March 2024 Chamber Connection

THE CHAMBER CONNECTION

March 2024

Membership Madness

Throughout the month of March, all Chamber events are open to non-members! Invite your business partners and friends to see what Chamber membership is all about. For every business you refer that joins the Chamber during the month of March, you get one entry into a drawing for $200 cash.

Download a shareable schedule of March events here.

Businesses that join the Chamber during the month of March will receive:

• A special feature in the April newsletter

• A special feature on social media

• A table at the June New Member Showcase

• Enhanced listing in the Chamber Business Directory for one year

• An exclusive new member welcome bag

As you know, Chamber Membership provides an opportunity for increased visibility for your business, relationship building through networking and events, as well as education and professional development opportunities throughout the year.

Join us in our efforts to be the leading resource for businesses. Together, we can help businesses grow and the Blue Springs economy thrive!

Legislative Advocacy Day 2024 Jefferson City, MO

On Tuesday, February 27, Lara and several members traveled to the State Capital in Jefferson City for Legislative Advocacy Day. They joined the Grain Valley, Grandview, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown Area, and South KC Chamber to advocate as a collective voice for the business community. They heard from and met with:

• Dr. Margie Vandeven, Commissioner Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

• Stephen Foutes, Director, Missouri Division of Tourism

• Kara Corches, Vice President of Government Affairs, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry

• Senator John Rizzo, Minority Floor Leader

• Representative Jonathan Patterson

• Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe

• Senator Mike Cierpiot

• Representative Dan Stacy

• Representative Chris Sander

New Members

KCMO Rush Soccer

(816) 710-6486

jtyler@rushsoccer.com

www.kcmorush.com

LifeWave

(816) 682-4743

debbiestickney7704@gmail.com

lifewave.com/garywellness

Jus Chill’n N Grill’n & Catering

(816) 269-3409

juschilln71@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/JusChillnSweetsNTreats

AM Customs

(816) 501-8088

amcustomskc@gmail.com

http://www.amcustomskc.com

Lees Summit Doggie Design Team Pet Grooming LLC

(816) 317-5254

leessummitddtpgllc@hotmail.com

ACS Smart Buildlings

Advanced Asphalt Pavin g & Concrete, LLC

Alicia Scott State Farm Insurance

A-Okay Inspections

Blue Springs Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association

Blue Springs Downtown Alive!

Blue Springs Marine

Business Assistance

Calibrated Products

CCR Roofing Services

Colonial Gardens

Dave’s Service Center

Crosslin Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Dental Centers of Missouri

East Forty Brewing

Emergency Mitigation Services

Fike

Fort Osage Career & Technology Center

Greco Lawn and Maintenance

Guier Fence

Indoor Par Fore

Liberty Tax Services

Lunar Bowl

Meyers Funeral Chapel

Minsky’s Pizza

Northern Pine Design

Office Products Alliance

Pawportunities

Rods Sports & Apparel

State Farm Insurance - Steve Shipman

St. Mary’s Medical Center

Tidal Wave Auto Spa of Blue Springs

The Brown Team at Sage Door Realty

The Table

Blue Springs Women’s Civic Club

March Events

Did You Know?

Did you know we have a brochure display area at the Chamber office? We display a variety of materials includnig brochures, business cards, postcards, and flyers – all representing our member businesses.

These items are included in packets and mailed or given to individuals that are moving to Blue Springs, house or apartment hunting, or planning a visit. Packets typically include information from real estate professionals, banks, apartment complexes, fitness centers, the school district, insurance agents, and even restaurant coupons & menus based on the caller’s preferences. Additionally, each packet includes the Chamber’s Community Profile, a map of Blue Springs, and other community information.

The Chamber office frequently receives visitors looking for similar information. Here’s the perk – any member can feature their information on the rack at no cost, an exclusive benefit of membership.

Stop by the Chamber office this week to provide

information to display, or refresh what you’ve already got on the rack.

M E M B E R S H I P

M A D N E S S

All Chamber events in March are open to non-members!

I n v i t e y o u r b u s i n e s s p a r t n e r s a n d f r i e n d s t o s e e w h a t C h a m b e r m e m b e r s h i p i s a l l a b o u t !

F o r e v e r y b u s i n e s s y o u r e f e r t h a t j o i n s d u r i n g t h e m o n t h o f M a r c h , y o u g e t o n e e n t r y i n t o t h e d r a w i n g f o r $ 2 0 0 !

Member News

Cause-ino Night 2024

Enjoy Vegas-style fun and play with purpose to benefit the mission of Job One at Cause-ino Night at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, April 19. The evening will feature an appetizer buffet, bar and entertainment, along with casino games, blackjack, mouse races and more for a chance to win great prizes! $150/ticket. Attire is “casino fabulous” – have fun with it! For information, contact Rebeca Swank at rswank@jobonekc.org. Review Sponsorship Opportunities and Register to attend here

The Closet at BSSD

As we begin to prepare and dress for the warmer weather, remember that BSSD has a clothing closet for students in need that will reopen for their spring session on March 13. The Closet will be open through May 16th on Wednesdays from 6:008:00 pm and Thursdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

The Closet is an outreach program for families of the Blue Springs School District. All kids ages birth through grade 12 may receive pants, shirts, a jacket, new socks, shoes, and underwear. Please check the website for available dates and times.

