welcome new members -...

newsQUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

The Independence Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled its new brand identity. The changes include a new logo as well as the independence Chamber Mobile App.

Over the past year the Independence Chamber has focused a lot of attention towards media communication and social networking. Our motivating purpose involved giving Chamber members and our community access to these fast changing and necessary tools in which to do business. the results include a new website, new

social sites, and two mobile apps. These changes reflect a more modern look and at the same time incorporate the Chamber’s purpose and misson. “The Independence Chamber of Commerce is your Chamber. “ Vice President Teresa Freeland said. “If you own a business, are an employee of a business, live in this community or work here, we support you. Our new logo, social sites and mobile apps reflect that. Our involvement in the community creates that.” The process of redesigning the brand was an effort by the staff, board and membership. It was important to create a logo that represented the mission and vision of the chamber. The chamber consulted with Kelly Lightfoot, Owner & Creative Director of Ampersand. “The greatest goal of the Independence Chamber is to support local business and that’s exactly what this new brand identity exemplifies,” Ampersand creative designer Kelly Lightfoot said. “With the modern illustration of our local cityscape, we also see a blending of the diverse grouping of businesses which all come together under the banner of the Chamber. The

colors of our new logo also represent our ‘we-mean-business’ side with steel blues and our approachability and growth with green.” The logo, the

SCG mobile App and Independence Chamber Mobile App were recently displayed to the community at the 39th annual Santa-Cali-Gon Days® Festival.

INDEPENDENCE CHAMBER MAKEOVER

IssueIN THIS

Independence Chamber of Commerce210 W. Truman Rd.

Independence, MO 64050www.independencechamber.org

816.252.4745

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER PRINTED BY

111 S. Main Street • Independence, MO 64050Phone: 816-252-0400 • Fax: 816-252-0494

www.corporatecopyprint.com

Independence Chamber of Commerce • 210 West Truman Road • Independence, MO 64050 • 816.252.4575 • www.independencechamber.org

Check your inbox every Tuesday for the Voice | Weekly Newsletter. Stay conected with upcoming events, membership information, photo galleries and more!

If you are not receiving The Voice or have other editorial inquiries contact James Hobbs at 816.252.4745 or email [email protected]

Take the Chamber wherever you go! The Independence Chamber Mobile App is your portable Chamber office.

Search “Independence Chamber” in either Android or iPhone app store. Blackberry & other devices visitwww.independencechamber.mobi

S C A N Q R C O D E

October 2011www.independencechamber.org

character plusINTEGRITY | to do the right thing

Cover Chamber Makeover2 New Members3 Events - Past | Present | Future4 Featured Members5 Ampersand6 Quarter Sponsors7 Business Briefs8 Calendar of Events

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

OFFICERSChair of the BoardVaughn Cornish - Schmidt, Cornish & Smith CPAs

Chair-ElectBrad Constance - Stewart, Cook, Constance & Minton, LLC

TreasurerStan Shurmantine - JobOne

Immediate Past ChairDr. Patty Schumacher - Ken Schumacher Insurance

DIVISION CHAIRSCommunity EventsDonna Pittman - Curt’s Famous Meats

Economic DevelopmentJohn Kimak - Kimak Pest Management, Inc.

Governmental AffairsGary White - The Groves

MembershipDoug Williams -Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDan Boyer - Galen Boyer Motors, Inc.

Carolyn Caldwell - Centerpoint Medical Center of Independence

Karen Downey - Downey Construction, Inc.

Mark Hissong -Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

Jerry Likely - L & C Meats, Inc.

Cindy McClain - McClain Enterprises, Inc.

Vernon Meckel - Independence Center

Patrick Pack - Unilever

Steve Potter - Mid-Continent Public Library

Cheryl Carpenter-Davis - Metropolitan Community College - Blue River Campus

Stacie Short -Englewood Business Association

Tom Weir - Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Co. Jonathan Zerr - Kapke & Willerth, LLC

Are You Receiving The Voice? The Voice is an electronic weekly newsletter that includes event registrations for the month and membership reports. If you are not receiving this important email contact [email protected]

BED & BREAKFASTS Woodstock Inn Bed & Breakfast 1212 West Lexington Independence MO 64050 (816) 886-5656 www.bedandbreakfast.com

CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS / ELECTRONICS

Best Buy Mobile 18813 E 39th St Ste 1146Independence MO 64057 (816)795-7480

Computers/TechnologyThe Computer Guy 700 N Grand Ave Independence MO 64050 (816) 833-4475 www.KC-ComputerGuy.com

