Your Chamber at Work - October 31, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Congratulations to the KC Chamber’s new Chair - Mark Garrett, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Mark was elected to the position last week at the Chamber’s October Board meeting.

I’m looking forward to working with him over the next year. As an officer of the Chamber, Mark led the Chamber’s social justice initiatives, leading our work in bringing Kansas City together in common cause. He’s made sure we were doing all we could to ensure robust business growth, especially in our minority business communities. He’s taken the lead on two important Chamber initiatives, including Project LEAD, a pilot program to expand minority hiring at our local companies, and LEAD Fellows, a leadership development program for minority executives.

I also want to thank outgoing Chair Ramin Cherafat, CEO of McCownGordon Construction, for his outstanding leadership this past year. He’s revived our Strategic Plan, stood up the new Chamber Foundation, enhanced our relationship with KCMO leaders, and helped us move through COVID, from virtual to in person meetings and events. Kansas City is a better place thanks to his work. Ramin will continue his service as Immediate Past Chair.

Other officers elected at last week’s meeting include:

• Chair Elect – Lisa Ginter, CEO, CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• Vice Chair – Charlie Shields, President & CEO, University Health
• Treasurer – Jeff Simon, Managing Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
• Legal Counsel – Wesley Fields, Office Managing Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

A number of new Board members were elected as well. Click here to see the complete list.

Over the last several years, we’ve worked hard to diversify the Chamber Board. The new Board is made up of 27 percent diverse Board members and 36 percent women Board members. While we have made progress, there is more work to be done.

Both Mark and Ramin will be honored at the Chamber’s upcoming Annual Dinner on November 22, in the Kay Barnes Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center.

P.S. Happy Halloween!

MEMBER STANDUP

Start the month of November off on the right foot at our Member Standup, Wednesday November 2 in our Chamber Board room, 8 to 9:30 a.m. This high-energy event will keep you on your feet as you start the day networking and get your chance to shine during the Members @ The Mic part of the program. You'll leave energized and inspired – and with plenty of new connections! Meet the Chamber staff too! Register here for this free Chamber members-only program. Thanks to the KC Chamber’s 2022 networking sponsors Delta Dental & Mazuma Credit Union.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: EAG ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Check out one of KC’s coolest office spaces at our next Neighborhood Networking, Friday, November 4 at EAG Advertising & Marketing, 2029 Wyandotte St., KCMO. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy coffee and networking while you check out the unique art, featuring a Felix Maull painting, Hasna Sal glass sculpture, and other works. EAG will be celebrating 20 years in business next year. See how they use creativity to lead to success when it comes digital marketing services and traditional marketing. This event is open to all; free for Chamber members and $5 for non-members. Register now.  Thanks to the Chamber’s 2022 overall networking sponsors Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union, and our 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsors Unbound, Bardavon Health Innovations and Kansas City Current.

TRADE ESSENTIALS: LEARN HOW TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS GLOBALLY

The global middle class is growing. That means opportunities are endless for your products or services. Join the World Trade Center - Kansas City and U.S. Commercial Service – Kansas City November 17 for Trade Essentials: Learn How to Expand Your Business Globally. International trade experts will help you identify the best global market for your business, compete in those markets, network on a global scale, and much more. This event is free at 10:30 a.m. at Restless Spirits Distilling Company, 109 E 18th Avenue in North Kansas City, but you must register. This is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

135TH ANNUAL DINNER

There’s still an opportunity to get your tickets for the Chamber’s 135th Annual Dinner. We’ll announce the Kansas Citian of the Year, celebrate all the amazing things #Connected2KC (the NFL Draft, World Cup, new businesses, and more), and enjoy live music from Lost Wax, KC’s original mashup party band. Join us Tuesday, November 22 at the Kay Barnes Ballroom in the Kansas City Convention Center, 301 W. 13th in Downtown Kansas City. Doors open for networking at 4 p.m., followed by dinner and our program beginning at 5:30 p.m. Get your tickets now. Special thanks to our 2022 Annual Dinner Presenting Sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Our Visionary Sponsor is Kansas City Southern. Our Premier Sponsors are Hallmark, JE Dunn Construction, and UMB Bank. Our Executive Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union and McCownGordon Construction.