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Join us for a conversation with Bridget Bechtel, Executive Director of Sculpture Walk Springfield! Tune in as we talk about public art and art accessibility, creating a museum without walls, and the benefits of a thriving arts community. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes

In the May edition of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President, Matt Morrow, sits down with the new President/CEO of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mark Hecquet. For the past 16 years, Hecquet led the Butler County Visitors Bureau in Ohio where he oversaw community engagement initiatives and several development projects, including the $165 million sports facility, Spooky Nook. Hecquet and Morrow discuss sports tourism, tourism in Greene County, and the impact tourism has on the economy.

Join us for a conversation with Kaitlyn McConnell, Founder of Ozarks Alive. Tune in as we talk about the Ozarks, pursuing passion projects, and cultural preservation. Special thanks to Mercy for sponsoring the LeadSGF "Plugged In" episodes in 2023.

In the April edition of SGF Business Insider, the Chamber's Digital Communications Manager, Noah Hester, shares audio from a Q and A session with the finalists for the 2023 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award at our recent Good Morning, Springfield.  These companies exemplify the hard work, innovation and resilience that the Springfield region’s small businesses are so well known for. The Q and A session was moderated by Matt Morrow, Chamber president, and featured representatives of the finalists: Ivan Eftink, owner and company founder of Bug Zero; Jonathan Garard, owner of Grooms Office Environments, Nancy Bogart, CEO of Jordan Essentials, Keri Sutton, nurse practitioner and owner/founder of Kare Health & Wellness, and Chris Jarratt, chief creative officer & co-founder of Revel Advertising.

Join us for a conversation with Lisa Langley with the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri about the formation and mission of the Informed Voter Coalition. Then hear interviews with SPS school board candidates hosted by OTC and produced by the coalition. Tune in as we talk about educating voters and engaging candidates with citizens.  Special thanks to Mercy for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

In this month's episode, Chamber President, Matt Morrow, sits down with the 2023 ATHENA recipient Stephanie Stenger and Virginia Fry Rising Star recipient Heather Hardinger. The ATHENA Award is given to someone who has spent their career empowering women to achieve greatness and improving the quality of life for others in the community. The Virginia Fry Rising Star Award is given to a young professional woman who is already making a difference in the community for herself and other women. Stenger and Hardinger discuss their personal journeys, the importance of support networks, the people who have inspired them, and how they work to inspire others.

Join us for a conversation with Christine Peoples, Timmons Hall Education Coordinator with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Tune in as we talk about the collaboration and purpose-driven focus on history, culture, and education happening in our community. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes

In the February edition of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President, Matt Morrow, sits down with Senator Lincoln Hough and Representative Alex Riley. Lincoln Hough represents District 30 in the Missouri Senate, and Alex Riley represents District 134 in the Missouri House of Representatives.  Hough and Riley discuss what's on the horizon at the start of the 2023 state legislative session - and in particular, those measures that impact the business community.   

Join us for an insider's look at our Leadership Springfield team! Tune in as we talk about the real-life application of a strengths-based team and how we leverage our strengths in our day-to-day operations. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

In the January edition of SGF Business Insider, the Chamber's Digital Communications Manager, Noah Hester, shares audio from a panel interview with local manufacturing leaders featured at our recent Manufacturing Outlook.  This event is an opportunity to hear how manufacturers are pivoting to adapt to a new normal in their industry - from managing supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages to incorporating new technologies and advanced automation into production. The panel was moderated by Christina Angle, chief financial officer for Erlen Group, and featured three local business leaders: Kevin Ausburn, CEO and chairman of SMC Packaging Group; Reginald Davis, plant manager of The French’s Food Company, and Nikki Holden, president of Custom Metalcraft, Inc.

Join us for a conversation with with Holly Beadle, Director of Philanthropic Services at Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and Diane Drollinger, President and CEO of the Network for Strong Communities. Tune in for a discussion about building capacity and the power of service in our community Special thanks to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes in 2022.

In this month's episode of  SGF Business Insider, Chamber president Matt Morrow sits down with Brandi Bailey and David Cameron. Bailey is the Vice President of Strategic Development & Marketing at Snyder Construction Group and Cameron is the City Administrator at the City of Republic. Bailey and Cameron discuss insights from their recent Community Leadership Visit to Northwest Arkansas. Topics include takeaways on regional collaboration, brand identity around natural assets, talent attraction and retention, the value of long-range regional planning, and much more.

Join us for a conversation with Brent Baker, Vice President - Chief Customer Officer, and Stephanie O'Connor, Vice President - Chief Information & People Officer, with City Utilities. Tune in for a discussion all about transportation in our community, leading teams, and how personal connections between our transit system and community members help make things run smoothly.

In the November edition of SGF Business Insider podcast, Chamber president Matt Morrow is joined by our Membership Development Manager Peyton Andrews in a conversation with Tom Douglas. Douglas is the CEO of JMARK and the author of the new book Adapt or Die. Douglas shares actionable insights from his new book and lessons learned from years of executive leadership. Podcast recorded via Zoom due to logistical challenges - apologies for lesser quality audio than in-studio recordings.

Join us for a conversation with Jan Kraft, Executive Director of Abilities First, and Jamie McGranahan, Program Manager at Art Inspired Academy with Abilities First. Tune in as we talk about the inspiration and heart behind the mission of their organizations.

In the October edition of SGF Business Insider podcast, Chamber president Matt Morrow sits down with Erin Danastasio and Mary Kromrey. Danastasio is the Executive Director of the Hatch Foundation and Kromrey is the Executive Director of Ozark Greenways. Danastasio and Kromrey discuss topics centered around defining, taking pride in, and celebrating the assets of our community; and creating a vibrant, desirable place to live as we compete for talent and grow our working population.

Join us for a conversation with Christina Ford, owner of Kids Inn Child Care Center and founder and director of The Rebound Foundation. Tune in as we talk about how to see a need and fill a need in your community. Special thanks to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

In the September edition of SGF Business Insider podcast, Chamber president Matt Morrow is joined by our public policy analyst Lauren Mustoe in a conversation with two impactful non-profit leaders in the community, Brian Fogle and Brandy Harris. Fogle is the President of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Harris is the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. They share the twists and turns of their journey to leading a non-profit, unpack challenges faced by non-profit leaders in the region, and discuss how engagement in Chamber committees, such as the Non-Profit Roundtable and the Legislative Policy Committee, has improved their ability to meet the needs of those they serve. 

Join us for a conversation with David Burton, County Engagement Specialist in Community Development at the University of Missouri Extension. Tune in as we talk about being an engaged neighbor and learn what we can do to make an impact right in our backyard.

In this month's episode of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President Matt Morrow shares audio from interviews with volunteer leaders featured at our recent Member Appreciation Celebration. The event is both an opportunity to thank members for their investment of time, talent and resources in the Chamber's mission, as well as a mid-year accountability check-in on strategic progress. You'll hear from board, committee and other volunteer business leaders about why they engage in the Chamber and how those experiences benefit them, the community and their organizations.