CONSTRUCTION - CONTRACTORS Turner Construction 2345 Grand Blvd, Ste 1000 Kansas City MO 64108 (816) 283-0555

CONSULTING & EDUCATION Wallace Enterprises, LLC 11701 E 74th Terr Kansas City MO 64133 (816) 878-5285

EDUCATION Sunrise Montessori Academy

of Independence 16716 E US 40 Hwy Independence MO 64050 (816) 478-1234 www.thesunrisemontessori.com

HEALTH SERVICES Jackson County Health

Department / TMC 313 S Liberty Independence MO 64050 (816) 404-6450 www.jacohd.org

Shared Care Free Health Clinic 17611 E US 24 HwyIndependence MO 64056 (816) 404-6455 www.sharedcarefree.org

HOMES - ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

Blue Hills Rest Home2207 N Blue Mills RdIndependence MO 64058(816) 796-3376 www.bluehillsresthome1.com

HOSPICES Odyssey Hospice 4911 S Arrowhead Dr. Ste 310Independence MO 64055 (816) 795-1333 www.odsyhealth.com

HYDRAULIC EQUPT - REPAIR, SERVICE Independence Hydraulics Inc. 737 S Northern Blvd Independence MO 64053 (816) 252-4854

INSURANCE Western & Southern Financial Group14500 E 42nd St S #231Independence MO 64055 (816) 410-2047 www.wslife.com

MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENTJackmaster Lift Parts, Inc. 2236 S Vermont Ave, Ste 1Independence MO 64052 (816) 255-8464 www.jackmasterliftparts.net

NUTRITION PROGRAM Independence Womens,

Infants & Children (WIC) TMC 529 E US Hwy 24 Independence MO 64050 (816) 404-6469 www.tmcwic.org

ORGANIZATIONS - NON PROFIT TNC Community 12404 E US 40 HwyIndependence MO 64055 (816) 373-5060 www.tnccommunity.com

RADIOLOGY Medical Imaging (Truman Medical - Eastland) 19000 E Eastland Ctr Court Independence MO 64055 (816) 876-2900

RECEPTION HALL Cotillion Room and Garden 16816 E US Highway 40Independence MO 64055 (816) 373-3456 www.cotillionroomandgarden.com

RESTAURANTS Chick-fil-A 18785 E 39th St Independence MO 64057 (816) 795-7775 www.welovecfa.com

SIGNS / BANNERS JC Address Signs PO Box 1931 Independence MO 64052 (816) 699-9988 www.jcaddresssigns.com

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES

Independence Events Center & Management Corporation

19100 E Valley View ParkwayIndependence MO 64055 (816) 442-6100 www.independenceeventscenter.com


New MembersChamber Leadership

PAGE 2

“Be a pal, welcome

the new

members”

EVENTS - PAST | PRESENT | FUTURE

past | santa-cali-g o n days festival

pr esent | Halloween Parad e

futu r e | 91 st an n ual ban qu et

On Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 4:00 pm hundreds of ghouls and goblins will invade the Independence Square for the 63rd Annual Halloween Parade. The an-nual Halloween Parade is hosted by the Independence Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Center-point Medical Center of Independence. The parade begins at Pleasant and Walnut streets and continues east on Walnut, north on Main, west on Lexington, north on Spring and ends at McCoy Park. First and second place trophies will be awarded in four categories including: Commercial Division, Adult Division, Youth Division and Open Divi-sion. Approximately 5,000 people attend the parade each year. This is a community event, as school groups, businesses, car clubs and individuals show off their Halloween spirit with decorated floats. Kids of all

ages are invited to trick or treat around the Square be-fore the parade, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 p.m. Participating merchants will have balloons hanging outside their storefronts. Shotgun Jackson, afternoon disc jockey for 106.5 the Wolf will once again emcee the parade. In addition, don’t forget to guess the cor-rect weight of “Boo & the Booties” Pumpkins to win a $100 savings bond from CommunityAmerican Credit Union. The pumpkins are on display and guesses are accepted at CommunityAmerica Credit Union inside Hy-Vee at 23rd St and Lee’s Summit Rd from October 14 – 27. The lucky winner will be notified prior to the parade with the pumpkins and savings bond awarded to the winner during the parade. For additional information on the parade contact the Chamber office at 252-4745.

B U S I N E S S .COMMUNITY.O N E V O I C E .

Last year the Independence Chamber of Commerce celebrated the past 90 years of service to business and community. The 90th banquet took attendees through the Chamber timeline from the 1920’s thru the present. The video presentation brought a different and upbeat feel to the banquet floor. This year’s banquet will continue to follow the upbeat feel of last year’s production. The theme and new brand of the Chamber, ‘Business. Community. One Voice.” will be the highlight of the night. This simple, but strong message is the backbone of the Chamber. The banquet will reflect this message with a night of socializing, technology and surprises! More details will be mailed to your door shortly, also check the ‘Voice’ for banquet updates.

