Excelsior Springs’ growing business community gathered this week for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday luncheon, a celebration of progress that highlighted three local honorees and a year marked by new partnerships and steady growth. Chamber Director Brian Rice said the chamber welcomed 30 new members in the past 12 months, a sign that businesses “want to be part of our future.”The luncheon brought together nearly 180 members, partners and volunteers for a program combining recognition, reflection and a forward- looking vision for the year ahead. The gathering also showcased the ways programs, collaborations and workforce initiatives expanded across the community throughout 2025, underscoring the role local leaders play in helping Excelsior Springs continue to grow.The program began with the presentation of three annual awards honoring the Business of the Year, Member of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. This year’s recipients repres...