ANNUAL Report 2020
220 SE Main Street | Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 816.524.2424 | LSchamber.com
1 • Lee’s Summit Chamber
Chamber
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Update
As the year progressed, we continued to find new hurdles to jump and problems to solve. Our events staff and volunteers were quick on their feet to adjust to a digital world and turned member favorites into virtual fun. When we had to make the difficult decision to cancel Oktoberfest, our biggest event of the year, our event committee immediately pivoted to develop safe events for members to enjoy through the remainder of the year.
While it is easy to focus on the negative aspects of 2020, and there were plenty, I want to focus on the growth and success I saw in our organization and our members over the past year. I could not be prouder to call Lee’s Summit home and have served as the Chair of the Board of Directors during these difficult times.
As 2020 came to a close, the Chamber was able to remain a valuable resource through continued economic upset. In October, the Chamber was able to join forces with Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, Downtown Lee’s Summit and Velocity to help distribute $250,000 in CARES Act funding in the form of $5,000 grants to 65 local businesses. Chamber staff was also able to create a robust advertising campaign that flooded the city with a message to shop local. Despite a national rise in online sales, Lee’s Summit business owners saw an increase in foot traffic and sales during the holidays.
From the very first day the pandemic began to impact our city, the Chamber of Commerce was working tirelessly to support our members. Within hours of news that Jackson County would experience a shelter in place order and businesses would be classified as “essential” and “non-essential,” with the latter shuttered, Chamber staff and board members were on the phone making contact with members. Just days ahead of a complete shutdown, the Chamber completely adapted its business model to shift from a focus on events and programming to advocacy and assistance. Staff spent countless hours working independently with members to answer questions about financial assistance and connecting them with fellow member banks that could facilitate CARES Act funding. I’m proud that when the proverbial fire started, the Chamber was one of the first on the scene to help put it out.
No matter the challenge, the Chamber was able to succeed with the help of our incredible community. In a year of such division, I am grateful to be a part of a city that is unified and will always answer the call in a time of need.
Yours Truly, Trisha Goodale, Midwest Property Resources 2020 Chair of the Board
Executive Committee
Tim Denker
Carson Graff
Chair-Elect Denker Law Firm
Jon Garlow
Treasurer Central Bank of the Midwest
Chair Emeritus StrongBox Wealth
Debbie Stoddard
Kristi Johnson-Ware
Tim Van Zandt
Vice Chair of Vice Chair of Vice Chair of Membership Development Community Development Economic Development Budget Blinds of Central Bank of the Midwest Saint Luke’s Health System Lee’s Summit
Board Members Kirby Asplund
Jennifer Craig
Laurie Johnson
Cara McElhaney
Lauren Moxley-Johnson
Brian Barton
Chrissy Graheck
Brian King
Elaine Metcalf
Joel Wilson
John Beaudoin
Candace Jennings
Laura Maxwell
Robyn Miller
The Asplund Group, LLC MC Power Companies, Inc. KC Communications & Media Matters
ReDiscover
John Knox Village
Paychex, Inc.
Whistle Stop Coffee & Mercantile
Ascentist Ear, Nose & Throat
Mid USA Insurance Agency, Inc. R-7 School District
Pro Deo Youth Center
Tingle Flooring
Edward Jones - Office of Joel Wilson, Financial Advisor
Woods Chapel United Methodist Church
Ex-Officio Members Steve Arbo
City of Lee's Summit
Carl Chinnery
Chinnery Evans & Nail, P.C.
Dr. David Buck R-7 School District
Mayor Bill Baird City of Lee's Summit
OUR MISSION The Lee’s Summit Chamber serves its members by creating a dynamic business environment founded on leadership, advocacy, collaboration and success in the Lee’s Summit community
2020 AT A GLANCE
117
EVENTS
We got creative!
911
MEMBERS
97 NEW MEMBERS 83.7% RETENTION
65 GRANTS
Distributed to local businesses in partnership with LS Economic Development Council, Downtown Lee’s Summit and Velocity at $5K apiece.
