CHAMBER NEWS
State of the Chamber 2025
Brian Rice, Chamber President, presented the 2025 Keynote Address at the December Luncheon.
Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for being here.
As we look back on 2025, one thing is clear: Excelsior Springs is growing, thriving, and shaping a strong future for business. That progress is possible because of you—our members, partners, and community leaders who continue to invest in this city and in each other.
This year, we focused on strengthening relationships, expanding opportunities, and building momentum. When you look at what we’ve accomplished this year, it shows what a connected community can do.
A Year of Engagement and Growth
In 2025, 30 new members joined the Chamber—a strong sign that businesses believe in Excelsior Springs and want to be part of its future.
We celebrated 7 ribbon cuttings and 3 grand openings, each marking new investment and new energy in town.
Our monthly luncheons averaged 95 attendees, continuing to be a centerpiece of connection.
We launched morning Coffee, Brew & Views, giving more members a chance to learn, network, and stay engaged.
This year we strengthened our partnership with the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center — building relationships to help students enter the workforce prepared for life, and hopefully keeping them right here at home by connecting them to you, our local employers.
We are developing a January 14 Job Fair to support workers impacted by the upcoming Gilmore plant closure — bringing together local employers, partners, and resources to help our residents transition quickly and confidently.
Leadership, Collaboration, and Community Impact
The Chamber continued our investment in leadership development with our participation in Thrive’s Citizens Leadership Academy and in expanding workforce partnerships with a Full Employment Council luncheon here in Excelsior.
Our collaboration with the City’s Economic Development Department, the Downtown Excelsior Partnership and Thrive’s Economic Vitality Committee deepened as we worked collectively to attract new businesses and align those efforts with the City’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan.
This year, I had the opportunity to moderate the Excelsior Citizen’s School Board Candidate Forum and the Public Forum on Annexation—ensuring each event remained informative, balanced, and relevant. I also participated in the school district’s recent Strategic Planning Work Session, and I’m excited about the visionary ideas this community task force is shaping for Excelsior’s next generation.
The Chamber’s arm in Tourism remained strong with over 90 trolley bookings, and Excelsior Springs stepped onto the statewide stage as we co-hosted the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference with the City and DEP.
Regional relationships with the Clay County Chambers continued to grow through two successful Multi-Chamber networking events.
Building for the Future
We made important strides to prepare for what’s ahead.
The Chamber Golf Tournament has been reinstated and will return in September 2026.
Waterfest saw its largest crowd since 2019, and with new additions planned—including a local singing competition—it’s positioned for even greater growth next year.
The Chamber rebranded this year to ExcelsiorChamber.com, extending our marketing reach and ease of access across the region.
Member use of our building amenities hit an all-time high, reinforcing the Chamber as a true business hub.
A major highlight this year was securing a new site at the First United Methodist Church for the CO-OP at Excelsior Springs, expanding workspaces and entrepreneurial resources. In 2026, our partnership with the Co-op will relaunch Lunch & Learn workshops, offering practical, accessible education sessions for our members beginning Jan. 15.
On the Westside, while engineering plans for Safe Streets and Sidewalks are temporarily on hold, we’re strengthening relationships, gathering business input, and encouraging the district’s involvement in future design and marketing—including upcoming Shop Local efforts.
The work is early—but the potential is real, and momentum is building for 2026.
Looking Ahead
Every ribbon cutting, every networking event, every program and partnership happens because of you. Your membership is the foundation of all we do.
As we step into 2026, our focus remains clear:
Engagement. Collaboration. Education. And creating opportunities that help every business in Excelsior Springs thrive.
This year also marks the launch of our new Chamber Ambassador Program — eight dedicated community members who will help us maintain strong connections with you, our members, as the Chamber continues to grow. They will play a vital role in outreach, engagement, and ensuring every business feels heard and supported.
Ambassador committee co-chair Clint Hylton will share more about this exciting new program after this.
So I invite you to continue this journey with us — stay involved, stay connected, and help shape the next chapter of our community’s growth.
Excelsior Springs is on the rise. And together — one business, one connection, and one success story at a time — we’re building a future we can all be proud of.
The words coined by Director Elaina Lamley several years ago have never been more true today: One Town. One Team.