KCADC Challenges Kansas City to Build Strong, Build Fast

The KCADC Annual Meeting 2011.

The past two and a half hours were quite a whirlwind.  Not only did I find myself in the middle of some of Kansas City's most influential people, but I got the chance to hear three big announcements from the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), tune into Bill Taylor's keynote speech and have lunch in the energetic atmosphere of the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom.

The KCADC Annual Meeting known as FastKC brought together some of Kansas City's most influential movers-and-shakers; from the team at McCownGordon Construction, to both Mayor Sly James and Mayor Joe Reardon, to Bob Marcusse, President and CEO of the KCADC.  Over 1,000 attendees sat in on the KCADC Annual Meeting, and for good reason.  There were a lot of announcements to make about Kansas City...and Kansas City's new fiber speed.

Bob Marcusse of KCADC discussed the three new implementations that Kansas City is developing:

1. Australian animal health firm SmartVet has chosen Kansas City's Animal Health Corridor and more specifically, Olathe, for its U.S. headquarters.  This will be one of the nation's largest concentrations of animal health research and manufacturing companies.
2. Netsmart Technologies, a growing New York-based healthcare information technology firm, is relocating its headquarters to Kansas City, creating 130 jobs to start with the goal of hiring 520 people locally within five years.
3. KCNext will become the Technology Council of Greater Kansas City with the Software and Information Technology Association of Kansas (SITAKS).

The KCADC Annual Meeting concluded with a keynote speech from Bill Taylor (co-founder of Fast Company), where he discussed the importance of keeping up with the fast pace of Kansas City.  He stated that "the most successful organizations in our fast-paced global economy encourage employees to develop radical ideas."  

Congratulations to KCADC and all of the sponsors of the Annual Meeting.  We are excited to see what exciting changes Kansas City will experience this year.  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

KCADC Asks, "Are You Learning as Fast as Kansas City is Changing?"

Last week, the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) published a blog titled “Are You Learning as Fast as Kansas City is Changing?”  We would love to ask you the same question.

From the KCADC blog:

Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company magazine and author of Practically Radical, is a firm believer in embracing the fast pace of the world. In his article, The 10 Questions Every Game Changer Must Answer, Taylor notes that the above question may be the most important to ask yourself. Are you keeping up?

“I first heard this question from strategy guru Gary Hamel, the world-renowned innovation expert, and it is the ultimate challenge for any executive determined to unleash big change in difficult circumstances. In a world that never stops changing, great leaders can never stop learning. How do you push yourself to keep growing and evolving—so your company can do the same? And remember: Among leaders and organizations, the most eager learners tend to be the most accomplished teachers as well. So look for ways to share what you’ve learned.”

— Bill Taylor, The 10 Questions Every Game Changer Must Answer

Kansas City, that’s the boat we’re in. We’re changing. We’re evolving. We’re learning. And with the addition of Google Fiber, we have the opportunity to do it faster than any other city in the nation.

Because of the Google Fiber initiative, our city will be forever changed. Many Kansas City organizations are joining forces with tech innovators to create new apps and businesses utilizing the lightning-speed network, and in turn, a number of big media names have put the spotlight on Kansas City; from the Wall Street Journal (Where the ActionIs – Kansas City) to Entrepreneurs Unpluggd (4Entrepreneurial Cities to Keep Your Eye On), from Forbes (America’s BestDowntowns – Kansas City #7) to Wired Magazine (Google ChoosesKansas City, Kansas as Broadband Mecca).

Is Kansas City learning as fast as the world is changing? Sometimes, it’s difficult to keep up with the speed (not only of the city…but of the Internet too!). So what can we do to slow down, embrace the change and fully understand what’s going on in our city?

It may all start at the Kansas City Area Development Council’s Annual Meeting on November 4^th.  Aptly named FastKC, KCADC’s Annual Meeting will feature keynote speaker Bill Taylor. At the event, Taylor and other Kansas City business and civic leaders will share how light-speed advancements in global commerce will affect business. The event will look at radical ideas and offer practical advice that will help anyone get a jump on the competition.

Join KCADC, Bill Taylor, Mayor Sly James, MayorJoe Reardon and hundreds of Kansas City thought- and industry-leaders at FastKC: KCADC’s 2011 Annual Meeting. Tickets are on sale now: Register today. And when people start asking if you’re learning as fast as the city is changing, you can confidently reply, “Yes.”

Written by Ashlie Hand

@ithinkkc @kc_next

KCADC Embraces Kansas City Speed: FastKC Annual Meeting

Kansas City isn't just growing--it's growing fast. 

How fast?  For one, Kansas City's Internet speed is soon to be the fastest in the world.  With the implementation of the Google Fiber network on KCK and KCMO's fertile soil, businesses will begin to run at the speed of light.  Because of the Google Fiber initiative that has taken a hold of Kansas City, our city has been forever changed.  Many Kansas City organizations, such as the KCADC, have embraced the lightning-speed network, and in turn, KC has been recognized by a number of big media names; from the Wall Street Journal to Forbes.

But the KCADC is asking one important question: is Kansas City learning as fast as the world is changing?  And that question will be answered at an upcoming KCADC event.  It's appropriately named FastKC: The KCADC Annual Meeting 2011.

At the event, the KCADC is inviting movers-and-shakers from the Kansas City area to listen to how light-speed advancements in global commerce will affect business.  The event will look at radical ideas and offer practical advice that will help anyone get a jump on the competition.

So who's all making it out for the KCADC Annual Meeting?  Join keynote speaker Bill Taylor (co-founder of Fast Company and author of Practically Rad) along with the Honorable Sly James, the Honorable Joe Reardon and major Kansas City businesses (such as Sprint, Garmin, Hallmark, the Kauffman Foundation, Lockton and others) to see what the fast buzz is all about.  FastKC will take place on Friday, November 4th at the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom.

Act fast (just like our future internet)!  Sponsorship availability will end on Wednesday.  If you or your company wants to get involved, be sure to check out the Sponsorship page.

Interested in attending? Entrepreneurs, investors, technology enthusiasts, business owners and the like can register at the KCADC site for an individual seat and the chance to get in front of Kansas City's most prominent and influential people.

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig