KC Chamber of Commerce announces the top 10 small businesses of 2016

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce announced its 2016 top 10 small businesses — a diverse group that includes a mentoring company for women from marginalized communities, an interior tenant finishes company and an independent bank.

More than 1,300 companies were nominated for the awards, and 78 of the nominees went through the application process. Then a group of judges narrowed the list to the 10 that best demonstrated strong growth and sustainability in business, a passion for community service and outstanding employee relations — the three principles of doing business championed by famed Kansas City entrepreneur Ewing Kauffman.

The 2016 top 10 small businesses:

▪ Adams-Gabbert & Associates LLC, Overland Park: Professional services firm specializing in improving business and information technology strategy and operations.

▪ Alpha Energy & Electric Inc., Kansas City: An engineering procurement and construction company.

▪ Centric Projects, Kansas City: Located in the Crossroads, Centric Projects provides commercial construction services.

▪ DataLocker, Overland Park: Delivers encryption solutions that protect sensitive data, offering hardware and cloud-based solutions.

▪ International Builders & Consultants Inc., Kansas City: A certified WBE commercial construction company specializing in interior tenant finishes.

▪ K12itc, Kansas City: Delivers customized technology solutions and services for K-12 school districts.

▪ Lead Bank, Kansas City: An independent commercial bank in business since 1928.

▪ Posty Cards, Kansas City: A designer, manufacturer and distributor of personalized corporate greeting cards and calendars. Founded in 1948.

▪ Veracity Consulting, Lenexa: A certified 8(a), minority/woman-owned technology consulting firm.

▪ Weave Gotcha Covered, Kansas City: Provides jobs and mentoring to women from marginalized communities. The company manufactures custom window treatments, bedding and upholstery.

The top 10 CEOs will share their stories and best practices at the Top 10 CEO Panel Breakfast on May 4 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, 2345 McGee St.

The cost is $35 for chamber members and $45 for nonmembers.

The 30th annual Small Business Celebration will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 25 at the Kansas City Convention Center, 301 W. 13th St.

One of the top 10 small businesses will be honored with the Mr. K Award, named after Kauffman, as the 2016 Small Business of the Year. The top 10 also will be featured in videos.

The chamber also will have four other awards: the Diverse Small Business of the Year, the Entrepreneur Award, the Legacy Award and — new this year — the International Business of the Year Award.

AOL co-founder and philanthropist Steve Case will be the keynote speaker.

The cost is $45 for chamber members and $55 for nonmembers.

For more information, call Kate Kershaw at 816-374-5492 or see the calendar at kcchamber.com.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 6:38 PM with the headline "KC Chamber of Commerce announces the top 10 small businesses of 2016."