COVINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2026) – 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, Sept. 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 whose impact is helping define the future of the NKY Metro region.
The Walter R. Dunlevy/Frontiersman Award, Sponsored by NKU and NKU Foundation
2026 recipient: 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, Sponsored by Heritage Bank
2026 recipient: 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, Sponsored by PNC Bank
2026 recipient: 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, Sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare
2026 recipient: 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
2026 recipient: 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, Presented by BE NKY Growth Partnership
2026 recipient: Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt, retired, vice president, community relations & local government affairs, Duke Energy Ohio & 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
2026 recipients: 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, presented by Fifth Third Bank, will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center (One West RiverCenter Blvd., Covington, KY 41011). The event begins 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/Events.
Sponsors:
● Title Sponsor: Fifth Third Bank
● Dunlevy Award Sponsor: NKU and NKU Foundation
● Pieschel Award Sponsor: Heritage Bank
● Unity Award Sponsor: PNC Bank
● ImageMaker Award Sponsor: St. Elizabeth Healthcare
● Devou Cup Award Sponsor: Greater Cincinnati Foundation
● Robinson Award Sponsor: BE NKY Growth Partnership
● Horizon Award Sponsor: Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky
● Centerpiece Sponsor: Civista Bank
● Presenting Sponsors: Amazon, Business Benefits Insurance Solutions/Houchens Insurance Group, Prysmian, Scooter Media
● Parking Sponsor: Central Bank
● Wine Sponsor: Payroll Partners
● Reception Sponsors: The Christ Hospital, RetireMed
● Photo Booth Sponsor: C-Forward
● Media Partner: Cincinnati Business Courier
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About the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce: The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc., (NKY Chamber) founded in 1969, is the leading business organization in Northern Kentucky with more than 1,750 member companies representing approximately 175,000 employees. The NKY Chamber strives to promote and support the development of strong businesses and a vibrant economy in the Northern Kentucky region, through leadership and advocacy, resulting in a better quality of life for all. Jason Payne, President, CEO and Chairman of First National Bank of Williamson, is the Chair of the Board, and Brent Cooper is the President and CEO of the NKY Chamber. Additional information is available at www.nkychamber.com.
