Business Advocacy
Springfield Metro Partnership salutes state legislators
Springfield Metro Partnership salutes state legislators The Springfield Metro Partnership hosted the annual Salute to Missouri Legislators reception and advocacy day in Jefferson City on January 26 to connect with lawmakers, promote the Springfield region and thank elected officials for their service. The Springfield Metro Partnership (SMP) is comprised of the City of Springfield, City…
Read MoreConnecting with legislators about business priorities
Connecting with legislators about business priorities To kick off the 2022 legislative session, members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors continued the tradition of meeting with regional legislators to highlight business community priorities during the Chamber Board Legislative Luncheon on January 21. Led by Chamber Board Chairman John Oke-Thomas, the event began with recognition of…
Read MoreRecapping 2021 in advocacy
Recapping 2021 in advocacy Each year, the Chamber’s public policy efforts are focused on our members and driven by our volunteer leaders. In 2021, we had a successful year full of policy engagement, sold-out events, legislative victories, interactions with policymakers, and more – and strong volunteer leadership was at the core of it all. We…
Read MoreAnnouncing the new members and officers for the Chamber Board of Directors
Announcing the new members and officers for the Chamber Board of Directors The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the new additions to its Board of Directors for 2022, as well as its slate of officers for the new year. New board members serving three-year terms are: Erin Danastasio, Hatch Foundation Tom…
Read MoreNon-profits discuss ongoing workforce challenges
Non-profits discuss ongoing workforce challenges Organizations of all sizes and sectors face immense staffing concerns as they struggle to find, attract, recruit and retain employees. Members of the Chamber’s Non-Profit Roundtable discussed these challenges and more during 2021’s final Non-Profit Roundtable on December 14. Members heard from four community leaders with different perspectives and roles…
Read MoreCollaborating to support entrepreneurship
Collaborating to support entrepreneurship Members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors connected with board members from the Multicultural Business Association (MBA), formerly Minorities in Business, for a roundtable conversation between the leadership of the two business organizations on November 30. The discussion followed the appointment of Darline Mabins as the new MBA executive director and…
Read MoreGovernor highlights successes and asks for business input
Governor highlights successes and asks for business input Governor Mike Parson visited the Chamber on November 12 to meet with regional business leaders and discuss legislative successes, priorities for the upcoming session, and challenges currently impacting the business community. The roundtable discussion brought together board members from both the Chamber and Springfield Business Development Corporation…
Read MoreSpeaker-elect discusses his history and his outlook for the legislature
Speaker-elect discusses his history and his outlook for the legislature State Rep. Dean Plocher was elected to the Missouri House to represent part of St. Louis County – but as he said during his visit to the Chamber as part of the Public Policy Speaker Series on October 21, he represents all the people of…
Read MoreListening to small businesses about pandemic struggles, solutions
Listening to small businesses about pandemic struggles, solutions Springfield small businesses were able to share feedback on challenges they have faced as well as what role the state can play to support small business recovery during the Springfield stop of the Show Me Strong Recovery Listening Session held October 14 at the Chamber. The Show…
Read MoreOutgoing DED director reflects on agency changes
Outgoing DED director reflects on agency changes Rob Dixon, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED), returned to Springfield to speak to Chamber members for the final time in his current leadership role with the state during the second installment of the 2021 Public Policy Speaker Series on October 15. Dixon recently announced…
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