November EventsNovember 5Business After Hours: Progressive Party Anniversary EditionIndependence Chamber4:00 - 6:30 pm

November 11Ribbon Cutting CeremonyDrumm Farm Fitness Center4:00 - 7:00 pmNovember 12Ribbon Cutting CeremonyContinua Home Health & Hospice4:00 - 6:00 pmNovember 17Ribbon Cutting CeremonyThe Beef Jerky Outlet4:00 - 5:30 pmNovember 18Monthly Membership LuncheonJunior Service League of Independence11:30 am - 1:00 pmNovember 19Seminar: Tips to “Go & Grow” Your Business and Social Media SuccessIndependence Chamber Boardroom3:30 - 4:30 pmNovember 20Ribbon Cutting CeremonyThe Dugout4:00 - 5:00 pm

Please join us for the 95th Annual Banquet. The evening will begin with a hosted cocktail hour followed by a program including awards for Business of the Year, Board Member of the Year and Community Leader of the Year. We look forward to having you with us as we celebrate the innovative, bold and resilient community you are!

We hope you can make it to the 3rd Annual Progressive Party hosted by the Independence Chamber and the Independence Economic Development Council. The Chamber building

turns 20 this year and we are celebrating! In addition, many of our Independence business-es are having milestone anniversaries so be sure to come by and join the fun during this

progressive party themed evening.

95th Annual BanquetSaturday, January 30, 20166:00 pm - 10:00 pmStoney Creek Hotel & Conference CenterMember Tickets: $95/seat

3rd Annual Progressive Party–Anniversary Edition!November 5, 4:00 - 6:30 pm, Independence Chamber of Commerce

Contact Alex Colley at alex@iChamber.biz or 816-252-4745 or visit iChamber.biz for more information.

Keynote Speaker: Captain Richard PhillipsJoin your fellow community members as he tells his dramatic story that was transformed into an Academy-Award and Golden- Globe nominated film, Captain Phillips, played by Tom Hanks.Cost: $95/seat for members

Tickets and sponsorships are now available at www.iChamber.biz.

2November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Business After Hours: Progressive Party Anniversary EditionThursday, November 5, 4:00-6:30 pm, Independence Chamber, 210 W. Truman Rd.Join the Independence Chamber and the Independence Economic Development Council in celebrating the Chamber building’s 20th birthday along with several other business milestones!

Seminar: Learn 10 Tips to “Go & Grow” Your Business and Social Media SuccessThursday, November 19, 3:30-4:30 pm, Independence Chamber BoardroomSpeaker: Paige Hill, Constant Contact Central Midwest Regional Development DirectorNetwork and walk away with 10 Social Media Tips you can implement right away to increase your engagement, success, and results on social. RSVP to alex@ichamber.biz.

Monthly Membership LuncheonWednesday, November 18, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Junior Services League, 3122 S CryslerJoin us for our Monthly Membership Luncheon at the Junior Service League of Independence.

Reservations must be made by Monday, November 16. Refunds can not be given after November 16 due to the cost of the meal.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date

The Eggs and Issues Breakfast is scheduled for December 11 from 8:00 am - 9:30 am at the Ennovation Center. Legislators will speak on goals, interests and anticipated action in the 2016 session.

Drumm Farm Fitness CenterNovember 114:00 - 7:00 pm15400 E 34th StIndependence, MO 64055

Continua Home Health & HospiceNovember 124:00 - 6:00 pm17201 E US Hwy 40 Ste 207Independence, MO 64055

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

The Beef Jerky OutletNovember 174:00 - 5:30 pm18920 E Valley View Pkwy, Ste FIndependence, MO 64055

The DugoutNovember 204:00 - 5:00 pm4466 S Noland Rd.Independence, MO 64055

Speaker: Richard Matvichuk Missouri Mavericks CoachTopic: the 2015-2016 Mavericks team

Thank you to the Gamble

Company for being our

sponsor this month!

Halloween Parade Recap

4November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

We had a lively and enthusiastic group display at this year’s Lifestyle Expo on October 13. Thank you to all who came by and to all who participated!

NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT PERSONAL TRAINING AVAILABLE

ACCESS TO ALL OTHER GREATLIFE FITNESS CENTERS 24/7 ACCESS

NO LONG TERM CONTRACTS REQUIRED

ONLY $19.99

15400 E. 34th Street • Independence, MO 64055

P O W E R E D B Y

Lifestyle Expo Recap

Thank you to the Independence Center and Starbucks at the Independence Center for all your assistance!

