Uncover what’s possible when innovation and music collide!
Innovation Festival brings to Kansas City breakout, established, and legendary music artists for three days of entertainment and discovery. Innovation Festival is Kansas City’s opportunity to mingle with cutting-edge innovators across science and tech while unlocking the connection between music and science.
Innovation Festival is a three-day conference and entertainment experience, combining tech, arts, and innovation. Basically, you select the “Badge” that’s right for you!
Your Conference Badge is your gateway to attend groundbreaking tech and innovation talks, explore the deep tech startup ecosystem, explore exhibits, get recruited into tech focused careers or training programs, then kick back and enjoy an evening of live music.
This year’s Innovation Festival will feature an expanded offering of conference programming spanning agricultural technology, human and animal health and nutrition, engineering, computer and data science, and more.
Kick your experience up a notch by grabbing a taste of top brews at our brewery showcase or enjoying the MarshMcLennan Agency VIP Experience!
So, we’re going to be frank. Last year, conference badges sold out before the event. On-site registration is only available as seats remain. For the best experience, we’d recommend registering as early as possible. Not to mention, snagging your badge early could mean discounted pricing. Get on it!
Innovation Festival conference programming is at The Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center! 2345 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Crown Center Square at Crown Center.
Absolutely there is! Take a look at the full Innovation Festival agenda here, including our expanded program for 2023!
Yes! The official hotel partner of Innovation Festival is The Sheraton Crown Center, where the conference programming of Innovation Festival takes place. Check out the official Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center Innovation Festival page to get your room at a special rate!
Set times will be posted on our website and on social media by July 11, 2023.
Check in times at The Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center begin at 4:00 pm, with checkout times occurring at 12:00 pm. We begin both Thursday and Friday with breakfast and registration at 8:00 am. “Beats” Day programming kicks off at 8:00 am on Saturday, and is totally free to the public. From there, we take a little break before heading back to the festival grounds when doors open at 3:00 pm for music, beer, and fun!
You’re a busy bee – we get it. In the event you need to step out during the conferences, your Innovation Festival badge will get you back into the conference. In the occurrence that you need to step away during “Beats” Day, your wristband will get you back in. Re-entry will be permitted at all entry gates.
Parking at Crown Center is open 24/7 in the parking garage, and is free with validation in Crown Center. Parking in the Crown Center garage can be utilized during both Conference and Beats Day during Innovation Festival.
Self-Parking at The Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center is $25.00 overnight/Short term: $12. Onsite Valet Parking at The Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center is available overnight for $35.00/Short Term: $24.00.
Attendees can also utilize Rideshare dropoff near Crown Center or the KC Streetcar. More information on parking is available at the Crown Center Parking Site. More information on parking is available at the Crown Center Parking Site.
ADA accessible spots can be found in The Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center parking garage, with 4 spots located on either side of the garage for close access to get up and down. ADA accessible parking can also be found on levels 2A and 3A of the Crown Center Shops parking garage. Click here to read about Assistance for Disabled Customers.
Yes! Ride south on Grand Boulevard until you come to the bike parking by SPIN! Pizza – bring your security locks as this is not a monitored space.
We’ll put it like this. As long as you’ve got an official Badge, Innovation Festival is for you. Whether you find yourself at one of our poster sessions, or striking a pose at the silent disco, Innovation Festival welcomes everyone! On Beats Day, children ages 4 and under are free. Children over the age of 4 will need a Badge to enter. No one under 21 is permitted in the Brewery Showcase or MarshMcLennan Agency VIP Terrace.
Approved:
Not Permitted (Leave these at home!):
Experience Innovation Festival with the comforts of all the perks. The MarshMcLennan Agency VIP Experience is included with the purchase of a VIP Badge, and includes access to the shaded hospitality tent, (2) premium drinks, light catered refreshments, access to the Innovation Festival networking area, viewing of the stage from elevated location, restrooms private to VIP area only.
This is great to hear, and we’d love to have you with us! The application to Present can be found here, until the submission deadline. We’re pulling for ya!
That’s amazing! We’ve got the brand boost for you! Our exhibitor tents let you have a space between 10′ x 10′ to 10′ x 20′ to network or showcase as you choose. If you’re interested in a tent, please reach out to info@theinnovationfestival.com for more information.
