volume 19 • issue 9 September 2011

TheNorthlandVoicea publication of the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce

What’s Inside

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Chamber Office CLOSEDMonday, September 5

Have a Safe & Happy Labor Day!

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Business After HoursWednesday, September 7

Cascone’s Restaurant & Lounge 5-7 pm

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Annual Joint LuncheonTuesday, September 20

Embassy Suites11:30 am

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5th Friday CoffeeFriday, September 30

Randy Reed Buick- GMC- Pontiac, Inc7:30-8:30 am

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Thank you Antioch Printing for printing this month’s newsletter in full color.

Antioch has donated this service to the Chamber to

show our members one example of the services they provide.

Thank You!

Legislative Affairs Committee to Hear Legislative RequestsBusinesses, civic organizations, public officials, individuals and all others seeking Chamber

support for local, state and/or federal legislative issues are invited to appear before the Legislative Affairs Committee, Thursday, September 22 at the Chamber office. Each speaker

must call ahead and schedule a fifteen-minute presentation time between 1-5pm.

The Legislative Affairs Committee, with the approval from the Board of Directors, will determine which issues to include, based on how it impacts the Northland’s business climate

and quality of life. Those priorities chosen will be added to the Chamber’s 2012 Legislative Priorities.

Call the Chamber office at 816/455.9911 to schedule your appointment.

Mayor Sly James to Speak at Joint LuncheonKansas City Mayor Sly James will be the featured speaker at the Tuesday, September 20 joint luncheon of the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Clay County Economic Development Council and Platte County Eco-nomic Development Council. The luncheon will be held at Embassy Suites and will begin at 11:30am [registration

begins at 11am]. Mayor James will speak at 12:Noon. Cost to attend this luncheon is $30 per person. Tables of 10 are available for $300. RSVP by September 12th to the Clay County EDC (816-468-4989 or cprice@clayedc.com). Cancellations must be made before noon on September 13th, or you will be billed in full.

Interested in Getting Involved in the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce?If you are a paid representative on your companies membership, you are welcome to join any of our Chamber committees [Exception: You must have graduated from Leadership Northland to serve on that committee]. For details on meeting times and dates, please check our website at www.northlandchamber.com.

www.northlandchamber.com 2 September 2011

MembershipMission Statement

To enhance the business community, economic

growth and quality of life in the Northland.

2011 OfficersChair

Thelma Crawford, S & T Consultant LLC

Past ChairMark Spurgeon

Williams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock Architects

Chair ElectLouise Welborn, C.W. Video & Photography

TreasurerDave Mecklenburg, CEK Insurance

Division Chairs Business Development

Bob LohmeyerHeart of America Catering

Governmental AffairsChris Byrd

Christopher W. Byrd, P.C.

LeadershipBruce Cramer

Cramer Capital Management

Membership ServicesJohn Miller

Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital

Staff Chamber President

Sheila Tracy

Vice President Karla Martinez

Membership Director Sarah Reese

Events & Communication Coordinator Megan Papenfuhs

Administrative Coordinator

Heather Phillips - Mon- WedMary Vogel - Wed- Fri

Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce

634 NW Englewood RdKansas City MO 64118Phone 816/455.9911

Fax 816/455.9933www.northlandchamber.com

Email northland@northlandchamber.com

The Northland Voice is a monthly publication of the Northland Regional Chamber.

Notification of articles, information and advertising is due in the Chamber office by

the 10th of the month for the following month’s edition. We reserve the right to edit or rewrite

material submitted.

Submit any suggestions, comments or questions to Megan Papenfuhs at 816/455.9911

or megan@northlandchamber.com.

Al J. Mueller Construction Co.American Family InsuranceAntioch Dental Group, Inc.Baker UniversityChildren’s Mercy NorthlandColorado Technical

UniversityWilliam J. Duensing, Jr., DDSFord Motor CompanyFountain of Life Family

ChiropracticHeart of America CateringHome Builders Assoc. of

Greater KCKing Hershey, PC

Krueger & James Insurance Agency, Inc.

