The KC Chamber’s Annual Dinner is the unofficial opening of the holiday season. Held every November – usually the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving – the Annual Dinner is Kansas City’s premier business networking event.
The Dinner features music and entertainment, honors the incoming and outgoing Chairs of the Chamber, and, as the highlight of the evening, the surprise announcement of the Kansas Citian of the Year. The award is the Chamber’s highest honor, presented to a person whose civic contributions and achievements reflect the insight, creativity, and consciousness necessary to build and maintain a quality urban community.
Join us for one of the region’s most anticipated business events of the year — the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce 138th Annual Dinner, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
This year’s theme, KC Made, celebrates the people, ideas, and innovations that define Kansas City’s bold spirit and homegrown success. From world-class entrepreneurs and civic visionaries to championship teams and creative trailblazers, KC Made honors the powerful impact of everything built and grown right here in our region.
The evening features a lively reception, seated dinner, and an inspiring program highlighting the leadership shaping our region. Along the way, you’ll hear two special mini panels celebrating Kansas City’s rise as a global soccer capital. The first revisits the history of how KC became a soccer powerhouse, featuring our World Cup honorary co-chairs, Clark Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Cliff Illig of Sporting Kansas City . The second looks ahead to the 10-year journey that led to our selection as a FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City, with insights from FIFA leaders and local champions who made it happen.
You’ll also hear reflections from outgoing Board Chair Charlie Shields of University Health and a forward-looking vision from incoming Board Chair Jeff Simon of Husch Blackwell.
The celebration caps off with one of Kansas City’s most treasured traditions: the announcement of the 2025 Kansas Citian of the Year, a surprise reveal honoring those whose contributions have left a lasting mark on our community.
This year we will be joined by Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra of Kansas City during our reception and dinner as they provide music throughout the evening.
Reserve your seat and be part of the story KC is making.
