The 25 Under 25® Class of 2008 was honored at a private dinner hosted by Missouri Bank in their downtown lobby on Tuesday, February 12.

The dinner kicked off the festivities for the seventh annual celebration and provided an opportunity for this year's award winners to get to know one another, the judges, advisory board members and sponsors prior to the March 8 gala at the Downtown Marriott.

Keynote speaker Lirel Holt, founder of CarStar and currently co-owner of U, Inc., spoke on taking a company national and challenged the winners to think big, saying that Kansas City needs more companies that can go national.

Grant Burcham, president of Missouri Bank, and Kelly Scanlon, publisher of Kansas City Small Business Monthly, welcomed the group. Former winner Joe Roetheli, who started the company that manufactures Greenies dog treats, spoke about how honorees can use the award to promote their business and excite employees.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS (more photos will be added for next week's newsletter!)