Your Chamber at Work - March 4, 2024

FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO JOE REARDON

March is Women’s History Month, a moment to reflect on the many outstanding contributions women have made on our communities across time. The work to elevate women in leadership has long been a focus of the KC Chamber, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to promoting women. As we look to the future, the Chamber is not wavering in that responsibility as we realign resources to bolster existing programming designed to promote women leaders.

Through both the ATHENA Leadership Award and ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, the Chamber recognizes women who have achieved the highest level of professional excellence and are dedicated to opening doors of opportunity for other women leaders. Our Centurions Women’s Leadership Scholarships provide opportunities for women interested in taking part in our signature leadership development program and the Centurions Women’s Leadership Forum brings people together to celebrate women in our community and talk through issues that are important to women leaders.

The biggest shift moving forward is that the Executive Women’s Leadership Council (EWLC) will be sunset in 2025 as the Chamber increases efforts to engage with partners to enhance women-focused programming. We know robust programs already exist for the promotion of women leaders in our community and our goal is to strategically and thoughtfully increase support of these professional development and networking opportunities in the future.

I know that growing women’s leadership initiatives becomes reality when we unite with like-minded community partners for meaningful progress. We are better together. Here’s to many more years of coming together to celebrate strong women leaders and their many accomplishments.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION AND VIRTUAL APPLICATION WORKSHOP

All systems are a go and our annual Small Business Celebration is now in the application phase. Applications are now open for the following awards with a March 20 submission deadline:

• Mr. K Small Business of the Year
• Emerging Business Award
• Small Business Equity Award
• Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year
• Legacy of Kansas City Award
• The Luminary Arts & Creative Small Business Award

For those who have questions about applying, a virtual Small Business Application Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, from 9 to 10 a.m. Bring your questions and join us for an inside look at the application with a panel of past winners, Top 10 recipients and judges. This will give you the scoop on best practices for filling out your application, and there is still time to register here!

VOTER INFORMATION FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS

Election season is upon us and Missourians are busily informing themselves ahead of Election Day on April 2. For anyone who needs to register to vote, the deadline to do so is Wednesday, March 6. You can check your voter registration and learn more about registering on Missouri’s Secretary of State website. Additionally, many local school districts are voting to elect school board members, so be sure to visit local election board sites for a list of candidates. Jackson County voters can also use their voice to decide on extending the 3/8-cent sales tax for stadium projects for the Royals and Chiefs. You can learn more from the campaign website as well as read ballot language on the Jackson County Election Board site.

Kansas is preparing for its Presidential Preference Primary too. Advance voting began February 28 for the March 19 primary. While voter registration has already closed for the primary, anyone who wants to register for a future opportunity can do so on the Kansas Secretary of State website.

WORLD TRADE CENTER–KC EVENTS ON TRADE WITH CHINA AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Register now for “Legal Update: Nearshoring + Trade with China” on March 12 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Polsinelli (900 W. 48th Pl, Ste. 900, KCMO) who is also the event sponsor. This in-depth discussion will offer an outlook for trade and manufacturing. 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.

World Trade Center-Kansas City also invites you to an exclusive breakfast and business roundtable featuring representatives from the Embassy and Consulate of the Czech Republic. This “Doing Business with the Czech Republic” event on March 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room (inside Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO) will highlight business opportunities, industry overviews, and best practices for Kansas City companies looking to do business successfully with the Czech Republic. Learn more and register now!

UNITY SEDER AND REGIONAL SUMMIT ON COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM

This April marks 10 years since Kansas City’s Jewish community was targeted by violent antisemitic hate. Disturbingly, antisemitism in the United States has risen nearly 305% in the decade since. That's why JCRB|AJC is hosting Driving Out Darkness in the Heartland: A Regional Summit on Combating Antisemitism, the first convening on combating antisemitism in our region.

The Jewish community has undertaken this massive project to stop the tide of antisemitism from continuing to rise. If there is any hope of that, they need leaders and allies who are deeply informed about their community, its challenges and the complexities of antisemitism.

The Unity Seder will be held Monday, April 15 at KI Synagogue with the Symposium on Tuesday, April 16 at Rockhurst University. Learn more about this important event and register here.