Q&A with Jessica Palm, Vice President of Marketing & PR at Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
Jessica Palm of Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
You have served as the vice president of marketing and PR at the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) for the past two years and have worked with KCADC since 2011. Tell us more about the organization and the work that you do.
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) is a private, non-profit economic development organization representing the economic interests of the two-state, 18-county Greater Kansas City region of 2.5 million. In my position, I lead all of our marketing communications, public relations and strategy for the organization regarding messaging. We have various industry initiatives focused on strengths for the Kansas City market, whether industrial, animal health, technology, A/E/C industries, talent or lifestyle. Our team crafts the message to engage the world to invest in the KC region.
2022 was a record-breaking year for the KCADC. Tell us more about the initiatives that led to the successes.
It was a huge year for the region — six times more than KCADC’s historical annual investment success! We attracted two megaprojects: Meta’s $800 million hyperscale data center and Panasonic Energy of North America’s $4 billion EV battery plant and the attraction of over 13 companies that will invest more than $5.6 billion in capital investment, resulting in $354 million in payroll and nearly 6,000 jobs. Whether it’s a megaproject, a mid-size company or a fast-moving industrial deal that needs speed to market for their customers, our team on the business development side was firing on all cylinders to bring these deals to fruition. And frankly, they did it during a time of uncertainty post-pandemic. Our collaboration and partnership, and strive for excellence and achievement, stood out last year. Without a solid team dynamic and strong partnerships outside of the organization, you can’t achieve the level of success we did in 2022.
Downtown Kansas City
How does working with Violet PR help highlight the work of the KCADC?
The Violet PR team is an extension of our team. They are in lockstep with all of our work. Christina Forrest, in particular, is always on board with our crazy ideas and fast-paced efforts! It’s terrific to have a trusted partner we can call for advice and support to help us create the most impact. We had an excellent year for all of our media outreach, and as a small nonprofit, we genuinely embrace our partnership with Violet PR.
You’re hosting a friend in Kansas City region for the weekend. What are some not-to-be-missed spots in KC Heartland?
If I’m not hosting them at my home, I hope they stay at the beautiful Crossroads Hotel in the center of the arts district in downtown Kansas City. We would enjoy tapas on my favorite patio at Extra Virgin. Michael Smith, a James Beard award-winning chef, owns the restaurant, and it has a really great vibe. Next, we’d head to J. Rieger & Co, a distillery founded in 1887 in Kansas City’s West Bottoms Livestock Exchange district. They have the coolest speakeasy called The Hey! Hey! Club that serves fantastic cocktails. On Sunday, since I’m a huge Chiefs fan, we’d get up and enjoy a breakfast tailgate at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Area Development Council
PROMOTING KANSAS CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S STATE-OF-THE-ART $1.5 BILLION TERMINAL