APRIL 2015
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
SantaCaliGon
3rd Annual Picnic on the Lawn
Small Business Spotlight
Major Employer Spotlight
New Board Members
New Chamber Employee
35th Annual Chamber Golf Classic
7: Annual First Responders Breakfast
8: Calendar of Events
9: Calendar of Events
10: March Ribbon Cuttings
11: Member News
12: Anniversaries, New Members
April Events
Thursday, April 9
Business Leads Exchange
Independence Chamber
8:00 - 9:00 am
Tuesday, April 14
Tech-Connect Tuesday
Independence Chamber
8:00 - 9:00 am
Wednesday, April 15
Business After Hours
Tax Relief Party!
Stoney Creek Hotel &
Conference Center
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Eastern Jackson County
2015
In This Issue:
Business Expo
Thousands of attendees
70+ exhibitors
Dozens of door prizes and raffles
Seven Chambers
One Venue
Don’t miss the 2015 Eastern Jackson County Business Expo on April 23rd,
from 2:00-7:00pm. There will be dozens of door prizes, quality networking,
100+ demonstrations, food samples and free cocktails from 4-7pm! Before
the exhibit hall opens, there is an optional luncheon from 12:30 - 2:00 pm
with LeAnn Carlson, of Lauren’s Hope, as the speaker.
You do not want to miss this opportunity! Join us for lunch or get your
tickets to enter the expo later in the day by visiting iChamber.biz!
Friday, April 17
Legislative Briefing
Independence Chamber Boardroom
8:00 - 9:15 am
Thursday, April 23rd
Monthly Membership Luncheon
Independence Events Center
12:30 - 2:00 pm
Our Business is Business
Thursday, April 23rd
2015 Eastern Jackson County
Business Expo
Independence Events Center
2:00 - 7:00 pm
Want to exhibit? There are still a limited number of
booths spaces available. Conact [email protected].
Save-the-Date!
September 4 - 7, 2015
The SCG 5K Run/Walk will be on September 7th,
at 8:00am. Registration for the 5k will begin on
June 1! Sponsorships are available – contact
[email protected] for more info.
Reminder: vendor contracts for the 2015
SantaCaliGon Days Festival are now available
online at santacaligon.com or at the Chamber
office. For information about the festival or a
contract, please contact Lois with the Chamber
at 816-252-4745 ext. 2 or [email protected].
santacaligon.com
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
2
Save-the-Date!
3rd Annual Picnic on the Lawn
The smell of food cooking on the grill, delicious side dishes, cold drinks
and refreshments, music, and hundreds of Chamber members will all be
on the lawn at 210 W. Truman Road on Thursday, May 28, 2015 from
11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
The occasion: the Independence Chamber’s Annual “Picnic On The
Lawn” to celebrate member appreciation day! This event is the Chamber’s
way of saying thank you to its members for their support and participation
during the past year.
All Independence Chamber members are invited to join the board and
staff for a fun-filled, delicious, and complimentary mid-day experience,
“Picnic On The Lawn” 2015. To register for the complimentary event,
visit iChamber.biz.
Choose ISD Kids! Grow. Maintain. Thrive.
The Independence Chamber of Commerce announced on Wednesday, February
11, that it will support the 24-cent ISD Levy increase to be placed on the April 7,
2015 ballot. The Independence Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously
to support the levy at the monthly Board of Directors meeting.
To read the full press release, go to iChamber.biz.
Vote YES on the Independence School District Levy on April 7th!
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
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Small Business Spotlight: Precision Roofing, LLC
Leadership:
Rich Hoffman, Owner
Location:
11903 E Old Lone Jack LS Rd.,
Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
Years in existence: 28
Years as a Chamber
Member: 3
We install high-quality roofing products for residential and
commercial buildings in the Greater KC Metro area.
Why is your business involved with the Chamber?
We find chambers to be great resources for professional contacts and
leads in growing our business as well as the business’s of other chamber
members through referrals and promotion with our customer base.