“The Festival of Seasons” SCG experienced a diverse range of weather conditions. Friday started the festival off hot, leading into Saturday afternoon when thunderstorms rolled through. Sunday and Monday ushered in perfect conditions, with cool temperatures in the morning and mid 70’s by the afternoon. By the end of Monday people were

wondering....where’s the snow? Overall SCG was a great success! Nor-mally Friday and Saturday are the busiest days of the festival, but the weather conditions turned Sunday and Monday into the leaders this year. From country legend Marty Stuart to new country Eli Young Band all ages enjoyed the main stage entertainment. The JSL Bingo Tent was

filled with bingo enthusiasts all day! SCG vendors were happy with Sunday’s weather conditions which created lines from one tent to the next.

Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, vendors and community for supporting this great festival.

Sav e t h e D at eJ a n u a ry 2 1 , 2 0 1 2

H i lt o n G a r d e n I n n - I n d e p e n d e n c e

New Drury Inn & SuitesThe new Drury Inn & Suites

- Independence is open for business. Located at I-70 and Little Blue Parkway, the hotel will be the Drury family’s 6th in the Kansas City area and the 36th in Missouri.

“We’re proud to open our new hotel in Independence,” said Chuck Drury, President & CEO of Drury Hotels Company. “This is one of the fastest growing areas around Kansas City, and our team is excited to welcome its visitors with award-winning value and service.” Inside the 180-room Drury Inn & Suites, guests enjoy many free amenities, including the brand’s signature free Hot Breakfast. Served in the hotel’s expansive seating area, Drury’s breakfast features scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fruit, Belgian waffles and more.

The Drury Inn & Suites value package also includes the 5:30 Kickback®. At the 5:30 Kickback, Drury serves free hot food and cold beverages to all guests between 5:30 and 7 pm. Other free amenities include free long distance and local calls, free popcorn and soda in the

lobby, an indoor/outdoor pool & whirlpool, exercise room, guest pantry, guest laundry facility and microwaves and refrigerators in all rooms. These inclusive amenities support the brand’s tagline, The Extras Aren’t Extra!®. The Drury Inn & Suites brand was recently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for receiving “Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Mid-Scale Limited Service Hotel Chains, Six Years in a Row” in the firm’s 2011 North American Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Studysm. J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information firm that represents the voice of the customer.

New Owner, Same Great Business After a successful 35 year career in manufacturing, which took the Mueller’s from coast to coast and to many foreign ports of call, Don and Jeanine have decided to remain in Missouri, to begin their next career – that of retailer. Accordingly, they opened Discount Toner & Ink, located at 18931 E. Valley View Parkway (across from Lowe’s and Costco) on July 1, 2011, offering a comprehensive assortment of re-

manufactured ink and toner cartridges, for all the major printer and fax manufacturers. All ink and toner cartridges are re-manufactured in the United States, under the strictest of quality specifications. And in those rare occasions when the cartridge needed is not in stock, it can be ordered and delivered the very next day in the majority cases.

While Discount Toner & Ink will continue to maintain toners and inks as their core business, plans are already underway to expand the product offering to include office supply and computer supply type items, such as CD’s, DVD’s, paper goods and stationary, flash drives, and all those little necessary items we all use every day in our homes and offices. In addition to these “necessary” items, Discount Toner & Ink will also offer greeting cards and gift items, some from outdoor enthusiast and artist, Chuck Bird, of Indiana. Within his collection you will find, wood, acrylic and antler writing instruments, bottle stops, multi-purpose tools and more, each with his special touch built in.

Stop in often, for a friendly smile and greeting, quality goods, and money saving products!

Sunrise Montessori Academy Sunrise Montessori Academy

of Independence is a small school with a family-like atmosphere providing a ‘home away from home’ for which children can freely explore and learn independently through the environment which has been prepared to stimulate natural learning. It is located in southeast Independence and sits on a large lot full of various shade trees that provide a natural landscape for outdoor learning. There are also a variety of plants on the school grounds and a garden for the children to work within providing endless opportunities for hands on science.

Step inside to find a fascinating child-sized environment full of genuine Montessori materials for the children to independently investigate throughout their preschool years. Each child is provided the opportunity for individual lessons and group activities that will fulfill his/her social, emotional, physical and developmental needs.

