Your Chamber at Work - November 6, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Tomorrow is election day and there’s an important measure on the ballot for KCMO. 

Voters are being asked to renew the 3/8ths cent sales tax that generates about 30 percent of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority budget. The tax helps pay for bus service in KCMO, serving more than one million bus trips each month.

This is not a new tax increase; instead it’s a 10-year renewal of the existing sales tax which is set to expire in 2024. The tax was last renewed by voters in 2008.

You may not ride the bus, but RideKC service is essential for so many (remember, a million trips A MONTH) transporting essential workers to and from their jobs, and serving people without cars who need the bus to get to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, etc.

That’s why the KC Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse this proposal.

We urge you to vote “YES” tomorrow and keep the buses rolling!

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK- KANSAS CITY 2023

It's that time of year again! Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City is right around the corner, and you can attend at no cost by signing up or logging in to the online agenda. Just visit gewkc.com/sched and build your agenda from over 100 sessions that can help you start a business or side hustle, grow your operations or boost your marketing. Sessions run from November 10 to November 19, and in-person base camp sessions at Plexpod Westport at Park 39 are November 15 to November 17.

As the week winds down, be sure to join the KC Chamber and KCSourceLink on Friday, November 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. for Capital Connections Happy Hour at Plexpod Westport (300 E 39th St., Kansas City, MO). This event focuses on building connections between Kansas City’s lending community, minority businesses, and Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs). Register here by November 14.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – CASCADE HOTEL, KANSAS CITY

From the floor to ceiling windows to the cascading fountain and outdoor terrace, you won’t want to miss the Chamber’s next Neighborhood Networking event hosted at the Cascade Hotel, Kansas City, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (4600 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO). Be among the first to see this stunning new hotel with amenities that feature local businesses like Parisi Coffee and Strang Chef Collective. Register here for a morning of networking and an introduction to Cascade Hotel. Attendance is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members.

ECONOMIC FORECAST BREAKFAST 2023

Join the KC Chamber and sponsors for our annual Economic Forecast Breakfast on December 7. The breakfast will highlight the economic trends, opportunities and challenges business will likely encounter in 2024, taking a deeper look at the impact and opportunities of the bistate healthcare economy. The healthcare sector is one of the most consequential portions of the US and KC metro economies impacted by medical innovations, valuable research advancements, workforce challenges, and the cost of delivering care in our states with two different approaches to Medicaid expansion.

Virtual ticket pricing is $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers, with a Zoom link sent to registrants 24 hours before the program. The presentation begins at 8 a.m. and will conclude at 9:30 a.m. Register here to attend.

Thank you to the 2023 Economic Forecast Sponsors! Our Presenting Sponsor is UMB. Our Cornerstone Sponsor is BMO Commercial Bank. Our Impact Sponsor is Commerce Bank. Our Development Sponsors are Black & Veatch, Country Club Bank, Ernst & Young, FNBO, US Bank, and VanTrust Real Estate.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ALLYSHIP SERIES: ACTION PLAN – PART 2

Come to the Chamber Board Room (30 West Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO) on Tuesday, November 14 to develop a personalized ally action plan that will help you grow your strengths and manage any weaknesses on your journey to DEI allyship. Based on our existing, three-hour workshop, participants will move beyond intention and conversation into practical, strategic action. This course uses a Cultural Intelligence (CQ) framework and a self-assessment to help participants home in on areas for improvement and cultivation. This event is free to attend though we ask participants to register here. Approximately 30 individuals who have attended all four sessions in 2023 will be recognized with a plaque for their allyship efforts.