For load-in instructions, see the Sponsor Onboarding Document provided to all sponsor or email us at info@theinnovationfestival.com.
Super simple. Submit press pass inquiries or email interview requests with the subject line, “PRESS” to info@theinnovationfestival.com.
We have tons of ways for you to get your name out to the attendees at Innovation Festival. You can sponsor events, merch, meals, advertise, and more! For more information, reach out to info@theinnovationfestival.com.
You can reach out to us directly at info@theinnovationfestival.com, Phone: 913-428-9699.
Badges for Beats Day are non-refundable. No refunds or exchanges will be honored. Innovation Festival is a multi-day, rain or shine event. Programming for Innovation Festival is not limited to a specific artist or speaker. Speakers, presenters, artists, and programming are all subject to change.
Conference Badge cancellations submitted by June 1, 2023 will be fully refundable and will not be charged a cancellation fee. Conference Badge Cancellations received between June 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023 will be charged a $75.00 fee.
Conference Badge Cancellations received on or after July 1, 2023 will be entirely non-refundable.
If the event is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, the Innovation Festival team will share updates as they are available. Innovation Festival is not liable for any fees incurred by participants/attendees. Speakers, presenters, artists, and programming are all subject to change.
Please contact info@theinnovationfestival.com with any additional questions.
Crown Center and Innovation Festival will abide by all city ordinances and mandates.
Hydration is key. Make sure those bottles you’re bringing in are factory sealed. Each attendee is limited to one factory sealed water bottle up to 1 liter in volume.
Small cameras and smartphones are OK to enter the venue. No professional equipment will be allowed into the venue. Professional is defined as any camera with a detachable lens. No tripods, GoPros, or selfie sticks allowed. Audio and video recording devices are not permitted. Innovation Festival will be recording select live performances.
If you are interested in acquiring a press pass for the festival, please email info@theinnovationfestival.com with “PRESS” in the subject line and we’ll be in touch!
Check out the KC Streetcar – if you’re staying near Crown Center Square, this is a great way to experience the sights of the city and have a safe ride to and from the festival.
No outside food or beverage are allowed on the festival grounds. Food truck fare, water, soft drinks, beer, and hard seltzers available for purchase.
Lunch will be provided during the conference as well as dinner on Thursday night.
Innovation Festival is a rain or shine event. Badges purchased are for the festival and not for a specific performer. Refunds will not be issued if particular bands are impacted by inclement weather.
First off, don’t panic. Innovation Festival volunteers will be easily accessible throughout the 3-day event. During the conferences, If you’ve misplaced or lost an item, Innovation Festival and Sheraton staff are available to help you locate items. During Beats Day on Saturday, visit the BioKansas ten located in the middle of the Exhibitor Pavilion. BioKansas is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. After the festival, lost items will be turned over to Crown Center Security.
Innovation Festival and Crown Center will work together to provide a non-discriminatory venue and welcoming environment for all guests. The entire Crown Center complex, including the retail center, hotel, and parking garage is wheelchair accessible. Handicap accessible parking is available on levels 2A and 3A of the Crown Center shops parking garage. For guest service inquiries related to Innovation Festival accessibility requests and disabilities, guests may reach out to us at info@theinnovationfestival.com.
During Innovation Festival conference programming at The Sheraton, pets are welcomed in hotel rooms with a maximum of 2 domesticated pets, in addition to a $50 pet cleaning fee per stay.
Per Crown Center policy, no pets or animals are allowed during Beats Day of Innovation Festival, except for Service Animals, as defined by the ADA.
Restrooms are labeled and located throughout the Sheraton Hotel during the conference programming of Innovation Festival, with ample facilities available during Beats Day on Saturday. Festival map coming soon!
For conference days, you’ll want your rideshare to drop you at The Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. For Beats Day on Saturday, ask your rideshare to drop you off at the corner of Pershing and Grand Boulevard. Then, walk south on Grand Boulevard and follow the signage to reach the festival entrance gate.
You can also ask your rideshare to drop you off at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, enter the circle drive from Pershing Ave, enter the lobby and walk through the Crown Center Shops following the signage to the festival entrance gate.
Didn’t find your answer? Email info@theinnovationfestival.com
