The Chamber 4
Events
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SantaCaliGon
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ISD Academies
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Ribbon Cuttings October 2016
Charter M embers
ALL THROU
G H O C TO B ER!
The Independence Chamber of Commerce is grateful to our Charter members for their ongoing support, which allows us to offer programs and events that help our city and members grow and prosper.
Exclusive offer for all new members! In addition to all the membership benefits provided to anyone who joins the Independence Chamber, all new members in October will receive:
Free fourth-page ad space in an upcoming issue of The Chamber View A chance to win a FULL-PAGE write-up in an upcoming issue of The Chamber View!
Recruit Be Recognized! Any member who brings in a new member in the month of October will receive a free Our Business is Business 210 West Truman Road Independence, MO 64050 (816) 252-4745 www.iChamber.biz
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The Chamber View
lunch and VIP treatment at the November lunch with Lamar Hunt, Jr.!
Jason Pritchett, SantaCaliGon Mainstage Headliner Saturday Night Pritchett is a Truman graduate and came home for a local performance.
Photo courtesy of Howe Creative Photography
October 2016
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October Calendar of Events 4
RibbonCutting
Stewardship Capital October 4, 4:00-5:00pm 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, MO 64057 Stewardship Capital has been members of the Chamber for 18 years. Come help them celebrate their completely new office suites!
Business After Hours 6
October 6, 4:30-6:00 pm Sponsored by Speaks Family Legacy Chapels Courthouse Exchange Outdoor Patio 113 W Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64050 The year 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of Speaks Family Legacy Chapels serving the community. Come help them celebrate this milestone while also enjoying networking over drinks and appetizers.
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Monthly Membership Luncheon 13
SECOND T HURS IN OCTOBE DAY R!
Thursday, October 13, 11:30-1:00 pm Sponsored by Saint Luke’s East Hospital Hilton Garden Inn, 19677 E Jackson Dr, Indep., MO 64057
Dr. Ted Jones is flying in from Houston, Texas to be with us as our luncheon speaker on October 13, a Thursday. He will talk about the Kansas City economy and what he sees for us in the next year. Dr. Jones serves as the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President at Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Inc. He has served as the Chief Economist at Texas A and M University’s Real Estate Center and has consulted the Boeing Company on property valuations. Dr. Jones has written a book on valuation and has taught at the University of Cambridge in New Zealand. He has done appraisals and property analysis in NewZealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. An accomplished speaker, Dr. Jones gives more than 150 presentations on real estate and the economy each year. Come join us at the Hilton Garden Inn on a Thursday for this compelling presentation. Our sincere thank you to Marty Albertson and Kimberly Abbs Riley from Stewart Title for arranging for Dr. Jones to join us. Register now at iChamber.biz.
Sponsor
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The Chamber View
October Calendar of Events 27
Speaker Series
October 27, 3:00-4:00 pm Chamber Boardroom 210 W Truman Rd., Independence, MO 64050 Bob Glaser is Vice President of Business Development for Summit Bank of Kansas City. Bob is one of the most influential businessmen in Lee’s Summit and Independence. After a successful career managing the Sears store at Independence Center, and after being the first president of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Bob launched his banking career. Bob will share his joy, his stories and how to become a successful networker and how to build relationships.
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68th Annual Halloween Parade October 29, 10:00 am - noon, The Independence Square Join us for one of the largest Halloween Parades in the Midwest! Almost 100 floats, bands, cars, dancers, animals and more will dress up and travel The Historic Independence Square with candy, music, beads and more! If you want to be in the parade, please register on the Chamber’s website or contact Steve Patton at
[email protected]. You can be a sponsor the 68th Halloween Parade! Become a “Boo Buddy” by sponsoring the parade for $100! Your logo will be listed on the Halloween Parade Poster, the Chamber’s Facebook page and in the Chamber newsletter. You will also receive a free entry into the parade.
January 28, 2017
96th Annual Banquet
The 96th Annual Banquet will be on January 28, 2017 at Stoney Creek Hotel and Ophelia’s will be catering a delightful dinner. Please mark the date on your calendar! If you would like to be a banquet sponsor and put your name in front of 600 business folks, please contact Amy Knipp at 816-252-4745 or email Amy at
[email protected].