City of LibertyLiberty Park DentalLockton CompaniesMidway Ford Truck Center,

Inc.Modern Physical TherapyMolly Maid of North Kansas

CityNorth Kansas City SchoolsNorth Platte R-1 School

DistrictO’Dowd’s Little Dublin Irish PubPatti Banks Associates

S & T Consultant LLCSam’s ClubShafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.Spectrum Station, IncTarget Direct Marketing, Inc.Paul R. Torres MD, PCTrezo Mare RestaurantUnisource Document

ProductsVan Chevrolet & CadillacVSM Engineering, LLCYMCA- Platte CountyYMCA- Platte City

Thank you for renewing your Chamber investment this month.

Cruise Connection LLC Susie Vanderkamp 7932 N Oak Traffic Way Suite #210 Kansas City, MO 64118 816/420-8688 Fax 816/420-8667 susiev1@mindspring.com www.cruiseconnectionllc.com

Glass of Milk Cake Company Amanda Phillips 6513 NW Barry Road Kansas City, MO 64151 816/505-5528 Amanda.phillips@glassofmilkcakecompany.com www.glassofmilkcakecompany.com New York Life Tammy Gilliams 7500 College Boulevard Suite #800 Overland Park, KS 66210 913/453-9100 ext 7346 Fax 913/661-7288 tgilliams@ft.newyorklife.com www.newyorklife.com

On a Roll Cafe & Deli Paul Tuong 8512 NW Prairie View Road Kansas City, MO 64153 816/875-3388 Fax 816/587-3229 oar@onarollcd.com www.onarolkc.com Stand Up & Cheer Steve Nitzel 6116 Westwood Court Parkville, MO 64152 816/694-6660 888/752-1485 snitzel@standupandcheer.com www.standupandcheer.com

Scott Wagner Kansas City City Council 414 E. 12th Street 22nd Floor Kansas City, MO 64106 816/513-6503 Fax 816/513-1612 scott.wagner@kcmo.org

Wisdom 4 Life Coaching, LLC Kathy Ayers 201 Main Street, Suite 7 Parkville, MO 64152 816/841-4770 Fax 816/581-6488 kathy@wisdom4lifecoaching.com www.wisdom4lifecoaching.com

Welcome to our New Chamber Members!

www.northlandchamber.com 3 September 2011

Chamber News

Ron Rowe Addressed NRCC Members At August LuncheonRon Rowe, BlueCross & BlueShield of Kansas City, was the featured speaker at the August 16th luncheon. He shared lots of valuable information about the recent changes in health care and how it is going to affect businesses of all sizes in the upcoming years. Thank you very much to our sponsor, Schweitzer & Associates. Stay tuned for details on the next speaker and networking opportunity!

Chamber Members Get A ‘Jump Start”NRCC Chamber members got a jump start to their day during our 5th Friday Coffee in July at Regus Group in Zona Rosa. Join us for our next 5th Friday Coffee, September 30, at Randy Reed Buick -GMC - Pontiac, Inc. (9550 NW Prairie View Road), 7:30-8:30AM. This event is FREE to all members! Questions or to host an event? Call the Chamber office at 816/455-9911 or email megan@northlandchamber.com.

Leadership Northland 2012 is up, running, and off to a fantastic start! The class kicked off the year with an overnight retreat at the Hilton-KCI on August 18-19. An energetic lineup of presenters and alumni filled the event, giving all participants something to take away with them. Thanks to CitiCards for sponsoring the kick-off reception. Saint Luke’s Northland sponsored the Friday morning breakfast, and UMB sponsored the session one lunch. Thank you to all present-ers during this 2-day event! Come by and meet the new Leadership Northland 2012 Class at the next Business After Hours, September 7 at Cas-cone’s Restaurant & Lounge, 5-7pm. Listed to the right are the Class of 2012 participants.

