Your Chamber at Work - January 30, 2023

Jan 30, 2023

Category:

Newsletters

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

THE CHIEFS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL – AGAIN! The fourth time was the charm last night as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. Nice to have the Lamar Hunt trophy back at Arrowhead. And now it’s on to Phoenix!

On another subject…

As KC Chamber members, you’re very important to us. Because of your support, we can report that 2022 was a very good year.

Here’s a link to our 2022 Annual Report which, among other things, summarizes our financials, our Strategic Plan, our successes in advocating for Greater Kansas City business and our community in Jefferson City, Topeka, and Washington D.C.

In addition, we’ve included the following highlights of our activities, including:

  • The long road to the successful effort to build a new terminal at KCI, the Chamber’s role in that effort and the positive effects we’re already seeing;
  • The Heartland Export Accelerator, a new effort to grow small businesses by expanding into global markets;
  • The 15th anniversary of genKC, our leadership program designed to connect early career professionals to our community and one another (it’s all about retention); and
  • The activities of our Chamber Foundation, focusing on leadership, education, and workforce development.

We’re very proud of what you’ve allowed us to accomplish and we’re looking forward to an even better and more productive 2023!

Again, thank you for your support. You are appreciated.

LAST DAYS FOR SMALL BUSINESS SUPERSTARS

You have two days left to submit your Small Business Superstars! Submissions close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1. Don’t miss the chance to submit your favorite salons, clothing stores, coffee shops, mechanics, insurance agencies and more, any awesome small business with fewer than 250 employees. We’ll recognize these Superstars and share exclusive content and networking opportunities with all of them. Thanks to EAG Advertising & Marketing for being our Small Business Superstar Presenting Sponsor! Additional Superstar Sponsors include FastSigns Overland Park, Strang Chef Collective, and our Media Partner Startland News.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: THE NEXT PAIGE AGENCY

You’ll find lots of talent and star power at our next Neighborhood Networking. Join us at The Next Paige Agency, Friday, February 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., at their new space at 5930 Troost. The Next Paige Agency is Kansas City’s first Black-owned talent management and production agency to help creatives pursue their dreams, and the 2021 Chamber Small Business Equity Award Winner. You’ll make great connections and enjoy hot coffee and a light breakfast. Register here to save your spot. It’s free for KC Chamber members and $15 for non-members. Thanks to our 2023 Overall Networking Sponsor Delta Dental, and our 2023 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors Unbound & Southwest Airlines.

LUNCH AND LEARN MORE ABOUT REAL WORLD LEARNING

You may know of Real World Learning, the effort to partner schools and employers to give real world experiences to students before they graduate high school. You may have even provided such opportunities to a student or students yourself. On February 8, over lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Abbott, 1901 Cherry Street, you can hear about the progress and successes of this initiative from Susan Chambers, interim CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the students themselves. Register here.

HEARTLAND EXPORT ACCELERATOR INFO SESSIONS

Personal instruction with small business experts. Access to international markets. Support and guidance every step of the way. Sound good? Learn about the Heartland Export Accelerator. World Trade Center Kansas City is hosting two information sessions for this new program that helps small businesses expand beyond the U.S. market. We’re recruiting now for our second cohort and we encourage small business owners – especially minority and veteran-owned businesses – to apply. We’ll be holding informational sessions on February 8, and again on February 17. The application deadline is February 24 and the program will begin April 6.