In your opinion, what is Independence’s greatest asset?
Our owner and most of our staff were born and raised in Independence,
Missouri. We find the community to be loyal and quality-minded, two things
we find paramount in growing our business the right way.
REAL PEOPLE. REAL QUESTIONS. REAL ANSWERS… SOMETIMES.
Questions your Chamber received this month...
– Where is the IRS office?
– Is this the health department?
– Is this not Commerce Bank?
– Could you tell me what St. Patrick’s Day Parades are going on in Kansas City?
– Can we enter the 4th of July parade?
– I don’t have a question, I just wanted to let you know that “so and so business” was not open
yesterday and there was nothing marking it saying it was closed. I just wanted to let you know
they are not doing business the way they should be. Thank you.
– Are there tennis courts out there off 291?
And the winner is...
– Hi…my friend’s doctor sent an excuse so she wouldn’t have to serve jury duty. Can you tell me
if they got it?
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
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Major Employer Spotlight: Bayer
Leadership:
Paul Nagy,
Head of Kansas City Site
Bayer is an innovation-driven company with a long tradition in
Location:
8400 Hawthorn Road,
Kansas City, MO
world. Our Bayer Group mission “Bayer: Science For A Better Life”
Regional Headquarters:
Research Triangle Park
North Carolina
Years in existence:
At current location since 1957
Years as a Chamber
Member: 3
Total Number of Employees:
800 employees, including 150
contract workers
research and development. We leverage our expertise to address
global challenges and aim to improve people’s lives around the
is the foundation of what we at Bayer CropScience strive to achieve
within the agricultural sector. Our contribution to society is based on
helping to ensure an ample supply of high-quality food, feed, fiber
and renewable raw materials.
What is one thing you are currently doing in your business that you
want others to know?:
Development of employees is an important component to help meet our
business goals and become a leader in our industry. Therefore, Bayer and
Bayer CropScience offer training and other developmental programs to
employees – because our people are our greatest asset.
Why is our business involved in the Chamber?
Independence is a valued neighbor. Bayer is excited to engage and work
with our neighbors to help improve business in the area.
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
5
New Board Members
Beth Franklin, Keller Williams Reality
Beth Franklin moved to Independence in 2013 after living in Lee’s Summit for 19
years. She is originally from Tulsa, OK. Beth has been an active member in the
Chamber, serving on the Santa Cali Gon committee, the marketing committee,
and as an Ambassador. Beth is the Broker/Owner of Keller Williams Southland Partners and has a busy real estate business. She is currently serving as
the 2015 President of the Heartland MLS. In her spare time, she serves on the
Independence Salvation Army Advisory Council, the Independence Housing
Authority, and is active in the Rotary Club of Independence. Of all her accomplishments, she is most proud of her 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Lynette Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer of TMC Lakewood
Wheeler received her R.N. Diploma from the Clarkson School of Nursing in 1976
and went on to earn her bachelor of science in nursing from Clarkson College and
her master’s degree in nursing from University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1993.
Wheeler began her career as a staff nurse in the Coronary Care Unit at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Prior to coming to TMC in 2011 as chief nursing officer, she
served as vice president of Cardiopulmonary Vascular Services at Heartland Regional
Medical Center in St. Joseph. Wheeler served as TMC Chief Nursing Officer from
2011 to 2015 when she took the position as Chief Operating Officer.
Wheeler has more than 30 years of combined clinical and management experience
and is currently working toward a doctorate in nursing. She is also a member of the
Missouri Organization of Nurse Leaders, American Academy of Medical Administrators and the American College of Cardiology Administrators.
New Chamber Employee
Katrina Anderson, aka Trina, joined the Chamber of Commerce team in March 2015
as the Membership Coordinator and the Academies of ISD liaison. She started her career
in banking 16 years ago as a teller at Commerce Bank and worked her way up through
the positions to an Assistant Branch Manager of Blue Ridge Bank in Lee’s Summit.