Plan Ahead.Leave Well.

Procrastinating on your plans?

Phoenix Home HealthCare celebrated the opening of its new location on October 6, 2015.

Ribbon CuttingsNov. 3, 2015The Independence Chamber of Commerce has announced its support of renewal of the Public Safety Sales Tax passed on January 21, 2004. The Independence Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously to support renewal of the tax on Wed., September 9, 2015, at the monthly Board of Directors meeting.

This tax renewal would be a one-eighth cent sales tax for the Police and Fire Departments for a period of 12-years. With renewal of the tax, the Police and Fire Departments will continue to provide their excellent services. Without renewal of the tax, the departments would be unable to continue its current services and would need to reduce staff.

PLEASE VOTE

On October 15, Crossroads Hospice celebrated their 20th Anniversary in business and their 1 Year Anniversary at their Independence location.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday, October 28, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new Independence location, 1348 S Noland Rd, Independence, MO 64055.

Batteries + Bulbs celebrated the grand opening of their new location in Independence with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 9, 2015.

6November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

2016 Chamber Officers & New Board Members

New Independence Chamber of Commerce Board Members for 2016:

Wes Cowan, Space CenterSteve Graffeo, Community of ChristBeth Franklin, Keller Williams Real EstateLynette Wheeler, Truman Medical Center LakewoodDoug Williams, Morgan StanleyKim Deveney, American Funding Solutions

The L.E.A.D. class visited with several city staff and officials including Mayor Weir, Officer Billy Pope and Police Chief John Greene, on October 15 for their scheduled “Government Day”. They also had the opportunity to tour the Jackson County Courthouse and eat lunch at Courthouse Exchange.

2016 Officers: Chairman: Dave Williams, Centerpoint Medical CenterChair Elect:Tom Waters, Corporate Copy PrintTreasurer:Tom Weir, Blue Ridge Bank Bank & TrustPast Chairman: Brad Speaks, Speaks Legacy Funeral Home

2016 President and Chief Executive Officer: Hap Graff, President/CEOIndependence Chamber of Commerce‘‘

‘‘MOTIVATION OF THE MONTH

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just

one more time.

Thomas A. Edison

7November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

November Luncheon at Centerpoint Medical Center

Thank you to all who attended a fabulous luncheon at Centerpoint Medical Center on October 21. Attendees gained valuable insight into the current state of healthcare in our community and were blown away by how much Centerpoint Medical Center has invested in top-notch technology to assist those in need.

Thank you to our

luncheon sponsor:

‘‘

New Initiatives

Seminar: 10 Tips to “Go & Grow” Your Business and Social Media Success

What has my Chamber Membership meant to me and its impact on my business?My membership has been a powerful catalyst in growing my business. Since I joined in 2007, every year I have experienced a double digit increase in sales. This year has been my best year yet. I truly believe by attending as many events that I can, serving on many committees, and building relationship with other members are the

reasons why my business has grown over the years. I personally love helping other members meet other members and supporting the Chamber in our community.

The Chamber is not only an organization that I belong to but they are my friends.

–Mary House, Cruise Planners

Small Business Owners: Get social posts from the Small Business Saturday Facebook Event Page to share on your page and help spread the word! Post your promotions and products on the event page, as well!

Shoppers: Post photos of the products you buy and stores your shop on the Small Business Saturday Facebook Event Page and be entered to win some great prizes! Be sure to get out there and support our local, small businesses on Saturday, November 28, for Small Business Saturday.

Thursday, November 19, 3:30-4:30 pm, Independence Chamber Boardroom

Learn 10 Tips to “Go & Grow” Your Business and Social Media Success Thursday, November 19, 3:30-4:30 pm, Independence Chamber Boardroom.

Network and walk away with 10 Social Media Tips you can implement right away to increase your engagement, success, and results on social.

Speaker: Paige Cahill, Constant Contact Central Midwest Regional Development Director Network

The Independence Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has unanimously voted to support the Tobacco Eighteen Twenty-One, an initiative to increase the legal age of purchasing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapor products and paraphernalia from age 18 to 21. Other states have shown a significant decrease, up to 50%, in tobacco use by high schoolers since implementing this policy change.

The Independence Chamber of Commerce, Independence Economic Development Council and the Independence Square Association have teamed up to help promote small businesses during Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 28th.