Largest Business Sectors 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Health Care Banking/Financial Retail Restaurants Insurance
6,116
likes on the Chamber’s Facebook page
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Real Estate Non-Profits Construction Home Services Attorneys
75,000+
views on LSchamber.com in the past year
36 | CATALYST - THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE
COUNTLESS crucial connections made. Each
leading to financial aid, investment, support and patronage.
1 million+
earned media impressions promoting the support of local businesses
300+
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Shared with members!
Chamber
2020 HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2
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1. MEMBERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE The moment the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic took hold in Lee’s Summit, member businesses immediately stepped up to help their neighbor. Through donated food, essential goods, time and money, our members showed the true meaning of community spirit.
2. BOB GLASER HONORED Chamber legend, Bob Glaser, received the Missouri State Senior Service Award from Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe. Lt. Governor Kehoe presented Glaser with the award at the Chamber offices alongside Missouri State Senator Mike Cierpot.
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3. TIED TOGETHER In response to many member businesses being shuttered and deemed “non-essential” in the early stages of the pandemic, the Chamber developed a program called Tied Together to unify our community. The program garnered over 100 participants that showed strength and solidarity in reopening stronger than ever.
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4. NEW STAFF Lisa Frogge joined the Chamber staff as the new Director of Membership and Ad Sales.
5. ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC With a great deal of help from volunteers and our Golf Task Force, the Chamber was able to host a successful, safe and soldout Golf Classic.
6. SO GLAD WE HAD THIS TIME TOGETHER Little did we know, early on in 2020, that our Good News Breakfast would be the last time we were all together in a large group. It’s only fitting that we were celebrating our city and the Kansas City Chiefs! 4 • Lee’s Summit Chamber
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5
Update
Chamber
Update
2020 PARTNERSHIPS Thank you to the following businesses who invested in the Chamber through the partnership program.
PLATINUM
St. Luke’s Health System
GOLD
TRULY THE BEST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNERS Truly the Best Not for Profit – Pro Deo Youth Center is a teen development center that has existed for over ten years because of their culture of honesty and openness where teens are not afraid to ask for help. Pro Deo provides an environment where teens feel valued. A big part of the culture is teaching teens the importance of giving back through service. For the future, Pro Deo plans to increase the capacity of teens served by building their donor base, increasing communication with constituents and being transparent to the stakeholders. Truly the Best 5 or Less Employees – BPM Dance Complex is an educational performance facility for the dancer that wants to take their dancing to the next level. BPM Dance Studio is all about what is called the 4 Carat Diamond Values. Within a short time, they’ve been asked to participate in the World of Dance TV show for two seasons, won numerous national and international championships and always maintained a goal of helping their kids learn and dance no matter the career path. BPM is like a family and each year they celebrate the staff by having teacher appreciation week, holiday parties and other staff outings thanking them for their dedication. Truly the Best 6-20 Employees – KC Dumpster Company
is the fastest growing sanitation and roll-off service provider in the Kansas City metro area. KC Dumpster is dedicated to giving back to the community they service. They donate containers to a number of charitable organizations including Project Hope, Fellowship Greenwood’s Live to Bless weekend and Little Sisters of the Poor. Employee satisfaction and recognition is a huge part of the culture with KC Dumpster. The employees receive a number of benefits to include “Franklin Friday” where employees are surprised with $100 bills to start their day! KC Dumpster strongly believes in grace. Many of their employees come to the company looking for a second chance and find their new “work home.”
Truly the Best 20+ Employees – Simmons Bank was founded in 1903 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. For more than 100 years, they have worked hard to make customers’ dreams come true. Simmons Bank has a culture and mission that reflects in their commitment to culture cornerstones. All five cornerstones are reflected in everything they do – how we interact with each other, our customers and our vendors and business partners. The bank donates more than a million dollars annually through time, talent and treasure to the communities they serve. Employees at Simmons Bank receives additional PTO hours for volunteering and the bank observes a companywide giving month by encouraging the staff to get out of the office and into the community.
