1January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

EventsJanuary 20Monthly Membership LuncheonOpehlia’s Restaurant11:30am - 1:00pm

January 28Ribbon Cutting CeremonyIndependence Veteran’sBaseball ClubBlue Ridge Bank Building4:00 - 6:00pm

January 3095th Annual BanquetStoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center6:00 -10:00 pm

February 19Business Procurement DayIndependence Chamber of Commerce8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Be sure to get your table for the 95th Annual Awards Banquet! The deadline to RSVP is

January 15th. This black-tie optional event will feature a social hour, keynote speaker Captain

Richard Phillips, dinner, and recognition of Business of the Year, Board member of the Year

and Community Leader of the year.

Presented by:

Sponsorships are still available! Need more information? Contact Alex at alex@iChamber.biz.

Calendar of Events

2December 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Monthly Membership LuncheonWednesday, January 20, 2016, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Ophelia’s Restaurant, 201 N. Main St., Independence, MOPlease join us for the Monthly Membership Luncheon! Our speaker this month will be former Jackson County Executive Director, Mike Sanders.

Reservations must be made by Monday, January 18. Refunds can not be given after January 18 due to the cost of the meal.

95th Annual BanquetSaturday, January 30, 2016, 6:00 -10:00 pm, Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Independence, MO

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 95th Annual Awards Dinner with keynote Speaker Captain Richard Phillips. Join your fellow community members to celebrate our community and honor the Business of the Year, Community Leader of the Year and Board Member of the year.

Purchase your tickets and sponsorships at www.iChamber.biz. Please RSVP by Friday, January 15th!

Need further information? Contact Alex at alex@iChamber.biz.

Business Procurement DayFriday, February 19, 2016, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Independence Chamber of Commerce

Procurement officers from large companies and public entities tell the secrets of selling to them. Join the Chamber and over a dozen public organizations and large private employers in Eastern Jackson County from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm to learn how to become a qualified or approved vendor capable of selling goods and/or services to them.

The event will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:00am then at 8:30am, small businesses owners will break intosmall groups to meet with the procurement officers of their choice from the private organizations represented.

At noon, we will have lunch and reconvene for the second part of the day at 1:00 pm. At that point, the small business owners will have an opportunity to meet in small groups with the procurement officers of their choice from public organiza-tionsrepresented.

The intent of these appointments is to provide small business owners insight and direction into the specific steps they should take to be qualified to do business with the larger companies.

Appointments can be made prior to Business Development Day beginning on February 1, 2015.

Participants will be emailed with the list of confirmed entities.

Conversations will be scheduled in 20 minute intervals so each organization will have the opportunity to meet with as many small business owners as possible.

Appointments will be made on a first-come-first serve basis. Any appointments still available the day of the event will be posted at check-in for sign up.

Purchase your seat at www.iChamber.biz.

Need further information? Contact Alex at alex@iChamber.biz.

Thank you to Centerpoint Medical Center for being our

presenting sponsor.

3January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Eggs & Issues Recap

The 2015 Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast was held on December 11, 2015, at the Ennovation Center. The event attracted almost 100 community and business leaders from Independence and surrounding areas. Big thank you to Representatives Ira Anders, John Rizzo and Rory Rowland, for taking the time to speak with our community and give us a heads up on what is coming up during the 2016 session.

4January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

The Rearview Mirror

It’s fun to see all of the energy and enthusiasm at the Independence Chamber of Commerce these days. The level of activity is at a multi-year peak and it seems there is something for everyone, because we see so many types of people are participating in our events. Members are engaged, the committees are having fun, and our initiatives are generating great feedback. Congratulations to everyone on a great year!

As I look back on 2015, it’s been an awesome run for me personally. We have had our share of challenges but we have successfully overcome them and the Chamber has emerged as the politically-relevant business organization that we all want and need it to be.

