Kauffman Center Ensemble Featured Members
Tom and Carol Barnett are co-owners of Mid-America Merchandising, Inc.
Mid-America Merchandising, Inc.
Ensemble
Founding Member
Mid-America Merchandising, Inc. (MMI) considers their Ensemble membership to be a rock solid investment with a multiplier effect: it helps them to accomplish business goals while contributing to the arts in Kansas City, a cause dear to the hearts of business owners Tom and Carol Barnett.
MMI is an incentives and promotional products business in Kansas City, Missouri. For the company’s 30th anniversary last fall, 150 guests joined in a celebration at the Kauffman Center. “Since we are a business in the River Market and are passionate about supporting the arts, it was an obvious choice,” said co-owner Carol Barnett. “It was an extra bonus that our Ensemble membership made it affordable.”
Carol says that the Ensemble membership also increases the Company’s range of client entertainment options. “We love taking clients to Kansas City’s wonderful sports events. Having arts options available, too, expands our ability to meet the range of our clients’ interests,” Carol said. As an Ensemble member, MMI can select from more than 300 performance options each year, with a personal concierge to arrange tickets.
In February, Ensemble also helped the Company thank its 40 employees for their work during their busiest months of November thru January. Working with their Ensemble concierge, they secured a block of tickets to two upcoming performances. “Each employee picked the show that was more attractive to them, plus they were able to bring a guest,” said Carol. “It was a sincere thank you and the chance to introduce employees to something new or different.” By sending their team to the Kauffman Center, Carol and Tom hope employees and their families will return again and again.
Henderson Engineers
Henderson Engineers
Ensemble
Founding Member
When Henderson Engineers, Inc. reviewed its philanthropic goals, they made a conscious decision to include the arts as part of their support of the Kansas City community. HEI is also happy to support the endeavors of an industry they often work with.
“We’re pleased to support the Kauffman Center, which is a major focal point of arts in our community. We’ve also enjoyed the opportunities we can give to our employees to attend special events at the Center,” said Dana Kettle, Chief Financial Officer. “The Kauffman Center has been an incredible partner and we look forward to many years being a member of the business program and encourage others in our community to do the same.”
Keith Asel, NW Regional President
Hawthorn Bank
Ensemble
Founding Member
Hawthorn Bank became a Kauffman Center Ensemble member in part because of its philosophy of encouraging community engagement among its employees.
“Hawthorn Bank appreciates the Kauffman Center’s emphasis on making this outstanding facility available and accessible to everyone,” says Keith Asel, NW Regional President. “The center’s outreach to young people, affordable ticket prices and range of art programming is impressive.”
Through its headquarters in Jefferson City and branches around the state of Missouri, Hawthorn Bank has shared the word about the Kauffman Center’s cultural opportunities to all of its markets. “We tell employees, partners and clients that this is a regional cultural treasure. We encourage them to keep an eye on it and find a way to participate.” The Kauffman Center Employee Day and volunteer program offer interesting connections for the bank.
This philosophy led to an innovative partnership with Washington University’s Olin Business School. Asel encouraged the university to host a thought leadership session at the Kauffman Center in April 2013. “I’ve participated in their executive education and found it to be innovative and excellent. Hawthorn sponsored food for the one-day session and 300 people were introduced to the Kauffman Center,” says Asel. “It was a win-win situation and we hope to find more of these opportunities through our membership.”
PNC Bank
Ensemble Presenting Sponsor
One of the largest financial institutions in the nation, PNC has long maintained a focus on supporting the communities it serves. When PNC expanded its presence in the greater Kansas City region, becoming a presenting sponsor of Ensemble perfectly aligned with its Main Street approach to connecting with area neighbors and businesses.
Today, PNC provides a wide range of corporate banking solutions for mid- and large-size companies locally. In supporting Ensemble, PNC can identify opportunities to serve these organizations while contributing to Kansas City’s thriving arts and cultural scene.
The relationship with the Kauffman Center doesn’t end there. Visitors will soon see the PNC Grow Up Great Gallery. Reflecting PNC’s signature philanthropic commitment to early education through PNC Grow Up Great, this art installation will be created by local preschoolers in under-served neighborhoods.
“The arts and culture bring our communities closer and play a significant role in driving economic growth,” said Dale Klose, PNC regional president for greater Kansas City. “Together with the Kauffman Center, we want to contribute to the success of the arts community and the Kansas City region as a whole.”
Tom Forrester, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of State Street Kansas City
State Street
Ensemble
Founding Member
When State Street executives bring clients to Kansas City, they want to entertain at a venue that sends a positive message about both the company and Kansas City. State Street’s involvement in the Kauffman Center Ensemble program provides that opportunity and more, Tom Forrester, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of State Street Kansas City.
“The Kauffman Center is an integral part of the community in which State Street works,” said Forrester. The company also likes the chance to get employees involved in the arts.
“We especially enjoy the membership benefits that allow us to show off Kansas City to the large institutional investors State Street brings into town,” said Forrester. “Entertaining clients at the Kauffman Center is unique, affordable and memorable. We plan to do it often.”
David Bland, chairman, Travois, Inc.
Travois
Ensemble
Founding Member
Since Travois moved to its Crossroads Arts District offices in 2009, they have enjoyed a birds-eye-view of the Kauffman Center—and have taken advantage of its proximity. “As a company we seek to inspire our employees, and we are fortunate that Kansas City’s arts community offers us so many opportunities,” says David Bland, chairman, Travois, Inc.
For years the company has supported the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Ballet and offered tickets to their staff. “Now that we are a Kauffman Center Ensemble member, we look forward to helping the Center to reach growing audiences,“ says Bland.
The company feels fortunate to be part of a community that created such a “magnificent performance venue” and shares this invitation: “Join with us as a Kauffman Center Ensemble Member to ensure that it continues to inspire, educate and transport us as only the arts can do.”
Contact Trisha Drape, Vice President of Development at 816.994.7220 or tdrape@kauffmancenter.org for more information.