FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
Last Wednesday, hundreds of business and community leaders gathered to celebrate one of the KC Chamber’s most meaningful traditions: the Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon.
Each year, this celebration reminds us that small businesses are far more than economic drivers. They are dreamers, problem-solvers, job creators, innovators, neighbors, and community builders. They create opportunity, invest in people, and help define the character and culture of our region.
Our 2026 Top 10 Small Businesses represent the very best of Kansas City entrepreneurship, and I want to again congratulate each of these outstanding companies for earning this recognition: Blue Symphony; Café Corazon; EAG Advertising & Marketing; encompas; Kansas City Catering; MADE MOBB; Pantheon Moving; RK Contractors; She Hauled It; and SLATTERY Design + Architecture. Their resilience, creativity, and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring.
Congratulations as well to our 2026 award honorees:
- K Small Business of the Year – Café Corazon
- Emerging Small Business of the Year – Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt & Chocolate
- Spirit of Inclusion Award – MADE MOBB
- Paul Weida International Small Business of the Year – Gray Ram Tactical, LLC
- Legacy of Kansas City Award – encompas
- Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award – IT-RA ICONS
These businesses are making a lasting impact not only through their products and services but also through the way they lead, support employees, give back, and create spaces where people feel welcome and connected.
Thank you to our Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon Sponsor, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, our Small Business Celebration Presenting Sponsor, Evergy, and all the sponsors, volunteers, judges, attendees, and supporters who helped make this year’s Celebration so memorable. Most importantly, thank you to the entrepreneurs whose vision, determination, and commitment continue to move Kansas City forward. I invite you to view photos from the luncheon and join us in continuing to celebrate our region’s incredible small business community — today, tomorrow, and as we look ahead to 2027.
TRADE, BORDER POLICY, AND THE FUTURE OF THE U.S.-CANADA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
Join the KC Chamber, World Trade Center – Kansas City, and the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago on Wednesday, June 3, from noon to 1 p.m., in the KC Chamber Board Room (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO) for an engaging discussion on the policies, partnerships, and challenges influencing trade between the United States and Canada. Topics will include recent policy changes, dispute resolution mechanisms, border security and cross-border enforcement issues, supply chain impacts, and the role trade plays in advancing economic security and sustainability goals. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how trade and border decisions affect businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides of the border. Registration closes soon, so reserve your seat now.
STARS, STRIPES, AND SOCCER WATCH PARTY
The world’s biggest sporting event is about to kick off, and the KC Chamber is inviting members and friends to experience the excitement together at Stars, Stripes, and Soccer, powered by Corporate Technologies, LLC. Join us Friday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO) as the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Paraguay in Group D play of the FIFA World Cup 26™. Located just steps from Kansas City’s official FIFA Fan Festival, the Board Room will offer the perfect atmosphere to celebrate the energy, pride, and global attention surrounding Kansas City during this historic moment. Guests are encouraged to wear their red, white, and blue and bring the whole family for an unforgettable evening of soccer and community. Tickets are $45 per person, children under 12 are free, and parking vouchers are available for $15. Register today!
THE SOCCER EFFECT: UNLOCKING TRADE & INVESTMENT BETWEEN THE US AND NETHERLANDS
As Kansas City prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 26™, the opportunities extend far beyond the pitch. Join World Trade Center – Kansas City, the Greater Houston Partnership, and World Trade Center Arnhem Nijmegen on Tuesday, June 23, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. for a virtual discussion examining how global sporting events can serve as catalysts for long-term economic growth, cross-border investment, and international business partnerships.
Attendees will hear from regional and international leaders about the strengths of Kansas City, Houston, and the Netherlands in key industries, including aerospace and aviation, bioscience and life sciences, logistics, and international trade. The program will also feature real-world perspectives from companies with existing Dutch investments and operations in the U.S., followed by an interactive Q&A exploring future opportunities for collaboration. Register today and discover how the World Cup’s impact can create lasting business connections long after the final whistle.
BUILDING BLOCKS OF DISABILITY INCLUSION: MYTHS, ETIQUETTE & EVERYDAY PRACTICE
Disability inclusion is more than a policy; it’s a daily practice that helps organizations strengthen culture, foster belonging, and unlock innovation. Join the KC Chamber and the Center for Disability Inclusion (CDI) on Tuesday, August 4, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. for Building Blocks of Disability Inclusion: Myths, Etiquette & Everyday Practice, the first session in a four-part interactive workshop series.
Through engaging activities, storytelling, case studies, and group discussions, participants will challenge common misconceptions, practice inclusive language and workplace etiquette, strengthen interviewing and interaction skills, and prepare for deeper conversations around mental health and caregiver inclusion. Designed for professionals at every level—from new hires and employee resource groups to managers and organizational leaders—this free program will provide practical tools to help build workplaces where everyone can thrive. Register today!