February 2021 Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2021

THE CHAMBER CONNECTION

Let’s Go Chiefs!

Learn

Community

Connect

Promote

February The Blue Springs Chamber is proud to offer several ways for you to learn & grow your business.

Each year, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce awards four $500 academic scholarships

to

college

bound

graduating seniors in each of the three Blue Springs high schools and one from another area school district.

The scholarship for Valley View High School will be named after Pat Larkin.

Applicants for all scholarships must be employed by a member of the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce or have at least one parent or guardian who is employed by a Blue Springs Chamber of

Commerce

member

business.

These are one-time scholarships to be paid upon receipt of required documentation.

For more information and to apply, contact Katie Woolf KWoolf@BSSD.NET Applications must be received in the high school counseling office by Friday, February 26.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM CHAMBER OFFICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CHAMBER OFFICE

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

“Business Taxes and Financial Planning” Presentation regarding business taxes in preparation for the 2020 tax year. Financial planning options for small businesses.

Join us for an opportunity to learn how your Chamber of Commerce can help you and your business or organization. All members are welcome to attend, especially new and renewed members.

Presented by Lorne Meinershagen, Meinershagen & Co. and Eric Sporing, ECS Capital Investments

SCAN FOR THE 2021 MEMBER DIRECTORY!

Congratulations to the 2020 Business of the Year Nominees!

Join us at the Annual Banquet where we will announce the winner of the 2020 Business of the Year award!

ANNUAL BANQUET Friday, April 9 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Adams Pointe Conference Center

NEW MEMBERS

MEMBER NEWS

ABBA Wholeness Center 1209 NW North Ridge Dr. Suite C Blue Springs, MO 64015 (816) 988-8379

Blue Springs 8 - Miller Theatre is hosting a casino night on Friday, February 12th at 6 p.m.! There will be professional dealers hosting games such as Blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em to raise funds to donate to the Blue Springs School District! For more information please visit millercurbside. com

Then & Now Jewelry 1111 W Main St. Blue Springs, MO 64015 (816) 228-1270 thenandnowjewelry.com Russ Clark (816) 672-9716 clarkruss618@gmail.com DC’S Contracting LLC 1305 Russell Road O 64080 (816) 898-6303 dcs-contracting-llc.com Image Sun Tanning Center 471 NE Coronado Dr. Blue Springs, MO 64014 imagetankc.com

Rainbow Center for Communicative Disorders is celebrating the Chiefs big AFC win and their return to the Super Bowl with an exclusive Chiefs Online Auction. Bid on something special to remember this remarkable time in Chiefs history! The auction kicks off at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, and closes at 4:00 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday. Click here for more information.

It is with the deepest sympathy that we share the passing of John Montgomery. John was one of our Outstanding Citizens. He was also the 4th President of the Blue Springs Chamber. Our condolences go out to John’s family & friends.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Jackie Scott, employee of Hometown News. Jackie’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.

2021 Connectors We’re excited to welcome our new Chamber Connectors for 2021!

MEMBER RENEWALS Blue Springs Christian Church Blue Springs Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Assoc.

Blue Springs Pediatrics Byron Craddolph Foster Dental Care Hero Fund USA Kansas City Managed IT Law Office of Dana M. Outlaw Mossy Oak Properties of the Heartland Reece Nichols Saint Luke’s East Hospital Schlappi Financial Group Social React Spring Oak Property Management St. John LaLande School State Farm Insurance - Watson Steven P Thurmon, CPA, A Professional Corporation Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center Tandem Paving Co., Inc. The Emerald Event Space United Methodist Church of ResurrectionBlue Springs

Carman Booker Bank 21

Loretta Polzin AFS Insurance

Lisa LaCombe RE/MAX Heritage

Tina Wyatt Hometown News

Teresa Lindhoff Joey Zarrillo Fully Promoted of RE/MAX Heritage - Z Team Realty Blue Springs

Cheryl Bollinger Dynamic Chiropractic

Jeff Carpenter JobOne

Rebeca Swank Job One

CONNECT

MEET A MEMBER Rick and Lisa Pycior, Cartridge World We’re Rick and Lisa Pycior, owners of Cartridge World-Lee’s Summit. We’re a family-owned business providing you with cost-effective, environmentally-friendly solutions for your printer cartridges. Our mission is to save the planet, one printer cartridge at a time. We have a preference for the “green” solution whenever possible and a niche for the obsolete.

