Newbrewjay - you can purchase tickets to the banquet:
http://www.kcbiermeisters.org/kcbm-competition.html
I purchased one, and it sounds great:
Saturday's banquet speaker is Stan Hieronymous, who has written several books and maintains a beer-related blog.
The awards banquet will feature courses from Kansas City's newest charcuterie shop, The Local Pig.
6pm: Hors d'oeuvres: free-range deviled eggs, grass-fed beef meatballs, and semolina pigs in a blanket with maple-onion relish.
7pm: Banquet begins and will be served family-style: Pate, pork belly stuffed with rosemary & roasted garlic sausage, root vegetables glazed in malt syrup, Vegemite sauce, and barley risotto with basil & hops.
Dinner will be followed by a cheese and jam course featuring locally sourced cheeses, candied nuts, fruit & herb jams