For the majority of her life she has lived in Lee’s Summit. Graduating from Lee’s Summit
High School with her high school sweetheart Joe. They have been married for 16 years
and have two kids, Kaiden 12 and Haven 8.
35th Annual Chamber
Golf Classic
Friday, June 5, 2015
6:30 - 7:30 am: Registration & Breakfast
8:00 am: Shotgun Start
$500/team - $150/individual
Save the date for the 35th Annual Chamber Golf Classic! It will be held at
Winterstone Golf Course. This is one of the Chamber’s best opportunities to
network with business leaders and golf with clients and associates while
genuinely having a great time. All this and great food and drink, too.
Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available at iChamber.biz.
Want a fun day in the sun on June 5th? Be a part of the Golf Committee! Contact [email protected] to join!
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
6
Save-the-Date!
Nominate a first responder for the Annual First Responders Recognition and Awards Breakfast!
Annually, the Independence Chamber and The Examiner join forces to
recognize and thank our local first responders for the significant and highly-valued contributions they provide to the businesses and citizens in the
City of Independence. This year’s event will be held on Friday, June 12,
2015 beginning at 7:30 am, at the Truman Memorial Building
As part of this annual recognition, four awards are bestowed on behalf
of the Independence business community to members of the local First
Responder family: Heroism, Community Service, Bravery, and Dedication. Representatives from businesses and non-profit organizations with
first-hand knowledge of exemplary acts or an extraordinary body of work
during the past year by a local First Responder are encouraged to complete and submit the 2014 Nomination Form available in the Chamber
offices or via iChamber.biz.
Tables for the event are still available and can be secured by contacting
[email protected].
L - R: Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Sappendield, Major Edward Turner, Officer
Brock Kelley, EMT Jenny Nance
Nominations due: May 15th
What:
Annual First Responders
Recognition and Awards
Breakfast
When:
Friday, June 12, 2015
7:30 - 9:00 am
Where:
Truman Memorial Building
416 W Maple Ave.
Independence, MO
Cost:
$200: Table of 6 (Plus Two
Uniformed Responders)
$25: Individual
Fire Chief, John Green
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
7
Calendar of Events
Business Leads Exchange
Thursday, April 9
Independence Chamber Boardroom, 8:00 - 9:00 am
Walk and talk through issues, accomplishments, endeavors and
operations with fellow Chamber members to help improve your
business and create valuable relationships you can’t find anywhere else.
Thank you to our sponsor:
The monthly Business Leads Exchange program was created to help Chamber members create personal, meaningful leads from fellow members through focused networking and structured discussions of issues facing most
business enterprises. Come prepared to describe your ideal customer and share your company/ organization’s
current priorities.
For more information and to register for this event, visit: iChamber.biz. If you are not a Chamber Member, please
email [email protected] to register.
Tech-Connect Tuesday : “Virtual Assistants” Tuesday, April 14
Independence Chamber Boardroom, 8:00 - 9:00 am
Your time is too expensive and precious to be spent on filtering your
email and writing all the notes from your meetings. Let us show you
how to get those off your plate with an assistant who works from a
remote location.
Business After Hours – Tax Relief Party!
Wednesday, April 15
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Join us for a Tax Relief Party at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center.
Refreshments and door prizes from several Chamber member businesses
will be available.
Thank you to our sponsor: Automated
Control Systems, for making this workshop
free for our members:
Thank you to our sponsor: Stoney Creek
Hotel & Conference Center
Free for Chamber members with a business card as admission.
Reservations requested: iChamber.biz
FUN INDEPENDENCE FACT
Independence was found
on March 29, 1827.
Between 1848-1868,
Independence was known
as the “Queen City of the
Trails” because it was the
point of departure for the
three great WestWard Trails:
the Santa Fe, Oregon and
the California.