The school is conveniently located a few minutes from 291 Hwy and I-70 so that busy working parents can easily access the school.

We offer full and part-time academic programs for those focused primarily on early education as well as before/after care for those parents working full time. Here at Sunrise, we choose to provide variety of programs to suit the needs of every family, so that every child can receive the opportunity for an unsurpassed education based on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. You choose the programs that meet the needs of your family, and we will do the rest!

FEATURED MEMBERS ARE CHOSEN THROUGH A MONTHLY DRAWING


FEATURED MEMBERS

PAGE 4

Santa-Cali-Gon Days® Festival

GRAND PATRON SPONSOR

COMMUNITY PARTNER

MAIN STAGE SPONSOR

COMMUNITY STAGE SPONSOR

COURTESY SPONSOR

FESTIVAL MOBILE APP SPONSOR

INFORMATION BOOTH SPONSORAmtrak - Missouri River Runner

COMFORT ZONE SPONSORCenterpoint Medical Center

RADIO STATION SPONSORSQ104KFKF

BEVERAGE SPONSORSBudweiser - County Beverage CompanyPepsi Beverages Company

SCG PARDNERSBankLibertyConsultants In Gastroenterology PC

pardners continued...Cornell Roofing & Sheet MetalCruise PlannersDowney ConstructionHawthorn BankFurry and Smith, P.C.Mueller Trading company, LLC Referring Wellness, Inc.Stewart Title

SPECIAL THANKS TO1st MidAmerica Credit Union AMR City of Independence Housing AuthorityComfort SuitesCommunity of ChristCorporate CopyPrint Crowley Wade Milstead Inc.Curt’s Famous MeatsDowney ConstructionHilton Garden Inn IndependenceHoliday Inn Express Hotel & SuitesHy-Vee Food & Drug Store – 23rd StIndependence Fire DepartmentIndependence Masonic TempleIndependence Police DepartmentIndependence School DistrictIndependence Square MerchantsINGKimak’s Pest ManagementLittle John’s EnterprisesLittle Richard’s Family RestaurantMichaelangelo’s GrillMugs Up Drive-InRehabilitation Center of IndependenceRichard’s SunfreshStage West ProductionsThe Big BiscuitThe Red Force Fire & Security

2011 SCG FESTIVAL BOARDAudrae MayoMarsha OldhamAmy HollonDon DeBoardDonna PittmanDonovan ButlerEric KnippFran WagnerGreg FinkeJess ToddRick LallaTerri J. SteeleTroy KuhnertVirgina DeBoardWayne StewartZan McKinney

Youth L.E.A.D.1st MidAmerica Credit UnionFort Osage School DistrictGraceland University – Drew SchaeferIndependence School DistrictL.E.A.D. AlumniSpace Center of Kansas CitySt. Mary’s High SchoolUnited Consumers Credit Union

Chamber LuncheonsUMB BankD.W. NewcomersMetroMedia

Business Before & After HoursMidwest Public RiskAndrew Drumm Institute Metcalf Bank

2011 AmbassadorsCheryl BradleyLoretta PolzinKim DeveneyLaura VernonGary LeeperThomas R. WeirTom WatersMary HouseBrent CaswellJon KlassenChris ThieleStephanie SmithShawna ClayDeb KassienMark SimcoskySteve DempseyDana PostlethwaitBarbara HarringtonMark SimmonsPhil BurressSara JohnsonGreg FinkeAlice RossBarbara Langley

Looking to volunteer? If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Chamber. For more information on the different events visit the Chamber website at www.independencechamber.org

CHAMBER EVENT SPONSORS

PAGE 6

AT&TIn response to customer

feedback, AT&T* is offering Kansas City area consumers a unique peek behind the curtain of AT&T’s wireless network enhancements.

Beginning today, AT&T customers can see recent network enhancements in the Kansas City area. An industry first, the microsite gives customers an unparalleled view of what AT&T is doing to enhance the customer experience.

Visitors to the new “Focus: Kansas City” microsite immediately view a map of the Kansas City area, and are prompted to select the community they’re most interested in. The hyper-local map displays specific network enhancements that AT&T has made in the area since the beginning of 2011. Enhancements include new cell sites, broadband speed upgrades, capacity upgrades and network connection upgrades.

In the Kansas City area, year to date through August 5, 2011, AT&T has:

- Built five new cell sites, providing more bars in the area.

- Upgraded 30 cell sites, providing faster mobile broadband speeds.

- Added 42 carriers to increase spectrum on area cell sites, providing extra capacity to reduce dropped calls and improve service quality at busy times.

