SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER

2011

Legislative Information Networking Community Development

Partnering for Success

Round Up New Business at the B2B Expo

Its time to round up some business! Reserve a booth at the 2011 Business to Business Expo presented by Bank Midwest and Humana on Wednesday, September 28th at the Jack Reardon Convention Center from 1-5 p.m. This year we will be partnering with the Northeast Johnson County Chamber. This partnership will add new exhibitors and attendees for the expo. The expo is free and open to the public. Along with the Business to Business Expo other exciting events will be going on including a cash bar from 3-5 p.m., a business expo bingo game for great prizes, including Kansas City Chiefs and Sporting KC tickets, and other great prizes. There will also be a blood drive and flu shots sponsored by the American Red Cross of Wyandotte County and wellness checks by EPS On Site Solutions. The Chamber would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of this event: Presenting Sponsors, Bank Midwest and Humana, Media Sponsors, Thinking Bigger Business Media and KMBZ News Radio 980, Corporate Sponsors, Kansas City Business Journal, and Providence Medical Center, Investor Sponsors, New Horizons, Enterprises, WellDyneRX, Dean Realty, hr haven, Brotherhood Bank and Trust, JE Dunn, Mark One Electric, Security Bank of Kansas City, Burns and McDonnell, First Legend Bank and Trust, McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips, Kansas Speedway, and Best Harvest Bakery Co-Sponsors, The Whole Person, Kansas State University, and KCK Community College. We look forward to seeing you September 28th at the Jack Reardon Convention Center, for the 2011 Kansas City Kansas and Northeast Johnson County Chambers Business to Business Expo. Free parking will be available in the surface lot across from the Reardon Center or in the parking garage located between the Board of Public Utilities and the Hilton Garden Inn. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and/or booth space call 913-371-3070 or visit www.kckchamber.com.
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SEPTEMBER
Business After Hours Kansas City Zoo 4:00 p.m. B2B Expo Reardon Convention Center 1:00 p.m. Board Meeting Reardon Center 7:30 a.m.

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OCTOBER
7 First Friday Focus National WW1 Museum 11:45 a.m. Board Meeting Reardon Center 7:30 a.m. Business After Hours Cheeseburger in Paradise 5:00 p.m.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Kevin Jones-ATMOS energy Chairman of the Board Frank Weatherford-TranSystems Chair Elect Rosana Privitera Biondo-Mark One Electric Immediate Past Chair Alex Bradley-Bank Midwest Treasurer Bill Epperheimer - Wyandotte Health Foundation Bill Dunn, Jr.-J.E. Dunn Construction Todd LaSala-Stinson, Morrison, Hecker Valerie Mussett- Design Mechanical Joe Ozbolt- Eds Trophies and Awards John J. Jurcyk, Jr. - Unified Government Norman Smith- NPB Companies Cindy Cash - President/CEO DIRECTORS Dr. Barbara Atkinson- KU Medical Center C.L. Bachus- Mt. Zion Baptist Church Chris Carroll- AT&T Greg Cotton- Sporting Kansas City Amy Falk- Duchense Clinic Craig Gaffney- Country Club Bank Scott Glasrud- University of Kansas Hospital Gary D. Grable - Security Bank of Kansas City Don Gray-Board of Public Utilities Randy Kancel- UMB Bank Dr. Cindy Lane- KCK USD 500 Eric Lanham- McAnany Van Cleave & Phillips Jonna Lounce- AbiBow Recycling Wendell Maddox - United Way of Wyandotte County Chuck Oglesby- Legends Outlets Kansas City Mike Orth- Black and Veatch Mayor Joe Reardon - Unified Government Kirk Sherman- Zimmer Real Estate Services Joe Vaught-The Vaught Group Kate Webb-Coreslab Structures Pete Zanoni- Burns & McDonnell