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
8
Calendar of Events, Continued
Legislative Briefing
Friday, April 17
8:00 am - 9:15 am Chamber Boardroom, 210 West Truman Road
The monthly report to the membership from the local legislative delegation (senators and representatives) in the
Missouri General Assembly will be held on April 17th at 8:00am. The April event will focus on the 2015 Legislative
Session and movement to date on identified Public Policy priorities of the Chamber.
Free for Chamber. Reservations are requested: iChamber.biz
Monthly Membership Luncheon
Thursday, April 23
Independence Events Center, 12:30 - 2:00 pm
This month’s membership luncheon will be held at the Independence Events Center in conjunction with the 2015
Eastern Jackson County Business Expo.
LeAnn Carlson, owner of Lauren’s Hope, will be our speaker.
LeAnn will share the inspiring story of her business that began
as a result of a teenage girl, who was too shy to wear a medical
ID bracelet (for her diabetes), that has now turned into a thriving
enterprise helping people with illnesses all over the world.
Thank you to our sponsor:
Centerpoint Medical Center
Your luncheon purchase also gets you into the 2015 Eastern
Jackson County Business Expo beginning at 2:00 pm.
2015 Eastern Jackson County Business Expo
Thursday, April 23
Independence Events Center, 2:00 - 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 23, 2015 will find some of the most successful and dynamic companies operating throughout
Eastern Jackson County on the main floor of the Independence Events Center for the 2015 Eastern Jackson
County Business Expo. With thousands of invitations out, 100+ demonstrations and prizes, almost 100 booths
and seven chambers participating, this is sure to be the quality networking opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
Get tickets at iChamber.biz or visit ejcexpo.com for more details!
Our Business is Business
Is it time to have a conversation
with your doctor about your heart?
To take a FREE heart
risk assessment, visit
CenterpointMedical.com/heart
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
9
Ribbon Cuttings
The Springs at Independence
The Springs at Independence, at 19301 E. 50th Terrace, was the location of a ribbon cutting sponsored by
the Independence Chamber of Commerce on March 4, 2015, to celebrate the grand opening of the new
location. Business owners, chamber leaders, and elected officials gathered to formally celebrate the
completion of the project.
The Villages of Jackson Creek
The Villages at Jackson Creek held its official ribbon cutting with the Independence Chamber of Commerce
on March 25th, to celebrate its new ownership, NHC HealthCare Corporation, at 3980 South Jackson Drive.
Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals celebrated its one-year anniversary with a joint ribbon cutting ceremony with
the Independence, Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit Chambers of Commerce on Monday, March 30, 2015.
April 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW
10
Member News
The NAIA Tournament, hosted
at the Independence Events
Center, March 18 to 24 has just
completed. Cory Day mentioned
that all involved were pleased
with the City, the arena and the
volunteers, as reported in the
Independence Examiner. The
tournament will come back in
2016 to the Event Center.
Independence was spotlighted
in an article written by Carla
Maria Rupp on www.nebverstoptraveling.com titled “Independence, Missouri – The Trails Start
and the Buck Stops.”
The Child Abuse Prevention
Association held its annual St.
Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, with more than
300 in attendance.
Dr. Mark Enderle, Superintendent of Schools announced on
March 11 that Ms. Kim Hawley
will become Principal of Lewis
and Clark Academy. Hawley
will begin her duties effective
July 2015. Hawley replaces Dr.
Wendy McChristy who is retiring
in June 2015.
The Independence School
District’s Katie Marquart, fourthgrade teacher at Bryant Elementary, was named its 2015-16
Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations are in order for
Blue Springs South Jaguars who
won the Boys Class 5A State High
School Basketball championship,
for the school’s first time.
Fourteen members of the Independence Police Department received
awards during the department’s
annual presentation before the City
Council on March 9th. The awards
went to officers Brian Flavin, Wendi
Winans, Jason Smith, Katherine
Kelly, James Combs, Kelley Rupert,
Travis Gillihan, Harold Echols, Gary
Starks, Billy Pope and John Sym
and sergeants Vincent Bass and
John Howe.
