THE CHAMBER CONNECTION
August 2024
FALL FUN FESTIVAL
September 20, 21 & 22
Mark your calendars for an enchanting weekend at the Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival presented by Saint Luke’s East Hospital!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Become a part of the magic by becoming a sponsor! Sponsorship packages offer excellent visibility and engagement opportunities, allowing your business to shine as a community supporter.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the heart of the Fall Fun Festival. We are seeking enthusiastic individuals and groups to help bring this event to life. Whether it’s assisting with set-up, helping at activity stations, or providing general support, your time and effort make a significant impact and help you make great connections for your business.
Vendor Booth Applications
Showcase your products and services to thousands of festivalgoers by applying for a vendor booth. We welcome a diverse range of vendors, from local artisans, to commercial businesses, and food trucks. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community, gain exposure, and boost your business.
For more information on sponsorship, volunteering, or being a vendor, please visit bluespringsfallfestival.com or call the Chamber
Monthly Luncheon
Beautiful Failures: The Hidden Value in What Went Wrong
Thursday, August 15 @ 11:30 am Register here
In our pursuit of success, we often overlook the profound lessons hidden within our failures. This presentation explores the Mid-Continent Public Library’s cultural shift towards one that embraces and analyzes our missteps, leading to unexpected breakthroughs in ways that success alone rarely can.
Aaron Mason, MCPL
New Members
KC Bowlritos
(816) 888-0226
templetierra@gmail.com
Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation
(816) 986-1015
chrissy.symes@lsr7.net
lsedfoundation.org
Attic Storage of Lake Lotawana
(816) 578-5262
atticlakelotawana@atticmgmt.net
Attic-storage.com
Ararat Shriners
(816) 923-1975
wmiller.coroner@gmail.com
araratshrine.org
Hohler Law, LLC
(816) 408-9434
Mark@hohlerlawkc.com
New York Life Insurance
Anthony Blanchette
(816) 695-9643
anthonyblanchette20@yahoo.com
Brunch Ladies Truck & Catering LLC
(816) 365-9982
Thebrunchladiesllc@gmail.com
AFS Insurance
Bean Counter
Blue Springs First Church of the Nazarene
Blue Springs Siding and Windows
BR Carpet Company
Brookwood Condo Village Homes Assoc.
Centerline Beach Volleyball and Pavilion
Central Bank of the MidWest
Chad Smith Insurance Agency, Inc
Communication Studio Therapy
Custard’s Last Stand
Dickerson Concrete LLC
ECS Capital Investments
Have Drone Will Travel
Joshua Peck & Associates, LLC
Metropolitan Community College-Blue River
Parts Un-Ltd
Santa Fe Outside Storage
Senior Care Authority
The Examiner
The Ideal Paw
US Bank
Zuvers Real Estate
August Events
Did you know that volunteering at Chamber events is a great way to make the most of your membership? It not only helps the Chamber raise non-dues revenue but also gives you a chance to connect with other Chamber members. We often need volunteers for our May Golf Tournament and the Fall Fun Festival in September.
These events are perfect for networking. The people who join our committees and volunteer at events are local business leaders and decision-makers.
At the Chamber, we believe you should volunteer in areas you enjoy. It should be fun! Plus, if you get your colleagues to volunteer too, it can be a great team-building opportunity. Wear your company apparel to stand out and represent your business.
The Chamber staff is here to help you find the perfect volunteer spot where you can contribute and feel comfortable. It’s a fantastic way to give back and promote your business at the same time.
See You at Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival Sept. 20 – 22
Visit the Saint Luke’s tent Saturday:
• Games • Refreshments • Giveaways • A chance to win Vitamin String Quartet tickets
Proud Presenting Sponsor
Meet A Member
Jay Wright, KC Credit Card Guy
Jay Wright kccreditcardguy@gmail.com
I am the owner and operator of KC Credit Card Guy LLC.
My mission is to empower local businesses to thrive by optimizing their financial operations. With a deep-rooted passion for supporting my community, I provide customized credit card processing and pointof-sale solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. My commitment to exceptional service ensures that businesses receive the personalized attention and costsaving strategies essential for success in today’s competitive marketplace. I work with a diverse range of business types, including retail, restaurants, food trucks, professional services, and
ecommerce. I enjoy working with both aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting out and seasoned business owners looking to optimize their operations.
