Your Chamber at Work - February 26, 2024

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

The last week of February is upon us, bringing with it our celebration of Small Business Superstars. We look forward to gathering later this week to recognize those small businesses who were submitted by their clients, customers and community. This is one way we honor small business owners throughout the Kansas City region for their dedication, hard work and perseverance.

March launches us into the next phase of our Small Business Celebration. For those continuing on through application process, a virtual Small Business Celebration Application Workshop will be held on March 5 between 9 to 10 a.m. via Zoom. This workshop will help those new to applying for our Small Business Awards by providing an inside look at the application with a panel of past winners, Top 10 recipients and judges. This opportunity is sure to aid you in preparing your application, which is due by March 20.

This annual celebration of small business is a highlight of the year, and I am excited to see which businesses are named to the 2024 Top 10 as well as who will take home coveted Mr. K Award as the Small Business of the Year. Continue watching for more information throughout the spring as the Small Business Celebration builds to its thrilling crescendo on June 13 at the Awards Luncheon.

HEALTHY KC VENDOR EXPO

The KC Chamber will launch its 2024 Wellness Certification while guests discover “Where’s Wellness” at the Ninth Annual Health KC Breakfast and Vendor Expo on March 6! Attendees will spend the morning learning creative ideas they can implement at work. These outstanding examples come from each pillar of Workplace Wellness Certification: Personal Health Resources, Psychosocial Work Environment, Enterprise Community Involvement and Work Environment. The vendor expo will be open starting at 8 a.m. and again after the program until 10:30 a.m. for additional networking opportunities. Find more details and register here!

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – THE FOLLY THEATRE

Take a step back in time as you walk through the doors of The Folly Theatre (300 W 12th St., Kansas City, MO) on Friday, March 8, for Neighborhood Networking. Immerse yourself in the historical surrounds of this Victorian era theatre from 8:30 to 10 a.m. as you have the meaningful conversations so vital to your professional success. The Folly Theater is the perfect combination of elegance, first-class service, and colorful history. KC Chamber members can experience it all for free while our non-Chamber guests can enjoy the morning for $15. Click here to learn more and register today! Thank you to the KC Chamber's 2024 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, Southwest Airlines, UMB, and Unbound.

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSION

The KC Chamber’s Centurions Leadership Program is a two-year program focused on building community awareness through civic opportunities and learning community issues that affect Greater Kansas City. The mission is to prepare a representative cross-section of the community's emerging leaders for their role in shaping the future of Greater Kansas City. Interested professionals from across the region are invited to attend a free information session on Friday, March 8 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. hosted at Mazuma Credit Union (7260 W. 135th Street, Overland Park). Please send an email to ecarter@kcchamber.com to RSVP.

LEGAL UPDATE: NEARSHORING + TRADE WITH CHINA

Need to know what the future holds for trade and manufacturing with China? Then, Polsinelli (900 W 48th Pl., Ste. 900, Kansas City, MO) is the place to be on Tuesday, March 12, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Lydia Pardini with Polsinelli law firm will present on current and potential future issues around manufacturing in China, including an update on Section 301 duties, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), and potential changes in 2024. She will also discuss nearshoring considerations and supply chain issues businesses should be aware of before making big decisions on where to manufacture or source from. Click here to learn more about our speaker. Registration is required for this free event, so email mmiller@kcchamber.com to reserve a seat for the discussion.