Join Us for a meeting of the Kearney Tourism Committee as we prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Kansas City in 2026, and the excitement (and opportunity) is building! The Kearney Chamber Tourism Committee is reshaping our monthly meetings to ensure we’re ready to welcome the world to our community.
Beginning this month, we are offering hybrid meetings—you can join us in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams. These meetings will feature timely updates from local and regional leaders who are shaping tourism, marketing, and economic development plans for our area, including:
Megan Sahlfeld, Clay County Tourism & Marketing Manager
Stacie Bratcher, Executive Director, Kearney Chamber of Commerce
Carolyn Yatsook, Economic Development Director, City of Kearney
Other local leaders and representatives
We’re also inviting strategic partners, Chamber members, and local industries—hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retailers—to hear updates, share insights, and collaborate on how Kearney can best prepare for this historic event. Everyone is invited to the table.
ð Date/Time: First Wednesday of the month at 10:00AM
ð Location: Kearney Chamber of Commerce
ð» Virtual Option: see link below
Your perspective and participation are vital as we position Kearney to shine during the World Cup. We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation.
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Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Learn More | Meeting options
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Join us for our monthly Membership Luncheon: local food, great connections, and real value for your business!
Held the first Wednesday of each month (except Jan & July) from Noon-1:00pm at the First Christian Church in Kearney, MO.
Registration is Required! A boxed lunch from a local member restaurant is included. Deadline to Register: Noon, Monday, March 30.
Cost: $10.00 Members / $25 Non-Members
Dietary Restrictions: Please list any dietary restrictions/requirements (including food allergies) at the time of registration. Every attempt will be made to accommodate requests, however, they cannot be guaranteed if they are not submitted prior to the registration deadline.
Cancellation Policy: Reservations cancelled prior to the deadline can be carried over to another luncheon. Reservations cancelled after the deadline will be charged full price. If you are unable to attend, please let us know if someone will be attending in your place.
FEATURE PRESENTATION: Social Media with Kailyn Richardson
New!! Member Announcements are returning at our monthly luncheon!
To keep the program running on time and respect our guest speaker, announcements will be shared only by members who reserve a spot during luncheon registration (first come, first served). Helpful, clear, and quick is the goal… and yes, we do have a whistle if someone goes into overtime.
Thank you to our Empowering Business Excellence Sponsors:
Kearney Chamber Ambassadors Empower Business Excellence!
Empower Business Excellence
The Ambassador Committee
Ambassadors are the face and voice of the Chamber, welcoming new members, building relationships and elevating local businesses. As an Ambassador, you’ll help foster an environment where businesses thrive through engagement, support and visibility. This committee is ideal for those who love connecting people and championing growth.
Ambassadors meet on the second Tuesday of each month at noon at a local member restaurant (the location will be determined prior to each meeting).
If you are interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador contact the Chamber office at 816.628.4229 or email Stacie@KearneyChamber.org. We'd love to have you join us. more info...
You’re invited to a sweet celebration 50 years in the making!
As part of our Golden Jubilee—celebrating 50 years of impact, the Kearney Chamber of Commerce invites you to our Member Appreciation Open House on Tuesday, April 21 from 3:00–5:00 PM at the Chamber office (109 W 92 Hwy).
This come-and-go celebration is our way of saying thank you to the members—past, present, and future—who make our business community thrive.
Enjoy cake, ice cream, and our Golden Candy Bar, enter to win special raffle prizes (just bring your business card!), and connect with fellow members as we celebrate this milestone year together.
We’ll also be collecting stories and photos to help tell the story of our first 50 years—so come ready to share a memory or two!
Whether you stay for a few minutes or the full celebration, we hope you’ll join us as we honor the past and look ahead to the future.
Leadership Showcase 2026
Strong businesses need strong leaders — and strong communities do too.
Join us for the Leadership Showcase 2026 on Friday, May 1, from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Kearney School District Central Office Board Room for an afternoon centered on leadership growth, professional development, and the future of our community. This free event is open to the public and offers business and community leaders a unique opportunity to hear directly from members of the current Leadership Academy cohort as they share insights, experiences, and perspectives gained through the program.
The afternoon will include networking, opening remarks by Stacie Bratcher, Executive Director of the Kearney Chamber, presentations and Q&A by Academy attendees, and a keynote by Jim Dickerson, Director of Operations at EquityJet and a 2026 Academy Instructor.
Guests will also enjoy light snacks, beverages, and significant door prizes included. PLUS, a leadership book giveaway for the first 10 attendees courtesy of the Kearney Business Group.
This year’s cohort represents a strong cross-section of local leadership: Jennifer Grossl, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative; Angela Gudde, Kearney Enrichment Council/Kearney Senior Center; Zach McMains, Kearney School District; Angel Brown, Lockbaud LLC; and Curtis Murphree, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee & Kona Ice.
Whether you are a business owner, executive, manager, nonprofit leader, educator, or community advocate, this event is an opportunity to invest in the kind of leadership that strengthens organizations, builds partnerships, and moves Kearney forward. Come support emerging leaders, gain fresh perspective, and be part of a conversation that matters to the future of our business community.
