2026 INTERCITY VISIT TO KANSAS CITY
*Photo Courtesy: Visit Kansas City
Previous Intercity Visit Takeaways
Each fall, the Chamber leads a three-day Intercity Visit where Tulsa leaders learn how other regions approach growth and community challenges. Topics often include development, infrastructure and workforce.
>>> Click here to view past takeaways.
2025 Intercity Visit to Salt Lake City coverage:
- Read about Day One: Tulsa Regional Chamber begins Intercity Visit in Salt Lake City
- Read about Day Two: Public safety discussion highlights programming at Intercity Visit in Salt Lake City
- Read about Day Three: Panel discussion tackles homelessness as Chamber concludes Intercity Visit to Salt Lake City
*Photo Courtesy: Visit Kansas City
Kansas City Overview
Kansas City is the only Midwest city that is set to host World Cup matches in 2026.
Much like Tulsa will be under the world’s microscope with the Route 66 centennial, the world will be watching Kansas City.
*Photo Courtesy: Visit Kansas City
Kansas City was selected for the Chamber's 2026 Intercity Visit to understand how sustained economic growth can be converted into transformational outcomes through aligned business leadership, civic engagement and private-sector investment that strengthen downtown vitality, talent retention and regional competitiveness.
*Photo Courtesy: Visit Kansas City
- The Kansas City region, home to more than 2 million people, straddles the state line of Missouri and Kansas.
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Kansas City was a “wide open” town, largely ignoring Prohibition, and 12th Street became world-renowned for its jazz clubs, gambling parlors and brothels—earning KC the moniker the “Paris of the Plains.” Musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams and Duke Ellington flocked to Kansas City to perform at the numerous nightclubs, dance halls and vaudeville houses regularly featuring jazz.
- Known as the City of Fountains, Kansas City is home to over 200 — more than any other city in the world except Rome.
- Kansas City's American Royal World Series of Barbecue, considered the biggest barbecue contest and celebration in the world, hosts more than 600 teams competing and thousands of people in attendance at Kansas Speedway each fall.
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Kansas City’s popular Country Club Plaza opened in 1922 as the nation’s first suburban shopping district. The retail hotspot spans 15 blocks and is made up of Spanish-inspired architecture, echoing that of Seville, Spain. Often referred to as an “outdoor museum,” terracotta roofs, intricate tilework and sculptures, European art and flowing fountains dot the district.
- Kansas City has hosted the most NCAA basketball national championships games in history and is tied for the second-most NCAA tournament games of any city with 137. Over 80 of those have been played at Municipal Auditorium. It also hosts the Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, the MIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships and the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship.
Enjoy & Experience
Visitors Guide
Explore Kansas City before you arrive with the free digital Visitors Guide, available online anytime.
>>> Click here to view.
