Overland Park, KS

Key Highlights

Hotels	33
Total Sleeping Rooms	4,670
Largest Exhibit Space	60,000 Sq. Ft.
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $99
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $61
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $201

Overland Park, KS Meeting Planning Overview

Welcome to Cvent’s Overland Park meeting planning guide – an Overland Park city guide for meeting planners. For a meeting destination with all the amenities of an urban city and the serene setting of a small Midwest town, look no further than Overland Park. Easily accessible, the city is one of the most convenient convention locations in the country, being within a three-hour flight from cities across both the West and East coasts. After touching down at the Kansas City International Airport – one of the largest and most passenger-friendly hubs in the United States – travelers have only a 30-minute drive before arriving in downtown Overland Park.

Upon arrival, guests are met with over 30 hotels offering high-quality yet budget-friendly accommodations. Overland Park's Hyatt Place, Residence and Marriott, which recently completed a $25 million transformation, all provide well-placed rooms and top-notch service to business travelers in town for a conference. Especially notable is the newly-renovated Sheraton Overland Park Hotel, which offers over 400 well-appointed rooms and over 21,000 square feet of meeting space, capable of hosting more than 1,300 people. Plus, the hotel is conveniently attached via enclosed skywalk to the city's crown jewel for meetings, the Overland Park Convention Center.

Opened in 2002, the $46.5 million convention center boasts and impressive 237,000 square feet of meeting, exhibition, banquet and registration space. Whether attending a tradeshow at its 60,000-square-foot exhibition hall or dining at a black-tie affair in the 25,000-square-foot ballroom, guests of the center will enjoy high-speed Internet access, state-of-the-art technology, an in-house food services team and even a unique collection of art from over 50 regional artists. Planners can also take advantage of Overland Park's sunny days by hosting an event in its football field-sized courtyard.

To get an even better taste of Overland Park's hospitable attitude, planners can book events at the numerous unique venues dotted across the city. Plan an upscale banquet for up to 250 people at the Highlands Room at the St. Andrews Golf Course, where groups of 12 or more guests can also enjoy some quality bonding time on the green. Or, host a casual company luncheon of up to 50 guests at Overland Park Arboretum's pavilion picnic shelter.

Of course, no Overland Park event would be complete without a taste of the region's best barbecue. Establishments such as Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Brobecks Barbeque and Jack Stack are ideal for providing Overland Park sales meetings, business lunches, corporate conferences and more with the best in barbecue catering.

The 2nd most populous city in Kansas, Overland Park's largest employer is Sprint Nextel Corporation, which established its world headquarters on a 240-acre campus in the city. Other major companies such as YRC Worldwide, Applebee's and Embarq have headquarters in Overland Park.

About Overland Park, KS / Additional Info

Nestled in America's Heartland with an estimated population of just over 170,000 people, the scenic satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri, is best known for excellence in quality of living and family-friendly attitude. In fact, Overland Park is a constant presence on Money magazine's 100 Best Cities to live in the United States, even ranking number 9 in 2008. It has also been honored as among the top 10 best places to grow up in America by US News & World Report. With such stellar accolades, not to mention a host of vibrant attractions in a serene suburban setting, it's no surprise that Overland Park attracts over two million visitors every year.

Overland Park's appeal began in 1905, when city founder William B. Strang, Jr., arrived and went to work building his vision of self-sustaining, park-like community. Strang's wishes for strong commerce, plentiful transportation and a number of recreational options all came to life in Overland Park, where they still remain today. Steadily adding a host of new developments, such as the Oak Park Mall, Metcalf South Shopping Center and Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, Overland Park now has over 170,000 residents, making it the 2nd most populous city in Kansas.

To get a taste of Overland Park's rich heritage, visitors need only walk downtown. Here, the Historic Downtown Overland Park area was once a hub for traffic from the Santa Fe Trail and Steam Electric Interurban Railroad Line. Today, the 25-block area remains a thriving center for locals and visitors alike, offering over 300 locally owned and operated shops, eateries, art galleries and more. Throughout the summer, the downtown Farmers' Market offers the best in produce, flowers, freshly-baked breads and even gourmet pasta and pies, while the concert program known as the Clock Tower Series regularly brings fun and entertainment to the area residents.

Taking a stroll through Historic Downtown Overland Park is just one of many ways to enjoy the abundant parkland the city has to offer. In fact, Overland Park is home to an impressive 78 parks and open spaces. Pack a picnic to enjoy at South Lake Park, or strap on running shoes and hit the 10-mile Indian Creek Bike-Hike Trail. Hit the links at one of several area golf courses, which include Sykes/Lady Overland and St. Andrews. Or, enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Open year-round, this popular attractions features several lush gardens and nearly five miles of walking trails.

Offering recreation of a slightly different variety, Overland Park's shopping malls are among the best in the region. Oak Park Mall offers favorite national brands such as Nordstrom and Macy's, while Corbin Park and Hawthorne Plaza feature first-class boutiques as well as top-notch dining options. In addition to major department stores, Metcalf South Shopping Center has unique entertainment venues such as the Glenwood Arts and the Martin City Melodrama & Vaudeville company. Offering shopping, fine dining and more, Overland Park's malls and retail plazas offer guests plenty to do during their days and well into their nights.