#SHOPINDEP

9November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Membership Tip: Advertising with the Independence Chamber

Gary Abram Seminar Recap

We offer several easy advertising opportunities.

The Chamber View (sent to 1,250 key decision makers in Eastern Jackson County):We offer two advertising options in our monthly newsletter, The Chamber View. • 8 inches wide by 2.4 inches tall ad, $200/month • 4 inches wide by 2.4 inches tall ad, $125/month

The Chamber Website (with over 36,000 pageviews in October, 2016): We offer a banner advertising opportunity on our website. • 480 pixels wide by 60 pixels high, $200/month • We also offer a package deal for $300 if you would like a space in the Newsletter and Website.

Customized advertising opportunities are also available. To advertise with the Independence Chamber, contact Alex

Colley at alex@iChamber.biz.

Gary Abram, Founder and General Manager of CPM, B2G Data and HCap, presented a fantastic seminar to our membership on, “Thinking like a General Manager: Why Great Teams (and Companies) Focus on Talent, Culture and Process.” Throughout the hour he challenged attendees to really look hard at their organizations and ask themselves:

“Do you have the right people on the bus and in the right seat on the bus?”“Are you putting your best talent on the biggest challenges or the biggest opportunities?”“How fired up is your team (engaged)?”“Do you give your team lots of feedback and communication?”

Huge thank you to Gary for this opportunity to help us see where our organizations currently stand and what aspects we should focus on to be successful.

Where else in Independence can you advertise directly to 500 like-minded, community businesses? Advertise with the Independence Chamber and you will reach just that!

Schedule online 24/7 at MyMidwestPhysician.comWho says you can’t book

doctors’ appointments at 3 a.m.?With 5 primary care clinic locations in Independence, quality

healthcare for you and your family is even closer.

10November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

On October 20th, over 1,000 freshman from the Independence School District (ISD) attended the Career Exploration Fair to meet with 80 area businesses.The Career Exploration Fair is an important part of the Academies of ISD, a Ford NGL learning model, and is designed to help students in the Freshman Academy explore areas of interest as they work to choose an Academy for their remaining high school years.

Sales people, metal workers, scien-tists, art directors, community college presidents, hospital HR directors, police and firefighters, small business owners, architects and many more gave half of their day to enthusiastically talk with ISD freshman about what they do each day, what it takes to be successful and why they like what they do.

The students and teachers were pleased with the experience. Stu-dents were excited to speak with the many different employers and took full advantage of their time. Many wanted more time. Among the students’ com-ments were their observation of how passionate the employees were about what they do. They wanted more time to talk with more representatives and loved the hands-on demonstrations.

The Career Exploration Fair is a partnership between the Indepen-dence Chamber of Commerce and the

ISD Academies Update: Career Exploration Fair

Opportunity! Would you like help a young person learn about your business/field? The ISD is seeking placements for Juniors in their Industrial Technology (Construction, Architecture & Engineering and Manufacturing) and Computer Science (Web Design, Networking and Computer Systems and Programming & Software Development) Academies. If you wish to host one or more students on December 4 from 8:00 am-1:00 pm contact Rhonda@ichamber.biz today. Interviews scheduled for week of Nov 11.

Independence School District, planned, organized and presented by an industry-led committee. A special thank you to our committee members:

Amy Gaylean, Bayer Crop Science Rhonda Hannahane, Cisco Systems Tatia Shelton, Metropolitan Community College, BT Dwight Barnhardt, Superior Aluminum Castings Deb Craig, City of Independence Lindy O’Rourke, The Groves Aaron Smith, Independence School District

We want more business partners. If you are interested in learning how to be involved please contact Rhonda Dolan at rhonda@iChamber.biz to complete a brief Business Partner Form.

11November 2015 :: THE CHAMBER VIEW

Independence Police Officer Evan Bateman, was awarded the Crimestoppers Officer of the Year Award at the Kansas City Crime Commission 66th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon, on October 15. Officer Bateman, who is assigned to the Patrol Division, was awarded for his heroic actions during a dangerous encounter involving a vehicle pursuit with an armed carjacking suspect that ended in a deadly shootout in which Officer Bateman emerged uninjured.

Mayor Weir hosted the Missouri Municipal League West Gate meeting at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center on October 15. With 17 City of Independence staff in attendance, they were awarded the Attendance Award.