- Expanded 222 network connections with fiber lines at area cell sites, helping reduce dropped calls and enable 4G data speeds for compatible devices.

Above the map, a “Stores” tab provides visitors mapped locations and phone numbers for AT&T stores in their area, and a “Wi-Fi Hotspots” tab shows Wi-Fi locations, right down to the local coffee shop.

In addition, AT&T has created a dedicated Twitter handle that visitors can follow for up-to-date information on what is going on in the Kansas City area. Tweets from the @ATT_KC handle are featured on the microsite.

The microsite also includes a “Did You Know?” section that provides helpful

tips and suggestions for smartphone users. These tips include advice on how to extend the battery life of devices, how to manage data consumption more efficiently and much more. Third-party device reviews as well as reviews by AT&T will also be featured in this section.

All of these sections will be updated every Thursday, helping AT&T connect with its Kansas City area customers on a more personal, hyper-local level.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

STRAUB CONSTRUCTION

Straub Construction Company, Inc., an award winning general contractor in the four state area, today announced that it has expanded its presence in the Southwest Missouri area and has opened a new office in Joplin, Missouri.

The new office, located at 1115 Illinois Ave, builds on Straub Construction’s status in the region. Straub Construction has had a presence in Southwest Missouri for over 15 years.

“We are excited for the opportunity to better serve our clients in the area,” said company President Ernest Straub, III. “We have done a variety of projects over the years and with the devastation to the City of Joplin, it only made sense for us to expand and enhance our visibility. We can now give focused attention to assisting the region with its growth and rebuilding.”

The 91 year old company’s new office will provide the same services as their Kansas City location but will concentrate on meeting the needs of clients in the Southwest Missouri region. Vice President, Jim Calvert, will be managing the new operations.

VATTEROTT COLLEGECareer Fair

October 20, 2011 at Vatterott College

Are you looking to hire quality employees? If so, you need to join us for our next Career Fair to be held on Thursday, October 20, 2011 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Registration is FREE but space is limited so call and make your reservation today.

For more information or to register your company, please contact Jeff Kuhn, Vatterott College Career Services, (816) 861-1000.

(Vatterott College is across from Royals Stadium)

TRUMAN MEDICAL CENTERS

On Friday, September 30, 2011 at 10:30 a.m., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will join hospital officials, doctors, nurses, patients, and other health care advocates at Truman Medical Centers (TMC) to highlight the Partnership for Patients. Launched in April, the partnership will help save 60,000 lives by stopping millions of preventable injuries and complications in patient care over the next three years and has the potential to save up to $35 billion, including up to $10 billion for Medicare. Over the next ten years, it could reduce costs to Medicare by about $50 billion and result in billions more in Medicaid savings. The Partnership is supported by a $1billion investment made possible by the Affordable Care Act.

Already, over 2,500 hospitals and more than 5,500 partners, including physicians and nurses organizations, consumer groups and employers, have pledged their commitment to the Partnership for Patients. TMC is a national leader in the efforts to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care and a model for other partners. This event is the seventh in a series of hospital visits around the country the Secretary is making to highlight centers of excellence as a part of the Partnership for Patients.

For more details on the Partnership for Patients, please go to healthcare.gov. For security and planning purposes, all press must Rsvp to Shane Kovac at [email protected] or 816-404-3786.


Have News To Share?Submit your press releases to James at [email protected]. We will print as space permits.

Submitted press releases will appear in Quarterly Newsletter & Chamber website.

PAGE 7

210 W. Truman Rd.Independence, MO 64050www.independencechamber.org

CHECK YOUR INBOX EVERY TUESDAY!

PR SRT STDU.S. Postage PAIDKansas City, MOPERMIT NO. 321

Quarterly Events

Annual Chamber Eventbusiness before/after hoursMembership luncheonlegislative briefing

October | 201113th | Business After HoursHost: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

19th | Monthly Membership LuncheonSpeaker: Jean Peters Baker Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney

26th | Mini ExpoLocation: Metropolitan Community College-Blue River

29th | 63rd Annual Halloween ParadeLocation: Historic Indepenence Square

November | 201110th | Business Before HoursHost: Metro Ford

16th | Monthly Membership LuncheonTopic: Lewis & Clark Expressway

December | 20117th | Monthly Membership LuncheonNo Speaker: Holiday Networking Edition

15th | Business After HoursHost: Drury Inn & Suites

January | 201212th | Business Before HoursHost: Independence Chamber of Commerce

20th | Legislative BriefingLocation: Independence Chamber of Commerce

21st | 91st Annual Chamber BanquetLocation: Hilton Garden Inn - Independence

For full event information visit www.independencechamber.org

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