Following the August debut of the renovated football stadium, designed by HNTB and Multistudio, the conference center turns the stadium and Gateway District into a year-round destination for meetings, events, business and community engagement. The project reflects a growing national trend in higher education: transforming athletic venues into multi-use civic assets that drive both university and regional economic activity.
“This project embodies how the future of collegiate athletics includes the ability to convene, collaborate, and conduct business,” said John Wilkins, Managing Principal at Multistudio. “We designed the University of Kansas Conference Center to perform with the same energy and precision as the teams that play here – while providing the flexibility for KU to host everything from academic forums to corporate summits.”
Located at the stadium’s north end zone, the conference center blends advanced technology and spatial flexibility to accommodate gatherings of all scales. Operable partitions, adaptable lighting, and integrated audiovisual systems allow seamless transitions between 300-person banquets, symposia, and private receptions.
Multistudio’s Brand Experience team shaped the conference center to transition between game day and events, anchored by a flexible pre-function area that adapts to each occasion. Materials and finishes echo the Jayhawk brand while elevating the experience to one of unique collegiate hospitality. Graphics, digital displays, and furnishings shift in tone and function to support any audience – creating an intentional environment that feels distinctly KU.
“Our goal was to infuse every corner of the conference center with the Jayhawk brand while still allowing for specific spaces to have their own uniquely branded environments,” said Nicole Norgren, Associate Principal of Multistudio’s Brand Experience practice. “Working hand-in-hand with KU staff, we crafted an experience that doesn’t just showcase KU – it immerses visitors in its history, energy, and sense of belonging from the moment they step inside.”
The adjoining Field Club opens directly onto the turf through a dramatic wall of operable glass, connecting event-goers to the energy of the stadium while maintaining an elevated, hospitality-driven atmosphere. Together, these spaces host athletic recruitment events, alumni celebrations, and business conferences, making the district an active civic venue throughout the year.
The University of Kansas Conference Center completes Phase 1 of the broader Gateway District plan. Multistudio led the design of the conference center, event spaces, Garlinghouse Plaza, and WWI Memorial at the northeast entrance of the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, in collaboration with HNTB.
Material choices, including locally sourced limestone and metallic panels in KU’s crimson and blue, tie the new architecture to the university’s historic campus while projecting a forward-looking identity. The design blurs boundaries with the surrounding community through transparency and connectivity, transforming the stadium into an active landmark that extends beyond game day.
The conference center positions the University of Kansas as a premier regional destination for conferences and gatherings, supporting academic programming, community initiatives, and private-sector summits. By merging athletic infrastructure with business convening, the Gateway District reflects a shift in how universities can activate their campuses as economic and cultural anchors.
“The University of Kansas Conference Center extends the stadium’s purpose,” Wilkins added. “It’s a place to gather, celebrate, learn, and lead; it's a direct reflection of how KU connects excellence in academics, athletics, and community.”
You can learn more about the University of Kansas Conference Center by visiting: Welcome to the University of Kansas Conference Center.
