David Koechner Guest Speakeratthe100th Year Banquetcelebration on January 18Th,On January 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead the Chamber

Independence Businesses for 100 Years! serving Proudly Story... American A Great David Koechner Guest Speakeratthe100th Year BanquetCelebration on January 18th,on January 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead The Chamber

Quarterly Newsletter Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 October Luncheon Charter Members 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 Guest Speaker and members grow and prosper.

Kay Barnes 2018 Kansas Citian of the Year & former Kansas City Mayor, Kay Barnes

Plan to attend the Monthly Membership Luncheon to hear remarks from 2018 Kansas Citian of the Year award recipient and former Kansas City Mayor.

When:Wednesday TheWhere: City House October 16, 2019 14300 E US Hwy 40 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Kansas City, MO 64136

PRESENTING SPONSOR

210 West Truman Road Independence, MO 64050 816-252-4745 www.iChamber.biz

2 The Chamber View PRESENTED BY:

Historic Independence Square Grand Marshall Terri Steele Chamber Board Chair

BUDDY SPONSORS

GUESS THE CORRECT WEIGHT OF THE MONSTER PUMPKIN AND WIN A $100 GIFT CARD FROM

Pumpkin on display at Community America Credit Union inside Hy-Vee on Noland Road

Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 3 Calendar of Events OCTOBER 18 OCTOBER 1 OCTOBER 11 FOODIE FRIDAY 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Spirits & Spirits El Pico 8:00 AM Hosted by the YIP’s 106 W Maple Avenue Chamber of Commerce 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM 210 W. Truman Road 3 Trails Brewing 111 N Main Street OCTOBER 22 OCTOBER 4 iN BIZ RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 15 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM JOB FAIR Drury Inn & Suites 20300 E 42nd Street S. 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM SPEAKER SERIES Independence Center TOPIC: 18801 E 39th Street S Making Your Business Bankable OCTOBER 22 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM RIBBON CUTTING Chamber of Commerce 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 210 W. Truman Road Ecologix OCTOBER 5 Noland Plaza Building 3675 S Noland Rd. RIBBON CUTTING for ISD Academies TOPIC: Making Your Business Bankable 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Joe Drake with Bank Midwest will give OCTOBER 22 201 W Lexington Ave us informative tips on banking for your business and how to make it work for RIBBON CUTTING you regardless of the industry or size of 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM OCTOBER 7 business. ELOAH PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 2425 S Crysler, Suite 7 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM OCTOBER 16 Chamber of Commerce OCTOBER 24 210 W. Truman Road MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM BUSINESS AFTER HOURS The City House 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM OCTOBER 8 14300 E US Hwy 40 Alissa’s Flowers, Fashion & Interiors AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING 19321 E US Hwy 40, Suite H 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Be sure to join us for Chamber of Commerce our monthly membership luncheon where 210 W. Truman Road Former Kansas City OCTOBER 25 Mayor, Kay Barnes will be the guest speaker. FOODIE FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Lion’s Choice BOARD MEETING SPONSORED BY: 8:00 AM 4049 Little Blue Pkwy Chamber of Commerce 210 W. Truman Road OCTOBER 26

OCTOBER 10 71st ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE 10:00 AM Let’s TACO ‘bout it OCTOBER 17 Historic Independence Square Prospective Members Event 4:00 PM-5:30 PM RIBBON CUTTING Los Cabos 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 18201 Bass Pro Drive Bella Casa Flooring & Design 17001 E US 24 Hwy OCTOBER 11 OCTOBER 18 OCTOBER 30 FOODIE FRIDAY 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM MARKETING COMMITTEE MEETING iMEMBERSHIP 101 Islamorada Fish Company 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 18001 Bass Pro Dr. Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce 210 W Truman Road 210 W. Truman Road 4 The Chamber View NOVEMBER 4 NOVEMBER 26 DECEMBER 11 PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING iN BIZ RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM Chamber of Commerce Drury Inn & Suites Chamber of Commerce 210 W. Truman Road 20300 E 42nd Street S. 210 W. Truman Road NOVEMBER 7 DECEMBER 2 PROGRESSIVE PARTY DECEMBER 11 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING GRAND RE-OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING Chamber of Commerce 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM 210 W. Truman Road Chamber of Commerce 210 W. Truman Road Summit Salon Academy KC Join us for the 7th Annual Progressive 815 W. 23rd Street S Party! Enjoy food and drink from various Independence businesses! Sponsored by the Independence Chamber of Commerce DECEMBER 4 DECEMBER 12 and Independence EDC. All members and prospective members are welcome. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS TOURNAMENT 8:00 AM & NETWORKING EVENT Chamber of Commerce NOVEMBER 12 210 W Truman Rd. Hosted by the YIP’s 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING Independence Chamber of Commerce 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM DECEMBER 4 210 W Truman Rd. Chamber of Commerce 210 W. Truman Road HOLIDAY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Independence Uptown Market DECEMBER 18 NOVEMBER 12 211 W. Truman Rd. MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SPONSORED BY: 8:00 AM 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Chamber of Commerce Ophelia’s 210 W. Truman Road 201 N Main Street Make plans to join us for the Holiday NOVEMBER 20 Membership Luncheon. MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Contact Morgan for sponsorship info! 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM DECEMBER 6 [email protected] or Hilton Garden Inn call (816) 875-4112 19677 E Jackson Dr. LEAD Alumni Holiday Lunch 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Be sure to join us to hear Carrabba’s Italian Grill for our November 19900 E. Valley View Pkwy Membership Luncheon! Register for these Contact Morgan Welch for events or for sponsorship info! [email protected] or more information, NOVEMBER 20 DECEMBER 6 please visit GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING HAPPY HOUR CELEBRATION: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Hosted by the YIP’s Chamber of Commerce www.iChamber.biz 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM 210 W. Truman Road East 40 Brewing 1201 W Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015

Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 5 Ribbon Cuttings August 1, 2019 Any Lab Test Now 18921 E Valley View Pkwy Suite E Independence, MO 64055

August 15, 2019 American Shaman CBD 4201 S Noland Road Independence, MO 64055

August 20, 2019 La Quinta by Wyndham 3402 NW Jefferson Street Blue Spring, MO 64015

August 22, 2019 Bolero Salon & Spa 19321 E US 40 Hwy, Suite F Independence, MO 64055

September 10, 2019 Cubesmart 14400 E US Hwy 40 Kansas City, MO 64136

6 The Chamber View Meet the LEAD 2020 Class! The 2019-2020 LEAD class met for the first time in September for Retreat. This year’s class is comprised of 18 individuals that work for Independence Chamber of Commerce Members. They enjoyed discussing the True Colors personality assessment and playing icebreaker games. In the afternoon, Tucker Leadership Lab led team building games and activities. At the end of the day, they learned their group members for planning future LEAD activity days, including days focused on Education, State and Local Government, Health and Wellness, and more. They are a fantastic class and it should be a great year!

Save the DateCreate your on 7th l IA OI Annua PGS V PT Nee 7t, 2019 4-6 P INDEPENDENCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 210 W Truman Road BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 7 Save the Date

PRESENTED BY:

CELEBRATION

A Great American Stor... Proudly serving Indeendence businesses for 100 Years!

January 18, 2020 • 6-9 PM Arrowhead Stadium

8 The Chamber View DAVID KOECHNER

Actor, writer and producer David Koechner stars as Tush on CBS's "Superior Donuts." He's also well- known for his roles as Todd Packer on “The Office” and Champ Kind from “Anchorman” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Koechner recently starred in Legendary’s “Krampus” and Roadside Attraction’s “Priceless.” On the small screen, he appears in Showtime's "Twin Peaks," Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ABC’s “The Goldbergs” and voices reoccurring characters on FOX’s “American Dad” and Netflix’s “F is for Family” and “All Hail King Julien.”

An alumnus of Chicago’s Second City Theater, Koechner got his first break as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” and since has become an instantly recognizable face appearing in more than 160 films and television shows. Additional notable film credits include “Waiting,” “Out Cold,” “Talladega Nights,” “Get Smart,” “Extract,” “Thank You for Smoking,” “A Haunted House,” “Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” and the dark, twisted, film festival award-winning thriller, "Cheap Thrills." When not filming, Koechner performs live stand-up comedy across the country and creates original content videos for his YouTube channel, “Full On Koechner.” He also co-hosts Big Slick Celebrity Weekend - an annual charity event benefiting Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City - with fellow KC natives, Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis and Eric Stonestreet. Koechner currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif. with his wife and five children. See David at the Chamber's 100-Year Celebration on January 18th, 2020! Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 9 Caught on Camera...

10 The Chamber View Perfect end-of-summer weather brought record crowds and record sales for vendors. Wynonna attracted the largest Main Stage audience ever at 12,000. Her performance was spectacular! Families with happy children enjoyed the Community Stage performers, carnival rides and panning for gold on Main Street 1849. Food and fun was the order of the day, every day of the festival. Nearly 200 volunteers made this longstanding Independence tradition a truly special event. Thank you to our sponsors, supporters, vendors and volunteers for a successful year! See you next year!

Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 11 THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES WHO HAVE JOINED OUR 110% CLUB • 1st MidAmerica Credit Union • Kapke & Willerth • American Funding Solutions • Leone-Knipp Insurance Group • Beth Franklin Real Estate Team • RDS Equipment • Downey Construction • Rotary Club of Eastern Indep. • Evans & Steele We invite you to join our 110% Club. When members voluntarily contribute an extra 10% over • Hartsook their annual investment amount, your contribu- • Hollis & Miller tion is tax deductible and will help the Chamber • Independence EDC in strengthening our infrastructure. • Rotary Club of Independence As a member of the 110% Club, participating • Speaks Chapels, LLC businesses will receive recognition on the Chamber’s website, social media pages, in the • Independence Ennovation Center Chamber’s newsletter, and at Chamber events • JE Dunn throughout the year. QUESTIONS? Contact Kris Zerr - [email protected] or (816) 787-0313. Member News

12 The Chamber View November Luncheon Guest Speaker

Come and join us at this year's SP RITS & SPIRITS

FRIDAY | OCTOBER 11 | 6:30 PM-10:00PM BEGINS AT COURTHOUSE EXCHANGE 113 W. LEXINGTON DINNER DRINKS NETWORKING Square One TOUR 1859 JAIL & MARSHAL'S HOME Morgan Perry Tickets must be purchase in advance. Contact Sarah Beth for more details - [email protected] Make plans to join us for the Monthly Membership Luncheon in November to hear about entrepreneurship in the Kansas City region and it’s impact on small business.

Shout out & congratulations to The Examiner. When:Wednesday Hilton Garden Inn They took third place for General Excellence among Where: mid-sized daily newspapers in the Better Newspaper November 20, 2019 19677 E Jackson Dr. Independence, MO Contest held by Missouri Press Association 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 2nd Place-Best of Show 64057 Examiner Staff members also received individual honors:

Michael Smith - Assistant Sports Editor

Sponsorships available. Contact Bill Althaus - Reporter & Columnist Morgan Welch if you are interested Jeff Fox - Editor Email: [email protected] -or- Phone: (816) 875-4112 www.examiner.net Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 13 CelebratingHappy the membership Anniversary! anniversaries of longstanding Chamber supporters. 1-4 Years 15-24 Years

KC Cajun Live by Change Consulting Cornerstone Apartment Homes Glory Sun Designs Specialized Home Care BerganKDV Jack in the Box Speaks Chapels ISA St. Michael the Archangel Speaks Buckner Chapel Rand Construction Co. Hereford House Restaurant North American Thrombosis Forum The Print Shop KC Hilburn Trucking Inc. MUSTANG PLUS Independence Family Eye Care Independence School District Foundation Lighthouse Legal, LLC Community Blood Center Siemens Energy, Inc. A.G. Spanos Companies Peggye Turner State Farm Insurance, Stacey Schell Newland Smoothie King Kelly Freeland American Family Insurance, Thomas Blau MVP Awards and Engraving All Star Pictures Auto Color & Equipment Inc. Synago LLC Leone-Knipp Insurance Group McDaniel Furnace & Sheet Metal Inc. Kim Connects KC Home Team Happy Hour Inc. Recognition Plus Lip Sense by SeneGence with Angie Judy Slim Chickens- Independence Red Carpet Service @ Pucker Up Twin Peaks Silverstein Eye Centers PC V’s Italiano Ristorante Luckducks Fairmount Family Medical Care Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management Target Marketing Kansas City Comets Housing Authority of the City of Independence, MO Austin Conley Agency Blair’s Foster Socks Midwest Machine Co. Inc. CareNow Urgent Care Old Chicago Independence Rotary Club of Independence Peace Partnership Azalea Sage Smokehouse Barbecue Lotus Key Homes LLC My Place Hotel Budget Blinds of Independence Medley Smiles 25-39 Years HeavyRemoval.com Allis Chalmers Industrial Park Caris Healthcare The Arc of the Ozarks Balanced Body Chiropractic Center PC Hap Graff Main Event Entertainment Junior Service League of Independence KS StateBank Legacy Mergers & Acquisitions 1st MidAmerica Credit Union KJ Remodeling LLC Batteries + Bulbs Cargo Largo Jim Carter Truck Parts Columbia College Greg’s Tire Center The Fountains at Greenbriar 5-14 Years Independence Womens Clinic Downey Construction Inc. Independence Square Tax Benefit District Mauer Law Firm Greg’s Lock & Key Service Inc. Toppers Food Mart Inc Heritage Physicians Group Harry S. Truman Library and Museum Remax Elite, Realtors- T. David Rogers Adams Mark Hotel & Resort - CoCo Key Water Fort Osage R-l School District Diamond Bowl Resort Sam’s Club Applied Path Liberty Exposition Services, Inc. Bank of Grain Valley Newmark Grubb Zimmer State Farm Insurance, Chad Mitchell City of Independence First Federal Bank of Kansas City Main Street Coffee House City of Independence Fire Dept. Fred Hahn Kansas City Mavericks Pro Hockey City of Independence Police Dept. Charlie’s Car Wash Edward Jones, Chris Thiele City of Independence Power & Light Courthouse Exchange Restaurant & Edward Jones, Adam Kliethermes Comcast Lounge Mother’s Refuge El Pico Mexican Restaurant Studio on Main 40 Plus Years Wild About Harry Men’s Accessories & AAA Disposal Service Furnishings Children’s Mercy Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store 23rd St BeHereNow Scott King, Attorney Servpro of Lee’s Summit, Raytown, East Ron Bruch The Groves Kansas City Cafe Verona Ted’s Trash Service Inc. Phoenix Home Care & Hospice Clinton’s Soda Fountain L & C Meat Inc. Hope House Gilbert Whitney & Co Floyd R Brown Jr & Company UpDog Ophelia’s Restaurant & Inn Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. Yogurtini Primary Colors Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co Square Pizza Kansas City Public Library -Trails West Branch For more info about these businesses & all Chamber members visit www.iChamber.biz

