The long-awaited conference center project promises to bring new energy downtown and attract state-wide events.

After decades of discussion, Jefferson City is finally making progress on a downtown conference center. This year, the city, in partnership with Jefferson City Regional Economic Partnership (JCREP) and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), advanced a development agreement with the goal of bringing a full-service conference center to Missouri’s capital. The project represents more than just a new building. It is a strategic investment in Jefferson City’s future.

“This is the right project at the right time,” says Ken Theroff , chair of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve never had an opportunity like this where everything is lining up: the location, the partnerships, and the community support. It’s exactly what we need to take Jefferson City to the next level.”

Luke Holtschneider, president and CEO of JCREP, says the project’s financing and design progress show how committed the city and its partners are to seeing it through.

“We’ve moved from concept to action,” he says. “The development team is engaged, the financing strategy is in motion, and the groundwork is being laid. “We are closer than ever to delivering something transformative for Jefferson City.”

Why It Matters
Right now, Jefferson City’s options for hosting large events, trade shows, and conferences are extremely limited.

“Very limited to none,” says Maria Davis, director of meetings and partner relations for Missouri REALTORS. “Right now, there’s only one hotel big enough to host major events. Other venues are either too small or located too far from accommodations, which means attendees have to be bussed back and forth.”

Davis says the new facility will completely change that dynamic.

“It would put Jefferson City back on the map as a premier meeting destination,” she says. “It would also allow event planners to confidently bring conferences here with a facility that meets modern standards. The city has so much potential — it just needs the right space.”

Diane Gillespie, executive director of the CVB, echoes that sentiment, noting how important proximity to the Capitol truly is.

“Associations want to meet in Jefferson City because of our location and connection to state government,” she says. “They just need a space that works.”

A Catalyst for Downtown
The $130 million project, led by Garfield Public/Private LLC, will include a 29,000-square-foot conference center, a 200-room full-service hotel, and an expanded modern parking garage. City officials have identified more than $100 million in funding sources through a mix of hotel, parking and occupancy tax revenue bonds; Missouri Development Finance Board tax credits; existing lodging tax funds; and other public-private mechanisms.

A voter-approved 7% lodging tax, with 4% dedicated to the conference center, remains a key part of the funding plan. Collections from this portion generate about $900,000 each year.

The city is not navigating this process alone. National firms such as Gilmore & Bell, Piper Sandler, and Stifel are providing financial and legal guidance throughout the planning and pre-construction phases. Their involvement ensures that the project is grounded in solid financial modeling and long-term sustainability. Beyond hotel stays, the ripple effect of conference visitors will reach throughout the local economy.

“Conference business doesn’t just benefit hotels. It supports restaurants, shops, and city services,” Gillespie says. “This is the kind of project that pays long-term dividends to the whole community.”

Ken Hussey, who has served on the City Council and organized statewide events, says the new center will entice planners to bring meetings to Jefferson City, keeping attendees in town and supporting the local economy. Visitors may come for meetings, but they leave behind tax revenue that helps fund community improvements. Holtschneider adds that the conference center’s true power lies in what it sets in motion.

“It’s not just about one building,” he says. “It’s about the additional investment it sparks. More visitors mean increased foot traffic, demand, and business opportunities. That’s how you build momentum downtown.”

With demolition of the Madison Street garage scheduled by the end of this year and construction expected to begin in early 2026, the new conference center could open as soon as spring 2028. Holtschneider encourages residents to envision what’s possible.

“Picture downtown as it is today,” he says. “Now imagine it in a few years from now, once this project is complete. What do you see? Most people describe a busier, more vibrant, more connected city. That’s the kind of future we’re building toward.”