Kansas City company becomes the gameday go-to collaborator for celebrity-jammed events

November 8, 2024  |  Nikki Overfelt Chifalu

Teaming up with the Eighty-Seven and Running Foundation for events — like the recent Kelce Car Jam in the Crossroads — is an incredible opportunity for Kansas City’s Platinum XP to showcase its capabilities and build a reputation as a top creative collaborator, said Lauren Rios.

The Kelce Car Jam in the Crossroads Arts District; photo by Adri Guyer, courtesy of Platinum XP

“Platinum XP has the opportunity to work with many impressive organizations and brands nationwide, but when a celebrity like Travis Kelce is involved the visibility is heightened,” continued Rios, vice president of sales and marketing for the River Market-based planning and production company.

For more than five years, Platinum XP — which launched as a one-man DJ company in 2007 — has partnered with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s foundation for its fundraisers, according to the company, carefully crafting the events to align with Kelce’s passions, interests, and personality.

“My favorite part of getting to work with (the Eighty-Seven and Running Foundation) is being involved in their unique vision every year of how they want to present themselves to the community,” Kris Nardini, CEO of Platinum XP. “Getting out of the ballroom and into a more creative event space is always energizing for our team.”

From the archives: It began as a one-man DJ; now this ‘Platinum’ experience is landing KCI’s first big event at the new terminal

Travis Kelce poses with students from the Ignition Lab at Operation Breakthrough during the Kelce Car Jam in the Crossroads Arts District; photo by Adri Guyer, courtesy of Platinum XP

For the Kelce Car Jam — which incorporates Kelce’s passion for vintage cars and raises funds for the Ignition Lab at Operation Breakthrough’s efforts to provide STEM education and resources to Kansas City’s underserved youth — the Platinum XP team was responsible for all aspects of planning and production: from logistics, AV, and large-scale branding to custom fabrication and activations.

“Platinum has had their hand in many celebrity events throughout the years, but this one takes the cake in my book,” said Ellen Valdez, event manager. “Their team has a tough choice when selecting their partner, so we’re so grateful for the years of commitment from A&A Management.”

Check out a photo gallery below by Adri Guyer, courtesy of Platinum XP, then keep reading.

“In a city full of so many top-notch events, it feels special to know we are amongst those bringing them to life,” added Emily Manahan, event coordinator.

From the archives: See the vision for Travis Kelce’s ‘safe haven’ for Operation Breakthrough teens

Jason Kelce, brother of Travis Kelce, makes his way through the crowd at the Kelce Car Jam; photo by Adri Guyer, courtesy of Platinum XP

The event — a festive block party in the Crossroads with more than 800 attendees — featured 30-plus luxury and classic cars, including some from Kelce’s own collection and a 1969 Chevelle that the Ignition Lab students converted into an electric car.

KC rapper Tech N9ne also performed and several Chiefs teammates — including Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and George Karlaftis — supported Kelce’s cause.

“Kansas City always shows up, baby,” Kelce said on his New Heights podcast while discussing the Kelce Car Jam with brother Jason, who also attended the event along with wife Kylie and mom Donna. “That’s why I love it here, man. Whether it’s foundation events or celebrating somebody or just a good, old Chiefs game, they’re showing up.”

“I love being able to work with a cause that both benefits local youth and brings the Kansas City community together,” added Manahan, noting the company worked closely on the event with sponsors Hummer EV, Zen Wtr, Casa Azul, Garage Beer, Raising Cane’s, and Andy’s Frozen Custard.

[adinserter block="4"]

2024 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    KC virtual reality firm partners with KU, NFL coaches

    By Tommy Felts | May 2, 2015

    A Kansas City-based virtual reality company hopes some marquee partnerships will plug it into a market projected to reach $150 billion in five years. Founded in 2013, Eon Sports VR recently landed the University of Kansas football team as a client for its mobile virtual reality platform to help players train without the risk of…

    ECJC relocates office, updates brand

    By Tommy Felts | May 1, 2015

    The Enterprise Center in Johnson County is shaking things up. The non-profit organization that connects entrepreneurs to the resources they need to grow revealed Thursday an updated website, brand identity, and new office location. “This move is the culmination of a long, strategic transition to ensure that as Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community changes, we change…

    Former Sprint COO LeMay dishes on KC capital, failure

    By Tommy Felts | May 1, 2015

    There are few people in Kansas City more connected into the area’s investor, corporate and startup community than FarmLink CEO Ron LeMay. Also now managing director of Kansas City-based OpenAir Equity Partners, LeMay frequently sees the successes and failures of the metro area’s capital landscape. The former Sprint COO recently spoke with dozens of Kansas…

    RFP365 partners with Kansas City, raises $950K

    By Tommy Felts | May 1, 2015

    On the heels of a six-figure raise, area tech firm RFP365 recently landed the City of Kansas City as a client for its software that eases the request for proposal process. The company’s deal with Kansas City was born from the city’s “Innovation Partnership” program, which affords entrepreneurs the opportunity to “test drive” their technologies…