PRESIDENTS NOTES
On August 31st there was a Ribbon Cutting Caravan at five new businesses starting downtown at 9:00 a.m., then one in the middle of the community as MeMas opened as the operator of the Blue Devil Deli at KCK Community College, then two more on Leavenworth Road and a final ribbon cutting late in the day at Legends Toyota at Parallel and 435. There are several messages in those five ribbon cuttings. First, the entrepreneur spirit is alive and well in KCK. Second, people know there is business to be done throughout the community. Third, most of these businesses are family owned or have melded different parts of family businesses into them. One of the businesses, an automotive repair shop on Leavenworth Road had been a life-long dream of someone who had always worked for someone else. MeMas is the third operation of the third generation family owned business. And the team at Legends Toyota includes family members of the former Roger Smith Toyota, a former long time KCK business. Finally, a few days later I discovered a sixth ribbon cutting we should have done that day. There is a new office on Parallel Parkway called Byers Management office. This is a new/old business is the next step for long time architect Ray Byers. Ray, a well know architect, was the principal of Byers, Gunn & Hart, who retired from his practice after putting a stamp and look on many buildings not only in KCK, but throughout the metropolitan area for many years. Rays new business will be taking care of the properties he has owned and/ or managed for many years in KCK. Ray has shaped many parts of the city in the way business is done, buildings are built, and people helped. He not only ran a business for customers, but has given back as well in so many ways through his church, Kiwanis, his efforts at Presbyterian Manor, and as a friend. The five new businesses are more than just a business; they are already a part of the community. They give back. They employ people and they are or are becoming family. I can only think it is in great part because theyve followed Ray Byers example and the one he continues to set in our community. Congratulations to all of these new businesses! Thanks for being here and being part of our business community! A couple of other notes I want to share. First, we have some new leaders in our community to welcome Dr.. Doris Givens, new president at the KCK Community College, Randy Nyp, interim CEO at Providence Medical Center and Mi Ah Parrish, new publisher for the Kansas City Star. And in our own office, we said good-bye to long-time sales director Janet Reed in June, welcomed BRAND new Director of Sales Shelby Rogers who began her duties the first week of September, and will be bidding a sad farewell to our Afternoon Receptionist Carolyn Robinson at the end of the month. We wish Janet and Carolyn well and hope you will all assist Shelby as she works with us to grow the KCK Chamber.

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THANK YOU TO OUR 2011 MARKETING PARTNERS

These companies have committed to underwriting our Chambers activities for 2011. If your company is interested in sponsorships, please contact Patrick McCartney in the Chamber office at 913-371-3070.

PLATINUM PARTNERS Humana Providence Medical Center

GOLD PARTNERS BHC RHODES Best Harvest Bakeries Brotherhood Bank & Trust Burns & McDonnell JE Dunn Construction Kansas Speedway Mark One Electric McAnany Van Cleave and Phillips Security Bank of Kansas City
SILVER PARTNERS Bank Midwest Black and Veatch Board of Public Utilities Country Club Bank First Legend Bank & Trust Kansas Gas Service Pipefitters Local 533 Stinson Morrison Hecker Union Bank and Trust Wyandot Center
BRONZE PARTNERS AT&T ATMOS energy Great Wolf Lodge UMB Bank
FIVE FOR $500 PARTNERS American Telephone Design Mechanical Kincaid Coach Neff Packaging Womens Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City

2011

KCK CHAMBER NEW MEMBERSHIP DATABASE

The KCK Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce a new partnership with ChamberMaster, the #1 provider of web-based software solutions for Chambers of Commerce. New opportunities, in addition to your basic listing, now exist for your business to attract new customers and share information with the metropolitan community including: Business Directory Listing - your business information continues to be available to consumers through the chambers website visitors can search the on line directory by category, keyword or alphabetically. These listings also include a Google map link, direct link to your website, and the option to include a brief description of your business, driving directions, hours of operation, and key words for search engine optimization Online Informational Brochure - your business has your own page on the chambers website which can include your business description, hours of operation, location information, and up to eight keywords (these help identify your business when a website visitor does a keyword search on the Business Directory) Pay invoices on line - your business can now pay any outstanding invoices online Hot Deals include store coupons and special offers on the chambers website Email to a friend link - visitors to your Online Informational Brochure may select a link to email your business information to a friend Your business can purchase, for $200, enhanced listings to promote your business using logos, photos, videos, more space for description of your business, and additional key words to increase your search engine optimization opportunities. Banner ads are also available for ranging in price from $250 to $50. Log in today to update your information and take advantage of these features! This login information will also be required to register online for Chamber events. To login, enter the login name and password e-mailed to you in July to gain access to all of these features, update your information, register for events, pay invoices, and more at www.chamberlogin.com. Contact Dawanna or Patrick at 913-371-3070 with additional questions or for more information. We look forward to hearing your comments about our new membership software.

