June 2024 Chamber Connection

THE CHAMBER CONNECTION

Photos by Anthem Photography

New Members

Retail Bins

(816) 564-1124

retailbins@gmail.com retailbins.com

Denture Crafters

(816) 224-2322

info@denturecrafters.net denturecrafters.net

Wolfs Landscapes LLC

(816) 716-1308

andrew@wolfslandscapes.com wolfslandscapes.com

(816) 500-9588

eastkc@fibrenew.com fibrenew.com/eastkc Fibrenew East KC

“Chamber membership helps us to build brand recognition and because we serve many Chamber members our participation also helps to promote the quality and credibility of our brand and services.” - Jim Allin, Fish Window Cleaning

643KC

Anissa Nelson CPA PC

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center

Comcast

Community Services League

Datasource Background Screening Services

Dog Training Elite Kansas City

Dynamic Chiropractic LLC

Entertainment Systems Inc

GFM Recording Studios

Hillcrest Transitional Housing

Hotworx

Incite International, Inc.

Kansas City Curling Club

Lamar’s Donuts Store #22

Meinershagen and Co.

Parker Swearngin, LLP

PennTech, Inc.

Petland

PowerPlus Cleaning Systems

Royal Investment Group, Inc.

Steven P. Thurmon, CPA, A Professional Corporation

Timothy Lutheran Church

Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity

Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation

June Events

Did you know that the Chamber has a leadership program? It’s called LEADership Blue Springs. It’s a nine month long program, with one day-long session per month. The class exposes participants to different aspects of the community and leadership principles. The group completes a class project to graduate. Class members learn about the City of Blue Springs, area businesses, Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, Jackson County and State Government to name a few. The class starts in late August and runs through May. To learn more about the LEADership Blue Springs program click here.

*Tarynlee Palaamo - Aleuro Bakery

Amanda Plachte - Blue Ridge Bank

Brett Anwander - Blue Springs School District

Fae Knudsen - BSHS Senior

Eva Bennett - BSSHS Senior

Tammy Engen - City of Blue Springs

Jennifer Kennedy - City of Blue Springs

Dustin Fiscus - CJC Fire Protection District

Jason Chamberlain - CJC Fire Protection District

Karen Bosarge - Equity Bank

Stacy Gorham - First American Title

Jarvis Sackman - Hillcrest Transitional Housing

Dusty Alexander - Kansas City Cannabis

Tiffany Obermeyer - Lighthouse Legal, LLC

Becca Cook - MCC Blue River

Hannah Kukal Curtiss - Mid-Continent Public Library

Ali Collins - Meyers Funeral Chapel

Marcel Maddocks - SL-USA (Sound & LED)

*Participant

Member News

St. Mary’s Medical Center featured as Top 100 Community Hospital

St. Mary’s Medical Center is honored to be featured as a Top 100 Community Hospital, focused on bringing clinical and academic excellence, personalized and holistic care, and overall improved health to the community. St. Mary’s received this honor based on nominations and rankings from organizations to include U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, CMS, The Leapfrog Group, the National Rural Health Association, and The Chartis Center for Rural Health. At St. Mary’s Medical Center, we welcome the opportunity to be Your Community Hospital.

Benton House receives awards from U.S. News & World Report

Five area Benton House communities were recently awarded “Best Assisted Living” and/or “Best Memory Care” by U.S. News & World Report. Based on resident and family satisfaction surveys, the U.S. News & World Report awards signify Benton House has consistently ranked within the top tier of care providers.

Two Elementaries Announced as 2024 Missouri Gold Star Schools

Blue Springs School District’s Voy Spears, Jr. Elementary and William Yates Elementary were two of just eight Missouri schools recognized as 2024 Gold Star Schools. The program, which aligns with the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, recognizes schools for outstanding academic achievement or for performing at high levels while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students.

CO-100

America’s Top 100 Small Businesses

The CO—100 is an exclusive list curated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the 100 best and brightest small and midsized businesses in America. These businesses are recognized for driving innovation, growth, and ingenuity in their communities and globally. This prestigious awards program celebrates not just financial success, but also the ideas, challenges, community involvement, company culture, customer relations, and overall growth of these enterprises.

Ten CO— 100 businesses will be recognized as the best in class for ten different categories of excellence and will receive $2,000. One winner will be named America’s Top Small Business and will be awarded $25,000. Click here to learn more and apply!

