Your Chamber at Work - January 22, 2024

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

If you listen to sports talk radio, read the news online or watch local television, you know about the latest developments on keeping the Royals and Chiefs in Jackson County. Last week, Jackson County Executive Frank White vetoed the county legislature’s vote to place the extension of a 3/8-cent sales tax on the April ballot – and I respect his authority to do so. However, in partnership with other business and civic organizations, the KC Chamber continues to support allowing the voters of Jackson County to decide whether to maintain this funding source and the relationship they have built with the teams. (Here’s our message.)

There is a strong business case for keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County. Professional sports are tremendous economic engines that support jobs across venues, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that benefit from visitor and fan spending. Past stadium renovation projects were essential in bringing high impact events to our area, including the MLB All-Star game, large concerts such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour, and FIFA World Cup 26™.

Beyond the business case, the Royals and Chiefs are a significant part of our identity as Kansas Citians – a regionally unifying part of our cultural DNA that Jackson County voters helped create when they passed the initial sales tax via public vote.

I am confident the Royals and Chiefs will continue working with Jackson County on a solution. To date, negotiations have resulted in commitments, concessions, and progress for all parties as they work on an agreement that benefits the taxpayers, the teams, and the community. It is now time to provide voters with the details of the plan, educate them on the benefits and let them decide their support on election day.

SMALL BUSINESS SUPERSTARS

Who are the bright lights in greater Kansas City’s small business community that are doing spectacular work for their clients and customers? Make your list of standouts who deserve recognition and submit them now for Small Business Superstar status! If you’re a Chamber member small business reading this, you’re already on the list! What other small businesses are guiding lights who help you get through each day? Submitting them for recognition is a wonderful way to say thank you. You only need to submit a company one time. Submit a Superstar or download this spreadsheet to Submit Multiple Superstars. For questions about the Superstar program, contact Chamber Small Business Director Vicky Kulikov at kulikov@kcchamber.com. 

DEI CERTIFICATE OF MASTERY & CAPSTONE PROGRAM

Take your learning about DEI to a new level of mastery with “Strategies for Promoting and Fostering a World-Class Culture of Inclusion”. This 16-month program is led by Dr. Andrea Hendricks, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Authentico, and Dr. Shirley Davis, President of SDS Global Enterprises, who are global thought leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The inaugural in-person cohort session begins this March and includes an academic curriculum, capstone project, roundtable interaction with thought leaders and individual coaching sessions. Each cohort is limited to 30 diverse participants who are DEI professionals, Human Resources leaders, and other industry managers and executives looking to discover real solutions to building inclusive organizational environments that inspire cultures of belonging. 

The cost of participation for non-profits, current Chamber members and Authentico clients is $5,000 – a significant savings on a program valued at $7,500. For all other for-profit businesses, the cost is $6,000.

Come learn more about this first of its kind program at a free informational session on February 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. by registering here. Questions can also be emailed to Greg Valdovino, our Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, at valdovino@kcchamber.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING AT WALZ TETRICK ADVERTISING

The business community understands the importance of evolving to stay ahead of the competition, so Walz Tetrick Advertising (5201 Johnson Dr. Ste. 500, Mission, KS) is the perfect host to highlight how strategic growth results in improved outcomes for customers and clients – and recognition as a Top 10 Small Business last year. Join us for Neighborhood Network on January 26 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. for business conversations that help your company. Attendance for Chamber members is free or $15 for non-members. Click here to register now!

Add the February 9 Neighborhood Networking to your calendar too! This session will be historic as our host, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, helps us celebrate the rich history of African-American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. Learn more and register now!

THE GREAT RESET: 2024 EMERGING TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE

Anyone interested in real estate trends should make plans to attend The Great Reset: 2024 Emerging Trends in Real Estate on Thursday, February 1, from 2 to 6 p.m., in the KC Chamber Board Room. Steven Weisenburger, Director of Real Estate Business Advisory Services at PWC, will give an overview of the Emerging Trends in Real Estate® United States and Canada 2024 report, featuring insights from leaders across the real estate sector, including investors, fund managers, developers, property companies, lenders, brokers, advisors and consultants. This year's report emphasizes that adaptability, technology, and environmental resilience are key to the evolving landscape of real estate. Local and regional panels will discuss how Kansas City’s markets will respond. Admission for KC Chamber members is $65 while non-members pay $90. Learn more here and email gdolan@kcchamber.com to register.