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Kansas Get Your Business Online

Kansas Get Your Business Online is a Google-led program dedicated to helping to drive economic growth by providing Kansas local businesses the tools and resources to get online and succeed. Kansas Get Your Business Online is an easy, free and fast way for Kansas businesses to get online. With professional templates and a few easy steps, businesses can create and publish a website in less than 60 minutes. The offer includes: A free, easy-to-build, professional website A free customized domain name and web hosting for one year A local business listing on Google Places Free tools and resources Businesses can get online either through www.kansasgetonline.com, or through a number of local events that will be hosted during launch week and the coming months throughout the state. Small businesses are vital to Kansass economic future just as the nations. The nations 27.5M small businesses comprise half the US GDP and create two-thirds of all new jobs. While 97% of Americans look online for local products and services, 63% of Americas small businesses do not have a website or online presence. These businesses are virtually invisible to many potential customers.

New Director of Sales Introduced

The KCK Chamber is pleased to announce the hiring of our new Director of Sales Shelby Rogers. As director of sales Shelby will be responsible for new member sales and retention. She will also coordinate the Chamber Ambassadors and Membership Committee along with organizing ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. Shelby comes to the Chamber after serving as the Director of Development with the Arts Incubator of Kansas City. At the Arts Incubator Shelby was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with foundation funding entities along with individual major donors. She also coordinated the Turn on the Heat fundraiser and patron party doubling the number of corporate and individual sponsorships from the previous year. Shelby has also served as a fundraising consultant for Pennington and Company along with holding sales positions with Fry Communications and Allen Press where she increased new client sales by $268,000. Shelby graduated from Washburn University and is actively involved in the community with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Kansas City Nonprofit Connect, Pet Connection, and serving as president of the Roanoke Community Apartments Association. Please welcome Shelby to the Chamber and if you have any prospects for chamber membership or just want to say hello she can be reached at 913-371-3070 or shelby@kckchamber.com
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Little Bits
BHC Rhodes was selected by the the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide overall project management, including civil and site engineering for the State Avenue transit corridor enhancement. The Kansas Small Business Development Center offers a variety of classes for small businesses including website basics, tax information, and Quickbooks training. For more information call 913-469-2323 or visit www.jccc.edu/ksbdc. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will be hosting a job fair Tuesday, September 20th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Kansas City-SE. For more information call 816-425-2746. General Motors invites you to their Open House September 22nd from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. There will be a display of all GM vehicles along with a variety of vendors and fun activities for kids. AT&T customers can now see recent network enhancements in the Kansas City area. An industry first, the microsite gives customers an unparalleled view of what AT&T is doing to enhance the customer experience. Visitors to http://focus.att.com/kc microsite immediately view a map of the Kansas City area, and are prompted to select the community theyre most interested in. The hyper-local map displays specific network enhancements AT&T has made in the area in 2011. Enhancements include new cell sites, broadband speed upgrades, capacity upgrades, and network connection upgrades. Design Mechanical announces the appointment of a new Senior Management Team for the Kansas City based mechanical contractor. DMI Vice President, Mike Chieppo has retired and is moving out of the Kansas City area. DMI President, Bill Iler, has appointed the new management team from within the company to promote even greater customer service focus for its over 1000 customers.

Little Bits
Sunflower House, a childrens advocacy center, is dedicated to educating parents, family and caregivers of the potential risks through Keeping Kids Safe Online. This presentation designed by Sunflower House, Overland Park Police Department and FBI Cyber Crime is created to educate on the possible dangers of internet usage, practical safety tips and tools, and cyber crime reporting processes. To learn more, please contact Bev Turner at (913) 631-5800 or bevt@sunflowerhouse.org. Turner Construction was recently named the top contractor in the Midwest by Midwest Real Estate News. The publication recognized Turner as part of their Best of the Best for 2011. Providence Medical Center and Saint John Hospital, Leavenworth, Kan., have signed an agreement to acquire the assets of General Surgery Associates effective Oct. 1, 2011. General Surgery Associates includes five board-certified general surgeons with offices on both hospital campuses. The groups physicians are all fellows of the American College of Surgeons and have expertise in general and laparoscopic surgery. The Unified Government Transit Department has ordered seven new transit buses for the fleet, with each bus able to hold up to 20 passengers. All of the buses are wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. The buses were purchased with a federal earmark, and KDOT toll revenue credits were used for the 20 percent match money required. The Transit Department should be receiving the buses sometime around November 1, 2011.

