Your Chamber at Work - February 21, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Don’t know about you, but I’m still pretty euphoric over the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the Eagles. Passing by the crowds still posing in front of the victory signs in Union Station on my way to our offices tells me I’m not alone.

In fact, the rally in front of Union Station once again showed how that iconic structure has become THE place to congregate when Kansas City is in the mood to celebrate, reinforcing the Chamber’s 1996 decision to lead the effort to renovate the Station.

The Chiefs’ victory also reinforces our community’s very good luck in having the Hunt family as owners of our NFL franchise. And Clark Hunt is not alone: add to that group John Sherman (an entrepreneur who shares Ewing Kauffman’s commitment to keeping the Royals in Kansas City), Sporting Kansas City’s local ownership group lead by Cliff Illig, the Patterson Family, Robb Heineman and Greg Maday, and the owners of KC Current, Chris and Angie Long.

Union Station will once more be the center of attraction when the NFL Draft comes to Kansas City. The Draft will take place between April 27 and April 29 with Union Station’s façade enveloped by a large NFL Draft stage and tent. Estimates are the NFL Draft could generate as much as $100-million in economic impact.

FanFest – located around Union Station – is free to attend. Just download the free NFL OnePass app.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: BAR K

Bring your best four-legged friend for Neighborhood Networking at Bar K, 501 Berkley Parkway in KCMO, Friday, February 24. Doors open at 8:30 for a high energy morning of coffee and connecting with fellow Chamber members. Expect extra high energy for this one: guests are encouraged to bring their dogs to this unique spot – a fully-staffed dog park, modern bar/restaurant, & event space. Registration is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. If you are planning on attending, please fill out the attached guest form here. Guest forms will also be available at the front desk during the event. Special thanks to our 2023 overall networking sponsors Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Delta Dental, and the 2023 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors Rock CFO, Southwest Airlines & Unbound.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ALLYSHIP SERIES

Join the Chamber and partner ALLY LAB for the 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series, focusing on allyship in the workplace. Register here for this free workshop, February 28 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. in our Chamber Board Room on the first floor of historic Union Station. This workshop is designed to help you create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. This event is free. Thanks to our Presenting Diversity Sponsor CommunityAmerica Credit Union, and our Allyship Series Presenting Sponsors Evergy and Hallmark.

HEALTHY KC 8TH ANNUAL BREAKFAST AND VENDOR EXPO

There’s still time to get your tickets for our annual Healthy KC Breakfast & Vendor Expo, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., March 9, at Hy-Vee Arena. Job satisfaction is about more than a paycheck. This year’s breakfast theme is Filling the Gap: A Holistic Approach to Retention. Learn how to take a holistic approach to retaining your workforce through the Healthy KC pillars. You’ll hear from experts in the HR field, health and wellness, and other organizations on how everything from personal health resources to the psychosocial work environment to community involvement and more can be key to retaining your strong workforce.  We’ll also celebrate Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Certified Companies and learn about the 2023 Healthy KC Certification. The event is $35 for Chamber members and $45 for non-members. Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION

The Small Business Celebration is officially underway. Are you the next Small Business of the Year? The next Legacy of Kansas City Award winner? The next Emerging Business of the Year? Apply for these and other Specialty Awards for the 2023 Small Business Celebration now through March 15.  If you have questions about your application, make sure you attend one of our Application Workshops: in-person February 28 or virtual March 2. Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor Evergy and our CEO Level Sponsor is Kansas City National Security Campus managed by Honeywell FM&T.