When I’m not immersed in the world of business, my wife and I enjoy exploring new destinations and soaking up the sun on the beach. Our faith is deeply rooted in our community, and we’re active members of our local church. Supporting local businesses is important to us, and we cherish time spent with friends and family above all else.
As parents to seven children, ages 15 to 27, our lives are filled with the joy of watching them grow and cheering them on in their sports and various endeavors. Our 15-year-old daughter just got her driver’s permit, and our 17-year-old son recently enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard. Our almost 21-year-old daughter is a preschool teacher, and our 24-yearold son works with the KC Royals. This year has been especially eventful for our 27-year-old twins: our daughter is expecting our first granddaughter in December 2024, and our son just closed on his first house. Meanwhile, our other 27-year-old son is navigating an exciting career change.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”Unknown
Member News
Stuff the Bus with Big Biscuit
The Big Biscuit launched its first-ever brand-wide Stuff The Bus school supply drive! Now, through August 18th, collection tubs are available at all Big Biscuit locations so guests can donate new school supplies. The donated items will go directly to school districts in our communities, helping students start the year with the tools they need to succeed. Learn more at bigbiscuit.com/stuffthebus
Bobby Hines Awarded 2024 Citizen of the Year
Congratulations to Bobby Hines, Sandy’s Restaurant, on receiving the Truman Heartland 2024 Citizen of The Year Award for Blue Springs! Bobby was nominated by Mayor Chris Lievsay for his contributions to the community. Bobby is the Founder of the You Matter Movement, providing a wide range of resources for those struggling with mental health, addiction, and homelessness.
Free Back to School Community Health Fair
Healthy Jackson County, UMKC, Job Core, MU Extension, Habitat for Humanity, the Mammogram Van and more, have joined forces and partnered together to provide a free family friendly daytime event that promotes holistic health and back to school readiness through free health screenings and various educational resources on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity is the venue for Missouri Health’s Back to School Event. There will be all kinds of family fun. The fair will run from 10am-2pm and will include FREE vaccinations and health screenings!
2024 Partners
TIER ONE
Jackson County Tow Service
Saint Luke’s East Hospital
St. Mary’s Medical Center
TIER THREE
Anthem Photography
Apple Roofing
Bank 21
Central Bank
Cosentino’s Price Chopper
CPro’s, Inc.
Evergy Equity Bank
Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina
Molle Chevrolet
Chamber Staff
TIER TWO
Santa Fe Tow Service
Santa Fe Outside Storage
TIER FOUR
Abundant Life
Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co.
Christian Brothers Automotive
Community America Credit Union
Kansas City Cannabis
Lighthouse Legal
Meyers Funeral Chapel
TIER FIVE
Greco Insurance
Mr. Electric of Blue Springs
Lara Vermillion, IOM - President lvermillion@bluespringschamber.com
Trish Totta, IOM - Vice President ttotta@bluespringschamber.com
Rose Hall - Events Coordinator rhall@bluespringschamber.com
Becca Blake - Communications Specialist bblake@bluespringschamber.com
Kim McConnell - Administrative Assistant kmcconnell@bluespringschamber.com
Tiffany Obermeyer - Membership Support Specialist tobermeyer@bluespringschamber.com
Contact Us
1000 W Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015
816-229-8558
www.BlueSpringsChamber.com
2024 Board of Directors
Michael Scott, Chairman of the Board The Table
Cody Raithel - Chair Elect
Central Bank of the Midwest
Jeff Carpenter - Secretary/Treasurer
Ashish Patel - Business Support & Promotion
Hampton Inn Kansas City/Blue Springs
Travis Hunt - Membership Events & Services New York Life Insurance
Carman Booker - Leadership & Community Development , Bank 21
Bobby Olm-Shipman Saint Luke’s East Hospital
Christine Cates City of Blue Springs
David Mann East Forty Brewing
Katie Woolf Blue Springs School District
Kirk Lair Central Jackson County Fire Protection District
Lisa LaCombe United Real Estate & Yoga Journeys
Lorne Meinershagen Meinershagen & Co.
Phill King Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Independence
Suzanne Gochis Metropolitan Community College Blue River
Tara Lavelle VaughanFire Solutions
Tim Porter Christian Brothers Automotive
Vanessa Starke Starke Law Offices, LLC
Warren Goessling Kohl’s Distribution Center