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A New Approach to Worksite Wellness

How many times have employers heard about the benefits of worksite wellness? What stops businesses from starting a wellness program when they know it results in healthier and more productive employees? What prevents employees from participating in wellness initiatives or improving their health on their own? For companies, the issue may be that they tried a weight-loss competition or walking program with minimal interest or results. For individuals, the problem is generally busy schedules, which lead to unused gym memberships and fast food meals. Humana, the Chambers health plan partner, heard these challenges and launched a program that helps employees take control of their health by identifying their risk factors, supporting their goals and motivating them to adopt new behaviors. The program is called Humana Vitality, and it has a simple, three-step approach: 1) Know Your Health To get healthier, employees spend time using the health measurement tools to better understand their current health. 2) Improve Your Health Employees use the web-based tools and vast network of wellness and fitness support partners to reach lifestyle and fitness goals. 3) Earn Rewards Employees are rewarded for getting CPR certified, donating blood, exercising, or stopping tobacco use. Rewards include everything from movie tickets to travel. Humana Vitality is different from other work site wellness programs because it offers more than 30 actions for employees to improve their health status and earn rewards. Anyone can participate, even if they cannot spend hours at the gym. Each action is automatically uploaded to the Vitality system, which saves employees time, but it also ensures monitoring is accurate. Individuals can see the direct link between their actions, health status and incentives. Incentives are selected by the employee and include music downloads, electronics, fitness gear and vacation discounts. Engaged employees can have a significant impact on annual health costs. Individuals who did not participate saw an increase in annual health costs of nearly 15 percent, while those engaged in Vitality witnessed a less than two percent increase. Plus, engaged employees have fewer doctors visits and lower costs associated with treatment of chronic conditions which can mean lower costs for employers. For more information on Humana Vitality or other worksite wellness options, contact your health benefits broker. If you dont have a health benefits broker, call the Chamber at 913-371-3070 for a complete list of Chamber member brokers participating in the health benefits program.

2011

Welcome Our NEW MEMBERS!

Shawn Nicholas (Manufacturing) Baader 2955 Fairfax Trafficway Kansas City, KS 66115 913-621-3366 www.baader-johnson.com Matt Beem (Fund Raising Organization) Hartsook Companies P.O. Box 410046 Kansas City, MO 64141 816-474-8730 www.hartsookcompanies.com Karin Reyes (Industrial Supplies & Services) Stratus Building Solutions 7501 College Blvd., Suite 120 Overland Park, KS 66210 913-273-1067 www.stratusclean.com Mike Rhodes (Boat Equipment & Supplies) RM Industries 13400 Donahoo Road Kansas City, KS 66109 913-721-9800 www.procontroll.com Doug Gregg (Telecommunications Service) AnswerPro Limited 5815 Dearborn Mission, KS 66202 913-384-1212 www.answerprolimited.com Becky Gredell (Manufacturers) Vista Manufacturing Company 1307 Central Avenue Kansas City, KS 66102 913-342-4939 www.vista-mfg.com Greg Phillips (General Construction) Greenleaf Construction 3303 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64109 816-333-3445 www.greenleafconst.com Jennifer Soffen (Internet Access Provider) Google 1600 Ampitheatre Pkwy Mountain View, CA 94043 301-642-1422

www.google.com/fiber/kansascity

Bill Peay (Catering) Grandmas Office Catering 4001 NE Davidson Road Kansas City, MO 64116 816-472-6362 www.grandmascatering.com

