Office Summit speakers, program to imagine the future of Downtown KC

The popular Downtown KC Office Summit returns on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and anticipation is building for this annual meeting of Kansas City area business leaders, developers, and public officials. The Office Summit is produced each year by the Downtown Council of Kansas City.

The theme Place Matters will drive the conversation at the 6th annual Office Summit beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday at The Gallery event space in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The meeting will showcase how Downtown KC provides an unrivaled, attractive environment for businesses seeking a location that will help them build culture as well as recruit and retain talent. Click here to purchase tickets.

“This year we focus on what we have all witnessed in Downtown Kansas City over the past two decades – great downtowns can no longer be reduced to just offices. They are increasingly becoming thriving, mixed-use neighborhoods where employees, clients, residents, and visitors have numerous places to connect and collaborate all within a short walk or transit ride from their doorstep,” said Bill Dietrich, DTC president & CEO.

The 2022 Office Summit, featuring opening remarks by the Hon. Quinton Lucas, mayor of the City of Kansas City, is designed to provide a better understanding of the Downtown office market today and to chart a course toward greater success tomorrow.

The program will reach a crescendo with remarks by featured speaker Mike Fenske, president & general manager of Global Facilities at Burns & McDonnell, followed by a panel discussion of business and community leaders who believe Place Matters is essential in building a robust Downtown KC office environment.

Mike Fenske, president and general manager, Global Facilities for Burns & McDonnell, will serve as the featured speaker and will facilitate a panel discussion at the 2022 Downtown KC Office Summit.

Featured Speaker: Mike Fenske, president & general manager, Global Facilities, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City

Under Mike’s leadership, the Global Facilities business has grown annual revenues by 30% each year and expanded to more than 900 employee-owners worldwide. He joined Burns & McDonnell in 1992 as part of the firm’s aviation business as an electrical engineer. Since then, he has held numerous leadership roles in a variety of industries. Mike is passionate about the built environment, and carries that into his community involvement, including a seat on the Downtown Council Executive Committee since 2016.

Office Summit Panelists

Jared Fleisher, vice president, Government Affairs & Economic Development for Rocket Companies, Detroit

Jared focuses on policies and initiatives that support economic development in the City of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. He was integrally involved in creating a new innovative tax increment financing mechanism to support transformational brownfield redevelopment projects in Michigan, and in unlocking federal funding for blight remediation in Detroit and cities across the country.

Trevor Hoiland, commercial architecture director of design, Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City

Trevor’s ability to lead clients and project teams through the design of large-scale projects has resulted in some of the most memorable built environments in Kansas City. Designing from the user’s perspective, his holistic vision folds layers of ideas and storytelling into a singular design language, focused on creating an original environment with enduring beauty.

Kathy Nelson, president & CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC, Kansas City

Kathy is a strong believer in the economic, social, and community-building benefits of sports. She works to promote Kansas City locally and nationally with the goal of attracting, retaining, and facilitating sports events and organizations in the bi-state area, including the NFL Draft in 2023; the NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet Sixteen in 2023; NCAA Wrestling Championship in 2024; and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in 2026. Kathy is a member of the Downtown Council Board of Directors.

Kelvin Simmons, co-developer and co-owner of 1900 Vine LLC in the 18th & Vine area, Kansas City

Kelvin is a state certified partner/owner of the Nexus Group based in Jefferson City; a real estate developer in the 18th & Vine Jazz District; and a joint venture partner in food/beverage concessions operations at the new KCI Airport. Kelvin has had an extraordinary career in local and state governments. Twice elected to the KC City Council, he is one of few people in Missouri history to be appointed by three different governors to cabinet posts. Kelvin serves on the Downtown Council’s Strategic Planning Committee.

The Downtown KC Office Summit will feature three components:

2 p.m. – Office Summit Expo – a networking opportunity to learn more about Place Matters and to meet those who represent Downtown properties, opportunities, and trends;
3 p.m. – Office Summit Program features speakers representing the vitality of greater Downtown, including comments from Mayor Lucas, featured remarks from Fenske, and the panel discussion.
4:30 p.m. – Networking and reception.

The annual Downtown Office Summit provides the opportunity for attendees to connect with the Kansas City real estate community, business leaders, and government officials. Go to www.downtownkc.org/officesummit to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets.

The event is produced by the Downtown Council of Kansas City. Sponsors of the 2022 Office Summit include Burns & McDonnell, JE Dunn Construction, the Kansas City Power & Light District, and McCownGordon Construction.

For questions and information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Shippy at the Downtown Council, jules@downtownkc.org or 816-421-1539.

—