Your Chamber at Work - April 30, 2019

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Is there a role for the business community in tackling Kansas City’s crime and violence problem, and if so, what?

That’s the question tackled by a special task force formed by the KC Chamber some months ago, co-chaired by attorneys Jeff Simon and Jean Paul Bradshaw. Following intensive discussions with law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, community organizations, and other chambers, the task force presented its conclusions to the Chamber Board of Directors on Monday.

One of the best answers to our social problems is a job, and that’s where the Chamber will focus. It’s difficult for ex-offenders to find jobs – hence the high rates of recidivism.

Our goals are this: (1) convene the business community and partners serving clients with prior convictions. (2) Identify, educate and recruit companies to implement friendly ex-offender hiring policies. (3) Partner with KC Common Good and other community partners to create an approved “work ready” certification to help streamline the hiring process. And (4) advocate for criminal justice reform at the local, state and national level.

There’s no one solution to ending crime and violence, but we believe the business community can play its part by helping to empower people with jobs.

TOP 10 THINK TANK: SMALL BUSINESS BEST PRACTICES

This year’s Top 10 Think Tank: Small Business Best Practices Breakfast is Thursday, May 2 at the Sheraton Hotel at Crown Center from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Hurry now to register here before it closes this Wednesday. This is your chance to get up close with the CEOs from this year’s Top 10 Small Businesses to learn how they achieved success, maintained sustainable growth, and overcame challenges and surprises along the way. The Breakfast is sponsored by Bank Midwest. The Top 10 Think Tank Breakfast is the final part of the judging process before the 2019 Small Business of the Year is announced at the Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon on May 23. Registration for the luncheon is open. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is the Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor. The Overall Small Business Sponsors for 2019 are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and KCP&L. Executive Sponsor is SS&C; Partner Level Sponsors are Google Fiber and Union Station; Associate Level Sponsors are Bank of Blue Valley; CBIZ/MHM; Country Club Bank; Enterprise Bank; Mazuma Credit Union; Staples; UMB and US Bank.

BREXIT BREAKFAST

With a potential date for Brexit as early as this summer or as late as October, many in the Kansas City business community have their eyes fixed across the pond on the latest developments. Hear what the impact could be at the Brexit Breakfast, this Friday, May 3 at 8 a.m in the Chamber’s Board Room, located in the southeast corner of historic Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd., next door to Pierpont’s. Join Pomerol Partners, Bestway International, and World Trade Center-Kansas City as we welcome John Saville, Her Majesty's Consul General for Chicago to Kansas City for a breakfast conversation on Brexit and the potential impact on US businesses. Registration is $20. Details here.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: CHICKEN N PICKLE

Have some fun and try your hand at pickleball at our upcoming Neighborhood Networking at Chicken N Pickle. On Friday, May 10, you have a chance to start your morning with coffee, conversation, and great connections at one of the leaders of pickleball in the Kansas City region. Chicken N Pickle is located at 18th and Burlington in North Kansas City. There are 8 courts (4 outdoor and 4 indoor, so don’t worry if it rains), a bar, an entertainment space, outdoor lawn games, and of course great food. Register here. This event is free for members and just $15 for non-members. It goes from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thanks to the Chamber’s 2019 networking sponsors Mazuma, SS&C, and Sprint. Thanks to Neighborhood Networking sponsor Andrews McMeel Universal, and Spectrum Reach.

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSION AND DEADLINE

It’s a busy time for the Centurions program. Applications to join this premier group of Kansas City leaders are due soon. Applicants have until 11:59 p.m. on June 1, 2019 to apply via this link. For those with questions about the program, join the Centurions for an information session May 8 at Helix Architecture + Design, 1629 Walnut. The session is free but please register in advance. The motto of Centurions is Learn. Serve. Lead. The two-year highly-selective program helps professionals understand the challenges and opportunities of our metro area, introduces them to nonprofit volunteerism and leadership to connect them deeper with the community, and gives the chance to put leadership skills into practice. The mission is to prepare a representative cross-section of the community's emerging leaders for their role in shaping the future of Greater Kansas City.