STLPR's Annual Celebration
We are excited to announce that the STLPR Hear the Future event this year will be hosted at Energizer Park! Join us on Friday, May 1, 2026 for this celebration in support of St. Louis Public Radio's service to the community. Enjoy a gourmet meal and mix and mingle with other listeners who care about creating a more informed and engaged public. More details coming soon!
6:30–7:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7:30 p.m. Dinner and program
Energizer Park
2019 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Premier Sponsors
Event Sponsors
Bar Sponsor
Golden Ticket Sponsor
Special Guest Sponsor
2026 Photos
Your support fuels our mission!
As a proud nonprofit, STLPR is dedicated to delivering public service journalism that informs, educates, and enriches the lives of the St. Louis community. Proceeds from this spectacular event will directly fuel our mission, supporting local journalism and community outreach programs that keep our region connected.
With over 150,000 weekly listeners, we know that our community’s support is the heartbeat of everything we do. In fact, 88% of our total revenue comes from the generosity of individuals like you—through one-time donations, sustaining memberships, vehicle donations, and exciting events like our Annual Celebration.
Golden Ticket Raffle
Sunshine or slopes! Win the trip of a lifetime in our annual Golden Ticket Raffle! The winners of the Golden Ticket Raffle gets to choose their own adventure from a variety of amazing experiences! We will announce the winners at Hear the Future on May 1, 2026.
You do not need to be present at the event to win.
Get your ticket!Embark on a thrilling adventure with your choice of 4 getaway options!
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
Uncover the stunning diversity of Gran Canaria, where golden beaches meet dramatic volcanic landscapes. Hike through lush pine forests, explore charming villages, and bask in the year-round sunshine. From vibrant city life to tranquil natural parks, this island offers an adventure for every traveler. Experience the unique blend of cultures that makes Gran Canaria an unforgettable destination.
Pisterinniemi, Finland
Escape to Pisterinniemi, Finland, where the untouched wilderness invites you to reconnect with nature. Explore serene lakes by kayak, hike through ancient forests, and witness the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights. Discover a tranquil paradise perfect for your next unforgettable adventure, where every moment is a chance to breathe in the crisp, clean air and let your worries drift away.
Costa del Sol, Spain
The Costa del Sol is a vibrant Spanish paradise where sun-drenched shores and azure Mediterranean waters meet a coastline dotted with charming whitewashed villages. Beyond the golden beaches, you can immerse yourself in rich Andalusian culture, savoring delicious tapas and experiencing the lively, rhythmic soul of southern Spain.
Sälen, Sweden
Sälen is a quintessential winter wonderland where vast, snow-covered mountains provide endless slopes for every kind of skier, from gentle family hills to challenging descents. Beyond the thrill of the slopes, this charming resort area offers a perfect blend of exhilarating adventure and cozy Swedish hospitality, creating an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature.
The Golden Ticket is sponsored by PARIC.
Virtual Auction
Can't attend Hear the Future? Our virtual auction is the perfect opportunity to support the event from afar (and reward yourself in the process).
Have an item or experience you'd like to donate to the auction? Learn More
Bidding opens 12 p.m. April 24!
Enjoy beautiful Missouri on the Katy Trail!
Ride America’s longest rail to trail bike path covering 237 miles on a crushed limestone trail. You begin your 6-day 5-night tour at Bike Stop Cafe in St. Charles, Missouri. After enjoying a filling breakfast, hop on the shuttle to be driven to Clinton. Then spend the next days riding back to St. Charles enjoying rural Missouri, wildlife, winery towns and riding along the Missouri River. Trail: Rail Trail crushed limestone Mileage: ~237 miles – 39-mile daily average What is Included: Nightly Accommodations, Shuttle, Daily Luggage Transfers, Dining recommendations, Detailed itinerary, Katy Trail Jersey and Patch.
A Progressive Dinner for 2 | Good Company, Aperi, & Baia
Experience Good Hospitality with this 6 course progressive dinner for two! Enjoy two courses each at Good Company, Aperi, and one of the most anticipated new restaurants of 2026, Baia.
Handcrafted Quilt Burst SC245 Guitar
This guitar has been designed to capture the tone and feel of the classic single cutaway, dual humbucker guitar of the 1950s and 1960s, the iconic Gibson Les Paul, while refining the classic single cutaway concept for maximum playability and inspiration for the player.
Dan O'Grady has been designing and building a wide variety of woodworking projects since the late 1960s. After retiring from teaching, he has combined these passions into building custom electric guitars and basses. Each instrument is a labor of love, completed one at a time and requires hours of meticulous hand crafting to complete.
