Your Chamber at Work - October 16, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

It’s always nice to be appreciated.

Recently, the South Kansas City Alliance, a coalition of neighborhoods and others, presented the Public Safety Coalition (PSC) with its annual Outstanding Public Safety Service Award for our work. The PSC is a group of 17 civic, business, and faith-based organizations that first banded together as Kansas City, Missouri began its search for a new Chief of Police.

The PSC held a series of seven listening sessions around the city, bringing residents together to share what qualities and qualifications the public wanted to see in a new police chief. In addition, the PSC created two online surveys – one for the public and one for police officers – to gather additional information.

We compiled those results in a report presented to the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC). Commissioners told us they were impressed with our report, shared it with the firm charged with finding and vetting a new Chief, and used our findings in their recruitment brochure.

The PSC continues its work, meeting with members of the police department and the BOPC, experts on violence reduction, and held a listening session with new Police Chief Stacey Graves earlier this year.

The collaboration and interest from the 17 organizations that comprise the PSC has been gratifying and effective. The KC Chamber is proud to be a part of this amazing group, which includes the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City; Black Chamber of Commerce, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City; Downtown Council; Getting to the Heart of the Matter; Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce; Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Hispanic Economic Development Corporation; Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee; KC Common Good; Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce; Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce; Northeast KC Chamber of Commerce; Prospect Business Association; South Kansas City Alliance; and South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING WITH THE MAVERICKS

There is still time to register for this Friday’s Neighborhood Networking event with the Kansas City Mavericks, our region’s professional hockey franchise that is the ECHL affiliate for the NHL’s Seattle Krakens. Come enjoy refreshments, networking, and a raffle for prizes, all while learning more about the Mavericks and their contributions to the metropolitan area’s robust professional sports scene. 

Register here to join us at Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E Valley View Parkway, Independence, MO, on Friday, October 20, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The event is free for Chamber members; $15 for non-members.

NEW DETAILS: Attendees should meet at the Martin Underground located on the second level of the stadium overlooking the ice. Enter through Gate 2, which is the entrance closest to you when entering from the parking lot. Additionally, Chamber guests are eligible for discounted tickets to any game this season. Use the Friends of the Mavericks link to order tickets.

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSION

Are you an emerging leader in greater Kansas City looking to discover how you can help shape the future of our region? If you answered yes, make plans to attend the Centurions Information Session on Wednesday, October 25 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City, MO. You’ll discover the benefits of participating in this leadership program focused on building community awareness through civic opportunities and on community issues that affect the metropolitan area.

Centurions is a wonderful way for professionals to make connections and engage with regional changemakers so consider adding the program to your leadership journey. The information session is free to attend but we do ask participants to register here.

TRADE TALKS

Businesses at all stages are welcome at a special trade talks reception on October 30 hosted by World Trade Center Kansas City and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce Kansas City. Our speakers will share importing 101, legal considerations, and business dos and don’ts. No matter if you are actively importing from Asia, working on importing from a new market in Asia or considering importing, you will be able to interact and engage with trade professionals who can be valuable resources. The event, from 5 to 7 p.m., will be held at 1475 Walnut and it’s free for Chamber members and $40 for non-members. Please RSVP.

CHILDCARE CRISIS

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United WE invite area employers, legislators and childcare professionals to join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion on one of the most pressing challenges facing families and businesses today - the childcare crisis. As families grapple with the complexities of finding quality, affordable childcare, many women are forced to leave the workforce. It's essential to come together, share insights, and explore ways to break down barriers to access. 

Paula Neth, president and CEO of The Family Conservancy will present a childcare tax credit calculator to help businesses understand how much they can save by utilizing the childcare tax credit available in Kansas.

The panel, moderated by Cathy Bennett of the KC Chamber and Joni Wickham of Wickham James Strategies & Solutions, will include Wendy Doyle of United WE; Melissa Rooker, of the KS Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund; Dinah Sykes, Kansas Senator, Senate Minority Leader; and Laura Williams, Kansas State Representative. It will take place on November 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road, first floor next to Pierponts. Please register here.