After running against 15 other
candidates, Bailey Jo Brockmeyer
of Fort Osage High School will be
the 2015-16 FFA Area VI Parliamentarian. She will join seven other
members from our FFA Area to
serve members from Independence
to Boonville and from Carrollton to
Pleasant Hill.
William Southern Physical Education Teacher Annie Dudek has been
chosen as a contestant on NBC’s
American Ninja Warrior.
The Independence Events Center
announced on March 4th that it
would be hosting the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships from April 8 through April 12.
On March 4, Mayor Eileen Weir
signed a proclamation recognizing March as Brain Injury
Awareness Month.
Rhonda Dolan, Chamber Membership Director, traveled to
Nashville, Tennessee last week,
with Independence School District teachers and staff to view
and understand the Ford Foundation, Next Generation Learning program, being implemented as the Academies of ISD in
the Independence Schools.
Independence EDC has relaunched the Buy iN program
in partnership with Save Local
Now. Save Local Now (savelocalnow.com) is a website and
iPhone and Android app that
gives people access to exclusive offers from their favorite
businesses. Locals and tourists
alike can use Save Local Now
to access deals, events and
savings where they shop, eat
and play from any browser on
any device. Saving money and
buying local in Independence
has never been easier.
This page features member
news each month. To have
your news listed here, contact
Alex at [email protected].
INDEPENDENCE, MO
MISSOURI
Independence
Events Center
AprilE2015
11
VISITINDEP
N ::DTHEECHAMBER
N C EVIEW
.COM
1-4 years
Angie Cakes Cinda Chapman CPA
Community Blood Center
Goad Company
Groves Community Hospice
Heart of America Council BSA
Blue Elk District
Jackson County
Joe’s Crab Shack
Midwest Foster care & Adoption
Midwest Public Risk
Monelli’s Salon
Palmer Place
Pepperwood Apartments
Planet Fitness
R-G Federal Credit Union
Redline Pest Control
Town & Country Building Services
University of Central Missouri
Vivilore Restaurant
5-9 Years
Associated Services in
Insurance Inc
Emerick & Company, CPAs
Full Employment Council Inc./
Missouri Career Center
Missouri Mavericks Pro Hockey
The Rehabilitation Center of
Independence
10-25 years
Bank Liberty
CommunityAmerica Credit Union
DNA Services of America
McGrath Heating and Cooling LLC
Winterstone Golf Course
25 or more years
Blue Springs Family YMCA
Burns & McDonnell
Commerce Bank
Community of Christ International
Headquarters
Discover Vision Centers
Humphrey, Farrington, &
McClain, PC
JE Dunn Construction Co
Mansion Apartments
Scandinavia Place
Space Center Kansas City, Inc
New Members
CMJ Lawn
623 NW Valley Ridge Circle
Grain Valley, MO 64029
816-824-8864
Our Business is Business
Culture Index
1007 NW Cedar Ln.
Grain Valley, MO 64029
816-547-5899
Members are the
greatest asset of the
Chamber. Please support
the businesses listed on
this page because they
support and believe in
our community.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
1736 NW Chipman Rd.
Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
816-554-7427
FirstCall HomeCare
14480 E. 42nd St. S.
Independence, Missouri 64055
Sandra K Schiess
Independence, MO 64050
Eleven:12 Communications
Studio
Independence, MO 64050
816-255-6278
Newsletter design provided by:
Kelly Lightfoot
660.441.4888
[email protected]
The mission of the
Independence Chamber
of Commerce is to provide
leadership and service to
promote the economic
growth of Independence.
‘‘
‘‘
Anniversaries
210 West Truman Road
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: 816-252-4745
Fax: 816.252.4917
iCHAMBER.BIZ
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn
more, do more and become
more, you are a leader.”
John Quincy Adams
Advertise in The
Chamber View!
Fill a space like this. Monthly, quarterly, and annual rates
are available.
For more information, contact Alex Colley at [email protected].