Your Chamber at Work - October 18, 2021

Oct 18, 2021

Category:

Newsletters

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

This is our week to shine, Kansas City! And you can help us put our best face forward!

This Thursday, FIFA officials will be in town touring our city as they decide whether KC will be one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup. Kansas City is one of 17 finalists; 10 will be selected to host World Cup matches.

This would be HUGE for our local economy, worth up to $620 million in economic impact. And it would bring the world’s attention to KC with more than 3.5 billion viewers worldwide. (By comparison, 96.4 million viewers tuned into the 2021 Super Bowl). Not to mention the tens of thousands of international visitors we can expect.

Here’s how you can help:

  1. Pick up a free poster for your home or office. They’re available starting today at our KC Chamber offices on the third floor of Union Station. Take the southwest elevator from the lobby to access.
  2. Visit this Dropbox for social media graphics and printable posters. Show your support online and in your office.
  3. Support the effort online using the hashtag #KC2026.
  4. Attend Thursday night’s match between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Korea. The FIFA delegation will be attending – let’s show them a sellout!!!

The FIFA delegation will be touring Arrowhead Stadium, training facilities, and fan sites – including the Liberty Memorial lawn and Union Station, which have been blanketed by celebrating Royals and Chiefs fans and, in 2026 hopefully, by thousands of soccer fans from around the world.

A lot of work has gone into preparation for Thursday’s FIFA visit. Let’s win this one!

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP SERIES: ACKNOWLEDGING THE DIVIDING LINES: RACE AND REAL ESTATE

Join us for Acknowledging the Dividing Lines: Race and Real Estate, Tuesday, October 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This latest in our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop series features KC real estate attorney Shomari Benton and Tanner Colby, author of “Some of the My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America,” in a conversation moderated by educator Marlee Bunch. Colby talks about his research on Kansas City for his 2013 book, and how KC’s housing policies were the model – not always in a good way – for other cities in America. Benton discusses the impact those policies still have on our community.  Register now for this free virtual event. Thank you to our 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank, and our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark.  This event series is in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, Grandview Chamber of Commerce, Independence Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

GENKC’S KC CONNECTIONS 2021

Are you a young professional? Do you know some talented young professionals looking for the opportunity to serve? Register now for genKC’s Connections 2021, Wednesday, October 27, 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room, located in the southeast corner of Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd. Enjoy appetizers and drinks as you learn about board positions and volunteer opportunities in nonprofits and other KC organizations. It’s also a great opportunity just to grow your network. The KC Chamber is committed to keeping its members, staff, and community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to the event, to be verified at the door. 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION IN SMALL BUSINESS

A recent survey shows 88% of small businesses owners are worried they’re business is vulnerable to a cyber-attack. Are you one of them? Register now for Considerations for Cybersecurity in Small Business, a virtual webinar on Thursday, October 28, noon to 1 p.m. This free webinar, presented by The Kansas Small Business Development Center, Johnson County Community College, and Washburn University will cover the priority steps to take to protect your business network, incident response, physical protection, ongoing maintenance and more.

134TH ANNUAL DINNER

Join us for the Chamber’s 134th Annual Dinner virtual livestream Tuesday, November 23, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. The 2021 theme is KC For All -- a celebration of all that Kansas City is and all that it can be. Not only do we name our Kansas Citian of the Year, but we also welcome keynote speakers Davyeon Ross, co-founder and president of ShotTracker, and Kansas City, KS native Kalen Allen, rising content creator, actor, and entertainment personality, best known for his recurring guest spot on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. We also welcome back musical talent Casi Joy! Due to COVID restrictions, we are limiting in person capacity. Please reach out to annualdinner@kcchamber.com if you are interested in purchasing a table or sponsorship information. Thank you to our 2021 Annual Dinner Presenting Sponsor,  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City our Premier Sponsors are Hallmark, JE Dunn Construction, McCownGordon Construction and UMB Bank, and our Executive Sponsor CommunityAmerica Credit Union.