October 2016
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“I wanted to thank you for the great music you all brought to the main stage this year, I really enjoyed it.” Chuck Donaldson (Attendee)
“Thanks again for another great show and another great year. You all truly rock and we can’t wait to come back again next year. Thanks so much!” Judy & Chris Hicks (SCG Vendors)
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The Chamber View
Photography courtesy of Howe Creative Photography
2016 Steering Committee Members Dwight Barnhard Jeff Benson Kenese Cartwright Alex Colley Travis Davies Cori Day Kim Deveney Kelsey Edwards Dave Evans Mikealene Evans Beth Franklin Eric Knipp Sharon Koch Troy Kuhnert Cindy McClain
Sponsors
LIBERTYRV
Blue River
Berry’s Arctic Ice
Lois McDonald Steve McVay Jan O’Brien Guy Raynor R. Scott Smith Kathy Stack Greg Steele Terri Steele Wayne Stewart Morgan Toczek Jess Todd Zack Walker Amy Waters Tom Waters Gary White
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“This was our best year–sales-wise–in the 21 years we have done this show!!!!!” Gail and Mike Pappas (SCG Vendors)
October 2016
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Business Partners Can: Help mold the curriculum of the Academies by joining one of the Academies Advisory Councils and thus, create systems that produce their “model employee”; Schedule students to work in their business as internships, thus helping the student. The business can see future employees at work; Join career days for freshmen which is held for all ISD freshman, agree to speak to classes, and can host Teachers in their business. Students that complete the “Academy” can graduate with certificates in their chosen field so they are workforce ready. College bound students can choose from 79 college accredited courses to give them a jump start on their college experience.
Membership Luncheon with the Academies Dr. Dale Herl, superintendent of the Independence Public School District was the keynote speaker, for our September monthly luncheon. He spoke about the Academies of the Independence School District (ISD), especially how businesses can get involved with the Academies to help mold their future workforce.
If you or your company has any interest in this please contact Steve Patton at 816-252-4745 ext.7 or
[email protected].
Sponsor
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The Chamber View
ISD students baked dessert for us!
Speaker Series State Representative Jeanie Lauer also does business strategic planning and consulting. She came to the Chamber to share her business wisdom.
The LEAD 2017 class came together for their retreat and kickoff on September 15th. We are excited that we have 25 candidates who have taken the plunge and are off on the quest to become the second best LEAD class ever (the first best class of course was LEAD 1993.)
“Jeanie Lauer was a great speaker. What she said really hit home with how valuable oneon-one time is with our employees, coworkers and family which shows that you care and helps to put fires out early.” Brenda Class, First Federal Bank of Kansas City
LEAD classmates spent their first day together lining out the leadership skills they want to focus on, daily topics they want to explore, and discovering if they were orange, blue, gold or green personality types. The group bonded over tagteam bowling, laser tag and trying to achieve the most points in arcade games. Yes, this year’s LEAD 2017 class kicked off at the Main Event.
October 2016
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Congratulations to the Independence School District, celebrating their 150th anniversary. The district kicked things off with an incredible parade on the historic Independence Square, followed by the ribbon cutting of its new student operated store All Things Independence. Also this school year, each of the 29 schools is doing their own event or service project to give back to the community as part of the 150th anniversary. Students are holding donation drives for local charities including CSL and Children’s Mercy Hospital. The service projects have 150 related themes including “150 acts of kindness” and “150 food items”.
Make sure to follow the Independence School District on Facebook and Twitter to see photos, videos and updates from all of our schools.
ISD Academies students pictured with Dr. Margie Vandeven, Missouri Commissioner of Education.
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The Chamber View
Ribbon Cuttings
ISD Academies “All Things Independence” Store September 17 215 N Main St Independence, MO 64050 Grand Opening
JG Contracting September 20 11015 E 23rd St S Independence, MO 64052 Newly Renovated Business
Blaytonly Beautiful Studios September 22 18100 E 24Hwy Indep., MO 64056 Grand Opening
Can you identify the individuals in this picture?
“As a member of the Independence Chamber, Comprehensive Mental Health Services benefits a great deal from the opportunities to network with other businesses and organizations in Independence. We have also developed a number of productive partnerships with other member organizations. The luncheons are an excellent way of keeping up with what’s happening in our city; lunch with the penguins was delightful!”. Joy Copeland, President / CEO Comprehensive Mental Health Services
October 2016
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Business Before Hours
The Chamber met at Main Event for a 7:30 am coffee and networking. Mayor Eileen Weir joined and updated us on Independence people and projects in motion.
Business After Hours
Our Business After Hours took us to the beautifully renovated Hilton Garden Inn in last month.
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The Chamber View
Truman at Truman The Truman Library was the site of our first Truman at Truman event. This event was especially designed for our Truman level members and we decided to hold it at the Truman Library, thus the name, Truman at Truman. We had a good group of Truman level members meet and mingle with our Board of Directors. We even had a surprise guest as Kurt Graham, the director of the Truman Library, joined us.
Save the Date!
Thursday, November 3rd, 4:00 - 6:00 pm The Independence Chamber 210 W Truman Rd, Independence MO 64050 The 4th Annual Progressive Party is brought to you by the Independence Chamber and Independence EDC. We are looking for businesses that want to participate in this year’s “Support the Progressive Party” themed Business After Hours event. For more information email Amy Knipp at
[email protected].
