About Us
Back In The Day.
The Kansas City Advertising Club was organized in August of 1902 by Russell Whitman, advertising manager of The Kansas City Journal newspaper. The club’s early mission was to keep the local advertising community informed of developing business trends and ideas.
The organization gained national notoriety when its leaders attracted the annual convention of the Associated Advertising Clubs of America to Kansas City in 1908. In addition to its regular activities, the group began to administer advertising classes in 1911 and formerly created the Kansas City Advertising School in 1920. The school was open to men and women who wished to study advertising and merchandising techniques.
The group’s regular meetings and luncheons were held in downtown hotel rooms and banquet halls until 1944 when the organization took up residence within the Sedate Building, formerly occupied by the Kansas City School of Law, at 913 Baltimore Avenue. At that time the formal name of the club was changed to the Advertising and Sales Executives Club in order to attract new members to the organization.
Our Modern Era.
In 1976 the club became the Advertising and Marketing Club and during the mid-1980s it became known simply as the Advertising (Ad) Club. The club sold the Sedate Building in 1979 and relocated to a new headquarters at 92nd Street and Ward Parkway. The organization returned to downtown Kansas City in 2002, taking up residence at 1625 Oak Street.
More than a century after our founding, the KC Ad Club continues to thrive and evolve, maintaining its pivotal role in the advertising, marketing, and communications industry in the greater Kansas City area. We pride ourselves on adapting to the ever-changing landscape of our industry while staying true to our core mission.
As one of the largest and oldest AAF clubs in the country, we are honored by our enduring legacy and the strength of our community. Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where creativity thrives, careers flourish, and connections are made. We’re also a member of AAF District 9, which serves the advertising communities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and AAF National. And we boast nearly 2,000 members throughout the greater metropolitan area.
We are here because of members like you who share a passion for advertising, believe in fostering community, and value meaningful connections.
American Advertising Awards
As the largest and most representative advertising competition, the American Advertising Awards attracts more than 40,000 entries in local AAF competitions, including KC Ad Club. Enter your best work and join us for an evening recognizing and rewarding creative excellence in the art of advertising
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Series
KC Ad Club is dedicated to fostering an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion within the Kansas City advertising community. Everyone is welcome at these events, where discussions are held, facilitations are conducted, all persons are treated with respect, and diverse thoughts and opinions are celebrated and encouraged.
Professional Speaker Series
Education is one of the leading pillars of the KC Ad Club. To facilitate continued learning in your career, KC Ad Club seeks out renowned speakers on topics like creative thinking, nonprofit fundraising, the power of data and the art of the pitch. Got an idea for a speaking event? Tell us and join our event committee to make it happen.