The Value of Membership

Leveraging Chamber Benefits When You Can’t Attend

While many perceive Chamber membership as merely attending events, the truth is, the benefits extend far beyond luncheons and ribbon cuttings.

But we’ve noticed something. When we speak to members that have let their membership lapse, they often make it sound like a gym membership. “I didn’t really use it.” What they’ve failed to notice is the behind-the-scenes benefits of chamber membership. Just as your investment in a savings account grows, your business investment in chamber membership is growing even when you aren’t actively participating.

Here’s what you’re getting that you may not even realize:

Networking Beyond Events:

While events offer fantastic networking opportunities, chamber membership provides access to a vast network of businesses and professionals beyond these gatherings. Through the Member Directory you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs, potential clients, and industry leaders at any time. This expansive network opens doors to collaborations, partnerships, and invaluable insights. Chamber staff also often makes warm introductions to help members get connected with individuals and organizations.

Visibility and Credibility:

Chamber membership lends credibility to your business. Being part of a respected organization signals trustworthiness and reliability to potential customers and partners. Even if you can’t physically attend events, your membership serves as a badge of honor, elevating your brand’s visibility and reputation within the community.

Advocacy and Support:

Chambers advocate for their members’ interests at local, state, and sometimes national levels. They monitor legislative changes, provide resources on regulatory matters, and offer support in navigating bureaucratic processes. As a member, you gain a powerful ally in promoting policies that benefit your business environment, even if you’re unable to attend advocacy events.

Educational Resources:

The Blue Springs Chamber offers many valuable educational resources and workshops on topics like business management, marketing, and regulatory compliance.

Even if you never attend a single session, chamber membership (and thus, the learning opportunities associated with such) extends to all your employees. If you can’t attend personally, send an employee or co-worker! The chamber is also a great host for speakers and may bring in people to share their knowledge and skills for a very affordable price, an additional asset to the community.

Cost-Effective Marketing Opportunities:

Chamber memberships frequently include marketing benefits such as directory listings, sponsorships, and promotional opportunities. These marketing avenues provide exposure for your business within the local community. Leveraging chamber platforms and channels amplifies your marketing efforts at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional advertising.

Community Engagement:

Chambers play a vital role in fostering community engagement and economic development. Through initiatives like business awards, community events, and volunteer opportunities, members can contribute to the betterment of our community. Participating in these endeavors not only strengthens community ties but also enhances your brand’s reputation as a dedicated community partner.

While attending Chamber events is undoubtedly beneficial, the perks of chamber membership extend far beyond physical gatherings. Even if you don’t have the time to give to Chamber events and activities, your Chamber is working on things like advocacy, economic development, marketing, community engagement, and tourism initiatives to improve your quality of life and add to your business’s potential for growth.

We work tirelessly to create a more favorable business environment, helping our members thrive without requiring you to take individual action on many of these fronts.

Photos by Anthem Photography

Meet A Member Jarvis Sackman, Hillcrest Transitional Housing

I’m Jarvis Sackman, Director of Resource Development at Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Hillcrest Transitional Housing exists to be a transitional housing program that helps move homeless families and youth from homelessness to self-sufficiency, becoming self-supporting, self-reliant contributors to society. The transitional housing aspect is paramount to our program but equally as important are the comprehensive, supportive services and resources provided to our clients such as case management, budget counseling, community living, and life skills classes. The Hillcrest staff is very dedicated to serving our residents but much of our success comes from the generosity and support of our many friends from the community who believe in our mission and who have journeyed alongside us for nearly 50 years; thank you!

Jarvis Sackman jsackman@hillcrestkc.org

I grew up in Independence and graduated from Fort Osage HS. My wife Marcy and I have been married 32 years, and have raised two children, Jordyn and Justin. I love spending time with family, anything to do with old cars, welding, and making “stuff”. I also love to read and listen to music, basically anything but Opera! (Currently, Stairway to Heaven is playing as I type!)

When my kids were in school, I would send them out the door with a hug, and the message, “Make someone’s day”. I leave that same message with anyone reading this; you never know what someone is going through and what a difference you can make. Go out today, and “Make someone’s day!”

“Make someone’s day!” - Jarvis Sackman

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

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

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

Lorne Meinershagen Meinershagen & Co.

Phill King Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Independence

Suzanne Gochis Metropolitan Community College Blue River

Tara Lavelle Legacy Brokers, LLC

Tim Porter Christian Brothers Automotive

Vanessa Starke Starke Law Offices, LLC

Warren Goessling Kohl’s Distribution Center