FIA has luncheons, special events and Happy Hours throughout the year.
Upcoming Events:
Click here to view our calendar.
Save the Date
Join us on April 10th for our FIA luncheon! Details and registration are below.
Date / Time: April 10, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Featured speaker: Tracy Whelpley, Director of Regional Impact for KC2026
Topic: Tracy will provide an update on the region’s coordinated plan to welcome an anticipated 650,000 visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Tracy will discuss how businesses and communities can prepare to engage in the celebration while building capacity to create an impact that extends far beyond this transformative global moment for the Kansas City region.
Location: IHD Solutions | 1201 Burlington St. | North KC, MO 64116
Deadline to register is Monday, April 7th at 3PM
Special thanks to our luncheon sponsors: IHD Solutions and ServPro
Meet Tracy Whelpley
Tracy Whelpley is the Director of Regional Impact for KC2026, working to maximize the economic benefits of the FIFA World Cup™ for Kansas City. With over 25 years of experience in marketing and regional business development, she has held key roles, including Senior Vice President at Greater St. Louis, Inc. Known for her collaborative leadership and proven ability to drive high-impact regional marketing initiatives, Tracy is committed to ensuring Kansas City’s investment as a host city yields lasting economic benefits —uniting, elevating, and propelling the region onto the national and global stage.
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.
Please join us to celebrate Central Solutions 100th Anniversary!
Date Time: Thurs, June 19th, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Central Solutions 401 Funston Rd Kansas City, KS 66115
Drinks and appetizers will be provided
At 4:30 pm Paul Nobrega, President, will briefly speak about the founding and history of Central Solutions.
RSVP by filling out the form below. You can also contact Paul Nobrega at pauln@centralsolutions.com
Registration Form
Save the Date: August 14th
With a history in the Fairfax Industrial District that dates back to 1946, please join us for a luncheon program that celebrates the past while looking ahead to the next chapter for one of the region’s largest manufacturers. Plant Director Michael Youngs will share the exciting developments that are taking place at GM Fairfax Assembly & Stamping plant as part of their $391 million retooling on the eve of the launch of the new Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle.
Date / Time: August 14, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Location and sponsor: GM | 3201 Fairfax Trafficway, Kansas City, KS 66115
Deadline to register is Monday, August 11th at 3PM
Note: This luncheon is limited to 50 attendees due to limited space.
Save the Date
Join us on September 11th for our FIA luncheon! Details and registration will be made available as the date approaches.
Date / Time: September 11, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Featured speaker: PENDING
Location and sponsor: BPU / 540 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101
Deadline to register is Monday, September 8th at 3PM
The 10th annual Fairfax Festival will be held at Kaw Point Park on Oct 9, 2025 from 3-6PM. We’re excited to announce plans to bring back the Fairfax Festival in a scaled-down version. This year’s festival will feature the popular Beer & Wine Garden, Hamburgers & Hot Dog Cook-Out, Lawn Game Tourney and Live Music!. This is a great time to celebrate and connect with the FIA community. More details to come as the date approaches.
Location: Kaw Point Park / 1403 Fairfax Trafficway / Kansas City, KS 66115
Date: 10/9/25 from 3PM to 6PM / Rain date: 10/16.
Stay tuned for updates as we plan out the details of the festival.
Save the Date
Join us on November 6th for our FIA luncheon.
Guest speaker: Lieutenant Governor David Toland
Date / Time: November 6, 2025 from 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Location and Sponsor: Capital Electric | 2801 Fairfax Trafficway, Kansas City, KS 66115
Deadline to register is Monday, November 3th at 3PM
Special thanks to our luncheon sponsor: Capital Electric
Meet Lieutenant Governor David Toland
David Toland is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Kansas and also serves as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. A seventh-generation Kansan, Toland was appointed Secretary of Commerce by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019 and Lieutenant Governor in January 2021.
During his time as Secretary, Kansas has become a dominant force in economic development — twice garnering the most private sector investment per capita of any state in the nation — and breaking every previous record for capital investment and job creation in state history. Nearly $20 billion of business investment since 2019 has sparked a new era of economic development — which has been bolstered by workforce and community development successes that will keep the state on track for sustained growth for decades to come.
This new wave of economic momentum was spurred by a complete overhaul of the Department of Commerce led by Lt. Governor Toland. This included getting Kansas re-engaged internationally, with a strong presence re-established in Europe, Asia and Central America, and a new emphasis on growth in rural communities. In addition, the state has focused on improving quality of life — through historic new investments in infrastructure, broadband, housing, childcare, tourism, community vibrancy, recreation, workforce training programs and apprenticeships..
Toland also led the state’s successful recruitment of the largest economic development project in state history, the $4 billion, 4,000 job Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto that will open in January 2025.
Toland has extensive experience in urban and rural economic development, having worked at the local level in both Washington, D.C., and in his hometown of Iola in Allen County. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.
All FIA members and their employees are invited to attend any of these events.
Guests are allowed to attend 3 FIA events 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
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