18th Annual Basket Bonanza

Plaza Heights Christian Academy is hosting their 18th Annual Basket Bonanza school fundraiser on Friday, April 12, from 5:00 - 8:30 pm. Enjoy dinner, a performance by students, online auction, raffle baskets, fellowship & fun! Do you have a business that would like to sponsor or donate an item? Contact Heather at jamhblum@icloud.com

Budget Bootcamp Lunch & Learn

Hillcrest Transitional Housing is hosting a Budget Bootcamp Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, March 13 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Hillcrest’s Lee’s Summit Thrift Store. Attend to learn how Hillcrest’s Budget Bootcamp can equip your clients with resources, personalized recommendations, and comprehensive training to master budgeting and balance between needs and wants. RSVP to ssparks@hillcrestkc.org

April 2 Ballot Issue

Informational Meeting - March 12

Attend this meeting to learn about the issue on the April 2, 2024, ballot in Jackson County, Missouri. Voters will decide whether or not to authorize a new 3/8th-cent sales tax for 40 years in order to build a new baseball stadium in Kansas City and make improvements to Arrowhead Stadium in Independence.

Speakers from The Committee to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County and The Committee Against New Royals Stadium Taxes have each been invited to make a 20 minute presentation. After both presentations, members will have a chance to ask questions. Click here to RSVP.

Meet A Member

Tara Lavelle, Legacy Brokers, LLC

With over 15 years of experience in personal lines and group health insurance, Tara accepted a new challenge last July as the Director of Business Development for Legacy Brokers LLC. Legacy works with group health insurance brokers to find the lowest premiums in the market and reduce their client’s overall health plan costs. They specialize in small group self-funded solutions that meet the needs of employees and the budget of employers. Legacy works hand-in-

hand with employee benefit brokers, giving them access to carriers and back office support from census through sale and into renewal. They also offer free continuing education credits for brokers and agents with a life/health license.

Tara is a long-time resident of Blue Springs and raised three daughters here with her husband, Brian. She loves to travel, spend time with her family, and curling up with a good book.

Contact

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts”

- Winston Churchill

First Responders Recognition & Awards Luncheon

Now Accepting Nominations

The annual First Responders Recognition & Awards Luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 18. This annual event recognizes and thanks the First Responders who put themselves in harm’s way while protecting and serving the businesses and residents of the cities of Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana and Grain Valley. Awards will be given in recognition of heroism, community service and dedication.

The deadline to submit nominations is March 15, 2024. Click here to submit your nomination online.

Candidate Forum - March 19

The City of Blue Springs will hold its General Municipal Election for Mayor on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

The Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce will host a Candidate Forum on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. All candidates for the April election have been invited to attend. Candidates include City Council members Galen Ericson, Jerry Kaylor and Chris Lievsay.

Each candidate will provide an opening and closing statement and questions will be asked of candidates. You may submit questions for candidates prior to the forum to Lara Vermillion at lvermillion@bluespringschamber.com

The last day to register to vote for the April 2, 2024 General Municipal Election is March 6, 2024. Voter registration information can be found through the Jackson County Election

BUY MISSOURI

Do you grow, produce or manufacture a product in Missouri?

If so, you might want to be part of the Buy Missouri program.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor created the BUY MISSOURI economic development initiative to actively promote the products that are grown, processed and/or made in Missouri. The more we buy Missouri, the better the state will do!

Approved products and businesses are listed on the business directory page of www.buymissouri.net.

If you wish to submit your business for consideration in the BUY MISSOURI initiative and be added to the categorized Business Directory Page, fill out the application on this page: https:// buymissouri.net/sign-up/ . There is no cost to participate.

Are you a retailer who sells Missouri products? If so, you might want to be part of the Buy Missouri Retail Partnership.

The Buy Missouri Retail Partnership features retail locations around the state that sell local, Missouri-made products. The partnership is intended to make Missouri products more easily accessible as well as create awareness about the many products made right here within our borders.

If you wish to submit your business for consideration in the Missouri Retail Partnership, fill out the application on this page: https://buymissouri.net/retail-partner-sign-up/. There is no cost to participate.

2024 Partners

TIER ONE

Jackson County Tow Service

Saint Luke’s East Hospital

St. Mary’s Medical Center

TIER TWO

Santa Fe Tow Service

TIER THREE

Anthem Photography

Apple Roofing Bank 21

Central Bank

Cosentino’s Price Chopper

CPro’s, Inc.

Evergy Equity Bank

TIER FOUR

Abundant Life

Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co.

Christian Brothers Automotive

Community America Credit Union

Kansas City Cannabis

Meyers Funeral Chapel

TIER FIVE

Aaron Levy - Country Financial Greco Insurance

Lighthouse Legal

Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina Molle Chevrolet

Santa Fe Outdoor Storage

Chamber Staff

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

2024 Board of Directors

Michael Scott, Chairman of the Board

The Table

Jeff Carpenter - Secretary/Treasurer

Job One

Cody Raithel - Past Chairman

Central Bank of the Midwest

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

Tim Porter

Christian Brothers Automotive

Vanessa Starke

Starke Law Offices, LLC

Warren Goessling

Kohl’s Distribution Center