Public is invited to share ideas on Big 5 effort to support young businesses.

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce wants to “make Kansas City America’s most entrepreneurial city,” and it’s asking for everyone’s ideas on how to make that happen.

Over the next two weeks, the Chamber has planned a series of group conversations — “idea sessions” — where members of the public can share their ideas for supporting local entrepreneurs. Though anyone can attend the sessions and there is no admission charge, each meeting is limited to 50 participants. To register, visit http://www.kauffman.org/big5conversation.

The entrepreneur effort is part of the Chamber’s “Big 5” initiative — five projects announced last fall to encourage growth and improve life in the metro area.  Peter deSilva, UMB Bank’s chairman and CEO, is leading the entrepreneurial project.

The Chamber recently released a first-quarter update on the entrepreneurial effort.

“A project manager has been hired, the needs of local entrepreneurs are being identified, and existing resources are being inventoried and catalogued,” the Chamber reported. “A strong partnership between UMKC’s Bloch School of Management and the Kauffman Foundation is being forged.”

Two of the other initiatives – to host a global symposium on animal health innovation and to spur medical research in Kansas City – could also benefit the region’s bioscience industry.

The dates and times for the idea sessions are listed below:

Sprint Campus – 6300 building, Overland Park (Park in Lot P)

• Monday, Feb. 13 – 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 20 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m

Kauffman Foundation –Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo.

• Tuesday, Feb. 14 – 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 21 – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Cerner – Vision Center, 2850 Rock Creek Parkway, Kansas City, Mo.

• Wednesday, Feb. 15 – 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 22 – 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

MCC – Metropolitan Community College – Mel Aytes Education Center, 500 S.W. Longview Road, Lee’s Summit

• Thursday, Feb. 16 – 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 23 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.