2009 Strategic Business Forum

 

Event Summary | Winners | Videos | Presentations | Press

 

"I can't thank you enough for the outstanding information exchange day.  MTC has set a standard for all future Bartle Hall conventions.  What a wonderful time in the sessions for vendors to share ideas and products with all your attendees.  The Grand Prize Makeover Awarded to the Girl Scouts could not have gone to more deserving recipient.  That organization assists so many young girls to become solid business women of the future.  What a gift !!!!!  The makeover only facilitates the faster information highway to reach out to more girls and develop stronger relationships through troop interactions. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Your hearts should swell with joy forever.    Congratulations again, thank your staff a thousand times."

Barb Sinnett
Consolidated Technology, Inc.

 

Event Summary

Many local companies chose to join us at Bartle Hall on April 17th for MTC’s 2009 Strategic Business Forum and it was a great success. By all accounts from our attendees the speakers were “world class.” Not only did we have a variety of pertinent and timely topics from Eco-Friendly IT practices to prospering and maintaining in a down economy, we were able to provide much needed good news to the Kansas City region with the Extreme Technology Makeover.

Six companies won a combined $200,000 in technology upgrades and services. The grand prize of $130,000 went to the much deserving Girl Scouts whose video had the audience laughing and in awe of their great need, and excellent mission.

Not only did our attendees get to preview new technologies from industry leading firms, like HP’s new conferencing program called “Halo” that adorns Jerry Seinfeld’s own private office they also got to participate in a one of a kind technology event that incorporated a unique forum about the industry and its current standings in today’s economic climate. Attendees were able to ask questions to the panel that consisted of high level executives from HP, Microsoft, Avaya, our own president Brett Littrell and local economist Chris Kuehl. Topics and questions ranged from future proofing your business and technology, to how to accommodate the up and coming generation of professionals that have a more in depth expectation of technology in the business setting and how to meet their expectations entering the work force in areas like telecommuting and utilization of social networking sites for business development.

We were very proud of the media coverage and success of the 2009 Strategic Business Forum and the Extreme Technology Makeover, but we are not stopping there. In the current social and economic climate we feel it is our duty to continue to prosper and give back to the community and help to create the needed positivity to spark further prosperity, so we also announced our next event.

On June 8th at Tiffany Springs Golf Course we will be hosting our first annual Charity Golf Event. This year’s event will be benefiting the Child Life Group at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital. This department’s goal is to aid in the happiness and well being of the children undergoing long-term treatment at the clinic and their families. It was because of our great network of customers, local businesses, organizations, and schools, and our excellent partnerships with our vendor that our Strategic Business Forum was a success and we know that our network will pull together once more for this great cause. For more information on donation and sponsorship opportunities or how you and your group can participate please see our website at www.mtcweb.com.

Meet the XTREME Technology Makeover Winners

Grand Prize:   

Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri

Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri is an organization that, in partnership with committed adults, help girls grow courageous and strong through a variety of enriching leadership experiences.  Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri supports more than 35,000 registered Girl Scouts grades Kindergarten- 12th from all populations, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds in 47 counties across Kansas and Missouri. 

 To learn more about Girl Scouting, please contact (816) 358-8750 or visit www.girlscoutsksmo.org.

 Watch the Application Video the Girl Scouts team provided!

Over many years, our council has struggled to keep up with technology innovations due to budget constraints, so to be the grand prize winner of the MTC XTREME Technology Makeover will have a tremendous impact on the lives of our girls and the council, said Carol Hansen (right), EdD, CEO (here with Cathy Pierce, CFO (left)). We will finally be able to be proactive in our technology systems instead of reactive.

Second Prize:   

    SFS Architecture

    Over our 35 years of practice, SFS Architecture has continually challenged their staff to create unique and exciting spaces for their clients. The wide breadth of the firm’s experience, everything from worship spaces and local community centers to high-tech University facilities and federal Courthouses, showcases the creative design solutions we have developed for a wide range of facilities. The firm’s portfolio of work includes projects for religious institutions, k-12 and higher education, civic, corporate, public safety, justice and community recreation clients.

     

Third Prize:   

    Hogan Preparatory Academy

Hogan Preparatory Academy is a charter school that offers a high standards

9-12 education.  

Hogan Preparatory Academy was founded as a Missouri charter school in 1999.

Hogan Preparatory Academy provides a high quality, values based, individualized college preparatory education for a diverse student population with goals of personal achievement, academic success and commitment to the community.

 

Fourth Prize:   

    Tri County Mental Health Services, Inc.

In 1990, Tri-County Mental Health Services opened its doors, introducing an innovative health care model to the community. The agency is the primary provider of comprehensive behavioral health services to a community of more than 290,000 people who live north of the river in Clay, Platte and Ray counties.

Tri-County's unique provider network allows the agency to deliver convenient, cost-effective services to thousands of people each year. Tri-County out-sources clinical treatment for behavioral health problems to professionals who live and work throughout the three-county area. Tri-County has a site-based staff of 79, a network of 60 individual and agency providers, and more than 250 volunteers.

Our strong emphasis on prevention, assessment, education and clinical services has earned the agency a regional and national reputation as a foremost provider of effective behavioral health solutions. The agency is accredited by The Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and has been recognized for the quality of our services.

     

Fifth Prize:   

    Tolbert Charter District

“Founded in 1999, Kansas City-based Tolbert Charter District provides educational services for grades K-10.” 

Our mission:

Tolbert Charter District, in collaboration with the community, successfully prepares students for the 21st Century in a safe and orderly environment.  The teaching of academic, cultural, social, physical, organizational, peer mediation, and goal setting skills assist students in achieving their maximum potential and developing positive attitudes and high self esteem.

We are sponsored by the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC).  We were recommended by the Ewing Kaufmann Foundation to be one of the 20 Expeditionary Learning schools sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

   

Sixth Prize:   

    Aquaterra Environmental Solutions, Inc.

Aquaterra is an engineering consulting firm with offices located throughout the Midwest specializing in providing environmental and civil engineering solutions in a cost effective manner. 

Founded in 2002, Kansas City-based Aquaterra Environmental Solutions is an engineering and consulting firm that strives to be the provider of choice for all of its clients.  Aquaterra endeavors to develop sound solutions for its clients’ environmental needs and provide unsurpassed service, commitment, and quality in doing so.  Aquaterra's vision is to be a foremost provider of technical solutions while providing a workplace for our employees to develop a rewarding career and lead a balanced life.

   

Videos

Welcome - Brett W. Littrell, President of MTC



"Technology For Better Business Outcomes" - Todd Gustafson, VP, Specialty Sales, U.S., Volume Sales, PSG, Americas of Hewlett Packard



"Survive and Thrive in a Down Economy" - Carol G Neslund, VP of North America Channel Sales of Avaya



"It's An Ill Wind That Blows Nobody Good: Why Economists Secretly Like Recessions" - Dr. Chris Kuehl, Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence

Part A


Part B



NBC Action News KSHB-TV 41, April 17, 2009

Presentations

Click here to access all available event presentations.

 

Press

Avaya Press Release

NBC Action News, April 17, 2009