Your Chamber at Work - January 23, 2019

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

It was a friendly wager, and one I was certain I’d win.

Instead, I have to wear a Bill Belichick sweatshirt to our next Chamber Board meeting, and Boston Chamber President Jim Rooney will soon be dining on some Kansas City steaks.

Had the Chiefs won on Sunday, Rooney would be wearing a Patrick Mahomes headband (complete with hair) and I’d be enjoying New England lobster.

Our next Board meeting is going to be rather painful, but not as painful as Sunday’s final score.

Just wait till next year. There’s no doubt that our Chiefs are the team of the future.

NETWORKING, KANSAS CITY CLUB STYLE

Our Neighborhood Networking venue on January 25, the historic 1923 neo-classical Kansas City Club, has been meticulously restored with modern conveniences in an intimate setting. The architecture is stunning and creates a beautiful, picturesque setting. The building is the definition of class. Their University Pub, a standalone bar, has original wood paneling, a wood bar and high ceilings where you will feel like you're back in the 1920's. Join us for morning networking and learn about the building’s rich history at 918 Baltimore Ave., in Kansas City, MO, from 8:30 am to 10 am. This networking event is free for KC Chamber members and $15 per person for your non-member friends. Thank you to our overall networking sponsors, Mazuma, SS&C/DST, and Sprint. Neighborhood Networking sponsors for 2019 are Andrews McMeel Universal and Spectrum Reach. Please register online here so we know you are coming and can have breakfast ready! Contact Brandon Krekel with questions, krekel@kcchamber.com.

SMALL BUSINESSES, START YOUR APPLICATION!

Attention 2019 Small Business Celebration Nominees! Have you looked through the application? Do you have questions? Bring your questions and join us on Thursday, January 24. We'll take an inside look at the application with our panel of past winners, past Top 10 and past judges. Get the scoop on the best practices for filling out your 2019 application. We’ll meet from 8 am to 9 am on January 24, in the Board Room at Union Station, 30 W Pershing Road, next door to Pierponts. Parking is complimentary in the Union Station South lot until 9 am.  We are thankful for all our 2019 Small Business Celebration Sponsors! Our Small Business Programming Presenting Sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, and KCP&L. Small Business Education Presenting Sponsor is Enterprise Bank & Trust. Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments. Top 10 Think Tank Presenting Sponsor is Bank Midwest. Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor is Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Executive Sponsor is SS&C/DST. Partner Level Sponsor is Google. Associate Level Sponsors are US Bank, UMB, Country Club Bank, CBIZ/MHM, Mazuma Credit Union, and Bank of Blue Valley.

2019 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SUMMIT

Join Project Equality and the KC Chamber for the 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Summit as we bring together leaders in the civic, educational, financial, governmental, health, corporate and legal communities to discuss where we are in 2019 on the road to full inclusion, but even more importantly, what strategies will make equality and access a reality for all. The Summit has a focus on forward-thinking initiatives which encourage awareness and open dialogue for all attendees. The Summit will take place from 8 am to 3 pm on Thursday, February 28, at the Pierson Auditorium in the Atterbury Student Success Center on the campus of UMKC, 5000 Holmes, Kansas City, MO.

Keynote speaker Dr. Joy DeGruy is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher, educator, author and presenter. Her seminars have been lauded as the most dynamic and inspirational currently being presented on the topics of culture, race relations and contemporary social issues. She is a tell-it-like-it-is ambassador for healing and a voice for those who have struggled in search of the past and continue to struggle through the present. Dr. DeGruy is the author of the groundbreaking book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome - America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing, which addresses the residual impacts of trauma on African descendants in the Americas. The cost to attend the Summit is $50 per person or $25 per high school or college student with valid ID. Registration includes admission, continental breakfast, lunch, and parking on the UMKC Campus. View the agenda and register online here.

The KC Chamber has many member companies that value diversity and inclusion as a strategic imperative. Several of them have shown their support for this work by sponsoring our D&I initiatives. Hallmark, KCP&L, and Sprint are the Chamber’s 2019 Diversity Presenting Sponsors. Cornerstone sponsors for diversity are American Century Investments, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Commerce Bank, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Saint Luke’s Health System, Smithfield Foods, and UMB.

KCMO MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM

Where do Kansas City Missouri’s candidates for mayor stand on issues important to business? Join the KC Chamber and Polsinelli March 18 for a fun and informal opportunity to learn the top issues for each of the 12 mayoral candidates. Attendees at the next KC Chamber Polsinelli Public Policy Up Close Speaker Series event will hear brief remarks from each mayoral candidate and have an opportunity to mingle with the candidates in true Chamber of Commerce fashion before and after the presentations. Register today – space is limited. This event will be held in the KC Chamber’s Board Room at Union Station, 30 W Pershing Road, next door to Pierpont’s, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Cost to attend is $20 per person for KC Chamber members, with Public Policy Council members receiving up to two admissions for free with discount code. Online registration is available now.