FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
As we close out 2025, I want to extend my warmest holiday wishes to each of you: our members, investors, partners and friends. This season invites us to slow down, look around, and remember what matters most. And in Greater Kansas City, what matters has always been clear: people who show up for one another, businesses that take risks and create opportunity, and a community that believes our best chapters are still ahead.
This year, I’ve been reminded again and again that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when leaders choose collaboration over competition, when Kansas Citians lean in with empathy, and when our region meets challenges with the steady confidence that comes from working together. From championing small businesses and strengthening our workforce to advancing a Kansas City that is welcoming and tackling the issues that shape our quality of life, you have helped move this region forward with purpose.
As we prepare for 2026, there is a real sense of momentum in the air. The year ahead will call on us to keep thinking bigger, working smarter, and staying united across state lines and sectors. The KC Chamber will continue to convene, connect and advocate because when we align around a shared vision, we create the conditions for more businesses to grow, more people to thrive, and more communities to prosper.
Thank you for your continued trust, your partnership, and your belief in Greater Kansas City. I hope the holidays bring you rest, joy, and meaningful time with the people you love. Here’s to finishing the year with gratitude and stepping into 2026 with hope, energy, and Kansas City pride. Happy holidays.
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 the time you apply, now is the moment to throw your hat in the ring. Eligible companies may 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.
Applying early gives you time to craft thoughtful, standout responses, and the holiday season can be the perfect window to do it. Take a quiet hour between celebrations to reflect on your biggest wins, the challenges you overcame, and the impact you’re making in your community, while those stories are fresh and before January’s pace returns.
Applications are due February 18, 2026. We invite you to review the criteria and submit before the deadline because your business could be the next standout star in Kansas City’s vibrant small business community.
UPCOMING STATE AFFAIRS EVENTS
Kick off the 2026 legislative season with two timely opportunities to connect directly with Kansas and Missouri policymakers alongside fellow KC Chamber members at Union Station.
First, join us for the 2026 Kansas State Affairs Kickoff Reception on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO). This annual reception brings Kansas state legislators and the business community together as the session gets underway, creating space to build relationships, exchange perspectives, and hear early insights on the issues that will shape the year ahead. Registration is $30 per person and complimentary for Public Policy Council investors. Register today.
Then, continue the conversation with the 2026 January Missouri State Affairs Committee Meeting on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO). This monthly series convenes during the legislative session to connect Chamber members with state leaders and priorities in Jefferson City. This month’s discussion features Speaker Jon Patterson and Minority Leader Ashley Aune for an early look at session direction and business-impacting issues. Lunch is $30 per person and complimentary for Public Policy Council investors. Register now.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART
Join the KC Chamber for Neighborhood Networking at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St., KCMO) on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Hosted at the museum, this come-and-go style gathering is designed for easy conversation, fresh introductions, and meaningful connections with fellow members.
The Nelson-Atkins offers an inspiring backdrop for our next networking stop, featuring an encyclopedic collection of more than 42,000 art objects and free admission, making it a Kansas City gem worth lingering in—before or after the event. This is sure to be a popular event, so complete your registration today!
This event is made possible by our Networking Sponsors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Southwest Airlines, and UMB Bank.
EMERGING TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE 2026
As 2026 begins, ULI Kansas City and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce are bringing the region together for Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026, a deep dive into the trends, economic forces, and market forecasts shaping the year ahead. The program takes place Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room inside Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO).
The event features keynote speaker Haley Anderson, Director of Financial Markets and Real Estate at PwC, sharing an overview of the Emerging Trends in Real Estate® United States and Canada 2026 report, now in its 47th edition and widely regarded across the real estate and land use industry. Expect timely perspective on topics including data centers, senior housing, and storage facilities, and what they could mean for the Kansas City region. Learn more and register today.