Your Chamber at Work - January 3, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Happy 2023!

Here at the Chamber, we’re back in the office after a holiday break and excited for everything ahead in 2023. Today, we’re hitting the ground running with the official opening of Small Business Superstar submissions.

Have a favorite coffee shop? Love your appliance repair people? Work with a great marketing agency? Swear by your stylist? Submit them here!

This is the third year for this great program that recognizes small businesses across Greater KC. We began this in 2020 during the height of the pandemic when small businesses were struggling. The goal was to celebrate as many of KC’s small businesses and entrepreneurs as possible, especially women and minority owned businesses. We asked you to share your favorites with us and boy did you listen. You submitted more than 1,200 Superstars in 2021, and 2,162 Superstars in 2022. We can’t wait to see what 2023 brings.

But it’s not just about the numbers. The Small Business Superstars also receive access to special content, marketing, events, and networking opportunities through their recognition. They’re then invited to be part of the Small Business Celebration.

Let’s honor and recognize the engine that keeps KC running – small businesses. Submit your Superstars now through February 1!

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: PARRISH AND SONS CONSTRUCTION

See what’s happening with a two-time Top 10 Small Business and one of KC’s fastest growing Black-owned and woman-owned construction firms – join us at Neighborhood Networking at Parrish & Sons Construction, Friday, January 13 at their South KC headquarters: 800 E. 101st Terrace. Parrish & Sons is part of high-profile projects like the new single airport terminal, the KC Streetcar extension, Avila University, and more. Start 2023 with great networking and renewed connections with Chamber members. Neighborhood Networking is free for KC Chamber and $15 for non-members. Thanks to our overall networking sponsors Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union, and our 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsors Unbound, Bardavon Health Innovations and Kansas City Current.

CENTURIONS APPLICATION WORKSHOP

It’s KC’s oldest and premier leadership program: Centurions. Now that you’re ready to apply for the Centurions Leadership Program, make sure you ace your application. Register for the Application Workshop, January 11, 3 to 6 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room on the first floor of Union Station. Candidates can meet with an active Centurion to review responses, get a better sense of the process, and ask any remaining questions. This workshop is free, but reserve your spot in advance!

HEARTLAND EXPORT ACCELERATOR INFORMATION SESSIONS

Ready to grow your company through international sales? Register now for the World Trade Center Kansas City’s Heartland Export Accelerator information sessions. The virtual session is January 26, 10 to 11 a.m., and the in-person session is January 31, 4 to 5 p.m. in the World Trade Center Conference Room, on the second floor in the southwest corner of Union Station. Learn how this program goes deeper to help you diversify existing international sales, become more strategic in global business growth, and how to navigate the market. You’ll engage closely with international trade experts while building a strategic and customized export plan. Register here for the virtual session  and register here for the in-person session.

HOW LITERACY AFFECTS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Join business and employment experts for How Literacy Affects Workforce Development, a lunch and learn from Lead to Read KC, Monday, January 9, Noon – 1:15 p.m. at the Bloch Executive Auditorium, 5108 Cherry St on the UMKC campus. Business and civic leaders Sarah Lauck of H&R Block, Clyde McQueen of the Full Employment Council, Ruth Pullins of University Health, and Dred Scott of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City will discuss the challenges created by the reading crisis, the impact early literacy has on workforce development, how businesses can support early literacy efforts, and more. The event is free, but registration is required.