From the chairman’s seat in the board-room, here are just a few of the highlights: • We are on a sound financial footing and have hit our targets for 2015 • Staff and members alike are experiencing high morale in regards to the Chamber • The Chamber has been instrumental in vital community initiatives (a) Independence Civic Council (b) Economic Development Summit (c) Academies of ISD (with a dedicated Chamber employee assisting) • We held a very successful SantaCaliGon Festival by virtually any measure • Created our own Chamber 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation • Enjoying community support from across the spectrum of stakeholders

Additionally, we have some initial work accomplished on a Strategic Plan that should bear fruit in the years to come. The board of directors is engaged and working actively on membership initiatives for 2016. And our events and programs continue to help our members and friends with networking, business education and opportunities to impact the business climate in our region. I want to thank the entire community for rallying behind the Chamber this year and for the personal expressions of friendship and support from so many of you. Independence is a wonderful place to live and work and it’s been a pleasure serving.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Brad Speaks

5January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

LEAD :: December Recap

The LEAD 2016 group met on Thursday, December 17th, for a full day of Economic Development. They started off with a presentation from Tom Lesnak, President of the Economic Development Council. Lee Langerock, Director of the Ennovation Center, then presented to them on the Ennovation Center services, gave them a tour of the facility and hooked them up with a panel of Ennovation Center clients for lunch. The group then headed over to tour the Kansas City Space Center and hear from the Vice President of the facility, Wes Cowan. They ended their day with a trip to the Albonee Winery and presentation from Brad Speaks, Chamber Chairman, and Ann Smith-Tate, City of Independence Economic Development Manager.

6January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Luncheon at Junior Service League - Independence

On December 16, we had our final luncheon of the year at Ophelia’s Restaurant with over 120 attendees present. The outgoing Chair of the Board, Brad Speaks, recognized the Executive Committee for their dedication throughout 2015 and the Anacora Chorale serenaded us with beautiful Christmas carols. The Independence Chamber Staff also paid homage to Brad by wearing yellow shirts with the Speaks logo, wire-brimmed glasses and a name tag that said “Brad” for his final event as Chair of the Board. Thank you to all who attended and to Lunar Bowl for being our sponsor.

Thank you to our sponsor:

7January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

December Ribbon Cuttings

Main EventWe hope you had a chance to celebrate the opening of Main Event at 4601 S. Cochise Court, Independence Missouri, on December 1. The celebration included free games, drinks and food, and even a ceremonial “first bowl” by Mayor Eileen Weir.

Momo’s Grilled PaniniOn December 9, Momo’s Grilled Panini celebrated is grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This brand new concept is located at 4052 Lynn Court Drive, Independence, Missouri.

The Springs at IndependenceThe Springs at Independence celebrated its one-year anniversary on December 10. The celebration included guided tours of the facility and heartfelt testimonials from some of the residents.

8January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Thank you to all of those who joined us for the Holiday Business After Hours at the beautiful Bingham-Waggoner Estate. With a delicious spread from Vivilore, speeches by Bob Glaser, Brad Speaks and Steve Silverstein, and genuine networking, the event turned out wonderfully.

Business After Hours Recap

9January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Almost 70 current L.E.A.D. students and alumni attended the annual L.E.A.D. Alumni luncheon on December 4 at Carraba’s. We look forward to this event naturally growing as we continue to graduate incredible community leaders.

Annual LEAD Luncheon Recap

10January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

New Membership Directory

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI 2015 | MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY & RESOURCE GUIDE1

The Independence Chamber is again partnering with Chamber member MetroMedia, to design, write, and publish the annual Membership Directory for 2016. In January, the sales staff from MetroMedia will begin contacting members about advertising opportunities in the directory for the Independence Chamber of Commerce.

The full-color directory will be approximately 100 pages in length and provide an easy guide to the membership of the Chamber, Chamber benefits and opportunities, business resources, and who’s who in the business community.

The 2016 publication will not only be distributed to all Chamber members and prospects but it will also be available online via the Chamber website as an interactive flipbook edition. Tens of thousands of views and/or downloads are anticipated for this additional distribution method.

The projected publication date for the 2016 Chamber Membership Directory is the begin-ning of April. Please consider being a part of this annual publication that adorns the desk of almost every business decision maker in Independence and Eastern Jackson County.

With 32 member businesses advertising in the 2015 Membership Directory, space will go fast for the 2016 Directory. Businesses interested in being an advertiser in this annual pub-lication should contact Tammie Easson at 417-629-7935 or contact Alex Colley at the Chamber.

