Your Chamber at Work - December 11, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Recently we hosted the Metro Cities Council – a group of CEOs from the largest chambers of commerce in the country. We discussed the challenges each of our communities face and the ways each chamber was responding.

Guess what the highlight of their three-day visit was:  a tour of the new KC Current stadium on the banks of the Missouri River adjacent to Berkley Riverfront Park. They thoroughly enjoyed their tour of what is the first such facility in the world for women’s soccer. It’s expected to open in the spring of 2024 and will carry the name CPKC Stadium, after the merged KC Southern and Canadian Pacific Railroads.

The tour – and the CEO enthusiasm – got me to thinking about the incredible value sports brings to our community. There’s the work of the KC Sports Commission, which brings NCAA and Big 12 events to town and – their ultimate accomplishment – the 2026 World Cup.

Women’s Professional Volleyball is coming to KC. Spring training starts for the KC Royals in just a few months. Sporting KC recently ended its season in the MLS Playoffs. And the Chiefs are simply outstanding. (Do not get me started on the refereeing in yesterday’s game. The only words I have to describe it are unprintable. ‘Nuff said.)

PRESIDENT/CEO JOE REARDON FEATURED ON “TO THE POINT” PODCAST

Listen to the enlightening conversation that happened between Ethan Whitehill and Joe Reardon during a recent “To the Point with Crux” podcast. The feature looks at Joe’s leadership in greater Kansas City and the results of his work over the years, including his efforts to ensure bistate cooperation with projects that benefit the entire region, lessons learned in navigating a global pandemic, support of small businesses and exciting developments that highlight Kansas City, nationally and internationally. Listen now!

CENTURIONS OFFICE HOURS AND APPLICATION WORKSHOP

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Centurions Leadership Program is a two-year program focused on building community awareness through civic opportunities and on community issues that affect the metropolitan area. Interested professionals from around the region can attend our Office Hours hosted by the Recruiting Committee to learn more about the program in a more intimate, small group or one-on-one setting.

Mark your calendar for one of these upcoming opportunities:

• December 14, 9 to 11 a.m., at Spokes Coffee (929 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO)
• December 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Black Dog Coffeehouse (12815 W. 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa)

There is no fee to attend; however, we do ask that attendees RSVP by sending an email to ecarter@kcchamber.com.

You will also want to mark your calendar for Thursday, January 11, from 2 to 4 p.m., for our Centurions Application Workshop. Applicants can review their application with an active Centurion prior to submission. Again, admission is free. Please RSVP by sending an email to jarquio@kcchamber.com.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

Register here to give blood on Wednesday, January 10 with the American Red Cross in the KC Chamber Board Room on the first floor of Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO). Use the code "KCChamber" to reserve a timeslot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day. As an added incentive, all donors between January 1-31 will be entered for a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

MISSOURI STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

The start of a new year also means the beginning of a new legislative session in the Missouri statehouse. Keep your finger on the pulse of legislative action by joining our Missouri State Affairs Committee that meets monthly during the legislative session to hear from key elected officials on current happenings in Jefferson City. Meetings are held on the second Friday of the month from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the KC Chamber Boardroom inside Union Station (30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO). Public Policy Council (PPC) members have two complimentary seats while attendance costs non-PPC members $25. Register here!