenities, like professional podiums, high-speed Wi-Fi, and comfortable meeting chairs. It’s the small touches that help a presentation stand out, and we’ll help you account for every single detail.
Weddings
If you’re planning a wedding, you don’t need to hear it from us: There’s a lot to do. But before you do anything else, you need to decide if you’re interested in our center, one of the most unique event venues in Kansas City. And that’s a lot of pressure! You want something presentable, but with enough space to comfortably seat every single guest.
Q: My client’s wedding is on the small side, and I don’t want to get lost in all the space. Can you accommodate a smaller party?
A: We have spaces of all sizes, so regardless of whether you’re looking to host a private, personal reception or a big, crowded blowout, we can make sure you’re comfortable.
Q: I’m looking to plan an Indian wedding, which can last up to seven days. Can you do that?
A: We love to host Indian weddings! We’ll make sure everything is perfect from start to finish!
The Spaces
You can’t have an event without one of the best, most unique event venues in Kansas City. Even the biggest affairs can be bogged down by an uncooperative venue—one that doesn’t gel with your group’s size, activities, or energy. At OPCC, we’re all about cooperation.
Give us your wishlist, and we’ll do everything in our power to grant your requests. But all of that starts with your venue.
So take a look at our sizable selection, consider the amenities, and then we can get started organizing your very own event.
Ballrooms
The OPCC Ballroom is perfect for practically every event, like banquets and presentations. If your client needs to pitch a large project to their investors or announce the release of a brand new product, this could be the perfect place for a big showcase.
Q: Exactly how big is your ballroom?
A: It’s a sizable 25,000 square feet total, made up of four individual spaces that can open up into one, which means that you won’t need to worry about having enough space for your group.
Q: Is there space for performers?
A: There is! If you wanted to schedule a gala with live music, or an acrobatic performance from our 29’ tall ceiling, we could organize that with no problem. Let the performers be the star of the show and choose staging of any size and a height of up to 4’ tall.
Exhibition Halls
Our Exhibition Halls are perfect for your largest gatherings. From trade shows to galas, we have all the space you could need for your event.
Q: How big are your Exhibition Halls?
A: We have 60,000 square feet of space dedicated to our Exhibition Halls, and they can comfortably accommodate hundreds of people.
Q: Can I get access to your loading dock to wheel in a display?
A: That won’t be a problem! Our loading dock backs right up to the hall, so you won’t have to drag anything heavy and unwieldy around the convention center.
Courtyard Rooms
Our Courtyard Rooms are some of our favorite spaces, and they could be the best place to host a private meeting or gathering.
With direct access roll up doors measuring 15’ 6” H x 20’ W, nearly anything can be accommodated!
Q: I don’t need a room the size of your Exhibition Hall, but your Courtyard Room is just a little too small. Is there something in between?
A: If you take a look around the room and decide you need something just a little bit bigger, that works too. We’ll simply open the walls and combine multiple rooms into one spacious meeting area.
Outdoors
No one wants to spend all day inside when the sun is shining. If the weather is too nice, it may even be a distraction for your more outdoorsy clients. So why not give your guests what they want? Consider booking an event in our beautiful Outdoor Courtyard.
Q: What kinds of events can I schedule outside?
A: It could be the perfect place to hold a lunch, have a picnic, or even set up a friendly game.
Q: Does anyone ever hold business meetings outside?
A: They do! In fact, the sun actually helps our mood, so the outdoors could be a great place for your clients to pitch their big ideas.
The Plan
Now that you have a good idea of why Overland Park Convention Center is one of the most unique event venues in Kansas City, you might be wondering how you can get started planning your event. It’s always good to have an idea of your budget.
If you’re a little confused on how to get started, we can answer a few of the most common questions we hear about budgeting at OPCC.
Q: I’ve never budgeted for an event before. Can you help?
A: We can. With our digital event estimate tool, we can give you a good idea of your price range. All you’ll have to do is answer a few questions about your event, like how many people will be there and if you’ll be requiring food and beverages. From there, you’ll just have to fill out a contact form so we can send you your estimate.
Q: How much does an estimate cost?
A: Nothing! It’s low commitment and totally free.
Catering
The food is a big part of any gathering. But dietary preferences and restrictions mean that you need choices. We have food options that cater to vegans and vegetarians. And if you need nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free alternatives, we have those too!
We’ll work with you to develop a menu that will please everyone. We have dozens of different food options to choose from, so your clients won’t have to settle for a meal they’re not excited about. Our options include:
- French toast
- Bacon
- Frittatas
- Salads
- Chips and salsa
- Sandwiches
- Stir fry
- Short rib
- Pork chops
- Cupcakes
- Ice cream
- Brownies
- And so, so much more
Our options are varied because we know your clients’ tastes are varied.
Inclusivity
Not everyone is comfortable with loud noises, but we don’t want to leave anyone out of the fun. OPCC wanted to develop a plan to help those with autism, PTSD, or any other conditions that might make someone prone to overstimulation.
Q: What steps have you taken to accommodate those with sensory sensitivities?
A: We partnered with KultureCity. KultureCity is a nonprofit organization that aims to make the world more accessible for those with sensory needs. We’re in complete support of KultureCity’s mission, which is why we enlisted their help to develop sensory rooms for OPCC.
Q: What is a sensory room?
A: A sensory room is designed to be a safe space for anyone who’s struggling with overstimulation. Sensory rooms are quiet and dark, perfect for anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed by their environment. This way, you don’t have to leave anyone off the invite list.
Lodging
After your event at one of the most unique event venues in Kansas City is over, your clients will have to find a place to stay at the end of the day. Hotel booking can be a concern, especially if you’re hosting an event with multiple out-of-town guests.
At OPCC, lodging couldn’t be more simple. Our venue is actually connected to a beautiful Sheraton Hotel. It’s a fantastic facility that includes several amenities, like:
- Gym
- Pool
- Free parking
We don’t want your clients to have to drive across the city after the event, and no one wants to wrangle multiple guests staying in different hotels all over town. When you stay at the Sheraton, your clients save on commute time and a logistical headache.
In addition to this, we’re surrounded by hotels with 1,000 over guest rooms available within walking distance to the venue, including an attached hotel.
A Little About Us
Now that we’ve answered some questions, we’d like to tell you a little bit about our qualifications.
We’re Overland Park Convention Center, an award-winning small convention center in Kansas. We’ve held events of all kinds, and we’re committed to helping our clients on every step of their event-planning journey.
We were recognized by EXHIBITOR Magazine, an industry-leading publication, as the 2023 Best Small Convention Center in North America. We’re big fans of EXHIBITOR, and over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to receive four of the magazine’s special awards.
EXHIBITOR knows all about the convention industry, so we’re thrilled they took the time to acknowledge our team’s hard work.
Our People
Speaking of our team, our staff has an extensive knowledge of all aspects of the event industry. EXHIBITOR noticed this too! That’s why they awarded our team for “Best Customer Service & On-Site Support in North America.”
From our sales staff to our security team, we work to maintain a level of professionalism and skill unseen in other event spaces. When our employees do their best work, both event planners and attendees get the best experience.
Contact Us Today!
We hope you’ll plan your event with us. We’re committed to making your experience with us as convenient and stress-free as possible. Reach out to us, and we can get started on developing an estimate for your event.
Looking to organize a conference, trade show, banquet, or wedding? We have the resources you need to plan a can’t-miss event. For general inquiries or to submit an RFP, you can reach out to us via our contact page. We’re excited to hear from you.
