Editor’s Note by Joe Sweeney, Sept. 2020

I can honestly say this was one of the most interesting and challenging editions of Ingram’s I’ve ever worked on. It’s also one of the most important.

Let me tell you why. The Ingram’s 250 isn’t a popularity contest. We work hard to identify the most influential business executives this region has to offer. We ask them pointed questions that produce thought leadership applicable to almost any aspiring executive and business manager. And we use this powerful roster as something of a regional-wide marketing message, because it tells the world that Kansas City is packed with the kind of executive talent that drives a regional economy forward.

That’s our mission with this feature, and the personal participation of so many influential executives is what makes it work. To all of them who shared thought leadership in their individual profiles, we offer our thanks.

We’ve wrestled all year with trying to find new ways to produce content and events. Occasionally, we find cancelling some programming altogether during the pandemic is more appropriate than attempting to replicate the traditions we’ve built over the years. I believe there are many things happening out there that probably should be canceled, but odd times brings odd activities.

We launched the Ingram’s 250 program in 2016 and I have to say it’s one of our favorite issues. It’s also very difficult to produce—every phase of it. On Page 16 of this edition, we’ve listed and give thanks to our advertising patrons. From the bottom of our hearts we want to say thank you to each organization that placed an ad in this year’s i250 edition.

We know times are challenging on so many levels. Your support reassures us that Ingram’s is a worthwhile investment and voice advocating for the betterment of Kansas City and the states of Missouri and Kansas. Print advertising is the lifeblood of our existence and as much as we see digital advertising and marketing trending, it is a very challenging space to earn a living.

The sale of subscriptions enables us to help offset the cost for postage. I often wonder if there is another company in the bi-state region that spends more with the U.S. Postal Service than we do at Ingram’s—in terms of payout per the number of employees, anyway. When I hear officials in Washington say that the Postal Service should quadruple its rates, I consider all the repercussions it would cause. For starters, it would close our door immediately, as it would so many others that rely on mail being responsibly delivered. The Postal Service may have its flaws, but I have a career-long affinity for these workers who get the job done day in and out. You might say the USPS is the founding father of logistics.

On the opposite page is information about subscribing to Ingram’s. I can’t begin to tell you the financial challenge of delivering this and other issues to readers. I doubt there’s a person among our readers who is capable of reading this issue in a single day. It took us months to write, design and produce this and we know there is such a vast amount of great content in this issue.

One good idea gleaned from the observations of these thought leaders will pay for your subscription many times over. If it’s worth your time to read the Ingram’s 250 special edition, don’t you think your team would benefit too? We’ve priced annual bulk subscriptions as low as $25 each. Consider the value and breadth of great ideas this publication alone would bring to your team. Like all companies, Ingram’s is adapting to find ways to cash-flow and our two best means at this stage are by selling subscriptions for 14 great issues each year and print advertising and packages (noted on page 99).

I want to personally congratulate and to thank each of this year’s Ingram’s 250 members. We took each of them to task to share their advice on how they coped with and survived COVID-19 and to allow us all to better get to know them personally. My job is a challenging one in many ways, but it also may be the best position in the region. The list of extraordinary people I have come to know and work with is a long one, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help bring our community together and to stimulate interest and action.

This is my 24th year as the publisher of Ingram’s, and God willing, I’ll remain here a few more to focus on improving our publications, digital presence and assemble the finest team of journalists in this region.