Your Chamber at Work - March 7, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

One of our biggest events of the year – the POWER of Diversity Celebration – is coming up in a few months, but nominations for those awards are open now.

The Ace Awards are given to three individuals who are up-and-coming senior level managers at their company who advocate for their organizations Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and/or supplier diversity efforts. The 2021 Ace Award winners went to Astra Garner at ReDiscover; Subashini Nadarajah of VMLY&R, and Darla Wilkerson of Disability Inclusion of Greater Kansas City. We’ve honored Ace Award recipients since 2011.

Two other significant awards are presented as well. The Champion of Diversity Award and the Nonprofit Champion of Diversity Award. The awards recognize a regional business and nonprofit organization that have made an impactful commitment to embrace diversity in their workplace, diversity supplier partnerships, and the community. Cerner and the Troost Market Collective were last year’s award winners.

Education on and promotion of diversity efforts is an important priority for the KC Chamber for two reasons: first, it’s the right thing to do, and, second, research shows that those companies who are most inclusive show better returns to their bottom line. In addition, communities that are more equitable tend to grow at a better rate than those that aren’t.

To nominate an individual for our POWER of Diversity Ace Awards, please click here. Nominations are open until April 1. Applications for Ace and Champion Awards will be opening soon.

APPLY FOR SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR!

It’s time to submit your application for Small Business of the Year! You have through March 22 to apply.  Applicants are judged on their growth or sustainability, strong employee relations, a record of giving back to the community, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s not just Small Business of the Year, either. We also recognize winners of the following Specialty Awards: the Emerging Business Award, the Small Business Equity Award, the Weida Award for International Small Business of the Year, and the Legacy of Kansas City Award. More information, including applications, criteria, and important dates can be found here. The Small Business Celebration is recognized as one of the largest in the country. Our Presenting Sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy. Our CEO Sponsor is Honeywell. Our Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments. Our Top 10 Announcement Sponsor is UMB Bank. Our Top 10 Reception Sponsor is Bank Midwest. Our Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor is Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Our Executive Sponsor is CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Our Partner Sponsor is H&R Block. Our Associate Sponsors are Arvest Bank, Bank of Blue Valley, Country Club Bank, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Mazuma Credit Union, Menlo, and US Bank. Superstar media sponsor is Startland News and Superstar sponsor is FastSigns Overland Park.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: KANSAS CITY TEACHER RESIDENCY

Register now for Neighborhood Networking Friday, March 11 at 8:30 a.m. to connect with the Kansas City Teacher Residency, 415 Delaware, Ste. 2W in the River Market. This local non-profit is committed to supporting teachers to help create an equitable education system across Greater KC. Hot coffee and a light breakfast is provided.  Registration is free for Chamber members, and $15 for non-members. The KC Chamber's 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsors are Bardavon Health Innovations, Kansas City Current and Unbound. The 2022 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.

TAPPING TODAY’S TALENT: ACCESSING THE VETERAN TALENT POOL

Access the assets of Veterans to strengthen your workforce. Join us Thursday, March 24, 8 to 9 a.m. in the Chamber Board Room for Tapping Today’s Talent. You’ll learn how to connect with men and women as they transition from the military and into civilian life right here in the Greater Kansas City region. They bring valuable skills, instincts, characteristics, and more to our community and to a potential employer. This program is presented through the Chamber’s Workforce Development Initiative and Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. Register here for this hybrid event. Thanks to our 2022 Workforce Priority Benefactor sponsor Evergy, and our 2022 Military & Veteran Affairs Presenting sponsors, Honeywell and Waddell & Reed.

HEALTHY KC BREAKFAST AND VENDOR EXPO

Join us March 29, for the 7th Annual Healthy KC Breakfast and Vendor Expo, 8 to 10 a.m. at Hy-Vee Arena, 1800 Genessee in the West Bottoms. Begin your journey to being a Healthy KC Certified Workplace while celebrating this year’s theme: Reflection, Resiliency, and Recovery. Look back at what we’ve learned from two years of COVID, then look ahead to how we can continue to recover and use these lessons to strengthen us. We’ll also kick off the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Certification. This certification recognizes employers for innovation and excellence in promoting a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. Registration for Chamber members is $25; it’s $35 for non-members. Register here. Thank you to our 2022 Healthy KC Sponsors. The Healthy KC Presenting Sponsor is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Our Premier Sponsor is Lockton Companies.