FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
The final whistle has blown on Kansas City’s final FIFA World Cup 2026™ match, but our World Cup story isn’t quite over. After Argentina and England earned thrilling victories Saturday, both teams will remain based in Greater Kansas City before meeting in Wednesday’s semifinal, a fitting reminder that our region remains part of one of the world’s greatest sporting events.
The numbers are impressive: hundreds of thousands of visitors, billions of media impressions, record-breaking transit ridership, and international travelers discovering our region for the first time. They tell an important story about our ability to host one of the world’s largest events. But they don’t tell the whole story.
What I’ll remember most isn’t measured in attendance figures or television audiences. It’s the pride we felt watching our region come together. The volunteers who greeted strangers like neighbors. The small businesses that welcomed customers from around the world. The conversations that showed how quickly connections can form across cultures and borders.
The World Cup didn’t make us who we are. It reminded us of who we’ve always been.
It revealed a region that works together across city limits and state lines, a community known for genuine hospitality, and neighborhoods that each tell a unique story. As many international guests begin their journey home—and others prepare for one more unforgettable match—let’s not lose that sense of discovery.
Be a tourist in your own city. Explore a neighborhood you’ve never visited. Spend a Saturday at a museum or historic site. Support a local restaurant, coffee shop, or retailer. Attend a community festival. Experience Greater Kansas City with fresh eyes.
The excitement of the World Cup will soon give way to its lasting legacy, but the opportunity to celebrate our region continues every day. Thank you to everyone who made this success possible. Together, we’ve shown the world what Greater Kansas City can accomplish as one region.
Now, let’s keep that momentum moving forward.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY
Step behind the curtain and make new business connections at our next Neighborhood Networking event, hosted by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City on Friday, July 24, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at its Opera Center in the Crossroads Arts District (1725 Holmes St.).
Neighborhood Networking offers a unique opportunity to experience a KC Chamber member organization firsthand while building relationships with professionals from across the region. During this event, attendees will enjoy networking, hear brief remarks from the host organization, tour the Lyric Opera’s facilities, and learn more about its impact on the Kansas City community. The organization provides transformational opera experiences while also offering educational and community engagement programs for adults and children throughout the region.
Neighborhood Networking is one of the KC Chamber’s most popular relationship-building programs, giving members the chance to explore businesses and organizations across a variety of industries while making valuable professional connections. Register today!
POWER 100 SUMMIT: BUILD BUSINESS AND GROW INVESTMENTS
The final day of the POWER 100 Summit returns on Saturday, July 25, from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Conference Center (4801 Rockhill Rd., KCMO), bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders for the P100 Business & Investments – Growth Expo.
This year’s featured Opportunity KC: Competing for the Future luncheon highlights one of the region’s most important conversations: how Kansas and Missouri can work together to strengthen Greater Kansas City’s competitive advantage while creating new opportunities for businesses and communities on both sides of the state line. Moderated by Kevin McGinnis, President & CEO of Keystone Innovation District, the panel features Romaine Redman (Kansas Department of Commerce), Jason Robertson (KC Area Development Council), Jon D. Stephens (Port KC), and Christal E. Watson (Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas). The luncheon is $20 per person and is open to the public.
In addition to the luncheon, attendees can enjoy free access to more than a dozen educational sessions covering entrepreneurship, marketing, artificial intelligence, business operations, investing, startup fundraising, tax strategy, retail success, and more. The afternoon also includes a FIFA World Cup 2026™ recap exploring how businesses can build on the region’s global momentum.
Presented by Blue Symphony and 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City in partnership with the KC Chamber and other regional organizations, the Growth Expo offers valuable insights for business owners, professionals, investors, and anyone interested in the future of Greater Kansas City. Learn more and register today!
FOUNDATIONS OF DISABILITY INCLUSION WORKSHOP SERIES
Creating a more inclusive workplace starts with everyday actions. The KC Chamber and the Center for Disability Inclusion (CDI) invite business and community leaders to participate in the Foundations of Disability Inclusion workshop series, a free, four-part program that is part of the 2026 Inclusive Leadership Workshop Series. Designed for professionals across all industries, each interactive session builds on the last, equipping participants with practical tools to foster belonging, strengthen workplace culture, and support employees of all abilities.
The series begins August 4 with Building Blocks of Disability Inclusion: Myths, Etiquette & Everyday Practice, followed by Speaking of Inclusion: Language that Builds Belonging on September 2, Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health Myths and Realities on October 6, and concludes November 3 with The Caregiver Lens: Building Empathy in the Workplace. While each workshop can stand alone, attendees are encouraged to participate in all four sessions to gain the greatest benefit and build a stronger foundation for disability inclusion within their organizations. All sessions are held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room inside Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO), and registration is free. Learn more and register for the full series through the KC Chamber’s event calendar.
AI TRAINING FOR REGIONAL KANSAS CITY SMALL BUSINESSES
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to explore how artificial intelligence can help strengthen their businesses through a free, hands-on training opportunity coming to Kansas City this summer. The KC Chamber is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Google to bring Small Business B(AI)sics to the region on Thursday, August 6, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the KC Chamber Board Room inside Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO). This national initiative is designed to help small businesses understand and apply AI tools to real-world business challenges.
Participants will learn practical ways to use AI to improve marketing and customer engagement, streamline operations and workflows, enhance productivity, and support better business decision-making. No prior AI or technical experience is required, making the program accessible for entrepreneurs and small business owners across all industries. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet and come prepared with questions about their specific business needs. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Register today!