October 2016
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Member News
Dorinda Chamberlin of Independence won the Independence Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 50/50 raffle that was held during the SantaCaliGon Days Festival. Dorinda, a seven-year employee of Palomino’s Mexican Restaurant, was working a booth for her employer at the festival when she bought the ticket. “This money will go toward a truck. I am very happy and appreciative, it was definitely a shock!”
The second annual Winefest
of Eastern Independence. Held
September 10th on the grounds of the Bingham Waggoner
Estates, 27 wineries were fea-
tured, each offering samples for more than 2500 ticketholders.
1-4 Years Avid Communications Apex Business Advisors Billie Preston Serc of Independence Square First National Bank The Women’s Clinic of Kansas City The Beef Jerky Outlet Reece Nichols-Bryan Gilliam The Dugout Batteries + Bulbs Newmark Grubb Zimmer BioLife Plasma Services Green Lantern Car Wash Lunar Bowl Phoenix Home Care Inc.
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The Chamber View
as the Independence Citizen of
the Year at the Truman Heartland
Community Foundation Banquet on September 17th. Owner of Curt’s
Market, Donna is a longtime member, and former board member of
the Independence Chamber. Donna is a champion of business and vitality in western Independence. Born
and raised in Independence, Donna has an impressive history of community activism.
An exciting new beginning happened on September 28 as Independence Power & Light and MC Power broke ground on an 11,000 unit community solar farm. Local businesses and individuals can support and buy into the community solar farm by contacting Derek Clemens at MC Power at 660-221-5948 or
[email protected].
was hosted by the Rotary Club
Anniversaries
Donna Pittman was recognized
5-14 Years Edward Jones, Chris Thiele Edward Jones, Adam Kliethermes Mother’s Refuge The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
25+ Years Harry S Truman Library and Museum Fort Osage R-l School District Scott King, Attorney Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co
15-24 Years Auto Color & Equipment Inc. Drenon Jewelry Company Inc McDaniel Furnace & Sheet Metal Inc. Recognition Plus Red Carpet Service Silverstein Eye Centers PC V’s Italiano Ristorante Generator Sales & Install Balanced Body Chiropractic Center PC Junior Service League of Independence
New Members
Transaction Brokers, LLC
Scott Keithley 816-301-5844
[email protected]
Officers:
Dave Williams Chair of the Board Centerpoint Medical Center
Brad Speaks Past Chair of the Board Speaks Family Legacy Chapels
Tom Weir Treasurer Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co.
Tom Waters Incoming Chair Corporate CopyPrint
Board of Directors:
Dr. Lynette Wheeler Truman Medical Center
Kim Downey Noble Kim Downey Noble State Farm Agent
Doug Williams Morgan Stanley
Dr. Karen Cox Children’s Marcy Hospitals and Clinics
Sonci Bleckinger Central Bank of the Midwest
Beth Franklin Keller Williams Real Estate
Ron Finke Stewardship Capital
Steve Potter Mid-Continent Public Library
Wes Cowan Kansas City Space Center
Kent Holiday Orbital ATK
Bob Glaser Summit Bank of Kansas City
Steve Graffeo Community of Christ Jonathan Zerr Kapke & Willerth, LLC.
Jon Ellis Paradise Park Kim Deveny American Funding Solutions LLC
Mary McNamara Julie Moreno Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Company The Examiner
Ex Officio Members: Tom Lesnak Independence Council for Economic Development
Dr. Michael Banks Metropolitan Community College-Blue River
Dr. Jason Snodgrass Fort Osage School District
Dr. Dale Herl Independence School District
Dr. Jim Finley Blue Springs School District
Hap Graff Independence Chamber of Commerce
Hap Graff, President & CEO
[email protected], ext. 5
Amy Knipp, Director of Membership Events
[email protected], ext. 8
Steve Patton, Business Liaison to the Chamber
[email protected], ext. 7
Trina Anderson, Director of Membership Services
[email protected], ext. 1
Lois McDonald, Vice President of Community Development
[email protected], ext. 2
Kris Zerr, Director of Finance
[email protected], ext. 3
Zach Walker City of Independence
Chamber Team:
Welcome to the Chamber!
We would like to welcome Amy Knipp to the Chamber staff. Amy is married to Eric Knipp and has two children. She is the owner of the store Elizabeth Henry on the Independence Square. Amy joined us part time at the first of August and worked primarily on SantaCaliGon for most of the month. She will begin working for the Chamber full time on October 1st. Please help us welcome her as she becomes the Independence Chamber’s new Director of Membership Events.
October 2016
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210 West Truman Road Independence, MO 64050
Leadership
Quote of the Month
“It’s a good thing when the people that know you the best, like you the most.” David Elyachar, Founder, Big Bob Carpet,
War Time Retail
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