Feature Destination: Topeka, Kansas

Sep 30

What makes Topeka a great place for faith-based meetings?

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Topeka, the capital of Kansas, offers its visitors a tranquil environment that serves as a natural backdrop for deep reflection and building community. Topeka is the birthplace of several different faiths, and with a long and robust religious history, many groups trace their roots back to the city.

Topeka’s founding in the mid-19th century coincided with a period of westward expansion and religious fervor in the United States. This expansion led settlers from different backgrounds and faiths to travel and settle in Topeka and surrounding areas, establishing churches and other places of worship. Several sacred sites are still around today and can be viewed or toured by the public. Visit Topeka works closely with visiting groups to ensure tour times and arrangements work well for all involved.

What are some of Topeka’s unique and major meeting spaces?

With more than 2,500 hotel rooms in the heart of the Midwest, Topeka offers variety, affordability, and convenience no matter what type of gathering you plan next! From conventions and meetings to church services and excursions, Topeka has your group covered.

The newly renovated Stormont Vail Events Center and adjacent Maner Conference Center together offer an impressive and versatile venue for meeting planners. With more than 200,000 square feet of combined customizable space, these facilities cater to a wide range of corporate events, conferences, and meetings. Modern technological features, elegant aesthetics, on-site catering, and dedicated staff create a one-stop solution for event professionals. Connected to Maner Conference Center is Hotel Topeka, and we are excited to announce big things are in the works for this hotel property!

Ramada by Wyndham Topeka Downtown Hotel & Convention Center is another property with big plans, as a new owner was announced in August and has set his sights on strategic upgrades. Offering 13 meeting rooms and over 27,000 square feet of space, the Ramada has a good history of working with faith-based meeting planners.

The Beacon in downtown Topeka stands out as a distinctive event venue that marries historical elegance with modern functionality. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building’s unique blend of preserved architectural charm and state-of-the-art amenities sets it apart from other event spaces, lending a unique ambiance for a variety of functions. From corporate meetings to social gatherings, The Beacon is able to cater to diverse needs thanks to its central location, two ballrooms, 25,000 square feet of customizable space, and dedicated support team. Full-service catering options and personalized service further enhance each planning process, making The Beacon an all-encompassing and memorable solution for events big and small.

The local Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC) boasts a seating capacity of more than 2,400, making it an appealing choice for religious meeting planners. With state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse lineup of musical and cultural offerings, it provides an ideal venue for larger spiritual retreats, conferences, and celebrations. Its blend of artistic expression, accessibility, and ample seating allows planners to host significant gatherings with ease and elegance.

A couple of our other unique meeting spaces can be found inside Townsite Tower in downtown Topeka. Townsite 16 is located on the 16th floor of Townsite Tower and offers a fantastic 360-degree view of the city. It is an excellent location for meals, receptions, and more for groups of 300 or fewer. Townsite Avenue Ballroom, meanwhile, is located on the first floor of the tower. It offers a large open floor plan that can accommodate 600 with banquet seating and features a 44-foot state-of-the-art projector screen, so every guest can have the best view in the house.

What are some nearby cultural and recreational experiences that faith-based groups would enjoy?

Topeka offers an enriching tapestry of cultural and recreational experiences that resonate with faith-based groups. At the heart of the city, historic churches welcome visitors with stunning architecture and profound spiritual significance. First Presbyterian Church, for example, offers tours of the church and its incredible Tiffany stained-glass windows. A guided tour of the Kansas State Capitol, meanwhile, provides a window into the state's heritage, with intricate murals reflecting local and regional history. While touring the capitol building, experience its dome tour by climbing 269 steps to the top of the original capitol dome. The view from the top is breathtaking, but this excursion isn’t for the faint of heart! Just a few minutes’ drive away sits the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, a poignant testament to the nation’s fight for equality and justice. Inspiring those who walk its hallowed halls, the Brown v. Board Museum is located inside the former Monroe Elementary School, once one of four all-Black elementary schools in Topeka. In 2024, we expect to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this landmark Supreme Court ruling.

For those seeking a scenic and tranquil outdoor experience, Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee offers an oasis of lush landscapes, blossoming blooms, and meandering paths. A notable spiritual figure in Topeka’s history is the Reverend Charles Sheldon. His novel "In His Steps" was set in Topeka and popularized the well-known phrase WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?), which helped spark a movement that focused on applying Christian principles to daily life. The original study in which he wrote the book was preserved and relocated to Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade, where it can still be seen today.

What new or upcoming enhancements to Topeka would interest event planners?

Stormont Vail Events Center finished a $48 million renovation in 2021 and has successfully hosted conferences, conventions, and events of all sizes since then. The renovation included expanding its Exhibition Hall tradeshow space by 40%, making it much more attractive for larger conferences that need extra vendor or stage space.

Hotel Topeka at City Center was just purchased by the City of Topeka and is in the early planning stages of a complete renovation of the hotel and surrounding campus, including its Maner Conference Center. We are excited about all the ideas being considered and are eager to promote the new designs to our meeting planners as they become available. The hotel will remain open and operational through the renovation process.

The Kansas Museum of History is in the middle of a $6 million renovation that has been 10 years in the making. Work was started in September 2022, and plans to reopen in the summer of 2024 are still on track. New renovations will allow the museum to host some events, such as opening receptions, and serve as a tour option for conference attendees.