19th Annual Awards Gala

Gala Registration

Registration is required for ALL attendees. RSVP before the deadline: Thursday, April 27th
Online registration has ended. Please contact us if you have questions about registration.

Speaker Bios

Keynote Speaker

Neal sharma

President, dentsu DTC

Neal is the Co-Founder and former CEO of DEG, a full-service digital agency, where he directed the growth of the organization that evolved from a small web development company in Kansas City to an over 600-person firm now a part of global agency, Merkle. During that time, DEG formed long-lasting partnerships with brands like Hallmark, Gap Inc., Nestlé Purina, Johnson & Johnson, Hub International, PepsiCo, and Sam’s Club/Walmart. Neal was also instrumental in completing DEG’s successful sale to dentsu – the fifth-largest agency holding company in the world – for one of the highest multiples in the industry. He currently serves as President of dentsuDTC, an integrated solution managed at the network. Under Neal’s leadership, DEG appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the US and was recognized as a regional “Best Place to Work”. In 2014, Inc. Magazine named DEG one of “25 Companies That Are Changing the World” for its unique entrepreneurial approach to business.  

Neal has also been widely acknowledged for his personal achievements. Most recently, he was named to the 2021 Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City Business Hall of Fame for serving as a model of innovation, determination, and collaboration throughout his career. He has also been featured in the Kansas City Business Journal’s “Power 100” list of influential leaders and named one of the 50 most influential people in technology in the region by The Kansas City Star.

Honorary Chair

Christina ChaI

Vice President Global Supply Chain, Black & Veatch

Christina Chai is Vice President for Black & Veatch’s Global Supply Chain for BV Operations and leads the Asia-Pacific Supply Chain team. She resides and operates from Singapore.  Christina is responsible for the global Supply Chain organization and its processes including: sourcing, purchasing, expediting, transportation/ logistics, business diversity, invoice management, and warranty administration.  Prior to joining Black & Veatch in 2020, Christina held international assignments as VP of Procurement for Pacific Oil & Gas in Singapore,  Manager of Procurement for Bechtel in Shanghai, as well as a number of US project assignments, including a Six Sigma Black Belt.  Her 31 year career has been in various supply chain management roles throughout the US, Australia and Asia.

Christina is a true champion for DE&I serving on the DE&I Council for Black & Veatch, by supporting and encouraging B&V professionals participation in its 10 Employee Resource Groups. She is active in various communities, including Singapore, and Kansas City where she volunteers for Christmas in October, a Food Kitchen volunteer for Willing Hearts, as well as Meals-on-Wheels meal delivery program volunteer for TOUCH Community Services.

2023 Award winners

Entrepreneur of the Year
Penny Mufuka
Bamboo Penny's
Professional of the Year
Selena Fu, MD
RSVP Med Spa
Cosmetic Eye Institute
Corporation of the Year
T-Mobile
For past award winners click here.

2022 Award winners

Entrepreneur of the Year
Abinash Parida
Agelix Consulting LLC
Corporation Above & Beyond
Kissick Construction

2022 Special Recognition

Director Emeritus & Co-Founder
Young Sexton
WingGate Travel
Director Emeritus & Co-Founder
Joe Melookaran
LPL Financial
Director Emeritus
Benny Lee
DuraComm

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Stella Dang
Stella (Dung) Dang
Associate in Engineering – Chemical Engineering
Exp. Graduation:
May 2024
Metropolitan Community College
Ameer Imad
Ameer Imad
Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Analytics
Exp. Graduation:
Fall 2024
University of Missouri Kansas City
Ashley Kurima Park
Ashley Kurima
Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing
Exp. Graduation:
December 2023
Park University
Yulin Lin
Major: Business Administration
Minor: International Business
Exp. Graduation:
2025
University of Kansas
John Rees
John Yuto Rees
Business Intelligence (MBA) / Data Analytics (MS)
Exp. Graduation:
December 2023
Rockhurst University
Mimi Vang
Mimi Vang
Associate in Science/Nursing
Exp. Graduation:
May 2025
KCK Community College
View previous scholarship winners here.

2023 Silent Auction

Experience a Literary Adventure with Seven Stories

Donated by: 
Seven Stories and Senorita Margarita
View Details & Bid

Perk Up with Authentic Vietnamese Robusta Beans: A Smooth & Bold Awakening

Donated by: 
Café Ca Phê
View Details & Bid

Savor Authentic Cantonese Flavors!

