Your Chamber at Work - November 1, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

It’s New Year’s Day here at the KC Chamber!

No, we don’t have our calendar confused. November first marks the start of our new fiscal year as well as the day our newly-elected Officers and Board members begin their terms.

Congratulations to Ramin Cherafat, elected Chair of the KC Chamber at last week’s Chamber Board meeting. Ramin has provided years of service as both a member of the Board and as a Chamber officer. He is CEO of McCownGordon Construction, and, in his 20+ years with the firm, has helped lead it from a KC Chamber Top 10 Small Business to an organization that today boasts more than 500 employees and an ever-expanding footprint.

Other officers elected last week include:

• Chair-Elect Mark Garrett, Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
• Vice Chair Lisa Ginter, CEO, CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• Treasurer Charlie Shields, President & CEO, University Health
• Immediate Past Chair Carolyn Watley, Vice President of Community Engagement, CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services
• KC Chamber President & CEO Joe Reardon
• Legal Counsel Wesley Fields, Office Managing Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP

To see the complete roster of new Board members elected last week, use this link.

Finally, special thanks to outgoing Chair Carolyn Watley, one of only three people to serve two years as Chair in the Chamber’s 134 year history. When she took office in November 2019, none of us had any idea what was ahead. Her grace, wisdom, and thoughtfulness stood us in good stead during this turbulent period. Thank you, Carolyn, for your service!

MID-AMERICA TRADE SUMMIT

There’s still time to join top exporters, global trade leaders, and trade assistance providers from across the region to help you achieve global trade success. Our World Trade Center Kansas City is a partner in tomorrow’s virtual Mid-America Trade Summit, November 2- 4, 2021, presented by the University of Missouri International Trade Center. You’ll hear success stories from outstanding exports, as well as best practices and lessons learned that have contributed to their export success. The three-day registration fee is $100. Click here for details and registration information.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: VERACITY

Check out tech consulting firm Veracity Consulting at our next Neighborhood Networking event, Friday, November 12, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at their Overland Park location, 8100 Newton #210. Veracity’s mission is to help their clients through technology, transparency, and authenticity. See how they bring an “understand-first” approach to solving complex business challenges and implementing new technologies. Chamber members can register here for free; it’s $15 for non-members. The KC Chamber's 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma. The KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound.

GIVE YOUR INPUT ON THE CLIMATE PROTECTION PLAN

The City of Kansas City is updating its 2008 Climate Protection Plan to focus on reducing greenhouse gases. Share your perspective and provide valuable insight at the KCMO Climate Protection Plan Strategies meeting, Wednesday, November 17, 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Chamber Board Room. As part of the update, the City is collaborating with Kansas City residents, businesses, and organizations. We invite members of the business community to attend this session, and to share their perspectives on what has worked well, what hasn’t, and what existing climate-focused activities are happening in Kansas City. RSVP to Adam Timmerman at atimmerman@kcchamber.com today.

134TH ANNUAL DINNER

Get your tickets now to our 134th Annual Dinner, Tuesday, November 23. Celebrate a Kansas City For All as we announce the Kansas Citian of the Year, enjoy a live performance from musician Casi Joy, and welcome our keynote speakers: Davyeon Ross, Co-Founder and President of ShotTracker, and Kansas City, KS native Kalen Allen, rising content creator, actor, and entertainment personality, best known for his recurring guest spot on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Tickets for the virtual livestream are $30. Due to COVID restrictions, we are limited on in-person capacity. Please reach out to annualdinner@kcchamber.com for more information. Special thanks to our 2021 Annual Dinner Presenting Sponsor,  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Thank you to our Premier Sponsors Hallmark, JE Dunn Construction, McCownGordon Construction and UMB Bank, and our Executive Sponsor CommunityAmerica Credit Union.