A monthly pop-up coffee series at Keystone CoLAB

What’s the fastest way into Kansas City’s innovation community? A good cup of coffee and a room full of people building something.

Coffee & Connections is a casual, no-agenda gathering for founders, operators, builders, and community members to connect over great coffee and real conversation. No presentations. No pitches. No slides to sit through. Just an easy space to meet the people shaping what’s next in KC.

Maybe you’re deep in the early grind of your first venture. Maybe you’re an operator looking for your next collaborator. Or maybe you’ve been circling the ecosystem and haven’t quite found your way in yet.

This is the door.

Whether you’ve been part of the Keystone community for years or you’re walking through the doors for the first time, Coffee & Connections is one of the easiest ways to plug in, meet someone new, and start a conversation worth continuing.

Grab a coffee. Find a familiar face—or an unfamiliar one. See what comes of it.

Think and Drink events are held every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at Casual Animal Brewing Company in Kansas City’s East Crossroads. On occasion, events are held offsite at our partner locations including Linda Hall Library and UMKC. All lectures are free to the public and there are no assigned seats. Seating is first come, first served with a maximum seating capacity of 125 before standing room only. As a community event, it is encouraged that tables be shared among multiple parties. Come to learn, make new friends, and stay curious!

Two conversations on building things that last — organizations rooted in purpose, and the supply chains reshaping Kansas City's economic future.

5:00 PM | Leading with Purpose: Building Organizations That Create Lasting Impact
Featuring Tami Greenberg, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City

Join Tami Greenberg for a conversation on purpose-driven leadership, community impact, and building organizations that make a lasting difference. Drawing from her experience leading a 50+ person organization serving thousands of families each year, Tami shares insights on navigating leadership, growing mission-driven organizations, building strong teams, and creating meaningful impact in the community.

6:00 PM | CMC + KC: A Primer on Critical Materials Investing and Finance
Moderated by Katie Dixon, with Ashlynn Horras, Evan Absher, and Will Blankenship

Heard the words "critical materials" floating around Kansas City and wondered what it actually means in your life? This panel is for you.

Everyone is welcome — you'll walk away understanding why this region is becoming a serious player in the critical materials supply chain, and what that means for KC. But we built this panel with one person in mind: the financially-minded asking, "How does this actually touch my clients, my portfolio, and my city?"

The conversation opens with the big-picture economics of the critical materials industry and how KC is playing a major part. You'll hear what a successful critical materials investment strategy looks like from a KC-based investor, plus a look at financing the "missing middle" and the challenges and benefits of investing in hard assets.

From venture capitalist to curious citizen — if you've got questions, this room has answers. No prerequisite, no finance jargon left unexplained.

7:00 PM | More details coming soon
Stay tuned — one more session to be announced.

For more details or to RSVP for lunch, please email admin@keystonedistrict.org

Oktoberfest at Border Brewing Co.

When: Sunday, September 27 · 4:00–7:00 PM (firkin dig at 5:00 PM)
Where: Border Brewing Co., 512 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 (Crossroads Arts District)
Cost: Free admission, no tickets required

Border Brewing Co. celebrates Oktoberfest with a Kansas City tradition all its own: each spring, the brewery buries a stainless steel firkin of beer behind the taproom, where it ages underground through the summer. On September 27 at 5 PM, staff and guests dig it up together and tap it on the spot — no one knows exactly how it will taste until the first glass is poured.

The afternoon also features a limited-batch Festbier on tap, the golden, malt-forward lager style traditionally served at Munich's Oktoberfest, along with British street food from Brit Boy Street Food, offering fresh-made sausage rolls and meat pies. The full taproom menu and regular offerings will also be available throughout the event.

All ages are welcome.