Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

10/14/2026

For 25 years, the KC Chamber’s POWER of Diversity has celebrated the people and organizations helping build a stronger, more welcoming Kansas City region. Join us Oct. 28 as we honor this year’s leaders and look ahead to the next 25 years!

🏆 2026 ACE Award Recipients: Fabián Gayosso, Jill Hathaway and Trey Meyers
🏆 2026 Nonprofit Champion of Diversity Award: Central Area Betterment Association
🏆 2026 Champion of Diversity Award: Henderson Companies

We’re also honored to welcome Bob Kendrick, President and CEO of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, as our keynote speaker. One of Kansas City’s most compelling storytellers, Bob will bring his signature blend of history, perseverance and possibility to this milestone celebration.

Be part of a room filled with hundreds of business and community leaders committed to creating opportunity, strengthening belonging and shaping Kansas City’s future.

Wednesday, Oct. 28
Muehlebach at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown
Networking begins at 10:30 a.m. | Program at 11:30 a.m.

Celebrate 25 years of progress. Help inspire the next 25!

Register today: https://greaterkansascitychamberofcommerce-dev.growthzoneapp.com/eventcalendar/Details/power-of-diversity-1546682?sourceTypeId=Hub

10/13/2026

An evening worth celebrating and remembering!

What an incredible night honoring two extraordinary women whose leadership, vision, and commitment to lifting others are making Greater Kansas City stronger!

We were proud to celebrate Angie Long, our 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, and Elaina Paige, our 2026 Young Professional Leadership Award recipient, at the ATHENA Awards Reception, presented by KPMG.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Union Station to recognize these inspiring leaders and the power of creating opportunities for others.

Relive the celebration! Browse our photo album for some of our favorite moments from an unforgettable evening: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FmiYQyq2a

Thank you to Rivas Photography for the photos.

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

Kansas City's next police chief will help shape the future of public safety in our community. Your voice matters in that decision.

The KC Chamber is proud to join the Kansas City Public Safety Coalition in hosting five community listening sessions as the Board of Police Commissioners searches for Kansas City Missouri Police Department's next chief.

What leadership qualities should our next chief bring to the role? What public safety priorities matter most to you? How can we build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve?

We want to hear from you! Join us at one of five listening sessions across Kansas City, beginning October 15 and continuing through November 5. All sessions take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Help shape the future of public safety in Kansas City. Find a session near you and register today: https://greaterkansascitychamberofcommerce-dev.growthzoneapp.com/eventcalendar/Search?term=&DateFilter=0&from=10%2F11%2F2026&to=10%2F11%2F2027&CategoryValues=606842&mode=

Members of the Public Safety Coalition:
• Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City
• Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City
• Civic Council of Greater Kansas City
• Downtown Council
• Getting to the Heart of the Matter
• Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
• Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City
• Hispanic Economic Development Corporation
• Jackson County COMBAT
• Jewish Community Relations Bureau (JCRB) | AJC
• KC Common Good
• Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission
• Kansas City Public Library
• Mattie Rhodes Center
• Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce
• Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Northeast KC Chamber of Commerce
• Prospect Business Association
• SAVE KC
• South Kansas City Alliance
• South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

10/12/2026

Midwest Transplant Network is pleased to announce Melissa Ott, NP-C, as the new Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. In this role, she is responsible for managing clinical operations and regulatory compliance for clinical areas across the organization. The promotion is due to the advancement of the former vice president and chief clinical officer to president and chief executive officer.

Ott joined Midwest Transplant Network in 2009 as an Organ Procurement Coordinator. In 2013, she was promoted to Manager, Organ Services. She became the Senior Director, Organ Procurement Services in 2016. Her new executive position reflects her leadership experience in organ procurement, donor management, organ allocation, clinical quality, strategic planning and more.

Read more of this from Midwest Transplant Network at https://www.kcchamber.com/current-topics/midwest-transplant-network-names-melissa-ott-as-vice-president-and-chief-clinical-officer.

10/09/2026

Kansas City is going BLUE! 💙

This Saturday, Oct. 10, look to the downtown skyline as some of KC’s most iconic landmarks, including Union Station, Crown Center and the Kansas City Convention Center, light up blue in support of the downtown Royals stadium development!

The skyline will begin glowing blue at sunset, approximately 6:46 p.m. For a great view, head to the National WWI Museum and Memorial or the Scout Statue in Penn Valley Park.

Together, we’re lighting up Kansas City’s future!

10/08/2026

What does the latest research tell us about work-life wellness in Kansas City — and how can employers turn those insights into action?

Join the KC Chamber’s Healthy KC initiative on Thursday, Nov. 12, for From Research to Action: A Healthy KC Program on Work-Life Wellness.

In partnership with UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management and sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Healthy KC will share new research exploring how work-life demands affect employee well-being, job satisfaction and retention — and what employers can do to create healthier, more supportive workplaces.

Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen workplace culture, support employees and help people thrive at work and at home.

📅 Nov. 12 | 8:30–10 a.m.
📍 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
🎟️ Free to attend!

Register today: https://greaterkansascitychamberofcommerce-dev.growthzoneapp.com/eventcalendar/Details/from-research-to-action-a-healthy-kc-program-on-work-life-wellness-1893836

10/06/2026

Small businesses, contractors and developers: build new connections and discover new opportunities with Port KC!

Join Port KC and community partners for Building Economic Opportunity: Small Business, Contractor & Developer Networking Night on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Origin Hotel Kansas City Riverfront. Come connect, build relationships and learn about opportunities helping move Kansas City forward.

RSVP by Oct. 8!

10/05/2026

Foley Equipment, the Caterpillar dealer for Kansas and forty counties in Missouri for more than 85 years, announced the launch of its first Cat Compact location at its existing campus in Wichita, Kansas.

Cat Compact represents the next step for Foley and Caterpillar to enhance the customer experience for small and growing businesses. In addition to expanded inventory of small equipment, the Cat Compact location will have Saturday parts, service, rental and sales hours.

Read more of this from Foley Equipment at https://www.kcchamber.com/current-topics/foley-equipment-launches-cat-compact-at-wichita-campus.

10/02/2026

Today we celebrate 36 years of World Trade Center Kansas City! Since 1990, the KC Chamber has held a World Trade Centers Association license, connecting Kansas City businesses with opportunities across the globe and strengthening our region as a hub for international trade.

A heartfelt thank you to our WTC-KC Investors for their continued partnership and support over the years:

Black & Veatch
Dentons
Commerce Bank
Polsinelli
Bestway International
CPKC
Husch Blackwell
KC SmartPort
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Pivot International, Inc.

Together we’ve worked to connect Kansas City to the world and help local businesses thrive. Here’s the next 36 years of collaboration and growth.