Participate
Leading a business is hard work and we know your time is valuable. We appreciate that you want to participate so let us guide you to opportunities that will most positively impact your business.
Whether you want to grow your business network, build your professional skills, or get engaged in our community, you’ll find ways to participate below that will help you succeed.
Programs
The Chamber oversees several strong programs benefiting the Cape Girardeau community in a multitude of ways. Join us in our effort to better the future of this community, and get involved today!
Getting involved in the Young Professionals of Cape (YPC) is a great way to meet not only Cape Chamber members (approximately 850 business members), but also other young professionals in the community.
Involvement with the Chamber YPC Group will provide you with the opportunity to get better acquainted with businesses throughout the Cape Girardeau region, enhance your professional development opportunities, while expanding your business potential through engaging and connecting. YPC enhances the efforts to create a community young professionals want to live and work in.
By becoming an active member of YPC, you will gain the following Return on Investment:
-Expand your credibility by building strong professional relationships
-Opportunity to refine your business and personal communication skills
-Opportunities to learn more about programs, events and issues in our community
-Leadership and volunteer opportunities
-Numerous opportunities to interact with new and existing businesses
-Additional influence on Chamber programs and events
-Recognition on website and YP events
-Building a sense of camaraderie and long-lasting relationships
To get involved or learn more about YPC, visit the YPC page or contact Maggie Piper.
The Cape Chamber Women’s Network works to strengthen the community by providing an environment for mentoring, professional development and leadership growth opportunities for women. We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere that cultivates opportunities for those seeking advancement in areas such as public speaking, board involvement and networking.
Women’s Network hosts events monthly at various times. Events include speaker luncheons, networking programs, and open social mixers to provide opportunities for continued development and networking. To find upcoming Women's Network events, visit our calendar.
For more information, visit the Women's Network page or contact Whitney Quick.
As a newly developed program series, the Cape Chamber Lunch & Learns will provide an opportunity for our members to connect and network with each other over lunch while learning about a current topic or issue that may be relevant to the majority of our members.
From coffee to cold ones, Brew & Business is an opportunity to have real conversations with other business owners about the challenges and successes facing small businesses. Geared towards small business (fewer than 30 employees) owners and managers, this program will provide an opportunity for discussion on a variety of timely topics.
Offered quarterly, this event will rotate between evening and morning events to enhance convenience for our small business owners.
What to expect: General networking will begin the event with sponsor recognition beginning shortly after the event start time. Each sponsor will provide a topic of discussion for approximately 30 minutes. Following the topic discussion, networking and additional discussion will resume allowing for more in-depth and targeted conversations.
Leadership Cape is the area’s premier leadership program. During the last 20 years nearly 500 community leaders have participated in this program. Find your “True Color” and become a part of the community-wide conversation about leadership by joining the next Leadership Cape class.
Learn more and apply to participate here.
Questions? Contact Whitney Quick.
Show-Me Careers is a five-day career professional development boot camp for educators, counselors and administrators to learn firsthand about relevant career pathways in today’s business and industry settings.
The program provides a unique, hands-on learning experience inside local employers. Through these externship experiences, education professionals gain a more robust understanding of the technical skills, behaviors and mindsets students need to be successful in today’s professional environments. Piloted in St. Louis in 2018, Show Me Careers expanded to Cape Girardeau in 2020 through a partnership with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more and apply to participate here.
For more information, contact Rob Gilligan.
Committees
All Cape Chamber representatives are eligible to serve on Chamber committees. Reach out to the Cape Chamber team for additional information on how you can get involved.
The Chamber Ambassador Committee actively recruits prospective members to the Chamber and plays a supportive role in membership retention. In addition, committee members assist with monthly networking events (Business After Hours & First Friday Coffee) and other orientation opportunities such as ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking, and Chamber 101.
Meeting time: Monthly on the 4th Monday at 1:00 PM.
Committee Chair: Jay Wolz, Retired
Staff Liaison: Shelly Kaiser
If you are interested in joining the Chamber Ambassador Committee, contact Shelly Kaiser.
The Government & Public Policy committee observes legislation and makes recommendations to the Board as it relates to business. The committee hosts several legislative programs and provides speakers for First Friday Coffee annually.
Meeting time: Monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
Committee Chair: Maria Swan Childress, BOLD Marketing
Staff Liaison: Rob Gilligan
If you are interested in joining the Government & Public Policy Committee, contact Rob Gilligan.
The Leadership Development committee is responsible for the planning and execution of the Leadership Cape Girardeau program to assist emerging leaders in getting to know the area, other leaders and information. To serve on this committee, one must have graduated from the Leadership Cape program in good standing.
Meeting time: Monthly on the 1st Thursday at 8:00 AM.
Committee Chair: John Spear, Edge Realty
Staff Liaison: Whitney Quick
If you have completed the Leadership Cape program and are interested in joining the Leadership Development committee, contact Whitney Quick.
The Young Professionals of Cape Area committee is focused on expanding the area’s young professional workforce opportunities, sense of community, awareness, and aptitudes through the development of programming and membership.
The purpose of the YPC Committee is to serve as a catalyst for involving young professionals in the mission of the Chamber to build and strengthen the professional development of individuals and talent retention in the Cape Girardeau area.
Meeting time: Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 3:30 PM.
Committee Chair: Brittney Swicionis, Board & Brush
Staff Liaison: Maggie Piper
If you are interested in joining the YPC Committee, contact Maggie Piper.
The Chamber's Transportation committee promotes continual improvements in Cape Girardeau’s transportation system working cooperatively with the city of Cape Girardeau and the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Meeting time: Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
Committee Chair: Tracey Glenn, GlennView
Staff Liaison: Rob Gilligan
If you are interested in joining the Transportation committee, contact Rob Gilligan.
The Women's Network committee focuses on strengthening the community by providing an environment for mentoring, professional development and leadership growth opportunities for women. This committee plans bi-monthly events ranging from speaker series luncheons to social mixers.
Meeting time: Monthly on the 4th Thursday at 8:00 a.m.
Committee Chair: Brooke Roth, Edward Jones - Brooke Roth
Staff Liaison: Whitney Quick
If you are interested in joining the Women's Network Committee, contact Whitney Quick.
The Work Ready Coalition collaborates with area partners in promoting a strong workforce and educational systems. The committee drives the connectCAPE program and Capable initiative.
Meeting time: Quarterly on the 4th Wednesday of the second month
Committee Chair: Open
Staff Liaison: Rob Gilligan
If you are interested in joining the Work Ready Coalition, contact Rob Gilligan.