Jason Ayers, Wisdom 4 Life Coaching, LLCMorgan Bell, Platte County EDC

Mary Bogart, Citi BankBrad Cope, City of Riverside

Gordon Fowlston, Riverside Department of Public SafetyCara Hoover, KCP&L

Asefaw Indrias, National American UniversityMatt Jarrett, Kansas City EDC

Laura Jones, CommunityAmerica Credit UnionRobin Littrell, City of Riverside

Amy Maskil, North Kansas City SchoolsDave McLaughlin, Zona Rosa

Jared Parlette, Grantham UniversityKimberly Randolph, City of Kansas City MO Jodi Rawson, North Kansas City Hospital

Ian Redhead, Kansas City Aviation DepartmentKarly Schmidt, MCC- Maple Woods

Roxanne Strub, Above & Beyond CateringPaul Tuong, On A Roll Café & Deli

Susan Van Hooser, Park Hill School District Education Foundation Inc

Lisa Wachter, Grantham UniversityJay Wilson, Park University

Donice Yeater, Hillcrest Transitional Housing

Leadership Northland Class 2012

www.northlandchamber.com 4 September 2011

Chamber News

For event updates and important chamber news, join our social networks!

www.facebook.com/northlandchamber

2012 Travel Opportunities Are you interested in traveling with the

Chamber in 2012? If so, mark your calendar for September 20th at 5:30pm at the Chamber

Office. This informal meeting will discuss opportunities and how to get registered early.

Don’t delay, make travel plans today!

Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual AuctionSilent Auction begins with Business After Hours at 5pm. Live Auction immediately following.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chamber Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will be awarded to Northland High School Seniors in May.

Wednesday • November 2, 2011 • Argosy CasinoFood provided courtesy of Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa.

A New Attitude!2011 Annual Auction

To make this event a success, we are asking for your donation of goods and services. Donation forms are available at our website, www.northlandchamber.com. Any questions, contact Megan at the Chamber office, or email megan@northlandchamber.com.

2011 PIAC RecommendationsEach year, the Chamber’s Parks & Recreation Committee develops priorities and recommendations for the use of PIAC funds for park and recreational purposes throughout theNorthland; likewise, the Chamber’s Planning & DevelopmentCommittee develops priorities and recommendations for the use of PIAC funds for roadway projects. These priorities are presented to the Chamber’s Board of Directors who make the final approval on the lists. Once approved, each committee sends representatives to appear and present these recommendations before the Kansas City PIAC committee. Presentations for this years priorities were made on August 19th. Some consider this advocacy for Northland projects among the most important work the Chamber does each year. Copies of this years PIAC Recommendations are now available on our website at www.northlandchamber.com.

Riverside RiverfestSeptember 16 & 17, 2011

www.riversidemo.com

Zona Rosa Art FairSeptember 16, 17 & 18, 2011

www.zonarosa.com

Liberty Fall FestivalSeptember 23, 24 & 25, 2011

www.libertyfallfest.com

GladfestSeptember 30, October 1 & 2, 2011

www.gladstonechamber.com

Weston ApplefestOctober 1 & 2, 2011www.westonmo.com

Smithville OctoberfestOctober 7 & 8, 2011

www.smithvillechamber.org

Northland FestivalsNorthland Festivals

Interested in hosting or sponsoring a Chamber event?

Contact Megan for more details!

Act fast! All events are taken for 2011 and 2012 is filling up fast!

