Your Chamber at Work - August 21, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

For 47 years, the KC Chamber’s Centurions Leadership Development Program has been first in class. It’s now the oldest (and we think best) such program in the region. The mission: to prepare a representative cross-section of the community’s emerging leaders for their role in shaping the future of Greater Kansas City. Centurions alumni include federal judges, CEOs, nonprofit leaders, and many others.

If you’d like to be a part of Centurions (or if you have an employee you think would benefit), there’s a Centurions Information Session coming up on September 14 at Spark Coworking, 1475 Walnut, KCMO, from noon to 1 p.m. Here’s the link for more information and to register.

To be a Centurion is to commit to two years of monthly task force meetings looking at issues KC is dealing with, community service, an annual retreat, and a yearly benchmarking trip to a peer city. Participants say it’s well worth it.

Because of demand, in recent years, we’ve doubled the number of Centurion cohorts, allowing twice as many emerging leaders to participate. Both cohorts are ably led by the Chamber’s Lindsay Jarquio (who is nothing short of fabulous).

The upcoming information session will outline what you can expect and the benefits offered. Advance your career, develop a large circle of new connections, and learn all about the Kansas City region.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING

Get to know more about The American Royal, a nonprofit with a dialed-in mission to be the nation’s leaders for food and agriculture education, events, and engagement. The organization provides opportunities for almost half a million youth and adults from around the world to engage in high-quality events and experiences. The Neighborhood Networking on August 25 will give you the throwback nostalgia that you love, while inspiring you to imagine The American Royal of the future. This event is free for KC Chamber members and $15 for non-members. Register here. We’ll meet at 1701 American Royal Ct., Kansas City, MO 64102, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thank you to our sponsors, including Neighborhood Networking sponsors Rock CFO, Southwest Airlines & Unbound, as well as overall networking sponsors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Delta Dental.

NOMINATE A BOARD MEMBER

The KC Chamber’s Nominating Committee is now accepting Board nominations from the KC Chamber’s membership. Nomination suggestions should be in writing and mailed to: Ramin Cherafat, Nominating Committee Chair, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, 30 West Pershing Road, Suite 301, Kansas City, Missouri  64108; or e-mailed to Pam Ronfeldt at ronfeldt@kcchamber.com. Chamber bylaws allow additional nominations to be made by petition after the committee has presented its slate.

BUILDING BRIDGES TO GLOBAL MARKETS

The U.S. Commercial Service, as part of their Global Diversity Export Initiative, is connecting diverse companies from communities throughout the U.S. to global business expertise. More than 600 diverse businesses have been hosted at 13 Building Bridges to Global Markets events across the country. Next stop, on September 13, is Kansas City. Learn why exporting is a good idea for small business; find a clear path to the right international trade resources; talk about unique business needs face-to-face and build confidence in finding easily accessible places to get financing for exports. This session will be held at Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley Education Center, 3201 SW Trafficway, Kansas City MO, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. This event is presented in partnership with MCC, Mid-America District Export Council, and World Trade Center Kansas City. 

MEMBER STANDUP!

Connect with KC Chamber members and the Chamber staff who support our programs and committees at the next Member Standup! It is high-energy networking that you won’t be able to sit down for. Member Standup is held in the KC Chamber’s Board Room at Union Station, 30 W Pershing Road, next door to Pierponts, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Bring your marketing materials, and get logo visibility when you register by August 24. Practice your professional speaking skills, and be a great listener during Members @ the Mic. Please RSVP for this members-only event, which is sponsored by Delta Dental and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.