The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (NKY Chamber) will hold its largest and most anticipated event of the year, the 2026 Annual Dinner, presented by Fifth Third Bank, on Thursday, September 17, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.
This year, the NKY Chamber will be celebrating “America’s History & NKY’s Future,” as 2026 marks the 250th birthday for the country.
“America’s 250th birthday is a great time to reflect on our country’s history while looking ahead to the Northern Kentucky region’s future,” said Brent Cooper, president and CEO of the NKY Chamber. “Our nation’s progress has relied on communities coming together to solve big challenges, and that is exactly what makes Northern Kentucky so special. The leaders we are celebrating at this year’s Annual Dinner are proof that when we collaborate, there is no limit to what our region can achieve. This is the perfect opportunity to honor our collective heritage while building a more prosperous, inclusive and competitive NKY Metro.”
At the heart of the evening will be the presentation of awards recognizing business leaders and community champions from across the NKY Metro region.
2026 award winners:
• The Walter R. Dunlevy/Frontiersman Award: Steve Pendery, Judge/Executive, Campbell County
Established in 1968, this award recognizes an individual with a lifelong history of outstanding service to the Northern Kentucky community, exhibits outstanding service to their profession or industry and exemplifies the highest standards of personal integrity and family responsibility.
• The Walter L. Pieschel (MVP) Award: Dave Schroeder, executive director, Kenton County Public Library
This award is named in memory of the NKY Chamber’s first volunteer leader and recognizes an individual NKY Chamber member who has provided outstanding volunteer service to the NKY Chamber as a committee member, committee chair or in any other special capacity during the past 12 months.
• The Northern Kentucky Unity Award: OKI Regional Council of Governments
This award is presented to individuals or a company that has shown leadership in bringing Northern Kentuckians together to address and solve common challenges and issues, and who has shown leadership in seeking regional solutions to Northern Kentucky’s challenges.
• ImageMaker Award: LINK nky
This award is presented to an individual or company bringing national or international attention to the Northern Kentucky community through their achievements.
• Devou Cup, Presented by Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation
The Northern Kentucky Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation created this award to honor the generosity of individuals or organizations that make a profound difference in the quality of community life in Northern Kentucky, now and into the future.
• Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III Northern Kentucky Economic Development Award: Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt, retired, vice president, community relations and local government affairs, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky
This award is presented annually to the individual, entity, company, or organization demonstrating significant advancement of economic development efforts in Northern Kentucky.
• The Horizon Award, Presented by Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky: Jason and Amy Jackman
This award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals who exemplify dedication, integrity, and honorable service to Northern Kentucky through community leadership. Recipients have devoted their time, talents, and expertise to serve the public good, and have made significant, demonstrable, and direct contributions to the community’s well-being.
In addition to the presentation of awards, the evening marks the transition in leadership for the NKY Chamber’s Board of Directors from Jason Payne, president, CEO and chairman of First National Bank of Williamson, to Geralyn Isler, vice president/employee benefits producer for Business Benefits, a Houchens Insurance Group Company.
“Under Jason’s guidance as board chair, the NKY Chamber has had a milestone two years, marked by our historic move to the OneNKY Center and the expansion of our Business Councils into Erlanger, joining Florence, Fort Thomas, and Newport,” said Isler. “As board chair, I look forward to building upon the incredible foundation laid by the leadership before me and continuing to move the region forward by working with the NKY Chamber staff and board of directors to elevate member benefits, advance critical talent and workforce initiatives and serve as a voice for our business community.”
The NKY Chamber Annual Dinner will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, located at One West RiverCenter Blvd. in Covington. The will begin with a networking cocktail reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner and the awards program. Celebrations continue with an after-party also held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
Individual registration is $175 for NKY Chamber members and $200 for non-members. The NKYP rate is $150. A table sponsorship is $1,850. Registration is available for the cocktail reception only for $100. Registration is available online at NKYChamber.com.
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce