Your Chamber at Work - September 30, 2019

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Two items of interest I’d like to share with you today.

First, the Chamber’s annual Leadership Exchange was held last week – our largest ever – as nearly 150 business, civic, and elected leaders visited Nashville to study that rapidly-growing city’s best practices and challenges.

Music City, as it’s called, is growing by leaps and bounds (we counted 20 cranes looming over its booming downtown) but that rapid growth also has brought challenges. The visit brought home the Chamber’s need to focus on equity and workforce development while also pushing for growth.

Meanwhile, we continue to engage in the construction of the new KCI airport. At its September meeting, the Chamber Board unanimously approved recommendations from a special Aviation Task Force. The group spent six weeks looking at a variety of issues, focusing on these five areas: timeline and budget; community collaboration; community benefit; new terminal design elements; and the existing terminals.

One immediate result: we’re asking the Aviation Department to better inform Kansas Citians and those passing through the old terminals that there’s a new terminal coming and there’s hope on the horizon. Unlike other airport construction projects, there’s no evidence of the new terminal as you go through current terminals B and C.

To read the full report of the Aviation Task Force, click here.

THE FUTURE OF WORKSPACE RECEPTION

Join us Thursday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. for The Future of Workspace Reception. Employers see the benefits of collaborative work environments, remote-friendly co-working spaces, and embracing multi-modal communication. You’ll hear from international, national, and local experts as they discuss what’s next in workspace environments. Think “TED-style” talks about our changing workspaces. It’s not your grandfather’s office anymore! The event takes place at Populous’ headquarters at 4800 Main St., #300. Registration is $15 and includes two drink tickets and appetizers. The event is free for KC Chamber Real Estate Policy Committee members. Register here. Thanks to sponsors Populous, Newmark Grubb Zimmer, and the Kansas City Area Development Council.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: DIMENSIONAL INNOVATIONS

Our next Neighborhood Networking brings you inside the build space of one of the fastest growing companies in America. Dimensional Innovations is known for more than just spaces – they're known for creating memorable experiences. From libraries to locker rooms, distilleries to breweries, museums to augmented reality experiences, Dimensional Innovations brings venues and events to life. Join us Friday, October 11 at 3421 Merriam Drive from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. to see their 140,000 sq. foot design and build space in Overland Park for yourself. The coffee will be hot and the creativity and connection will be flowing. This event is free for Chamber members and just $15 for non-members. Register here. If you can’t make it to this Neighborhood Networking, we’ll see you October 25 at SumnerOne. Thanks to Neighborhood Networking sponsors Andrews McMeel Universal and Spectrum Reach. The KC Chamber's 2019 networking sponsors are Mazuma, SS&C, and Sprint.

2019 ECONOMIC FORECAST BREAKFAST

Join us Thursday, October 24 for our annual Economic Forecast Breakfast at The View at Briarcliff, 4000 N. Mulberry Drive, 7:30-9:30 a.m. We’ll release a new dashboard resource to chart some of the KC region’s top successes, goals, and upcoming challenges. We will talk about employment numbers, transit access, and the health, education and crime measurements for the region and why these indicators matter to Kansas City’s prosperity. Frank Lenk of Mid-America Regional Council will deliver the Chamber forecast of what's in store for KC’s economy heading into the 2020 election year. Registration is $40 for Chamber members and $50 for non-members. Breakfast is included. This event is presented by BMO Harris Bank and Waddell & Reed.

POLSINELLI PUBLIC POLICY SPEAKER SERIES: WHY SECOND-CHANCE HIRING IS GOOD

Did you know anywhere from 60-75% of returning citizens remain unemployed one year after release from prison? That means the U.S. loses about $80 billion in GDP from those unemployed men and women. Join us for our upcoming Polsinelli Public Policy Speaker Series: Why Second-Chance Hiring Is Good Business, October 30 at 7:30 a.m. at the InterContinental Hotel in Kansas City, 401 Ward Parkway. Jeffrey Korzenik, Chief Investment Strategist at Fifth Third Bank, explains why hiring returning citizens often means hiring employees who are proven to be more loyal and harder-working. The breakfast event is $50 for Chamber members and $65 for non-members. Register here. Thank you to Polsinelli for their continued support of this highly informative series.