What is Kearney Business Group?

We are a referral and networking group of business owners formed to support, encourage and grow local businesses.

Where are meetings held?

Meetings are held at the Kearney Chamber of Commerce office, 190 State Rte 92, Kearney, MO.

When are meetings held?

Every first and third Friday morning at 8:30 am unless the meeting date falls on a holiday. Meetings are cancelled if the Kearney School District cancels classes due to inclement weather.

What happens at meetings?

A referral report is given by the Treasurer/Secretary every week to keep us up-to-date on referral amounts. Each business owner has an opportunity to introduce themselves and report news and developments in their business. A report may be given on the status of the annual Business Expo. A topic is then presented either by a member or a guest speaker. The tone of the meetings is an informal, round table discussion.

What kinds of topics are covered?

• Branding your business

• Advertising and networking

• Technical security

• Using social media and the internet to your advantage

• Money saving tips and tricks

• Creating mission and vision statements

• Insurance

Occasionally, we will have an elected official as a guest speaker to keep us informed about recent developments.

How is my Time Commitment as a Member?

Regular attendance is necessary so that all members may reach full benefit. Therefore a member of your business should try to be at every meeting. However, two absences a month are permissible.

How does the Referral System work?

Referrals are a key component to our group. We all work together to grow member businesses where possible. We are an exclusive group, which means we only allow one profession to be represented. (see Article III, Section 4 of the Bylaws)

The Treasurer will keep a running total of referrals. At the start of the meeting we will collect the referrals. When a member has a referral, they will submit the contact information of the potential customer to the prospective member business. This will be done using the referral slip available at meetings. The top, white, copy will be given to the prospective member business. The second, yellow, copy will be giving to the Treasurer or a Board Member if the Treasurer is absent. The pink copy is for the originator of the referral for their record. When the sale has been made, the white copy will be completed with the dollar amount of the sale and given to the Treasurer. Please Note: If there are privacy concerns, the first name is all that is required on the referral slip.

What is the Referral Expectation?

As a member of the Kearney Business Group you are encouraged to provide 6 referrals over the course of the year. This policy discourages a “Free Rider” situation as well as encourages members to promote individual businesses and the KBG as a whole.

What is the Business Expo?

The Kearney Business Group hosts an annual Business Expo to promote local businesses in an effort to keep shopping dollars in Kearney. The event is normally held in the spring on a Saturday.

Non-members are allowed to participate, however KBG members are highlighted through advertising, as well as receive special designation on the Expo Passport. Members receive discounted booth space, preferential placement, and their table expense is paid for by the group.