Evergy(KCP&L) Great Southern Bank Reinhart Foodservice Security Bank SERVPRO of Lee’s Summit Tingle Flooring
SILVER
BerganKDV, Inc Central Bank of the Midwest Citizens Bank & Trust CommunityAmerica Credit Union Ascentist Ear, Nose & Throat Farmers Insurance - Jason Langston Agency John Knox Village Lee’s Summit Medical Center Midwest Property Resources Paradise Park StrongBox Wealth St. Mary’s Medical Center University of Central Missouri-Lee’s Summit
BRONZE
B Positively Promoting U, Inc. Budget Blinds of Lee’s Summit Chinnery Evans & Nail, P.C. Diffactory Door Systems, Inc Lead Bank Jackson Insurance Group,Inc Johnny’s Tavern Lee’s Summit Julia Hampton CPA, PC KC Dumpster Company Longview Funeral Home & Cemetery Mazuma Credit Union MO Association of Trial Attorneys Missouri Central Credit Union Parker Swearngin LLP Life Goals/ Rodney Loesch CFP-Waddell & Reed Simmons Bank Republic Services Spilker McKeone & Nelson PC TPC Interiors , Inc. Weed Man Where Your Money Went
Chamber
Update
For over 50 years, the Lee’s Summit Chamber has welcomed new businesses with the time-honored tradition of a ribbon cutting. A ribbon cutting symbolizes new beginnings, a fresh start or even a dream come true. So, when businesses were temporarily closed as a result of the pandemic, we decided to call upon the concept of this beloved tradition to do what we do best: bring people together. These members were able to use this program to host a virtual re-opening ceremony, show they were open for business and express solidarity in the strength of the Lee’s Summit business community: Midwest Property Resources
Kidz First Therapy
Chinnery Evans & Nail PC
Edward Jones-Office of Joel
Cinematic Visions
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Wilson, Financial Advisor
Transformations
Weed Man
KC Communications & Media
B&L Plumbing Service, Inc.
Cookie Jar Bakery Southeast Enterprises
Matters
Sandler Training
Zen Massage & Facials
The Hunter Group
Igniting Business
Mindful Momentum Residential Engineering Services In Harmony Therapeutic Massage, LLC St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School Retirement Plan Advisors Dyer Oil Graphics Budget Blinds Lees Summit Turf Etc. LLC, DBA SYNLawn Salvus TG, LLC Denker Law Firm LLC Great Southern Bank Paths Elder Law Capital Investment Management Door Systems, Inc. Where Your Money Went Central Bank of the Midwest Rejuvenate Mind-Body Wellness Center Cartridge World-Lee’s Summit Summit Square Apartments 6 • Lee’s Summit Chamber
Shining Light Music The Historic Browning Guest House Developing Potential, Inc. Home Instead Senior Care Pro Deo Youth Center Bombshell Studio ReDiscover Farmers Insurance - Jason Langston Agency Orchid Aesthetics & Wellness Press Monkey Studio LSR7 School District Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council Cynda Sells Realty Groups, LLC Unity Village Dean’s Trophies Cremation Society of KS & MO Beyond Wealth Advisors Security Bank Moyer & Moyer Insurance Agency, Inc. Flavor Spice Shop & Specialty Food Market
Mr. Handyman of Lee’s Summit
Whistle Stop Coffee and Mercantile Mid USA Insurance Agency, Inc. Mike Keith Insurance, Inc. Summit Theatre Group
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
BerganKDV, LTD
All A’ Bloom Flower & Gifts
Element Medical Imaging
Llywelyn’s Pub
Parker Swearngin, LLP
Kansas City Foot and Ankle
Terri Diehl Agent
Country Club Bank
American Family Insurance
HyVee, Inc.