We opened in 2005 with the help of our daughters, Erica and Jenny. They went through school in Lee’s Summit and on to college after that. Both have permanent residence here now and we are privileged to be involved in the lives of our grandchildren.

Cartridge World Facebook | LinkedIn

Rick is a life-long Kansas City metro resident and graduated from Utah State University. I am from St. Joseph, MO. After I graduated from nursing school at Avila College, I worked in hospital nursing for twenty-four years. Rick loves to read and to run and has run many road races in his day. I like to exercise, but am no longer running. Currently, in addition to the business, I am an Ambassador to Rachel House, bringing their message of life to our home parish, Our Lady of the Presentation. We have one dog now and we look for every opportunity to participate in the lives of the grandkids.

“Cartridge World-Lee’s Summit is Your Link to Toner & Ink!”

MEET A BOARD MEMBER David Sutphin, Evergy 2021 Chairman of the Board I am the Director of Customer Solutions at Evergy, the local electric power provider for Kansas and eastern Missouri. Because electricity is an essential part of our daily lives, the energy industry continues to evolve to meet the needs of our customers and the environment. We’re focused on moving energy forward, offering innovative solutions and providing reliable and safe energy to you.

Evergy has been a long-time member of the Blue Springs Chamber, and I have served on the Chamber board for 3 years. What I love about the Chamber is the opportunities it creates for allowing you to meet amazing people and businesses in the Blue Springs Community. I have been involved in other chambers, but Blue Springs Chamber is unique in how involved, resourceful and helpful the chamber staff and volunteers are to the businesses within the community. It has helped us stay connected with what is going on within Blue Springs Community.

My spouse (Kristina) and I have been married 15 years. We have 5 children ages (14, 13, 10, 8 and 2) and two dogs. I enjoy being with my family, playing golf, being outdoors and building things.

David Sutphin klair@cjcfpd.org

CONNECT

CALENDAR

MEET ME FOR LUNCH

February 2 @ 8:30 AM Connectors Meeting Virtual

Thursday, February 11 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Indian Mix Grill

February 3 @ 8:00 AM Executive Committee Chamber Office & Virtual February 4 @ 9:30 AM Ribbon Cutting ABBA Wholeness Center February 5 @ 7:30 AM Legislative Breakfast Adam’s Pointe Golf Club February 5 @ 12:00 PM genbluesprings Planning Meeting Virtual February 9 @ 8:30 AM Power Hour Chamber Office February 9 @ 3:00 PM Chamber 101 Chamber Office February 10 @ 8:00 AM Board of Director’s Meeting Chamber Office & Virtual

REGISTER HERE Come support our local businesses! Each month we will gather for lunch at one of our many local restaurants - just for lunch - no agenda!

This will bring revenue to our local restaurants while we network and get to know each other better.

AFTER HOURS NETWORKING Thursday, SANTEFebruary 18 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Blue Springs 8 - Miller Theatre REGISTER HERE Event supported by genbluesprings

February 10 @ 12:00 PM Golf Committee Meeting February 11 @ 8:30 AM LEADership Blue Springs February 11 @ 11:00 AM Meet Me For Lunch Indian Mix Grill Febrary 11, 18 & 25 Missouri DC Fly-In Virtual February 12 @ 7:30 AM Legislative Affairs Task Force & Candidate Forum Virtual February 15 - President’s Day Chamber Closed February 18 @ 11:30 AM Monthly Luncheon Adam’s Pointe Conference Center February 18 @ 4:30 PM After Hours Networking Blue Springs 8 - Miller Theatre February 24 @ 8:00 AM Financial Oversight Chamber Office

MONTHLY LUNCHEON “Neurodiversity: Superpowers & Kryptonite” Presented by JobOne Thursday, February 18 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Adams Pointe Conference Center Networking starts at 11:30 am Lunch served at 11:45 am Program starts at Noon

Sponsored by:

REGISTER HERE •Explore how your business goals and culture can benefit from neurodiversity. ​ •What does neurodiversity look like in the workplace? What tools are needed to create and support a neurodiverse business? ​ •How do businesses avoid sabotaging a neurodiverse hire? ​ •Are you a cultural hire box-checker? ​

CONNECT

Virtual Missouri DC Fly-IN The Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Missouri Federation, a program of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The Missouri Federation is a network of Missouri’s strongest chambers of commerce providing grassroots support in Washington DC and Jefferson City on issues that align with local priorities. Currently, more than 176 chambers of commerce are a part of the Missouri Chamber Federation.