On October 15, Independence Police Chief Tom Dailey was awarded the Clarence M. Kelley Award by the KC Crime Commission.The Clarence M. Kelley Award, named after the second Director of the F.B.I. and former Kansas City Police Chief, was created to recognize an active law enforcement administrator in metro-politan Kansas City who is an excel-lent administrator, proactive in their approach and dedicated to improving the criminal justice system.

Brad MacLaughlin, Assistant Superin-tendent of the Independence School District, was awarded the Friend of Foreign Language Award from the Foreign Language Association of Missouri on October 16.

On October 20 the Missouri Maver-icks announced its goalie, Josh Rob-inson, won the “Goalie of the Week” title for his performance on opening weekend from the ECHL.

On October 3, the Independence Events Center unveiled its new name - the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.

Member News

This page features member news each month. To have your news listed here, contact Alex at alex@ichamber.biz.

Independence School Board Vice President, Jill Esry, re-ceived the Paul Morris Commu-nity Service Award on October 3rd. This award is given each year to one person in the state of Missouri who provides exem-plary leadership through school board service and additional community service achieve-ments and activities.

Children’s Mercy Hospital announced it’s 500th birth at its Elizabeth J. Ferrell Fetal Health Center on October 7. The Center provides on-site delivery ser-vices for families of high-risk infants, giving them immediate access to the region’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and keeping the family closer together.

On Monday, October 12, Mayor Eileen Weir and the Indepen-dence City Council appointed John Pinch as the City Manager of Independence, Missouri.

Thank you to Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal for for supporting the Independence Chamber of Commerce!

Siemens Energy, Inc.Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLPState Farm Insurance, Stacey Schell NewlandAmerican Family Insurance, Thomas BlauSanta Fe Trail Neighborhood CDCSchmidt Cornish & Smith CPAsMorgan StanleyACI Boland ArchitectsNational American UniversityOllie’s AmusementsRotary Club of IndependenceSmokehouse Bar-B-Que Inc.Cedar Brooke ApartmentsCargo LargoColumbia CollegeGreg’s Tire CenterThe Fountains at Greenbriar

25 +Downey Construction Inc.Greg’s Lock & Key Service Inc.Kaufman & Nichols CPA PCSam’s ClubBank of Grain ValleyCity of IndependenceThe GrovesL & C Meat Inc.Floyd R Brown Jr & CompanyCornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Co.Kansas City Star

1-4Cascades Car WashOoh! Aah! CreativeAmerican Cancer SocietyHome Builders Association of Greater K.C.Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store 23rd StSERVPRO of Lee’s SummitEnglewood Business AssociationZerger & Mauer LLP

5-14Heritage Physicians GroupAdams Mark Hotel & Resort - CoCo Key Water ResortIndependence Square Townhouses IncLiberty Exposition Services, Inc.Straightline Motorsports IncAAA Disposal ServiceChildren’s Mercy Hospitals & ClinicsBott Radio NetworkThe UPS StoreKansas City Public Library - Trails West BranchIndependence Square AssociationRand Construction Co.

15-24BMO Harris BankHereford House RestaurantHDRHilburn Trucking Inc.Independence School District Foundation

Anniversaries

New Members

Core PurposeTo provide leadership that builds a business

community of excellence.

Vision StatementThe Independence Chamber

of Commerce will be the premier business organization

in Eastern Jackson County where public and private interests collaborate and

are empowered.

210 West Truman RoadIndependence, MO 64050

Phone: 816-252-4745Fax: 816.252.4917iCHAMBER.BIZ

Members are the greatest asset of the

Chamber. Please support the businesses listed on

this page because they support and believe in

our community.

Our Business is Business

Batteries + Bulbs 816-267-4226 3709 S Noland Rd Ste CIndependence, MO 64055

SendOutCards 816-518-0106

ReeceNichols-Bryan Gilliam816-251-1561 5000 NE Lakewood WayLee’s Summit, MO 64064

Billie Preston

The Dugout 816-550-4168 4466 S Noland RdIndependence, MO 64055First National Bank 913-266-9329 4650 College BlvdOverland Park, KS 66211

Apex Business Advisors 913-433-2309 7101 College Blvd, Suite 1650Overland Park, KS 66210

Serc of Independence Square816-554-9559 108 West Maple AveIndependence, MO 64050

Independence Veterans Baseball Club630-391-2548 P.O. Box 4051Independence, MO 64051

Avid Communications 816-994-7019 500 Southwest BlvdKansas City, MO 64108