Pure Barre Lee’s Summit
B & T Specialties
CycleBar Lee’s Summit
LeaderOne Financial
CommCARE Behavioral
FASTSIGNS of Lee’s Summit
Health
Woods Chapel UMC
Great Southern Bank
Real Country 1030AM KCWJ
Diffactory
Julia E. Hampton, CPA, PC
Hampton Inn Lee’s Summit
Real Property Management
Longview Funeral Home &
Consultants Code Ninjas Camp Quality Greater Kansas City Rachel House Pregnancy Resource Centers
Cemetery Summit Strength Physical Therapy Coldwater Raytown-Lee’s Summit CCU Betty Simmons Team/RE/
RE/MAX Heritage
MAX Best Associates
John Knox Village
The Love Law Group LLC
Tingle Flooring
Heritage Companies
A Thyme For Everything
Mokan Photo Booths
Lee’s Summit CARES
Downtown Lee’s Summit
Lee’s Summit Medical Center
Main Street
Chamber
Update
Making your membership count... A LOOK BACK AT THE CHAMBER'S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC M AR C H
A P RIL
March 20
Cares Act
• A shelter in place order is announced for Jackson County. The Chamber personally contacts all members to identify their immediate needs.
• Staff works daily with businesses to answer questions about PPE and PPP, refer businesses to member banks equipped to distribute CARES Act financial assistance.
• An official crisis plan is put in place for the Chamber, outlining a shift in focus from events and programming to advocacy and individual member assistance.
• Shelter in place order officially takes effect. A survey is distributed to all members to identify their immediate needs from local, state and national levels.
March 30 • An official plan to assist each member in need of financial aid is put into place, a hotline is developed for specific member needs and member banks are contacted to open the lines of communication in preparation for member referrals.
MAY
• Partnered with local financial leaders to provide members with educational seminars through virtual platforms. Taped events were then released for the public on social media.
• Submitted two formal letters to local state representatives/ senators and to our US Congressmen and Senators asking that they pass the first round of the stimulus recovery act.
April 1 • Marketing staff reconfigures marketing efforts to reflect advocacy, assistance and resources. Staff makes contacts at local, state and national levels to bring weekly resources to members in the form of a new email series called Valuable Resources.
Business Resource Page March 24
APR IL
• Marketing staff develops a robust resource page that includes exclusive business resources from the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, U.S. Department of Labor, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Small Business Administration, Jackson County and much more. This site was updated daily.
Virtual Events • Chamber event model shifts from in-person to virtual. Chamber event staff and related volunteer committees develop new, engaging events for members.
• Assisted businesses designated “nonessential” in advocating for amended designations. Saw success with businesses like Cuddle Up Pup by meeting with Jackson County Legislators Theresa Galvin and Tony Miller to request that all pet grooming facilities be considered essential. The Jackson County Health Department changed their position and included pet grooming as an essential business.
• Submitted a letter of recommendation to the Jackson County Health Dept and the County Executive asking that they keep indoor facilities at 50% occupancy and to not lower it any further. The county responded and said they would remain at 50%. • Regional Chambers, including the LS Chamber, hosted two economic recovery virtual meetings with their members to help answer questions and provide guidance.
Tied Together • In response to an inability to host ribbon cuttings as usual, and businesses deemed non-essential seeing shutdowns the month prior, the Chamber develops a new program called Tied Together. This allowed businesses to host a virtual re-opening ceremony, show their customers and clients they were open for business and show unity in the Lee’s Summit business community. Over 100 member businesses participated.
JU NE
June 25 Regional Chambers host an exclusive, virtual meeting with Governor Mike Parson to discuss the impact of the pandemic on our local economy and the business community.
• The Chamber Board of Directors and staff make the difficult decision to cancel Oktoberfest. Yet, the Oktoberfest planning committee and staff step up to get creative and develop a series of safe and acceptable ways for members to engage through the remainder of the year. These events included a virtual 5k/10k run and a line of exclusive merchandise sold to replace funds lost by the cancellation of Oktoberfest.
