Your Chamber at Work - July 24, 2019

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

If you run into the KC Chamber’s David Pruente (and he does seem to be everywhere), congratulate him on being named one of the “40 Under 40” young executives honored at last week’s national chamber conference (the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, aka ACCE).

The 40 Under 40 award recognizes young professionals that have demonstrated significant success in their career as well as having made noteworthy contributions to their community. Each award recipient has made a remarkable impact on the chamber industry, fostering a positive impact in their community.

David, our Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, has also been selected to chair ACCE’s membership development division and will serve on the ACCE board and executive committee. I’ve also been elected to the ACCE board.

Kudos as well to Melanie Mattes, Senior Vice President of Marketing, for winning the Communications Excellence Grand Award for our new website, kcchamber.com, launched in November 2018. Melanie led our team in developing the new website, with the help of ClickFarm (now Useagility).

Congratulations also to KC Chamber Membership Development Manager Shannon Spiess. Shannon was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at our ACCE Convention last week in California, with membership sales of more than $300,000.

Finally, Greg Valdovino, our Director of Diversity and Inclusion, co-presented a convention session on the KC Chamber’s efforts on D&I, focusing on the two regional D&I surveys he oversaw, our Veterans initiatives and Welcoming America Plan, and creating and positioning the KC Chamber as a D&I resource for our members.

ACCE represents 1,300 chambers of commerce across the country, including 93 of the top 100 U.S. metro areas. In my humble opinion, the Greater Kansas City Chamber is one of the best. Last week’s showing at our national convention is evidence of that.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: MAIN EVENT

Join us for the next Neighborhood Networking at one of the nation’s fastest growing entertainment centers – Main Event – Friday, July 26 at 8081 NW Roanridge Rd., off I-29 and Barry Road. Networking begins at 8:30 a.m. With more than 40 centers across the country, Main Event serves 20 million people a year. The event is free for members and just $15 for non-members. It’s a great way to make new connections in a casual, intimate setting. Register here. Thanks to Neighborhood Networking sponsors Andrews McMeel Universal, and Spectrum Reach. The KC Chamber's 2019 networking sponsors are Mazuma, SS&C, and Sprint.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP SERIES: IMPLEMENTING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN YOUR WORKPLACE

The latest session in our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series focuses on Implementing Diversity & Inclusion in Your Workplace. It takes place August 9, 11:30 am – 1 pm in the KC Chamber Board Room, on the first floor of historic Union Station next to Pierpont’s restaurant, 30 W. Pershing Rd. This lunch-and-learn workshop is part of a larger series but designed to be a stand-alone session.  Research shows that companies with a more diverse workforce can better recruit qualified candidates and see stronger revenues. Participants will come away from this session with resources on how to collect key data, and how to implement strategies and best practices. The event is free, but register here. Lunch is provided. The KC Chamber’s Overall Sponsors for Diversity and Inclusion are KCP&L, Hallmark, and Sprint.

CHIEFS KICKOFF LUNCHEON

It may be July, but it’s never too early to get excited about Chiefs football. The Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon is your chance to have lunch with players, coaches, and management. This fun event will have you pumped for the regular season! Join us August 28 at the Downtown Marriott from 11 am – 1 pm for your chance to talk football and business over lunch. Tickets are for $100 for KC Chamber members and non-members. This guarantees a player at your table. Table sponsorships are also available. This event fills up fast so get your table or tickets before time runs out. Tickets can be purchased here. Kickoff sponsors are Arvest Bank, Kansas City Chiefs, and Lockton.

KC CHAMBER POLSINELLI PUBLIC POLICY UP CLOSE SPEAKER SERIES: SMALL TOWNS/BIG CITIES: WHY BIG CITIES ARE THRIVING

Our Polsinelli Public Policy Up Close Speaker Series resumes with a look at why cities are thriving, and small towns are declining. Join Senior Economist Jordan Rappaport of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City to find out what’s behind urban growth in a 21st century economy. This event is September 4, 7:30 a.m. at the InterContinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza, 401 Ward Parkway. Registration is $50 for Chamber members and $65 for non-members. Get your tickets here. Breakfast is provided. Thanks to series sponsor Polsinelli.