Overland Park, KS Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Central Time (CT)
Convention Center(s):

Overland Park Convention Center, managed by Global Spectrum

Hotel at Convention Center? No

Airport(s):

Kansas City International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants

Special Event Venues
13
Population
173,372
Restaurants
14
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
7.65%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Overland Park, KS

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Des Moines, IA	206 mi	3 hr 17 min	2 hr 50 min	USD $365+
Tulsa, OK	233 mi	4 hr 20 min	3 hr 20 min	USD $340+
St. Louis, MO	261 mi	4 hr 21 min	1 hr 10 min	USD $150+
Oklahoma City, OK	340 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 5 min	USD $150+
Chicago, IL	538 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 25 min	USD $199+

Overland Park, KS Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	38	45	56	67	76	84	89	88	80	69	54	42
Avg. Low (°F)	20	25	35	45	55	64	69	67	58	47	35	24
Rec. High (°F)	74	81	85	91	95	105	114	107	106	98	84	76
Rec. Low (°F)	-18	-12	-8	13	30	43	48	46	30	18	1	-22
Rainfall (in)	1.2	1.0	2.8	3.5	5.1	5.8	3.8	3.7	5.1	3.6	2.5	1.5

Overland Park's humid continental climate lends itself to cold and dry winters and hot, humid summers. In January, the coldest month, the average high is 38°F and the average low is 19°F. July tends to be the warmest month, with highs around 90°F and nearly 100 percent humidity. Though precipitation is common, especially during the late winter to early spring months, Overland Park sees about 132 days of sunshine per year, comparative to sunny cities of Las Vegas and Dallas.

With milder temperatures and lush foliage, late spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Overland Park.

Meeting Planning in Overland Park, KS

Overland Park Convention Center, managed by Global Spectrum

Designed to meet the needs of events of all kinds, the Overland Park Convention Center prides itself on flexibility, offering 237,000 total square feet of prime meeting space. The 60,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall can be used as one main hall or split into two smaller halls, while the 25,000-square-foot ballroom can also be divided into four column-free spaces. For especially large events, both the hall and ballroom can be combined to provide an impressive 86,000-square-foot venue. Seven meeting rooms, a pre-function space and a 25,000-square-foot courtyard round out the other available meeting facilities at the center.

The amenities at the Overland Park Convention Center are just a comprehensive as its spaces. In-house audio-visual, catering and telecommunications services are available, as is equipment rental for goods such as dance floors and coat racks. Public areas feature wi-fi access. Complimentary parking is available at 1,400 spaces, 400 of which are covered.

Conveniently located in the heart of Overland Park, the convention center is also easily accessible from Interstate 435 and from Kansas City International Airport. In addition to being within walking distance of 1,000 hotel rooms, the center is connected via climate-controlled walkway to the 412-room Overland Park Sheraton Hotel, which offers an additional 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

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Overland Park, KS Airport Information

Kansas City International Airport (KCI)

Approximate taxi fare: $70-75 USD

Located about 30 minutes to the north of Overland Park, Kansas City International Airport is one of the biggest airports in the the country. Spanning 10,000 acres with its three runways, the airport is capable of seeing 139 aircrafts per hour. Identified with a code of MCI, the airport was once referred to as the Mid-Continent International Airport, highlighting its equidistance from both coasts.

Today, over 11 million passengers per year take advantage of the airport's four terminals that conveniently serve as the central gateways for the states of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. Major U.S. airlines, including Midwest Airlines, for which the city is a secondary hub, fly out of Kansas City International to 50 American cities, most of which can be reached within three hours. The airport also offers international service to Canada and Mexico.

Ranking number 1 among medium-size airports in the J.D. Power and Associates airport satisfaction survey, Kansas City International also consistently ranks among the lowest delays of all U.S. airports. Business travelers find the airport particularly welcoming, as it offers free wi-fi connectivity and a business center in each terminal. Travelers with free time between flights can also stop at one of the many eateries and retail outlets available in each of the terminals.

Short-term, daily and long-term parking facilities are available, with maximum daily rates being under $18. All parking areas are free for the first half hour.

Airline carriers serving Kansas City International Airport

Air Canada
AirTran Airways
American Airlines
Continental Airlines

Delta
Frontier
Great Lakes Airlines

Midwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Southwest

Overland Park, KS Train Information

Kansas City Union Station

Located about 25 minutes from Overland Park, the Kansas City Amtrak station serves two routes: the Southwest Chief route, which runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles; and the Missouri River Runner route, which runs daily between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Overland Park, KS Public Transportation

Johnson County Transit Bus Line

Johnson County Transit, known as "The JO", serves downtown Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, and much of Johnson County, including Overland Park. The JO's 20 routes, over half of which include stops in Overland Park, run every weekday. Its Route J, one of the community-based Local Links, is a deviated fixed route that operates strictly at points of interest in the city, including Overland Towers. Passengers can board buses anywhere along their route, flagging them down with a simple hand signal.

Standard bus schedules vary based on route and time of day. Route J runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Standard one-way fare is $1.50 for children ages 6-17 with a student ID and $2 for adults.

Rental Cars

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty rental car agencies serve Kansas City International Airport. The Gray Rental Car Shuttle, which stops at marked shelters at each terminal, is shared by each agency.

Taxis

Taxi telephones in the baggage claim areas and outside the terminals at Kansas City International are available for passengers to summon taxi transportation. Taxis take fares of any length and will accept shared rates.

Taxi rates start at $2.50 and increase at $2.10 per mile. Depending on traffic, taxi fares can cost $70 to $75 to Overland Park.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Des Moines, IA	206 mi	3 hr 17 min	2 hr 50 min	USD $365+
Tulsa, OK	233 mi	4 hr 20 min	3 hr 20 min	USD $340+
St. Louis, MO	261 mi	4 hr 21 min	1 hr 10 min	USD $150+
Oklahoma City, OK	340 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 5 min	USD $150+
Chicago, IL	538 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 25 min	USD $199+