Project Overview
In April, we co-hosted something pretty special: Horizons Symposium 2025, a three-day exploration into the future of food and beverage. Brought to life by MKA Collective, the strategic partnership between Novella Brandhouse, McDonnell Kinder Associates, and Hermanos Design, this event combined bold brand strategy with creative menu innovation.
We welcomed chefs, thought leaders, journalists, industry executives, and food and beverage innovators from across the country to ask one big question: What’s on the Horizon? The result was a collaborative, hands-on experience filled with conversation, inspiration, and plenty of delicious moments. This was the first time a Horizons Symposium was held in Kansas City, as it had historically taken place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experience
Our sponsor partners—Emmi Roth, Dreyer’s Haagen-Dazs, and Steelite International—helped us deliver standout product demos and tastings. From artisan cheeses and indulgent desserts to expert dishware, their contributions created an immersive sensory journey that sparked ideas and delighted our guests.
MKA chefs worked closely with our sponsors to craft dishes that excited and inspired. Night two’s dinner at Chicken N Pickle delivered great food and a lively atmosphere, while the Steelite Gala Dinner on night three brought everything together with a stunning seven-course meal prepared by award-winning chefs.
Branding
On the branding side, Novella Brandhouse created the full visual suite for the event, including the website, signage, printed material design, and photography. Big thanks to our print partner, MEDiAHEAD, whose speed and support helped everything come together seamlessly.
To create a visual brand suite that captured both the rich history and innovative spirit of the event, our designers explored ways to blend the historic charm of Santa Fe with the modern energy of the new host city, Kansas City, Missouri. As we looked ahead to the future of culinary innovation, it was equally important to honor the historical figures who helped shape today’s culinary landscape. This storytelling thread was woven throughout the entire event—from the website design to the themed lunches, complete with themed signage and curated entrees.
Horizons was proof that with the right strategy and collaboration, incredible things can happen. This event brought together leaders from a wide range of industry sectors—including lamb, beef, watermelon, craft cheeses, beverage alchemy, dishware, culinary machinery, thought leadership, and more—each contributing unique perspectives and insights that sparked meaningful conversations and future-focused innovation.
Planning an event of this scale isn’t just about logistics—it’s about vision, consistency, and creating an experience that resonates long after the last bite.
What our guests said about the event:
“I had the pleasure of spending the week in Kansas City at MKA Collective‘s Horizons 2025 event. I love more intimate events for the connections that can be made and the collective conversations that organically crop up. I was able to reconnect with friends and colleagues I haven’t seen in a long time.”
“And, of course, met a host of new professionals I’m proud to count as part of my network. The content was great. Fantastic food was had. And I was both shocked and humbled to be presented an award by Patrick McDonnell, Elizabeth Cooper McFadden, and the Steelite International Americas team. It meant so much to receive it from people I admire and so enjoy working with. Thank you for a wonderful week.”
– Maeve Webster, President at Menu Matters
Planning something big? We’d love to help. MKA Collective is a team of chefs, writers, designers, and strategists ready to bring your vision to life, start to finish.
Let’s talk.
