Your Chamber at Work - May 3, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

As we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, what’s the new normal and how do we get there?

That’s something we’re talking about here at the Chamber. Most of our staff is still working from home, though we’ve allowed a limited number to come into the office while wearing masks and socially distancing. Now we’re talking about how and when to reopen. As many businesses have done, we’ve surveyed our staff members and are now engaging in one-on-one conversations to gauge their level of comfort and preferences. We’re also starting to allow small in-person meetings, with masking and social distancing protocols remaining in place.

How and when to return to the office is a discussion going on throughout the region. Does your business have a return to work plan? And would you be willing to share it? Click here to do so.

I also recommend joining us this Wednesday, May 5 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for a panel discussion on “Shaping the New Normal: How Businesses are Evolving Post-Pandemic.” Stacie Engelmann, VP, HR Consultant with Lockton Companies and a panel of community business leaders will share what they’ve learned and how they’ll shape the new normal in their organizations. We’ll explore their return to work plans, how they’ll reintegrate their workforce, ways they’ll support the mental wellbeing of their employees, and more.

The one-hour session is free, organized by the Chamber’s Healthy KC and Executive Women’s Leadership Council. Click here to register.

AVIATION COMMITTEE MEETING OPENS TO ALL MEMBERS

The KC Chamber's Aviation Committee recently surveyed members and partners across the region to gauge their comfort level in getting back to air travel. With overwhelming survey responses, the Aviation Committee has decided to open the survey data findings update to all KC Chamber members.

Join us Tuesday, May 11, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. to hear from the KC Chamber Aviation Committee Chair Carl Wolf of Garmin, Justin Meyer of the Kansas City Aviation Department, and representatives from Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. They will speak on the current state and future trends of air travel in the Kansas City region, as both personal and business travel begin to become more prevalent again. This event is free and virtual. Zoom information will be shared with registrants 24 hours prior to the event. Register now.

Thank you to the KC Chamber’s Aviation Steering Committee members, including: Garmin, Heavy Constructors Association, HNTB, and Southwest Airlines.

ACE AWARD NOMINATIONS AND CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

Nominations are now open to submit candidates for the KC Chamber’s Ace Awards and for businesses and nonprofits to apply for the Champion of Diversity. The Ace Awards honor up and coming senior level managers who have demonstrated a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within their organization. The Champion of Diversity Award recognizes a regional business or nonprofit that has made an impactful commitment to embracing diversity in their workplace, diversity supplier partnerships, and the community. Applications and criteria for both can be found here. Recipients will be honored at our upcoming POWER of Diversity event this July. If you have questions, please reach out to Greg Valdovino, (816) 374-5494 or valdovino@kcchamber.com.

VIRTUAL NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: STELLAR IMAGE STUDIOS

Our virtual Neighborhood Networking series continues this Friday, May 7, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with Chamber member Stellar Image Studios. We welcome co-owner Jasmine Baudler. She discusses how she and her sister started their video production company, how they hope to narrow the industry gender gap, and what it’s like to work with your sister. Register for this free event now. Thanks to the KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound, and the 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION: VIRTUAL CANDIDATES’ SHOWCASE

The competition is on to be 2021 Small Business of the Year! For the second year in a row, our Candidates’ Showcase will be a fast-paced virtual event over the course of two days: Tuesday, May 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, May 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This Shark Tank-style event means candidates have 5 minutes to present their business and take questions from the anonymous judges in their quest to take home one of the Chamber’s Small Business Awards, including the Mr. K Award. Registration is free, but make sure you register for each day individually. Special thanks to our sponsors: Overall 2021 Small Business Programming Presented By Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy. Our CEO Level Sponsor is Honeywell. Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments. Media Sponsor is Startland News.