Join Us for a meeting of the Kearney Tourism Committee as we prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Kansas City in 2026, and the excitement (and opportunity) is building! The Kearney Chamber Tourism Committee is reshaping our monthly meetings to ensure we’re ready to welcome the world to our community.
Beginning this month, we are offering hybrid meetings—you can join us in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams. These meetings will feature timely updates from local and regional leaders who are shaping tourism, marketing, and economic development plans for our area, including:
Megan Sahlfeld, Clay County Tourism & Marketing Manager
Stacie Bratcher, Executive Director, Kearney Chamber of Commerce
Carolyn Yatsook, Economic Development Director, City of Kearney
Other local leaders and representatives
We’re also inviting strategic partners, Chamber members, and local industries—hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retailers—to hear updates, share insights, and collaborate on how Kearney can best prepare for this historic event. Everyone is invited to the table.
ð Date/Time: First Wednesday of the month at 10:00AM
ð Location: Kearney Chamber of Commerce
ð» Virtual Option: see link below
Your perspective and participation are vital as we position Kearney to shine during the World Cup. We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation.
________________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Learn More | Meeting options
________________________________________________________________________________
Join us for our monthly Membership Luncheon: local food, great connections, and real value for your business!
Held the first Wednesday of each month (except Jan & July) from Noon-1:00pm at the First Christian Church in Kearney, MO.
Registration is Required! A boxed lunch from a local member restaurant is included. Deadline to Register: Noon, Monday, May 4.
Cost: $10.00 Members / $25 Non-Members
We start on time, so arrive early for networking opportunities.
FEATURE PRESENTATION: Hallie Higgason, Political Director, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Cancellation Policy: Reservations canceled prior to the deadline can be carried over to another luncheon. Reservations canceled after the deadline will be charged full price. If you are unable to attend, please let us know if someone will be attending in your place.
Watch for new Member Exclusive Opportunities to get involved during the monthly Membership Luncheons to gain added exposure for you and your business.
New!! Member Announcements are returning at our monthly luncheon! To keep the program running on time and respect our guest speaker, announcements will be shared only by members who reserve a spot during luncheon registration (first come, first served). Helpful, clear, and quick is the goal… and yes, we do have a whistle if someone goes into overtime.
Thank you to our Empowering Business Excellence Sponsors:
Big marketing ideas for Missouri’s small businesses!
Marketing in Missouri isn’t just business—it’s storytelling, grit, and a little bit of Show-Me spirit.
Around here, you’ve got to be part Mark Twain, part Walt Disney, and a little bit Patrick Mahomes—creative, bold, and ready to make big things happen on a small budget.
The Missouri Small Business Marketing Bootcamp takes a practical, no-fluff approach—guiding you through branding, storytelling, social media, and digital marketing, all tailored to Missouri’s small businesses. Whether you’re running a café in Kansas City, a boutique in St. Louis, a service company in Columbia, or a shop on Main Street in a small town, this Bootcamp gives you the strategies and confidence to step up to the plate and knock your marketing out of the park.
Because in the Show-Me State, we don’t just talk about great marketing—we show it.
Thursday - May 7, 2026
Online Only
Get Your Boss to Approve You Attending by Telling Him/Her This!
Let’s be real—traveling for a conference can be a headache.
Flights, hotels, meals, time away from work… it all adds up fast. The Missouri Small Business Marketing Bootcamp keeps things simple: no airports, no packing, no extra expenses—just great marketing insight from experts who understand what it’s like to run a small business here in the Show-Me State. Whether you’re running a boutique, managing a local nonprofit, or growing your service company, you can join from wherever you are—no suitcase required.
And here’s the best part: you won’t miss a thing. Sessions are recorded, so if two great talks happen at once, you don’t have to choose—watch one live and catch the other later. Plus, if something really clicks, you can rewatch it anytime. It’s marketing education that fits your schedule, without the hassle of travel.
Is the Bootcamp right for me?
The Missouri Small Business Marketing Bootcamp is designed for:
â Local shops and boutiques
â Service-based businesses and startups
â Restaurants, cafés, and hospitality teams
â Nonprofits and community organizations
â Chambers and downtown associations
â Anyone who wants to grow their Missouri brand
If you’re ready to reach more customers, strengthen your message, and build a brand people trust, this Bootcamp is for you.
Kearney Chamber Ambassadors Empower Business Excellence!
Empower Business Excellence
The Ambassador Committee
Ambassadors are the face and voice of the Chamber, welcoming new members, building relationships and elevating local businesses. As an Ambassador, you’ll help foster an environment where businesses thrive through engagement, support and visibility. This committee is ideal for those who love connecting people and championing growth.
Ambassadors meet on the second Tuesday of each month at noon at a local member restaurant (the location will be determined prior to each meeting).
If you are interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador contact the Chamber office at 816.628.4229 or email Stacie@KearneyChamber.org. We'd love to have you join us. more info...
Nonprofit Forum is all about empowering our member nonprofits and service organizations to maximize mission focused efforts as we serve the Kearney/Holt area together.
Occurs the fourth Wednesday of the following months at 2:30pm.
Meeting Schedule for 2026
February 25 - Kearney Chamber
May 27 - NTRC
August 26
November 18
Location: the Chamber office (190 W State Route 92). Roundtable Format:
Introduction & Elevator Pitch
How are YOU doing? How are things going for the organization?