www.northlandchamber.com 5 September 2011

Around the NorthlandShow Me My Buzz Smartphone App Now Available MoDOT is launching a new smartphone application to help people make smart choices about designating a sober driver. The “Show Me My Buzz” free smartphone app, available soon in the Apple App Store and the Google Market, allows users to calculate their estimated blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) based on how many drinks they have consumed, how long they have been drinking and their gender. “Drinking and driving is always a bad decision because even a small amount of alcohol affects your reflexes,” said Don Hillis, MoDOT’s assistant chief engineer. “This new app is a creative way to get people talking about the subject and then finding a sober driver.” The app indicates designating a driver who has not been drinking is the only safe option, and it will even provide the phone number of a local cab company with just a tap of the screen. “The added feature of finding a phone number for a taxi in more urban locations, takes away one more excuse for a person who has been drinking,” said Hillis. “It is easy to just touch the button to call a cab.” The BAC calculator is only a guide that calculates averages. Alcohol affects everyone differently. Influencing factors include food consumption, medication, health and psychological conditions. The best plan is to always designate a sober driver. The app launches as law enforcement agencies across the state increase DWI enforcement from Aug. 19- Sept. 5. During the 2010 “You Drink & Drive, You Lose” campaign, law enforcement statewide made 909 DWI arrests. Last year, there were 207 people killed and 831 seriously injured in crashes involving a drinking driver. Download the free “Show Me My Buzz” app on your phone.

Both Airports Experience Summer Roadwork With winter now a distant memory, contractors are rehabilitating roadways at Kansas City International Airport. Side street work has been underway and has now expanded to more heavily traveled airport roadways. Just recently, contractors have started milling and overlay of Cookingham Drive, the main freeway accessing KCI. That work should be completed by mid-August. In its continued effort to upgrade facilities and infrastructure at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, the Kansas City Aviation Department has embarked on a project to rehabilitate the roadway surfaces around the airport. Construction is underway on Richards Road and Lou Holland Drive around the airport to repair drain inlets, resurface the road, and install safety features including all new traffic signs, guardrails, edge protection and speed humps. In an effort to minimize the impact to tenants and users, all milling and asphalt paving will be scheduled during evening and early morning hours. At least one lane of traffic will be open at all times during this milling and paving process. The northbound 169 Highway on ramps are not scheduled to close in this phase of work. Due to safety concerns, the Aviation Department advises against biking and jogging at the airport during this construction project.

The LEDC Shares Great NewsLEDC investors and colleagues know that we have been diligently working to assist the City in its vision for a Science & Technology Park. A committee has made the choice for its master developer (Read the City’s press release by clicking here). The LEDC first met BioRealty when participating in a Kansas City Area Development Council marketing trip in 2009. We coordinated an opportunity to reconnect in April 2010 when BioRealty visited Liberty. We met with BioRealty again later that spring at the BIO Convention. LEDC Chairman Russ Weathers said “BioRealty will bring a national scope to this project. Over a year ago BioRealty answered our invitation to come and experience Liberty. The LEDC is proud to be a partner with the City and BioRealty. It is through these partnerships and collaboration that we will see the Liberty Science & Technology Park become a reality.” LEDC Executive Director Alicia Stephens notes “Projects like the Science and Technology Park require leaders who are willing to work together toward a common goal. We appreciate the cooperation and leadership from KCADC, LEDC and the City to get the project to this point.”

Liberty Among Best Place To LiveFor the second time this year, the City of Liberty is recognized by a national publication as one of the best places to live in the country. We were listed 3rd earlier this year in Family Circle Magazines’ Best Towns and Cities for Families and now Money Magazine and CNN have named Liberty the 7th Best Place to Live. “We are excited that Liberty is now being recognized at the national level,” said Liberty Mayor Greg Canuteson. “We have known for a long time that Liberty is a great place live, work and raise a family. We are proud of this top 10 ranking and believe it simply reflects the outstanding people who live here.”

Governor Nixon and other officials break ground for Blount Industries in the KCI Intermodal Business Centre. Congratulations!

www.northlandchamber.com 6 September 2011

Around the Northland

Do you have news to share with your fellow Chamber members?Submit your press releases for Around the Northland to Megan Papenfuhs at Megan@northlandchamber.com. We’ll print them as space permits.

Submission should be made by the 10th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s publication. All submissions are subject to editing.

