Your Chamber at Work - March 13, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Two events from the KC Chamber’s World Trade Center Kansas City that may interest you are coming up:

Doing Business with Canada: Did you know that our neighbor to the north is Kansas City’s #1 export partner, importing over $2-billion worth of Kansas City goods? As neighbors and members of the United States - Mexico - Canada agreement, the U.S. and Canada are natural trade partners. Advances continues to occur in Kansas City and Canada's trading partnership creating new ease and opportunities for trade.

This exclusive business roundtable and lunch will highlight the available opportunities, industry outlooks, and best practices for business success between Kansas City and Canada.

Join us to learn more about what opportunities exist for your business when doing business with Canada. The March 15 session will start at 11:30 in the KC Chamber Board Room and will include networking, lunch, and breakout sessions on different aspects of trade with Canada. Click here to register.

Talking Trade: Coffee & Networking Event: Our WTC is partnering with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce on March 30 from 8:30 to 10:00 am and will be held at the OP Chamber offices, 9001 W. 110th Street in Overland Park.

Whether you are a seasoned expert in international trade, or just starting out, this event provides you an informal platform to connect with peers and international service providers. This event will focus on an Introduction to International Trade. Hear from our partners on what you need to know starting out as an exporter. Click here to register.

SMALL BUSINESSES, APPLY NOW

You now have until Monday, March 20 at 5 p.m. to apply to be named the Small Business of the Year! Chamber members can also apply for the Specialty Awards: Emerging Small Business, Small Business Equity, Legacy of Kansas City, and Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year. Have questions about your application? Watch our application workshop video for guidance and advice from past winners, candidates, and judges. Our Small Business Presenting Sponsor is Evergy. Our Small Business CEO Sponsor is Kansas City National Security Campus, managed by Honeywell FM&T. Our Small Business Superstars Presenting Sponsor is EAG Advertising and Marketing. Our Media Sponsor is Startland News. Our Superstar Sponsors are Strang Chef Collective and FastSigns Overland Park. Our Top 10 Announcement Event Presenting Sponsor is UMB Bank. Our Top 10 Reception Event Presenting Sponsor is Bank Midwest. Our Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor is Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Our Executive Sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Our Partner Sponsors are Commerce Bank, and Meta. Our Associate Sponsors are Arvest Bank, Country Club Bank, Enterprise Bank & Trust, H&R Block, Mazuma Credit Union, Menlo, PNC Bank, Southwest Airlines, US Bank.

MEMBER STANDUP

Don’t miss Member Standup – a high-energy, members only networking event that puts you in the spotlight on March 22 at 8 a.m. in our Chamber Board Room. You’ll be able to connect with fellow Chamber members in the middle of the week, then get your chance to shine: every member gets an opportunity to be in the spotlight with our Members at the Mic portion of the program. Get ready to make some great connections at this unique networking experience. Thanks to the KC Chamber's 2023 networking sponsors Delta Dental and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS

It’s a busy time for KC’s oldest and premier leadership program. Soon, applications will open for the next cohort. Learn more at two upcoming information sessions. The Information Session for Decision Makers is March 29 at 8:00 a.m. at Lockton’s headquarters on the Country Club Plaza. This session is designed to give the company decision makers of prospective Centurions the chance to learn more about the program and what kind of time commitment employees will have. Then, check out the Information Session for Diverse Professionals on April 3 at 4:30 p.m. at Polsinelli’s Plaza location. Centurions is open to all Chamber member businesses. We understand the experience is different for people of color and those who identify as diverse. Both information sessions are free. Click here for more information on the Centurions Leadership Program.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ALLYSHIP SERIES: THE LANGUAGE OF ALLYSHIP

Our allyship series continues with a focus on the language of allyship. Simply put, words matter, and many people are worried they may say the wrong thing. Join the Chamber for We Don’t Say That Anymore: The Language of Allyship, May 23, 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room on the first floor of Union Station. During this free event, attendees will learn about the reasons for evolving language and how language can help strengthen allyship in the workplace. Special thanks to our Presenting Diversity Sponsor CommunityAmerica Credit Union, and our Allyship Series Presenting Sponsors Evergy and Hallmark.