FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
Last week, we convened business and community leaders for an important conversation: what it truly means to welcome the world to Kansas City.
The Language Access and Cultural Preparedness program, delivered in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City, was more than a workshop; it reflected who we are as a region. With FIFA World Cup 26™ approaching, the opportunity is significant and so is the responsibility. Welcoming international visitors at scale requires more than logistics. It calls for cultural awareness, thoughtful communication, and a shared commitment to hospitality that is both authentic and inclusive.
What stood out most was the alignment across sectors. From small businesses to major institutions, there is a clear understanding that creating a welcoming environment is not just good practice; it’s good business. When people feel seen and valued, it shapes their experience and their perception of our region, long after they return home.
This work is already underway and gaining momentum. Soon, we will expand these efforts through Welcoming the World Digital Training, designed to meet businesses where they are. This resource will include short videos introducing the WELCOME framework—focused on cultural humility, communication, and inclusive hospitality—along with a practical guide to help organizations build their own “Welcoming the World” plan.
Kansas City didn’t land the World Cup by accident. We’ve built toward this moment. Now, we can define what comes next, and it will take all of us. Watch for the launch of these trainings, take part, and consider how your organization can help deliver a world-class, distinctly Kansas City welcome.
UPCOMING CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS
If you or someone in your network is ready to deepen your impact in Kansas City, now is the time to explore Centurions. This leadership development program is a two-year experience designed to prepare a diverse cross-section of emerging leaders to help shape the future of our region. Through civic engagement, community immersion, and meaningful connection, participants gain a deeper understanding of the issues and opportunities facing Greater Kansas City.
Two upcoming opportunities make it easy to learn more:
Join us for a Centurions Information Session Social on Thursday, April 30, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy (1622 E. 17th Terr., KCMO). This informal setting offers a chance to connect with current Centurions, hear firsthand experiences, and explore whether the program is the right fit for you or someone you know. Register!
Prefer a more traditional overview? A Centurions Information Session on Thursday, May 7, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Build Wyco (2 South 14th St., KCK), provides a deeper dive into program expectations, structure, and the application process, ideal for those ready to take the next step. Register!
For 50 years, Centurions has helped shape nearly 2,000 leaders across our region, building a network that continues to drive impact in business, civic, and nonprofit spaces. If leadership, service, and connection are part of your path, these sessions are the place to start.
WORLD TRADE MONTH IN KANSAS CITY
May is World Trade Month, a time to recognize the global connections that drive Kansas City’s regional economy and create new opportunities for businesses across our region. Through World Trade Center–Kansas City, we help businesses navigate an increasingly complex global landscape with timely programs that inform, connect, and inspire action.
The month kicks off with World Trade Day 2026: The North American Hat Trick on Wednesday, May 13, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at CPKC Stadium (1460 E Front St, KCMO). This signature event brings together expert voices from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to explore the future of North American trade as the USMCA approaches its first major review, while also highlighting the unique economic alignment created by co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Register!
On Thursday, May 14, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., in the Chairman’s Conference Room of the KC Chamber offices (30 W. Pershing Rd., 3rd floor, KCMO), businesses can take a deeper dive into global expansion opportunities with the Malaysia Market Briefing: Investment Opportunities and Industry Insights. This focused session will explore high-growth sectors and provide practical insights into entering the Asia-Pacific market through Malaysia’s dynamic, investor-friendly environment. Register!
Then, on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO), join the conversation on global dynamics at Trade, Technology and Power: Geopolitics in a Fragmenting Global Economy, a program examining how shifting geopolitical forces, technology, and trade policy are reshaping the global business environment. Register!
2026 LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP LUNCHEONS
As the 2026 legislative sessions come to an end, you’re invited to hear directly from state leaders and policy experts on what passed, what didn’t, and what it means for your business and our region.
First, join us for the 2026 Kansas State Affairs Wrap-Up Luncheon on Friday, May 8, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Margaritaville Hotel (1491 N 98th Terr., KCK). This program will feature key voices from Topeka offering a comprehensive look at the Kansas session, including major policy decisions, economic implications, and what lies ahead. Register today!
Then, continue the conversation at the 2026 Missouri State Affairs Wrap-Up Luncheon on Thursday, May 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Grand Street Café (4740 Grand Ave., KCMO). This event will provide insights from Jefferson City leaders on legislative outcomes impacting Missouri businesses, workforce, and economic competitiveness. Register now!
SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION VIRTUAL TOP 10 CEO PANEL & AWARDS LUNCHEON
The KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration continues with two can’t-miss opportunities to learn from and celebrate the leaders shaping our region’s economy.
Start with the Virtual Top 10 CEO Panel on Tuesday, May 5, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. This engaging online event brings together the CEOs of the KC Chamber’s 2026 Top 10 Small Businesses to share the journeys behind their success. During this moderated discussion, each leader will offer insight into the challenges they’ve faced, the strategies that have fueled their growth, and the lessons learned along the way. As finalists for the prestigious “Mr. K” Small Business of the Year Award, these companies represent the very best of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit. Register now!
Then, join us in person for the Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Loews Kansas City Hotel (1515 Wyandotte St., KCMO). Presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, this high-energy finale brings the business community together to recognize the Top 10 Small Businesses and announce the 2026 “Mr. K” Small Business of the Year. Additional honors, including the Emerging Business Award, the Small Business Spirit of Inclusion Award, and more, highlight the depth and diversity of entrepreneurial excellence across our region. Register today!