Your Chamber at Work - October 22, 2018

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

I want to let you know about a change in KC Chamber leadership.
 
Mike Hagedorn, the Chamber’s Incoming Chair, resigned earlier this month as CEO of UMB Bank as well as from his position on the Chamber Board. Our officers met, and Chamber Vice Chair Gordon Lansford III of JE Dunn has agreed to step into Mike’s position. Gordon will become Chair of the Chamber November first, one year earlier than expected.
 
In a news release, Gordon said, “I’m truly honored and excited to serve as Chair at a time when there’s so much positive momentum in the Kansas City area. It’s sooner than I had planned, but I am looking forward to rising to the challenges of this role. We will continue to execute our strategic plan, and we have an outstanding staff led by Joe Reardon.”

We appreciate Gordon’s willingness to step into the role of Chamber Chair a year earlier than he – and we – expected. His agreement to do so is both gracious and evidence of his commitment to our organization. We also want to wish Mike Hagedorn all the best. Mike has been a Chamber Officer for three years and recently led our very successful Leadership Exchange to Denver. We thank him for his service.

 

SHARING EXPERIENCES FOR CAREER SUCCESS

genKC offers young professionals (20- and 30-somethings) the opportunity to network with one another and hear how Kansas City business leaders have developed their careers for success. One October 30, a panel of executives will share how they have developed their confidence and communication skills, how they have approached problem-solving and creative thinking, and how it applies to the current and future job market for young professionals.

Grow to CEO will take place at CBIZ from 7:30 to 9 a.m., 700 W. 47th St, Suite 1100 in KCMO on October 30. The panel will be moderated by Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers. The panelists include Wayne Feuerborn, VP and Office Leader at HNTB; Polly Thomas, President of Employee Services Organization at CBIZ; and Angela Hurt, CEO and Founder of Veracity Consulting. Audience members will have a chance to Q&A with our experts. This event is free with RSVP. The genKC title sponsor is JE Dunn, and professional development sponsors are Bank Midwest and FleishmanHillard. If you have questions about this event, please contact Madison Rich at rich@kcchamber.com.

 

EXPAND YOUR FOOTPRINT – TO CANADA

Businesses that want to grow into Canada need support, and World Trade Center Kansas City can bring it to you. On November 27, WTC-KC is hosting Laura Dalby, manager of the Investment and Innovation team at the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago. She assists companies planning to invest and grow into Canada and helps existing investors maximize their opportunities. Tina Kotrych will be joining Laura, and she’s worked on Foreign Direct Investment at the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago since 2010. Tina helps start-ups and other growing businesses in a wide variety of industries navigate setting up operations in Canada. Topics will include market intelligence and key contacts (including suppliers and partners); site visits; tax benefits and regulations; as well as financial and non-financial government programs. The event is $20 per person and includes breakfast. It will be held from 8 am to 10 am in the World Trade Center Conference Room, Union Station, Suite 201, 30 W Pershing Road. Please register online. Programming like this is made possible due to the support of WTC investors. Black & Veatch is our Benefactor-level investor. Bayer CropScience, Commerce Bank, and Dentons provide ambassador level support. Thank you to all our WTC-KC investors.

 

WHO ROCKED THE VOTE?

Jeff Roe of Axiom Strategies will inform Chamber members on the effects of the 2018 mid-term elections at the Polsinelli Public Policy Up Close Speaker Series breakfast on November 13. You’ll want to hear who stayed home, who flipped, and how the hot button issues of today are going to be affected by election outcomes.  This event will be from 7:30 to 9 am at the InterContinental Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway. Cost is $50 per person (or no charge for members of the KC Chamber’s Public Policy Council). Please register online. Thank you to Polsinelli for their support of this series!

 

#EVERYWHEREKC

The KC Chamber’s Annual Dinner is the largest business networking event in the region, and it’s a great way to kick off your holiday season with a couple thousand of your coworkers and friends in the business community. Join us in the Kay Barnes Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center on November 20. Networking starts at 5 pm with dinner at 6:30 pm. Highlights of the event include our celebration of outgoing chair Matthew Condon, of ARC Physical Therapy+ and Bardavon Health Innovations, and incoming chair Gordon Lansford III of JE Dunn Construction. Plus you won’t want to miss the announcement of the Kansas Citian of the Year. If you follow sports, politics, trends, and culture, you’ll want to hear from our keynote, Nate Silver. Tickets are $150 each with tables of 10 starting at $1500. This event is for Chamber members and their guests only. Registration is available online. Presenting sponsor for the 2018 Annual Dinner is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Premier sponsors include Burns & McDonnell, Hallmark and UMB; Executive sponsors are Black & Veatch, EPIC Innovative Events, JE Dunn Construction, and KCP&L.