FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
This past week, the KC Chamber Board approved our final 2026 State Legislative Agendas for Missouri and Kansas, and I’m pleased to share them with you. On both sides of the state line, these agendas reflect the priorities we hear from you every day: growing a competitive regional economy, investing in people and infrastructure, and protecting the tools that allow communities to shape their own future.
You’ll also notice the format has changed. We’ve reorganized and streamlined each agenda so they are more useful to busy legislators and staff: clearer sections, less duplication, and concise descriptions that get straight to the “why it matters” for Greater Kansas City. That means our partners in Jefferson City and Topeka can quickly see what we’re asking for and how it ties back to jobs, talent, and quality of life in this region.
In Missouri, we’re preparing for a tight budget year, continued attention on initiative petitions, and the lingering fallout from Congressional redistricting. In Kansas, we’re anticipating a compressed session, a race for Governor on the horizon, and growing the influence of a Kansas City-area caucus. Across both states, our focus remains the same: advancing policies that keep KC moving forward.
You can read the full agendas here:
We’re expecting more than 70 elected officials at next week’s 138th Annual Dinner, and we look forward to following that with one-on-one conversations with our state legislative partners to walk through these priorities in detail. That’s your Chamber at work, making sure your voice is heard in both capitals.
NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY
Join us Friday, November 21, 8:30–10 a.m., at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (1 Memorial Drive, KCMO). Enjoy coffee and conversations, hear brief remarks, and take an optional tour of the Kansas City Fed — one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., form our nation’s central bank and support economic and financial stability.
This event is made possible by our 2025 Networking Sponsors: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Southwest Airlines, and UMB Bank. Learn more and register today!
CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS
Centurions is KC’s premier two-year leadership program, designed to deepen your civic impact through immersive learning days, site visits with changemakers, and hands-on service. Choose the info session that fits your schedule and get a head start on your application:
- Tuesday, December 2, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., at The Salvation Army — Register
- Monday, December 15, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Chicken N Pickle in NKC — Register
Applications for the Pinnacle 2026 cohort are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 15, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to lead KC forward.
RECONNECTING THE EAST SIDE
Providing safe, connected transportation for East Side residents is at the heart of the Reconnecting the East Side project, an effort to address longstanding issues created when US-71 Highway construction divided neighborhoods. Led by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Mid-America Regional Council, the project is about more than roads; it’s about physically restoring the heart of the East Side community.
On Thursday, December 4, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO), project partners will share progress to date, walk through initial design alternatives, and invite your feedback during a dedicated Q&A. Your perspective as a neighbor, employer, or community partner is vital to ensuring the final plan reflects real priorities for safety, access, and quality of life. Learn more and register today.
WELCOMING COALITION MEETING
The Welcoming KC Coalition invites you to its 2025 Fall Meeting on Friday, December 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO).
Join them for:
- A status update on the Certified Welcoming initiative
- Insights from partners at JVS, AIRR KC and The Asylum Clinic
- Networking with business and community leaders committed to a more inclusive Kansas City
- A complimentary lunch (and parking validation in the Union Station garage)
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn and help shape a welcoming regional economy. Register today!