Springfield Tech Week, other upcoming business events coming up
Springfield Tech Week is March 23-29
Springfield Tech Council (STC) announced its inaugural Springfield Tech Week will take place March 23-29, with tours and events aimed at showcasing Springfield’s technology industry and to attract talent, foster innovation, and strengthen connections among businesses, professionals, and students.
Springfield Mayor Ken McClure will issue an official proclamation recognizing the week at 8 a.m. March 26.
Scheduled events include a variety of industry tours, networking opportunities and educational sessions, along with the STC Squared Tech Conference on March 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The conference will offer session tracks covering software development, cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and leadership, along with an exhibition hall featuring over 40 exhibitors.
Registration is free for STC members and the first 200 non-members, with a $25 fee for additional non-members. Details can be found at sgftechcouncil.com/squared-2025.
In addition, Springfield Tech Week is partnering with Missouri State University as it hosts the U.S. Information Technology Collegiate Conference from March 27-29. The national competition brings together top IT students from across the country to compete in cybersecurity, networking, and programming challenges, and provides an opportunity for industry professionals and employers to engage with emerging tech talent.
CPO offers tenant education series in April
Community Partnership of the Ozarks is inviting renters and and tenants in Springfield to its Tenant Educational Workshop Series, a four-part series to empower renters and equip tenants with valuable knowledge and resources to navigate housing challenges.
The four workshops will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at empower:abilities, 1450 W. Cambridge St., on the following dates:
- Tenants’ Rights – April 2
- Reasonable Accommodations – April 16
- Housing Search & Navigation – May 7
- Renting Tips & Tools – May 21
This series is sponsored by CPO’s Landlord/Tenant Education committee, a joint initiative between CPO’s Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness and CPO’s Housing Collaborative. Registration is encouraged but not required and food will be provided at each workshop. All workshops will be recorded for future use or for any tenants who may not be able to attend the workshop. To register, go online to https://tinyurl.com/5n749t42.
Great Southern to demolish, replace center city banking center
Great Southern Bank announced plans to build a next-generation banking center to replace its current branch at Benton Avenue and Chestnut Expressway.
The new building at 723 N. Benton Ave. will be designed to provide customers with a fresh, modern banking experience while incorporating innovative designs, processes, and technology. Construction on the new building is scheduled to begin this month, with completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of the year.
The current building will be demolished but a temporary banking center, with both a lobby and drive-thru, will be installed ahead of construction and will begin serving customers March 24.
Clean Green Springfield starts March 17
The Clean Green Springfield initiative is back in 2025 and celebrating five years of community cleanups and connectedness with activities that begin on the greenest of holidays — St. Patrick’s Day.
The city is inviting members of the public and others to kick off the 2025 Clean Green Springfield cleanup initiative at 8 a.m. Monday, March 17, with C-Street Mulch Madness. Volunteers will help spread mulch and plant flowers around the Commercial Street Historic District.
To register or learn more, go online to CleanGreenSGF.com. Check-in is at 8 a.m. Monday at the C-Street Market Pavilion, 321 E. Commercial Street. Volunteers will join the Commercial Street CID and Springfield Public Works Public Grounds division staff to continue spreading mulch and beautifying through noon or until the mulch runs out. At 9 a.m., the city and partners will be joined by Mayor Ken McClure and other at the pavilion to formally kick off the initiative and launch volunteer registration for other cleanup and “greenup” opportunities throughout April and May.
Innovate SOMO Week celebrates entrepreneurial spirit
The first-ever Innovate SOMO Week, a celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation across Southern Missouri, will take place April 21-25. The week will highlight the work of the Southern Missouri Innovation Network (Innovate SOMO), a collaborative effort connecting entrepreneurs with resources, fostering innovation and empowering individuals through tech education, business support and talent development across 47 counties in Southern Missouri.
A kickoff event in Springfield is scheduled April 21, with events in Cape Girardeau, West Plains and Springfield planned along with live and virtual training opportunities, local celebrations and a social media campaign showcasing business success stories.
Innovate SOMO is a collaborative effort of Springfield’s efactory and Codefi in Cape Girardeau. Funding for the weeklong series comes from the Missouri Technology Corporation Regional Node Grant Program.
“The Innovate SOMO Week being organized by Codefi and efactory is an excellent example of how funding awarded through the grant program can serve as the ‘front door’ for the entrepreneurial community, giving entrepreneurs direct access to the resources and support they need to thrive and scale their businesses,” said Jack Scatizzi, MTC executive director and CEO.
Missouri State named to Forbes best employer list
Forbes has named Missouri State University as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2025. The university ranked No. 65 out of 498 companies across the U.S., as well as second in Missouri and 13th nationally in the education category.
Forbes announced the annual lists Feb. 12. The lists recognize companies that excel in employee satisfaction and workplace culture. Forbes compiled the rankings in collaboration with market research firm Statista from an independent survey of more than 217,000 U.S. employees from companies with more than 1,000 people. Companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees were deemed midsize. Missouri State has 3,700-plus employees.
Previously, Missouri State was recognized as a Forbes Best In-State employer four years running from 2020-23.
Kendall joins OMB Bank team
OMB Bank announced the hiring of Weston Kendall as vice president and director of Banking as a Service compliance.
Kendall has more than a decade of financial fraud prevention experience, beginning his career in 2013 as a senior anti-money laundering investigator with Dickinson Financial Corporation in Kansas City. In 2017 he joined Country Club Bank, also in Kansas City, as a Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering officer and served in the same position for Dama Financial from 2018-2023.
He is a certified BSA/AML professional and holds a Business Intelligence Analysis certification from Villanova University. In addition to his financial services career, he also served as a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant from 1999-2007.
link