Thank you to Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal for supporting the Independence Chamber of Commerce!

11January 2016 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

On December 1st, the Missouri Mavericks announced that it’s defenseman Patrick Cullity has been named the AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for November after leading the league with a plus-minus rating of +12.

Board member and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ‎Children’s Mercy Hospital, Dr. Karen Cox, was selected as President-Elect of the American Academy of Nursing.

Skylar Thompson, Senior at Fort Osage High School, was named Gatorade State Football Player of the year. Winners of this award are selected based on athletic production and impact as well as demonstration of high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership. He was also named 2015 Simone Award winner.

Harrison Rice, engineering student in the ISD Academies, was nominated as a Delegate at the Congress of Future Science & Technology Leaders in Boston, MA.

The Fort Osage High School football team won the first Class 5 football state championship in school history.

The City of Independence was chosen to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “What Works Cities” – a $42 million philanthropic effort to enhance the use of data and evidence-based decision making in the public sector.

The Kansas City Missouri Public Library’s Bluford Branch Manager, April Roy, was honored with the ‘I Love My Librarian’ Award!

The Silverstein Eye Centers Arena announced that they would be hosting the U.S. Figure Skating Championships coming to Independence in 2017.

On Monday, December 21, Independence City Council passed the ordinance to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 years old with a 6-1 vote.

On Monday, December 21, the Independence City Council approved placing the continuation of the Police Sales Tax on the April ballot.

Member News

This page features member news each month. To have your news listed here, contact Alex at alex@ichamber.biz.

Residence Inn by MarriottConsultants in GastroenterologyMatt Ford Sales Inc.City of Sugar CreekSpecialty Landscape Services LLCStewardship CapitalCBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of K.C.Independent Mechanical ServicesSpecial Neighbors Inc.Truman Heartland Community FoundationDrumm Farm Center for ChildrenKapke & Willerth LLC

25 + yearsMissouri Gas EnergyUnileverCarpenter and Company, Inc.Howe & Company CPA PCAT&TState Farm Insurance, Phil BurressJeannie Colvin CPA PCComprehensive Mental Health ServicesIndependence School DistrictNewcomer’s Noland Road ChapelStewart Cook Constance & Minton LLCCenterpoint Medical CenterSpeaks Family Legacy Chapels

1-4 yearsSummit Bank of Kansas CitySibley OrchardsAssurance SecurityRevive ChurchRed RobinBella’s Laundry Room John Carnes, EsqBuffalo Wild WingsThe Springs at IndependenceVillages of Jackson CreekUniversity of Central MissouriMidwest Foster Care & Adoption AssociationWyatt Violin Shop LLCMallinson Vineyard and HallFamily Wrench LLC

5-14 yearsCottman TransmissionNorthCare HospiceOffice Products AllianceSonic Drive In - Jackson DriveARC Physical Therapy+Lakewood Chiropractic P.CHy-Vee Food & Drug Store 40 HwySummit Computer Solutions

15-24 yearsNativity of Mary SchoolNorthWest Communities Development Corporation

Anniversaries

New MembersNewsletter design provided by:

Kelly Lightfoot660.441.4888

kelly@ampersandbranding.com

Core PurposeTo provide leadership that builds a business

community of excellence.

Vision StatementThe Independence Chamber

of Commerce will be the premier business organization

in Eastern Jackson County where public and private interests collaborate and

are empowered.

210 West Truman RoadIndependence, MO 64050

Phone: 816-252-4745Fax: 816.252.4917iCHAMBER.BIZ

Members are the greatest asset of the

Chamber. Please support the businesses listed on

this page because they support and believe in

our community.

Our Business is Business

Allis Chalmers Industrial Park705 SW 10th Street, Suite #109Blue Springs, MO 64105913-645-5252

Medley Smiles 1212 W Truman RdIndependence, MO 64050816-252-1590

Top Hat Winery 120 S Main StIndependence, MO 64050816-248-9436

APEX Brew Wares4380 S Noland RdIndependence MO 64055816-313-5039