The GKCAA recognized five outstanding individuals and organizations on Tuesday, November 3 at the 2026 Heart of Kansas City Awards, celebrating excellence, creativity and contributions to the region's tourism and hospitality industry.

Special thanks to our 2025 Attraction of the Year, Crown Center for hosting such a fun and inspiring event
at Benton's atop The Westin Crown Center Hotel!

We are pleased to recognize this year’s outstanding award recipients:

Ambassador of the Year: Ted Tschirhart - Union Station Model Rail Gallery

 Special Achievement Award: Visit Independence - Postcards from Independence Activation

Individual Achievement Award: Bob Kendrick - President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Attraction of the Year: National WWI Museum and Memorial

 Legacy Award: Matt Stewart - WDAF FOX4

Left to right: Karis Erwin, VP Marketing and Guest Services, National WWI Museum and Memorial; Ted Tschirhart, Volunteer Extraordinaire, Union Station Model Rail Gallery; Allison Calvin, Executive Director, Visit Independence; Bob Kendrick, President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Cori Day, President, GKCAA; Matt Stewart, TV Anchor and Reporter, WDAF Fox4.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial earned its second Attraction of the Year honor following a landmark year that brought Kansas City into the international spotlight. In 2025, the attraction hosted two sold-out Chappell Roan concerts, welcoming approximately 30,000 fans each night, before serving as the home of the FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Museum and Memorial continued to connect visitors with history through innovative exhibits, educational experiences and its Remember Forward centennial campaign. Its century-long legacy of remembrance and service continues to make it one of Kansas City's most treasured destinations.

For 14 years, Ambassador of the Year Ted Tschirhart has helped create memorable experiences for visitors to Union Station's Model Rail Gallery. With more than 35,170 volunteer hours, he welcomes and inspires more than 180,000 guests annually through his knowledge, humor, and passion for Kansas City. Recognizable by his signature rainbow suspenders, Ted exemplifies the spirit of hospitality and volunteerism.

Visit Independence brought a creative, personal touch to Kansas City's historic summer of FIFA World Cup and America 250 celebrations. In partnership with 11 local tourism organizations, their Special Achievement award-winning Postcards from Independence campaign encouraged visitors to share handwritten messages with friends and family back home. In just two months, more than 1,153 postcards reached all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 19 countries across six continents. With minimal campaign costs, the activation demonstrated the power of creativity and community partnerships.

For nearly three decades, Individual Achievement award recipient Bob Kendrick has championed the preservation and celebration of Negro Leagues Baseball and its place in American history. Since becoming president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 2011, he has helped transform the institution into an internationally recognized attraction while strengthening its financial position and national profile. Known as the museum's Chief Storytelling Officer, Bob brings history to life and has made a lasting impact on Kansas City's cultural and tourism landscape.

The Legacy Award is presented at the discretion of the GKCAA Board of Directors in recognition of extraordinary dedication and lasting contributions to Kansas City's tourism and attractions industry.
Since the Heart of Kansas City Awards began in 2017, this distinction has been reserved for just a handful of individuals. 

For nearly a decade, Legacy Award recipient Matt Stewart has generously volunteered his time as emcee of the awards ceremony for all but two years. As a FOX4 reporter and longtime supporter of the region's attractions, he has helped shine a spotlight on the people, places and experiences that make Kansas City special. His enthusiasm, friendship and commitment to sharing Kansas City's stories have made him a valued part of the region's tourism community.