Your Chamber at Work - February 22, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Spring is nearly here (we hope) and that means one thing: the KC Chamber’s Small Business Celebration is underway!

Applications are now open, so if you have 250 or fewer employees, click here to fill out your application form. We’ll be presenting several different awards, including the Top 10 Small Businesses of the Year (one of those will receive the top honor of the Mr. K Award); Emerging Business of the Year; Small Business Equity Award; the Weida Award for International Small Business; and the Legacy of KC Award.

To help you better navigate the application, we’ll be holding application workshops on March 2 and March 7. The deadline to apply is March 22.

Once you’ve filled out your application, we’ll save you a place at the Chamber’s Small Business Candidates’ Showcase. After being held virtually for the past two years, we’re going live again at Union Station on April 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to connect with customers and other small business owners and to showcase your products and services.

Congratulations to our 2,216 Small Business Superstars, too! This is only the second year for the Superstars portion of our Small Business Celebration. We’ve heard from many of you thanking us for spotlighting your business. Tico Productions is just one example: they posted their Superstars award on Instagram, about how excited they were by the recognition of the hard and smart work by their amazing team over the past 10 years.

That’s what we like to hear.

And for another look at the Superstars, here’s a great story from Startland News.

GENKC’S GROW TO CEO: BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL BRAND

Join genKC for the first in 2022’s Grow to CEO series. Register now for Building Your Professional Brand Thursday, February 24, 7:30 to 8 a.m. in our Chamber Board Room located in the southeast corner of the first floor of Union Station. Hear how some of KC’s top business and civic leaders have navigated career growth and the crucial skills they’ve learned along the way. The Grow to CEO series is free for Chamber members and $5 for non-members. This event is sponsored by H&R Block and JE Dunn Construction.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: FRESH KARMA

Register now for our upcoming Neighborhood Networking at Fresh Karma Dispensaries at 240 East Linwood Blvd., this Friday February 25, 8:30 to 10 a.m. You’ll hear how medical marijuana can improve lives in a safe and understanding environment. Plus enjoy coffee and connection with your fellow Chamber members. It’s free for Chamber and just $15 for non-members. The KC Chamber’s 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsor is Unbound. Overall Networking Sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.

LANGUISHING IN THE WORKPLACE

Is each day starting to feel like a scene from Groundhog Day? Healthy KC wants to give you the tools to reinvigorate, reinspire, and help recharge your staff. Join us March 4 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. for the Healthy KC Roundtable: Languishing in the Workplace. Connect with your peers and get candid about the challenges your staff is facing. You’ll collaborate to develop solutions to help create a workplace where employees can flourish. This in-person event takes place in our Chamber Board Room, located in the southeast corner on the first floor of Union Station. Thanks to our partners Metro Council, BMG Advisors, and Midwest Recovery Centers. Healthy KC Presenting Sponsor is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Our Premier Sponsor is Lockton Companies.

HEALTHY KC BREAKFAST AND VENDOR EXPO

Save your spot now for the annual Healthy KC Breakfast and Vendor Expo, March 29, 8 to 10 a.m. at Hy-Vee Arena, 1800 Genessee St. This year, the theme is Reflection, Resiliency, and Recovery. In addition to breakfast, attendees can enjoy the Healthy Vendor Expo with nearly two dozen vendors showcasing programs and tools to help promote a healthy workplace. This event will also mark the kickoff of the Healthy KC Workplace Wellness Certification process. 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.