Your Chamber at Work - August 22, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Are you ready for some football? There are just a handful of tickets left for the Chamber’s annual Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, September first, at Loews Hotel starting at noon. (Get your tickets here.)

Emceed by the “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus, the Luncheon features Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Head Coach Andy Reid, General Manager Brett Veach, the Chiefs players, Cheerleaders, and the Chiefs Rumble drum line. It’s always an exciting day – a prelude to the start of what I know will be a great Chiefs season.

We’ve partnered with the Chiefs for the Kickoff Luncheon for the last ten years. We treasure our relationship with the team and appreciate their support of the KC Chamber’s work.

Thanks to the Chiefs, the Royals, Sporting Kansas City, and now the KC Current, Kansas City is a major league city. The attention our teams bring us and the benefit to our local economy cannot be understated. We’re lucky to have them – and to have been blessed by some of the best owners we could ask for.

But for right now, we’re talking football. And we hope to see you on September first as we cheer on the team. GO CHIEFS!!!

APPLY TO BE HEALTHY KC WORKPLACE WELLNESS CERTIFIED

You have just over a week to complete your Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Application - August 31 is the deadline. Why apply? A healthy workplace has a stronger bottom line, healthier employees, and lower overall health costs. You’ll notice the criteria are a bit different this year. They’re now based on guidelines from the World Health Organization's healthy workplace framework and model, offering a more holistic approach to health and wellness. Certifications range from Honorable mention all the way up to Platinum. Apply now and see where your company ranks. Special thanks to our Healthy KC Overall Presenting Sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

D&I AUTHOR SERIES: “A GREAT MORAL AND SOCIAL FORCE: AMERICA’S FIRST BLACK BANKS”

There’s still time to learn about America's Black Banks at tomorrow morning’s Diversity & Inclusion author series. We welcome Tim Todd, Executive Writer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City to discuss his new book, “A Great Moral and Social Force: America’s First Black Banks,” September 7, 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Chamber Board room, located on the first floor of Union Station. Todd examines banks in five U.S. cities – Richmond, VA; Boley, OK; Chicago; Memphis, and Detroit – to explore the history and challenges they faced in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Register now for this free event to attend in person or take part online! This event is in partnership with the Blue Springs and Independence Chambers of Commerce. Our Presenting Diversity Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. Our Workshop Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Whether it’s time, money, or mentorship, we all know giving back feels good. It’s also the right thing for businesses – especially small businesses. Join the Chamber for The Business Case for Community Engagement, Wednesday, September 7, 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room on the first floor of Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road. This is a must for businesses looking to give back. Jen Houston of H&R Block moderates a group of business and civic leaders who will share how to find time and resources, get employees involved, and more. Register now for this free event! This event will be especially helpful for companies interested in applying for Small Business of the Year in 2023.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: HIGH ASPIRATIONS

Enjoy some of the region’s best networking as High Aspirations hosts our next Neighborhood Networking on Friday, September 9 at 8:30 at their 6320 Brookside Plaza location, Suite 263. High Aspirations is a faith-based program that focuses on young African American males, supporting them in four areas: socially, academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Come learn about the program, meet your fellow Chamber members, and enjoy coffee and a light breakfast. Neighborhood Networking is always free for KC Chamber members, and $15 for non-members. Register here.

The KC Chamber's 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsors are Unbound, Bardavon Health Innovations and Kansas City Current. The KC Chamber's 2022 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.