Ambassador of the Quarter

Congratulations to Sandee Munson for her selection as the Ambassador of the Quarter! For the past three years Sandee has been an Employment Specialist with U. S. Probation for the District of Kansas, serving both the Kansas City and Topeka offices. In this role she assists clients in securing employment helping them prepare their resumes, practice interviews, and other job readiness activities. Her background is in correctional education, having taught GED at both Lansing Correctional Facility and U.S.P. Leavenworth. Sandee holds a Masters in Vocational, Occupational, and Continuing Education through Kansas State. She is a transplanted Southeast Missourian by way of Mississippi and Pennsylvania, but she has called Lenexa home for almost 20 years. Her dog Sarge rules the house as well as two grandchildren when theyre visiting. I joined the Chamber a year ago to help me meet potential employers who are willing to give someone a second chance. I try to recommend clients to employers who have a need for their particular skill set. Im blown away by the dynamic business leaders Ive met through the Chamber, KCK is really a well kept secret. I also enjoy the opportunity to volunteer with the Ambassadors SOLE group, I always come away getting more than I gave.

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2011 Sunshine Scramble

The Chambers annual Sunshine Scramble at Painted Hills Golf Course was a tremendous success again this year raising over $18,000. The weather was Chamber perfect, the course was in great shape and there was plenty of food and drinks for everyone. All the ingredients needed for a fantastic golf tournament! Winning teams in the morning A flight were; Better Business Bureau first place, Black and Veatch second place, and Bank Midwest third place. Winners in the morning B flight were; AT&T first place, University of Kansas Hospital second place, and NPB Companies third place. The afternoon A flight winners were; Mr. Goodcents first place, Harvest Graphics second place, and Kansas Gas Service third place. Winners in the afternoon B flight were; Plastic Packaging Technologies first place, Baader second place and, General Motors third place. Other winners included Mike Pine of Board of Public Utilities and Ed Hulse of Auto-Chlor in the putting contest, Valerie Mussett of Design Mechanical in the womens long drive , and Jason Pointelin of Better Business Bureau and John Allen in the mens long drive. Thank you to our sponsors for this event including, Bank Midwest, Design Mechanical, Heavy Constructors Association, New Horizons Enterprises, Mr. Goodcents Subs and Pastas, and Rogers Wholesale Liquors. Thanks also to Harvest Graphics for the printing of the flyers. Thank you also to all the companies who donated prizes for the golf tournament. And finally, thanks again to all of our great volunteers! Without their help events like this would not be nearly as successful. Make sure to mark Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at Dubs Dread Golf Course on your schedule for next years Annual Sunshine Scramble.

2011

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
The KCK Chamber would like to thank these members who have reached the following membership renewal milestones in June, July, August.
Procter & Gamble Balls Food Stores Dean Realty Heathwood Oil Company ATMOS Energy Owens Corning

50 + Years

15 + Years

40 + Years

J.E. Dunn Clarkson Construction

HHB Periodontics Randy Curnow Buick-GMC Business West Leavenworth Road Association BHC RHODES Kansas City Winnelson Benefits Design Group ADT Security Systems Willis of Greater Kansas City

30 + Years

10 + Years

University of Kansas Medical Center Cochran Head Vick & Co. Heavy Constructors Association Time Warner Cable

20 + Years

Midwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Mechanical Contractors Association Unified Government of WYCO/KCK Schmitz, King, & Associates B.A. Karbank & Co. KCK Community College KCK Public Schools Agricultural Hall of Fame NEA-KCK

Lyric Opera of Kansas City Cross-Lines Cooperative Council Union Bank and Trust Unisource Paul Lavery & Associates McConnell Cleaning & Janitorial Kansas City Business Journal Custom-On-Hold Messages MAMTC Dean Machinery Kathy Damron and Associates Best Harvest Bakeries The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City Argosy Casino Kansas City Testing and Engineering KDC Construction Hilton Garden Inn B&J Food Service Equipment Duchesne Clinic H&R Block Mittleman Furniture Industrial State Bank Western Blue Print

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Mayor Joe Reardon and officials from Legends Toyota cut the ribbon on their new showroom located at 10100 Parallel Parkway.

Mr. Steven Bachenberg, P.E., Vice President of Public Works Services for BHC RHODES was selected as the Kansas Engineer of the Year. He was presented with the award during the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers annual meeting.

Mayor Joe Reardon, along with KCK Community College President Dr. Doris Givens, Vice President Brian Bode, board member Dr. Ray Daniels and owner Loraine Waldeck cut the ribbon at the new Memas Blue Devil Bakery at KCK Community College.

2011

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