FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
On December 5, our region takes another big step onto the global stage. KC2026 and the Kansas City Power & Light District are hosting The Draw at KC Live!, a free Final Draw watch party for the FIFA World Cup 26™, as the world learns how the 48 participating teams will be grouped and which ones may be playing their matches right here in Kansas City. Doors open at 9 a.m., with festivities beginning at 10 a.m.
This is more than a watch party. It’s a celebration of the years of regional collaboration that helped secure six World Cup matches – four Group Stage matches, a Round of 32, and a Quarterfinal at Arrowhead Stadium. Every time Kansas City shows up on that Final Draw screen, it represents opportunity for our businesses and our bistate community.
If you can’t make it to KC Live!, I hope you’ll still be part of this moment. Turn the Final Draw on in your office lobby, conference room, shop floor, or breakroom. Host a quick “jerseys and coffee” gathering with your team, invite customers to watch for a few minutes, or stream the draw on FOX or FIFA’s digital channels so your employees can follow along.
However you join, let’s use December 5 to show, once again, what it means to be the Soccer Capital of America. Our KC Made spirit, and our commitment to working together as one region, are exactly what will help us welcome the world in the summer of 2026.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: MADE IN KC MARKETPLACE
Neighborhood Networking is headed to the Plaza this Friday, December 5, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., as the KC Chamber teams up with Made in KC for a morning of relationship-building and local shopping at the Made in KC – Plaza Marketplace (306 W 47th Pl., KCMO). Thanks to our 2025 Networking Sponsors—Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Southwest Airlines, and UMB Bank—members will enjoy a welcoming space to meet fellow business and civic leaders, swap ideas, and strengthen neighborhood ties.
Made in KC curates products from hundreds of local makers and designers, supporting homegrown brands through partnerships, relationships, and resources. The artists and entrepreneurs they work with create or design their products in the Kansas City metro area, helping grow a more sustainable and vibrant local economy. Learn more and register now!
This event is made possible by our 2025 Networking Sponsors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Southwest Airlines, and UMB Bank.
WELCOMING COALITION MEETING
The Welcoming KC Coalition invites you to its 2025 Fall Meeting on Friday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO).
Join fellow business and community leaders for:
- A status update on the Certified Welcoming initiative
- Insights from partners at JVS, AIRR KC, and The Asylum Clinic
- Networking with leaders committed to building a more inclusive Kansas City
- A complimentary lunch and parking validation in the Union Station garage
Don’t miss this chance to engage, learn, and help shape a more welcoming regional economy. Register today!
CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSION & APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Centurions is KC’s premier two-year leadership program, designed to deepen your civic impact through immersive learning days, site visits with changemakers, and hands-on service. Choose the option that fits your schedule and get a head start on your application:
- Monday, December 15, 3 to 5 p.m., at Chicken N Pickle in NKC — Register
Then, take your application to the next level with a dedicated workshop on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 3 to 5 p.m., KC Chamber Board Room (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO) and via Zoom. Review your draft application with an active Centurion, ask questions, and get real-time feedback before you hit submit. Register now to ensure your application for the Pinnacle 2026 cohort is ready by the submission deadline of 11:59 p.m. on January 15. Don’t miss your chance to lead KC forward.
SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION
We’re gearing up for our annual Small Business Celebration, one of the largest chamber-led small business recognition series in the United States. If your business is headquartered in the Kansas City region, has no more than 250 full-time equivalent employees, and is a KC Chamber member by application time, you’ll want to throw your hat in the ring. Qualifying companies can apply for multiple awards, including the coveted Mr. K Small Business of the Year, Emerging Business Award, Small Business Spirit of Inclusion Award, Weida International Small Business Award, Legacy of Kansas City Award, and the Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award.
Why apply now?
- The application window is open, and early preparation gives you the best shot at thoughtful, standout answers.
- Participating brings tremendous exposure and recognition across the region’s small business ecosystem.
- This celebration isn’t just about winning – it’s about positioning your business for growth, visibility, and lasting impact.
Applications are due by February 18, 2026, so we invite you to review criteria and submit your application before the deadline. Your business could be the next standout star in Kansas City’s vibrant small business community.