20th Annual Awards Gala

Gala Registration

Registration is required for ALL attendees. RSVP before the deadline: Wednesday, May 1st.

Speaker Bio

Keynote Speaker

gary locke

Former U.S. Ambassador to China
U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Governor of Washington

Gary Locke has been a leader in the areas of trade, employment, human rights, and the environment as Former Ambassador to China, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and Governor of Washington State.

Locke served as Ambassador to China from 2011-2014. He opened markets for made-in-USA goods and services; reduced wait times for visa interviews of Chinese applicants; and through the Embassy’s air quality monitoring program, exposed the severity of the air pollution in China. It inspired the people to demand action by the government and the government in turn to begin addressing the issue.

As Secretary of Commerce from 2009-2011, he led the National Export Initiative to double American exports. Locke also oversaw a significant first step in the president’s export control reform effort that made U.S. companies more competitive by easing their licensing burden for high-tech exports.

Locke is the only Chinese American to have served in three vitally important leadership roles in the U.S. government: as Ambassador to China, as Secretary of Commerce, and as a U.S. Governor. Today, Locke continues to be a driving force in international commerce as Chairman of Locke Global Strategies. He leverages his extensive experience and provides strategic advice and consulting services to businesses in the United States and China. His expertise and insights are invaluable to expand their presence in the global marketplace and build strong relationships with key partners around the world.

2024 Award winners

Entrepreneur of the Year
Jean-Paul Wong
PURE Workplace Solutions
Rekha
Professional Leader of the Year
Rekha Sharma-Crawford
Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law, LLC
Corporation of the Year
Black & Veatch
For past award winners click here.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Manoj Khatiwada
Information Systems and Business Analytics (MS)
Exp. Graduation:
May 2026
Park University
Bao Le
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Exp. Graduation:
July 2025
Metropolitan Community College
Elvin Lin
Accounting
Exp. Graduation:
May 2025
Univeresity of Kansas
Ameer Imad
Ameer Imad
Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Analytics
Exp. Graduation:
Fall 2024
University of Missouri Kansas City
Aurora Marie Ivester
MBA/Certificate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Exp. Graduation:
May 2025
Rockhurst University
Mimi Vang
Mimi Vang
Liberal Arts/Associates in Science
Exp. Graduation:
May 2026
KCK Community College
View previous scholarship winners here.

2024 Silent Auction

ALL proceeds from the 20th Annual Awards Gala Silent Auction will be donated to student scholarships. Online bidding closes 5 PM CT May 10th.

Donated by:
T-Mobile

Apple iPhone 16

Starting bid:
$
750.00
Value:
Priceless
$
1030.00
Donated by:
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel & Aqua Penny's

Weekend Getaway Package

Starting bid:
$
350.00
Value:
Priceless
$
650.00
Donated by:
Mazuma

Sporting KC vs. Dallas FC Tickets for 4 Guests

Starting bid:
$
275.00
Value:
Priceless
$
550.00
Donated by:
Argosy Casino & Hotel

Argosy Staycation Package

Starting bid:
$
250.00
Value:
Priceless
$
500.00
Donated by:
Stinson

Diamond Club Seats to Royals vs. Reds

Starting bid:
$
200.00
Value:
Priceless
$
400.00
Donated by:
Garmin

Garmin Vívoactive® 5 Smartwatch

Starting bid:
$
175.00
Value:
Priceless
$
300.00
Donated by:
Kansas City Ballet

Two Tickets for Swan Lake by Kansas City Ballet

Starting bid:
$
150.00
Value:
Priceless
$
250.00
Donated by:
KC Current

4 Tickets to KC Current Game

Starting bid:
$
150.00
Value:
Priceless
$
200.00
Donated by:
RSVP Med Spa & Cosmetic Eye Institute

Elevate Your Summer Glow with RSVP Med Spa

Starting bid:
$
150.00
Value:
Priceless
$
200.00
Donated by:
ABC Cafe, JINYA Ramen Bar, Bamboo Penny's, Bruu Cafe

Taste of Asia

Starting bid:
$
150.00
Value:
Priceless
$
200.00
Donated by:
Lyric Opera

2 Tickets to Madame Butterfly at Lyric Opera

Starting bid:
$
125.00
Value:
Priceless
$
200.00
Donated by:
Lotus Rain Wellness Spa

Relax, Renew, Rejuvenate at Lotus Rain Wellness Spa!

Starting bid:
$
150.00
Value:
Priceless
$
200.00
Donated by:
Cafe Ca Phe

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

Starting bid:
$
125.00
Value:
Priceless
$
200.00

Sponsorship & Ticket Options

Platinum

—$

13500

• Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 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• Two complimentary bottles of wine

Sapphire

—$

10000

• Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 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

—$

7000

• Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 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

—$

5000

• Premier reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • 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

—$

3500

• Reserved seating for 8 (1 table) • Logo/link recognition on Galawebsite/Program/e-newsletters • On-screen logo recognition • Complimentary AACC corporate membership for 6 mos.

On-Screen Logo Sponsor

—$

2500

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

Individual Ticket

—$

325

Gala Registration

Registration is required for ALL attendees. RSVP before the deadline: Wednesday, May 1st.

Gala Registration

Registration is required for ALL attendees. RSVP before the deadline: Thursday, April 25th

2024 Gala Sponsors

Presenting

Platinum

VIP Reception

No items found.

Gold

Penny's in the Village

Silver

Hallmark
Lockton Companies
NvisionKC

Bronze

Angela and Neal Sharma
Aqua Penny's
Benny & Edith Lee
Clarkson Construction Company
Enerfab Power & Industrial
Garmin
Greater Kansas City Allergy Society
KPMG
KVC Health Systems
Kissick Construction Company
Lucky International Trading Inc.
Professional Engineering Consultants
Schmidtlein Excavating, Inc.
The University of Kansas Health System
UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management

Foundation Sponsor

Joseph & Jenny Melookaran

Scholarship Sponsor

ABC Cafe 釗記餐廳
Bukaty Companies
J. Douglas Cusick M.D., F.A.C.S.
JE Dunn
Tacos Borrachos
Terracon Consultants Inc
Tous Les Jours
UnitedHealthcare

2024 Annual Sponsors

Annual Gold Sponsors

No items found.

Annual Silver SPonsors

American Century Investments
Black & Veatch
Blue Cross & Blue Shield Kansas City
Catalyst
City of Overland Park
CrossFirst Bank
Evergy
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Husch Blackwell
KC Royals
Kansas City National Security Campus Managed by Honeywell
Object Technology Solutions Inc.
Stinson LLP
T-Mobile

Annual Bronze Sponsors

Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
Community America Credit Union
Johnson County Government
Mazuma
McCownGordon Construction
Modus Light, LLC
PK Tax & Accounting Svcs, LLC
Power & Light District
Saicon Consultants, Inc.
TranslationPerfect.com
Wyngate Solutions

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