Chamber
AUGUST
S EP T EMB ER
O CTO BER Cares Act Funding
Ribbon Cuttings
• The county sees a window of relief from the pandemic and the Chamber is able to host weekly ribbon cuttings to celebrate the businesses that opened (and thrived!) in 2020.
• Members are able to enjoy some in-person events and a return such favorites as ribbon cuttings and Business Field Trips.
• The Lee’s Summit Chamber, along with the LSEDC, Downtown LS Main Street and Velocity received $250,000 in Cares Act Funding from the City of LS and was able to provide grants up to $5,000 to 65 local businesses. • The Chamber prepares for election season by shifting from typical, inperson forums and produces individual candidate interviews that are moderated by member business leaders. The Chamber marketing staff develops an online voter resource center, exclusive to members, that provides business-specific information related to everything on the 2020 ballot.
Channel the Flannel • The Chamber hosts a successful virtual 5k/10k run called Channel the Flannel.
• The Chamber is able to host a safe and sold out golf tournament with the help of a large group of dedicated volunteers. Members note this as one of the biggest highlights of their year.
NOVEMBER
Update
D ECEM B ER
• The Chamber continues to host a myriad of in-person and virtual events to keep members connected and informed. Annual strategic planning sessions are held to discuss the upcoming year and a creative approach to recovery.
Advocacy • With new rounds of pandemic relief funding on the way, the Chamber shifts back to a primary focus on advocacy and assistance. Individual members are provided guidance and connections related to financial needs.
Shop Local Campaign • The Chamber launches an advertising campaign that encourages shopping local for the holidays. The campaign, with the tagline “Support Your Home for the Holidays,” includes print, digital and billboard advertising.
• Educational events are hosted with topics related to tax preparation, legal expectations and vaccine rollout to prepare members for the year ahead.
LEADERSHIP LEE’S SUMMIT Developing and enhancing leadership skills in individuals who will generate positive actions in the community and help resolve future challenges.
CLASS OF 2020 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Joel Arrington, City of Lee’s Summit Christine Atkinson, MCC-Longview Sarah Barnaby, Country Club Bank Aaron Bushell, Commerce Bank Andy Carr, Lee’s Summit Parks & Rec John Coleman, Coleman Equipment Anthony Columbatto, John Knox Village Jennifer Damiano, Truman Medical Center Lakewood Kelly Elliot, City of Lee’s Summit Laura Emery, University of Cnetral Missouri Troy Fletcher, Lee’s Summit Medical Center Michell Hansen, Fullerton CPAs Dan Harper, City of Lee’s Summit Janelle Holland, Community America Credit Union Alyssa Lally, Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Jason Langston, Farmers Insurance - Jason Langston Cortnee Mcllwee, Dean’s Trophies Patrick Medley, Lead Bank Andy Sauer, Burns & McDonnell Tricia Sims, Security Bank Brityn Summers, Diffactory Rody Taylor, KC Dumpster Company Arby Todd, Lee’s Summit Fire Department Charles Touzinsky, Garver Tina Walcutt, Door Systems Taylor Warwick, Saint Luke’s East Karla Williams, Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary James Wright, Rotary Club of Lee’s Summit
Stay Connected with the Chamber on Social /lsummitchamber
@leessummitchamber
Lee’s Summit Chamber
/leessummitchamber
Chamber
2020 FINANCIALS Revenue 11%
Expenses
6%
3% 41%
25%
Update
8%
$1,064,490
47%
826,640 20%
17%
Membership
21%
Programs & Events
Community Marketing & Tourism
Publications
Miscellaneous
Administrative
Programs & Events
Community Marketing & Tourism
Operating Expenses
CHAMBER STAFF
Matt Baird, IOM President
Lisa Frogge
Megan Gray
Director of Membership and Ad Sales
Director of Special Events
Jordan Straits
Cathy Young, IOM
Creative Coordinator
Director of Operations
Publications
Taylor Smith
Director of Marketing & Communications