Ribbon CuttingsCongratulations to Hillcrest Transitional Housing on the opening of their new Community Room! Doors opened in early August and use is free to members of the community. In attendance were Chamber members, Ambassadors, community leaders and Hillcrest staff.

Buddha by Kenji Fusion, located in Zona Rosa, hosted a grand opening ceremony on August 19th and invited Chamber members, Ambassadors and the Board of Directors to celebrate. Congratulations on the new restaurant opening!

Supplement Source owner, Chris Byrd was joined by NRCC Chamber members, Ambassadors, local businesses, customers and staff during their ribbon cutting August 9th. Chris shared details of products and services for the new facility. Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood (1412 NW Vivion Road)!

September Joint LuncheonKansas City Mayor Sly James

Platte County EDC • Clay County EDC • Northland Regional ChamberHosted by: Clay County EDC

Reservation Form for September LuncheonTuesday, September 20 • 11:30 am-1pm

Embassy Suites Kansas City-Int’l Airport • 7640 NW Tiffany Springs Pkwy $30 per person or $300 for a table of 10

Name _______________________________________________________ Company ____________________________________________________

Return registrations & make check payable to

CLAY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 1251 NW Briarcliff Parkway, Ste. 25, Kansas City, MO 64116 | 816-468-4989

Email: cprice@clayedc.comFor credit card processing, please call the Clay County EDC office.

Cancellations must be made by 12:Noon on September 13th.

pacesetters

chairman’s clubCALENDAR

eXecutiVe clubAT&T

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas CityHunt Midwest Enterprises Inc.

JE Dunn Construction Co.City of Riverside

ADT Security Services, Inc.Bank of WestonBriarcliff VillageBuffalo Wild WingsCARSTAR, A & B RiversideCurry Investment CompanyEmbassy Suites Kansas City-Int’l AirportEnterprise Bank & TrustCity of GladstoneGraingerH & R BlockHeartland HealthHilton Kansas City AirportHy-Vee Food & Drug StoreJR & Co. Roofing ContractorsLathrop & Gage, L.C.M&I BankMail Print, Inc.MCC-Maple WoodsMercer

Mid-Continent Public LibraryCity of North Kansas CityNorth Kansas City SchoolsNorthland LTAC HospitalPark Hill School DistrictPark UniversityPatriots BankPlatte County, MissouriPlatte Valley Bank of MissouriPolsinelli Shughart, PCSprintTuileries PlazaUMB BankUS Army Recruiting Company - LibertyUS BankWhite Goss Bowers March Schulte & WeisenfelsWilliams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock ArchitectsYour City SamplerZona Rosa

September 2011 Thursday 1 11:30am Ambassador Committee Applebee’s Restaurant 6069 N Antioch Rd Monday 5 Labor Day CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED Wednesday 7 Business After Hours 5-7pm Meet the Leadership 2012 Class Cascone’s Restaurant & Lounge Thursday 8 7:30am Planning & Development Committee 8am-3pm Leadership Northland Session 2 William Jewell Campus 5pm Joint Ribbon Cutting: Essential Elements & Wisdom 4 Life Coaching 201 Main Street, Suite 4 & 7 NRCC/Parkville Chamber Friday 9 7:30am Executive Committee Monday 12 12:Noon Auction Committee

Tuesday 13 7:30am Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday 14 12:Noon Education Committee Thursday 15 4:30pm Ribbon Cutting: Bennington Park Townhomes 6601 NE 39th Street

Friday 16 12:Noon Legislative Affairs Committee Trezo Mare Tuesday 20 11:30-1pm Annual Joint Luncheon Kansas City Mayor Sly James Embassy Suites KCI RSVP to the Clay EDC

Thursday 22 7:30am Planning & Development Committee 1-5pm Legislative Hearings Monday 26 12:Noon Leadership Committee Tuesday 27 7:30am Parks & Recreation Bus Tour Friday 30 7:30am 5th Friday Coffee Randy Reed Buick -GMC - Pontiac, Inc. 9550 NW Prairie View Road