Handcrafted PJ Bass
This bass guitar has been designed to capture the tone and feel of the iconic Fender bass heard on thousands of recordings and live performances from the 1950s to today.
Dan O'Grady has been designing and building a wide variety of woodworking projects since the late 1960s. After retiring from teaching, he has combined these passions into building custom electric guitars and basses. Each instrument is a labor of love, completed one at a time and requires hours of meticulous hand crafting to complete.
Sponsorship Information
Don't miss out on the opportunity to support independent, local journalism that makes a difference!
Send your sponsorship pledge form to Special Events Director Leslie Davis at [email protected].
$5,000 Event Sponsor
Deliverables:
Sponsor logo displayed in Visual Assets:
- On-screen Signage at event (Shared Sponsor Slide)
- Printed Dinner Program (400)
- Annual Celebration Dedicated Page on the STLPR Website with link to Sponsor Website
Tickets
- Table for up to 10 guests with sponsor sign on table and preferred table placement at the dinner
Special Event Elements Available Include (One available at each level*)
- Event Video (*Multiple Sponsors)
- Valet
- Live Entertainment
- Cocktail Reception
- After Party
- Special Guest
- Centerpiece
- Exclusive Private Auction
- Live Auction
- Golden Ticket
- Fund-the-Future
Recognition from the celebration stage
$10,000 Premier Sponsor
Deliverables:
Corporate sponsorship announcements
- (30) :15 announcements to air M-Su 6a-12a., airs by 12/31/25 (Value $3,000)
Promotional Announcements
- A minimum of 30 weekly shared sponsor-tagged promotional announcements, airing for 8 weeks
Sponsor logo displayed in Visual Assets:
- E-mails (sent to 60,000+ STLPR supporter email addresses; 10-15 sends)
- Social Media Posts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
- On-screen Signage at event (Shared Sponsor Slide)
- Printed Dinner Program (400)
- Annual Celebration Dedicated Page on the STLPR Website with link to Sponsor Website
Tickets
- Table for up to 10 guests with sponsor sign on table and preferred table placement at the dinner
Recognition from the celebration stage
$15,000 Pinnacle Sponsor
Deliverables:
Corporate sponsorship announcements
- (50) :15 announcements to air M-Su 6a-12a., airs by 12/31/25 (Value $5,000)
Promotional Announcements
- A minimum of 60 weekly shared sponsor-tagged promotional announcements, airing for 12 weeks
Sponsor logo displayed in Visual Assets:
- Printed Save-the-Date cards (mailed to 1,200 STLPR supporters)
- Printed Dinner Invitations (mailed to 1,200 STLPR supporters)
- E-mails (sent to 60,000+ STLPR supporter email addresses; 10-15 sends)
- Social Media Posts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
- On-screen Signage at event (shared sponsor slide)
- Printed Dinner Program (400)
- Annual Celebration Dedicated Page on the STLPR Website with link to Sponsor Website
- Post-Event “Thank You” e-mail to attendees
Tickets
- Table for up to 10 guests with sponsor sign on table and preferred table placement at the dinner
Recognition from the celebration stage
$25,000 Presenting Sponsor
Deliverables:
Corporate sponsorship announcements
- (75) :15 announcements to air M-Su 6a-12a., airs by 12/31/25
Promotional Announcements
- A minimum of 75 weekly exclusive sponsor-tagged promotional announcements, airing for 12 weeks
Sponsor logo displayed in Visual Assets:
- Printed Save-the-Date cards (mailed to 1,200 STLPR supporters)
- Printed Dinner Invitations (mailed to 1,200 STLPR supporters)
- E-mails (sent to 60,000+ STLPR supporter email addresses; 10-15 sends)
- Social Media Posts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
- On-screen Signage at event – Exclusive Presenting Sponsor slide
- Printed Dinner Program (400)
- Annual Celebration Dedicated Page as Presenting Sponsor with link to Sponsor Website
- Post-Event “Thank You” e-mail to attendees
Tickets
- Table for up to 10 guests with sponsor sign on table and preferred table placement at the dinner
Recognition from the celebration stage
Event Chair
Katherine Sundararaman is a Fortune 300 executive and innovation leader known for building high-impact teams, reimagining customer experiences, and translating insight into action. With a career spanning health, finance, and consumer package goods, she blends strategic vision with creative execution to drive meaningful change.
Most recently, Katherine was the Head of Experience and Head of Ventures at Edward Jones, and led Consumerology at Express Scripts. She has also held leadership roles at Anheuser-Busch, CSC Consulting, and Accenture. She currently serves on several boards, including St. Louis Public Radio, Marketing AI Council, the University of Missouri’s Data Science & Informatics board, and the St. Louis Symphony.
