FIA has luncheons, special events, fundraisers, Happy Hours and a Fairfax Festival each year. Luncheons typically fall on the second Thursday of the month except July, October and December where we do not have a luncheon. Average attendance is 80 and they are usually held at a business in our district with a variety of speakers and topics. In October we have our annual Fairfax Festival instead of a luncheon. Happy Hours periodically pop up throughout the year.
SUBSCRIBE: To receive notices of our events, go to subscribe on the right hand side of this page under contact/subscribe.
All FIA members and their employees are invited to attend any of these events.
Guests are allowed to attend 3 luncheons or happy hours before joining. If you are not a member and would like to check out the FIA, please join us!
Luncheon Videos – All luncheons are recorded on video and shared with FIA members. They can also be viewed on the Fairfax Forum (click here), along with other posts and highlights related to the FIA. It’s a great way to stay informed.
Video from our last luncheon.
Upcoming Events:
We have rescheduled our Feb luncheon to Thurs, 2/27/25 due to winter storm forecast during original date of 2/13/25.
Our guest speaker will be Greg Kindle, President of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council
Date / Time: RESCHEDULING DUE TO WINTER STORM FORECAST for 2/27/25 between 11:15AM – 12:30PM
Featured speaker: Greg Kindle, President of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council
Topics:
• Update on recent announcements.
• What industry sectors are driving growth on the attraction side – opportunities for growth?
• Update on the top of mind projects like: Indian Springs, Quindaro, American Royal, KU Cancer Institute, etc.
• What’s happening on the talent front?
• Policy updates
Location:
Kansas City, Kansas School Foundation for Excellence
2010 N 59 St, Kansas City, KS 66104
Sponsors: Thank you to our luncheon sponsors: Kansas City, Kansas School Foundation for Excellence and Secure Passage.
Deadline to register is Monday, February 23rd at 3PM.
Meet Greg Kindle:
Greg Kindle has served as the President of the Wyandotte County Economic Development Council since December 2011.
Greg has more than 25 years of experience in community and economic development in the Kansas City market. In his role as the President of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, he and his team focus on business recruitment, retention, marketing, and workforce solutions.
He and his team identify ways to attract the right businesses for specific locations, retain the companies already located in the county, grow businesses through a variety of traditional and new approaches to economic development, and identify strategies for long-term community growth all with a focus on building relationships.
Since joining WYEDC, more than $6.2 billion in investments have been announced along in the last 10 years with the creation or retention of more than 15,000 jobs with an overall goal of increasing Wyandotte County’s median household income.
He has held leadership roles at KCP&L (now Evergy), Southwest Johnson County EDC and experience in state government, United Way, and Sprint.
Greg and his wife, Karen, have three children. They live in Kansas City, Kansas.
Save the Date
Join us on March 13th for our FIA luncheon! Details and registration will be made available as the date approaches.
Date / Time: March 13, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Featured speaker: PENDING
Location: PENDING
Deadline to register is Monday, March 10th at 3PM
Save the Date
Join us on April 10th for our FIA luncheon! Details and registration will be made available as the date approaches.
Date / Time: April 10, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Featured speaker: PENDING
Location: PENDING
Deadline to register is Monday, April 7th at 3PM
Join us on May 8th
Join us for our FIA luncheon on May 8th as our guest speakers will be Joe Reardon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Melissa Miller, Director of the World Trade Center – Kansas City. They will both share highlights and updates of their organizations – see below.
Date / Time: May 8, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Host and Sponsor: Neff Packaging / 555 Sunshine Rd, Kansas City, KS 66115
Deadline to register is Monday, May 5th at 3PM
Meet our Guest Speakers:
Joe Reardon, President and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Joe Reardon, former Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, is President and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the area’s oldest and only regional chamber of commerce. Reardon assumed his post on March 1, 2016.
He currently serves on the KC2026 Board of Directors, the group of sports executives, government officials and civic representatives from across the region that delivered a strategic vision for securing the 2026 World Cup – the largest event in Kansas City history, in collaboration with many key stakeholders, including proposed training sites, hotel partners and Fan Fest locations. Click here for his full bio >>
Topic for Joe Reardon: Join us as KC Chamber President and CEO Joe Reardon provides an inside look at the Chamber’s key initiatives, from business development and workforce strategies to advocacy efforts shaping the future of our business community. He’ll also highlight what’s on the horizon and how these efforts directly impact the greater KC region.
Melissa Miller, Director of the World Trade Center – Kansas City
Melissa joined the World Trade Center – Kansas City (WTC-KC) team in 2016. Charged with assisting Kansas City regional businesses with their international trade needs, Melissa is responsible for overseeing the organization’s various events and programs designed to fulfill this mission.
Before joining WTC-KC, Melissa served as an International Trade Specialist for the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) specializing in the promotion of Livestock & Genetics. During her time at MDA she led numerous trade missions and represented the State of Missouri at various trade shows. Click here for her full bio >>
Topic for Melissa Miller: Global trade is a powerful driver of regional growth, and Melissa Miller, Director of World Trade Center – Kansas City (WTC-KC), is at the forefront of helping businesses navigate international opportunities. Join us as Melissa provides an inside look at WTC-KC’s role in strengthening the region’s global connections, the impact of international trade on local industries, and key factors currently shaping the global marketplace.