Roll the highlights: 2018 DTC Annual Luncheon

Downtown Council members and stakeholders poured into the Kansas City Convention Center on Jan. 26 to celebrate successes in Downtown KC, as well as to network and to be inspired to continue the urban momentum of Kansas City. Did you miss the Downtown Council’s 2018 Annual Luncheon held early this month?  Well don’t despair, we’re pleased to provide you with the highlights!

Nearly 1,000 people came together for networking, lunch and celebrations on Friday, Jan. 26 in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. The luncheon itself was preceded by the Spirit of Downtown Exhibit, which included 67 businesses and organizations showcasing Downtown KC.

The luncheon served to honor the Hall family, Hallmark Cards and Crown Center with the Kirk Award in recognition of community vision and Downtown stewardship and to recognize our 2017 Urban Heroes – Paul Masao Matsuoka, Cydney Millstein, Butch Rigby and Phil ‘Sike Style’ Shafer.

The audience was buzzing over Mayor Sly James and Board Chair Nate Orr, as they “slow-jammed” the accomplishments Downtown with Kemet the Phantom and the Phantastics! (Click here to watch the video.)

Kemet Coleman (left), Board Chair Nate Orr and Mayor Sly James brought the house down when they Slow Jammed the Accomplishments at the DTC Annual Luncheon.

The Downtown Council also released its State of Downtown Report and provided insights about the Smart City platform via keynote speaker TJ Costello, Cisco Systems.

This event could not have taken place without the leadership of DTC chairman, Nate Orr; immediate past-chair Cathy Smith; honorary co-chairs, Irv Hockaday and Steve McDowell; and our presenting sponsors Commerce Bank, Hallmark Cards, JE Dunn Construction and Kansas City Southern; as well as our other corporate sponsors.

Click here for a web-page summarizing the event, with links to the videos, images and media coverage.