14 The Chamber View Staff of Alissa’ s Flo wers, F ashion and Interiors at our Business After Hours event. Officers: Board of Directors: Terri Steele Sonci Bleckinger Matt Beem Laurie Dean Wiley Chairman of the Board Chair Elect Hartsook Companies Justin Larkin Team at Waddell & Reed Evans & Steele Financial, LLC Central Bank of the Midwest Austin Conley Eric Knipp Eric Knipp Agency, Inc. Ron Finke Jonathan Zerr Austin Conley Agency Treasurer Past Chair of the Board Kim Deveney Bret Kolman Stewardship Capital Kapke & Willerth, LLC. American Funding Solutions, LLC Centerpoint Medical Center Beth Franklin Brad Smith Keller Williams Real Estate Drumm Farm Center for Children Bob Glaser Brad Speaks Community America Credit Union Speaks Family Legacy Chapels Ex Officio Members: Trevor Tilton Kurt Graham Tom Lesnak Steve Graffeo Community of Christ The Trevor Tilton Farmers Agency Harry S Truman Library Independence EDC Cindy McClain Whitney Watson Dr. Dale Herl Dr. Jason Snodgrass McClain Enterprises, Inc. Northrop Grumman Independence School District Fort Osage School District Matt Medley Tom Weir Dr. Paul Kinder Zach Walker Medley Smiles Blue Ridge Bank & Trust City of Independence Blue Springs School District Julie Moreno Dr. Lynette Wheeler The Examiner Truman Medical Center Lakewood Dr. Thomas Meyer MCC - Blue River

Kris Zerr Vice President & Director of Finance [email protected] TomChamber Lesnak Team: President & CEO Mikealene Evans [email protected] Director of Marketing & Communications [email protected] Trina Anderson Director of Membership Services Morgan Welch [email protected] Special Projects Manager [email protected] Independence Chamber of Commerce Phone: (816) 252-4745 Lois McDonald Sarah Beth Wood Vice President of Community Development Program & Operations Manager www.ichamber.biz [email protected] [email protected]

Chamber representatives accompanied Mayor Eileen Weir and other city representatives on a trip to Washington D.C. in September. In meetings with Senator Josh Hawley, Senator Roy Blunt, and Repre- sentative Sam Graves, the group discussed items on the Chamber’s and the City’s legislative agenda items. The Chamber Legislative Agenda is drafted every year in the fall to reflect what issues our members care about and wish to have the Chamber advocate for. This year, those issues included City funding, the upcoming census, workforce programs, and more. It was a great trip and the members of DC TRIP Congress agreed to help us with our legislative agendas moving forward. If you would like to speak to the Public Policy Committee to get your topic included on the 2020 Legislative Agenda for trips like these, email Sarah Beth Wood at [email protected] to find out how.

Oct/Nov/Dec 2019 15 Staff of Alissa’ s Flo wers, F ashion and Interiors at our Business After Hours event. July - September 2019 LeadershipQuote of the Quarter Summit Salon Academy KC Rothwell Construction The reward of a thing well JDog Junk Removal & Hauling LegalShield done, is to have done it. Metro Motors KC Dentists of Independence Dutzel’s Catering ~ ~ Deals Thrift Mart Ralph Waldo Emerson Mark One Electric Co., Inc. LaQuinta Inn and Suites “ Integrity Roofing LLC Kansas City Structural Steel Inc Bolero Salon and Spa ” Centum Consulting EPIC KC Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches KMC Dermatology Bella Casa Flooring & Design, Inc. HopeKids Kansas City ADP Pinnacle Bank RE/MAX Elite Realtors- Linda Pringle Marshall Arts Productions Clear Entertainment and Marketing Group Save the Date Alumni Holiday Luncheon

December 6, 2019 | Carrabba’s Italian Grill 16 The Chamber View