As a member of the Federation, we have partnered with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry to offer their programs to our members at a special “member” rate. There is a unique registration link for these programs so make sure to use it to qualify for the member discount.

Missouri DC Fly-In Virtual February 11, 18 & 25 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM $149 for all 3 events REGISTER HERE Hit the ground running for the 2021 Legislative Session! Whether you’re new to the Missouri Capitol or an experienced advocacy professional, you won’t want to miss this fully interactive virtual gathering of your peers, industry experts and government officials. Equip yourself to achieve your advocacy goals with the latest legislative intel, updates and more to maximize your impact in Jefferson City.

Candidate Forum The Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce and The Examiner will host a Candidate Forum at the February 12 Legislative Affairs meeting. There are five candidates running for two positions for the Blue Springs School District School Board for the April 6, 2021 election. All of the five candidates have been invited to attend: • • • • •

Kurt Swanson (Incumbent) Carl Tharp Valerie Eva Piercey April Agate Bryan Dennie (Incumbent)

Friday, February 12 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM REGISTER HERE

Each will provide an opening and closing statement and questions will be asked of candidates.

A Zoom meeting link will be provided prior to the meeting to those that register. You may submit questions for candidates prior to the Forum to Lara Vermillion at lvermillion@bluespringschamber.com

COVID Resource Updates •

NEW! Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

•

NEW! COVID-19 Vaccines FAQ

•

Federal & Missouri Employment Posters

LOOKING AHEAD Thursday, March 18 Mayor’s State of the City Luncheon Adams Pointe Conference Center Friday, April 9 (Date change from 2/5) Annual Banquet Adams Pointe Conference Center April 19 - 24 Virtual Escape Room Challenge

PROMOTE

2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Sutphin - Chairman of the Board Evergy Chad Smith - Chair Elect Chad Smith Insurance Agency Cody Raithel - Secretary/Treasurer Central Bank of the Midwest Eric Sporing - Past Chairman ECS Capital Investments Clarissa Murray - Business Support and Promotion Fike Corporation Zach Goff - Membership Events & Services Oswald Roam & Rew LLC Michael Scott - Leadership & Community Development Woods Chapel Church Blue Springs Brandon Keller City of Blue Springs Cindy Miller Columbia College - Kansas City Dr. Annette Seago Blue Springs R-IV School District Dr. Thomas Meyer MCC - Blue River Erika Lucas Sandy’s Restaurant Ashish Patel Hampton Inn Blue Springs/Kansas City Jeff Carpenter Job One

Mission Statement To promote, develop and facilitate a strong economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper.

Business of the Year: Colonial Gardens Citizen of the Year: Lyle Shaver, Spring Oak Property Management Connector of the Year: Kelly O’Reilly, Looks of Shear Elegance

2021 PARTNERSHIPS TIER ONE Saint Luke’s East Hospital

CHAMBER STAFF

Lara Vermillion President lvermillion@bluespringschamber.com

TIER TWO St. Mary’s Medical Center TIER THREE Bank 21 Central Bank of the Midwest Chad Smith Insurance Agency Colonial Gardens Community America Credit Union Jackson County Tow Kohl’s Distribution Center Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina Oswald Roam & Rew LLC

Trish Totta Director of Membership ttotta@bluespringschamber.com Morgan Loggins Special Events Coordinator mloggins@bluespringschamber.com Becca Blake Communications Specialist bblake@bluespringschamber.com Michael Zarrillo Operations Administrator mzarrillo@bluespringschamber.com

TIER FOUR Hy-Vee MCC - Blue River Print Graphics Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue Rehab.

Zarda Bar-B-Q TIER FIVE Greco Agency Farmers Insurance Plowboys Barbeque

Kirk Lair Central Jackson County Fire Protection District Kyle Caswell Print Graphics Laura Sipes Help!HR Rena Lopez Kohl’s Distribution Center Tami Courtney Republic Services of Kansas City

2021 Sponsorships are now available. Contact Morgan at mloggins@bluespringschamber.com for more information.

Building Business. Growing Community.

Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce 1000 W Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015

Phone : (816) 229-8558 Fax : (816) 229-1244 www.bluespringschamber.com