Donated by: 
ABC Cafe
View Details & Bid

Elevate Your Summer Glow with RSVP Med Spa

Donated by: 
RSVP Med Spa
View Details & Bid

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Donated by: 
T-Mobile
View Details & Bid

Garmin Venu SQ2 Watch

Donated by: 
Garmin
View Details & Bid

Argosy Staycation Package

Donated by: 
Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
View Details & Bid

Hallmark Cards and Crayola Gift Bag Bundle

Donated by: 
Hallmark
View Details & Bid

Weekend Getaway Package

Donated by: 
Sheraton & Intrust Bank
View Details & Bid

Two Tickets for ALICE (in Wonderland) by Kansas City Ballet

Donated by: 
Kansas City Ballet
View Details & Bid

4 Tickets to the KC Royals vs. Seattle Mariners

Donated by: 
UMB
View Details & Bid

Sporting KC vs. Dallas FC Tickets for 4 Guests

Donated by: 
Mazuma Credit Union
View Details & Bid

4 Tickets to any KC Current Game

Donated by: 
KC Current
View Details & Bid

2023 award gala sponsorship options

Platinum—$12,500

Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 5 tickets for VIP reception with Keynote Speaker • Full page commemorative advertisement in Awards Gala program • Logo on event entrance signage • Prominent logo/link on Chamber website and online marketing materials for one year • Dedicated social media recognition • On-screen logo recognition • Special acknowledgement from the podium at event • Complimentary AACC corporate membership for 1 year

Diamond—$9,000

Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 4 tickets for VIP reception with Keynote Speaker • Full page commemorative advertisement in Awards Gala program • Logo on event entrance signage • Prominent logo/link on Chamber website and online marketing materials for one year • Dedicated social media recognition • On-screen logo recognition • Special acknowledgement from the podium at event • Complimentary AACC corporate membership for 1 year

Gold—$6,700

Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 3 tickets for VIP reception with Keynote Speaker • Half page commemorative advertisement in Awards Gala program • Logo on event entrance signage • Prominent logo/link on Chamber website and online marketing materials for one year • Dedicated social media recognition • On-screen logo recognition • Special acknowledgement from the podium at event • Complimentary AACC corporate membership for 1 year

Silver—$4,700

Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 2 tickets for VIP reception with Keynote Speaker • Quarter page commemorative advertisement in Awards Gala program • Prominent logo/link on Chamber website and online marketing materials for one year • On-screen logo recognition • Complimentary AACC corporate membership for 1 year

Bronze—$3,000

Reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 1 ticket for VIP reception with Keynote Speaker • Logo/link recognition on Gala website/Program/e-newsletters • On-screen logo recognition

On-screen Logo Recognition—$1,900

Two reserved seats • Logo with link on Gala website/Program book/On-screen

Individual—$300

Gala Registration

Registration is required for ALL attendees. RSVP before the deadline: Thursday, April 27th
Online registration has ended. Please contact us if you have questions about registration.

2023 Gala Sponsors

Presenting

No items found.

Platinum

VIP Reception

No items found.

Gold

PURE Workplace Solutions

Silver

Aqua Penny's
KVC Health Systems

Bronze

Academy Bank
Bally's KC
Benny & Edith Lee
Capitol Federal
Enerfab Power & Industrial
First Business Bank
Garmin
Hallmark
KPMG
Lockton Companies
RSVP Med Spa Cosmetic Eye Institute
Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law, LLC
UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management

Logo Recognition Sponsors

ABC Cafe 釗記餐廳
America Real Estate
Bukaty Companies
JE Dunn
Kissick Construction Company
Lucky International Trading Inc.
UnitedHealthcare

Scholarship Sponsor

Joseph & Jenny Melookaran

2023 Annual Sponsors

Annual Gold Sponsors

No items found.

Annual Silver SPonsors

American Century Investments
Black & Veatch
Blue Cross & Blue Shield Kansas City
Burns McDonnell
City of Overland Park
Equity Bank
Evergy
Husch Blackwell
J. Douglas Cusick M.D., F.A.C.S.
KC Royals
Kansas City National Security Campus Managed by Honeywell
KeyBank
NvisionKC
Object Technology Solutions Inc.
Stinson LLP
T-Mobile

Annual Bronze Sponsors

Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
Catalyst
Community America Credit Union
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Johnson County Government
Lead Bank
Mazuma
McCownGordon Construction
Modus Light, LLC
PK Tax & Accounting Svcs, LLC
Power & Light District
Saicon Consultants, Inc.

Community Partners

Asian American Bar Association of Kansas City
Ethnic Enrichment Commission
Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City
Fountain of Life
Heart of America Japan-America Society
India Association of Kansas City
Kansas City Chinese American Association
Kansas City Chinese Association
Korean-American Society of Kansas City
NAAAP KC
Vietnamese American Community of Greater Kansas City

Health & Safety Guidelines

Health and safety of our members and guests are very important to us.  We have added accommodations to increase health and safety of the attendees including hand sanitizers throughout the venue and reduced guest capacity. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing unless actively eating or drinking. We will continue to monitor the COVID health situation in our area and take appropriate precautions, as necessary.

Please note by voluntarily attending this event during the COVID-19 pandemic, you acknowledge you are aware of the risks involved, and will not hold the Asian Chamber or the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel liable for any claim.