If you aren’t already familiar with Accelerent, but you are interested in a fantastic avenue for getting to know the KC business community, I’d like to share some information with you.  GSI is a member of Accelerent, which is essentially a corporate business development organization made up of C-level execs in the Kansas City area.  Currently, the organization has about 35 members, consisting of a wide variety of companies in the KC area.  While they continue to recruit new member companies, they are also diligent about making sure that no two member companies are from the same industry.  This is a great practice as it means that the group represents a broad spectrum of industries -- and also creates a tighter relationship among member companies without the presence of a competitive factor.

The organization hosts about 9 or 10 breakfasts throughout the year for its members and guests.  We get together, listen to a featured speaker (always someone truly inspirational with their amazing achievements) and spend time meeting corporate executives from our area – an excellent opportunity to learn more about their businesses, as well as educate others about our own.  At the last breakfast, we had more than 300 attendees – a prime opportunity for corporate networking and opening up doors for new business! 

The next Accelerent breakfast is Friday, January 22, at 7:00 a.m. in Overland Park, KS.  Peter Vidmar, the former Olympic gymnast, will be the featured speaker – and I’ve been told he is wonderful.  You have to be either an Accelerant member or an invited guest to attend.  So if you have even the slightest interest in coming, please do so, as my guest. (Please email me to RSVP.)

Now for the particulars.  Prior to the actual breakfast, there is an Expo from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.  This is where introductions take place.  If you’d like to see a list of attendees, let me know and I can send you a list of those who have RSVP’d so far.  The next step would be for you to let me know if there is anyone on the list that you would like to meet (yes, I’ll make sure that happens!).  Obviously, you are welcome to roam the room and make your own introductions, which I also suggest.

If this is of any interest to you, email me at khansen@gsihosting.com and I can do the registration for you.  In addition, you are welcome to invite up to three clients of your own.

I sincerely hope that you – or any of your coworkers or clients you invite – decide to join us.  I promise you won’t be disappointed!