What a Night! Highlights from This Year’s Membership Networking Night

We had an absolutely incredible time at this year’s Membership Networking Night! The energy, the connections, and the shared enthusiasm were truly inspiring. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening so special. Seeing so many of you come together is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

Our Members are the heart and soul of everything we achieve. Your support not only fuels our mission but also allows us to host the events you know and love—bringing our community closer, one gathering at a time.

Whether you were reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new ones, we hope you left the night feeling inspired and connected. We can’t wait to do it all again next year, so stay tuned for more events and opportunities to engage!

Thank you for being part of this amazing community. Here’s to many more events like this one!

ICL’s Half-Billion-Dollar Expansion in North St. Louis Creating 150+ Jobs

ICL Group, a leading global specialty minerals company, announced today that its planned expansion into the North American battery materials market will be built in north St. Louis City. The company is investing approximately a half-billion dollars and creating more than 150 jobs to build a large-scale commercial production plant that will manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material (CAM) destined for the energy storage and electric vehicle end-markets.



“ICL Group’s expansion is exciting news for St. Louis, our state, and our nation’s manufacturing independence,” said Governor Mike Parson. “When we met in Israel just two years ago, ICL Group demonstrated a commitment to innovation and economic growth that we’re sure will benefit Missourians for years to come.”

ICL Group currently has 335 full-time employees in the St. Louis area across its three existing locations, which include its North American headquarters, an R&D center in Webster Groves, and a production plant in the Carondelet neighborhood. The more than 150 jobs being added as part of this expansion will pay an average wage well above the median county rate.

“While we had initially intended to locate our state-of-the-art battery materials manufacturing plant at our existing ICL Carondelet campus, we have now selected a more suitable site in north St. Louis,” said Phil Brown, president of the Phosphate Specialties and managing director of North America for ICL Group. “Our expansion into north St. Louis demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the city. While we will continue to be a good neighbor in south St. Louis, at our existing 19-acre campus, we also look forward to bringing positive economic change to north St. Louis with our new facility.”

ICL Group was among the companies visited by Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri delegation during the Trade Mission to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece in November 2022.

“This next phase of ICL’s expansion in St. Louis adds to its already robust presence in the metro,” said Maggie Kost, Chief Business Attraction Officer for Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Its commitment of more than half a billion dollars here, home to its North American headquarters, will not just grow high-quality jobs but expand the depth and breadth of our manufacturing capacities ­­-- and grow key industry sectors in the process.”

HOK Expands Downtown

Global design firm HOK today reinforced its commitment to Downtown St. Louis, signing a lease for a new, larger space in Peabody Plaza in the heart of Downtown. 

“We have contributed to the fabric of Downtown St. Louis since our founding in 1955 and look forward to continuing to do so from our new location,” said Eli Hoisington, co-CEO and design principal for HOK’s St. Louis studio. “Our new home will be a dynamic and creative workplace for our staff and a welcoming hub for our clients and collaborators from around the region.” 

Earlier this year, the firm announced that it planned to keep its St. Louis office and its 170 St. Louis-based staff Downtown once its lease expires in August 2025. The 3,000-square-foot expansion from their current footprint will support the firm’s continued growth.  

“HOK’s expansion adds to the momentum building Downtown,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. Chief Downtown Officer Kurt Weigle. “The transformation of 7th Street is underway, Winterfest will soon bring tens of thousands of people to Downtown’s streets, and the recently launched Downtown public safety ambassador program is bringing a highly visible and expanded public safety presence to the neighborhood. These are all examples of how the business community and the City are working together on several fronts to make Downtown safe, vibrant, and beautiful, and HOK’s commitment to stay and grow Downtown will only strengthen our efforts.”

Empower. Develop. Transform: A Vision for St. Louis’ Future

by Neal Richardson

Empower. Develop. Transform. These three words define the essence of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC).

Since its inception in the 1970s, SLDC has been a driving force for economic growth and community development. As someone who grew up in the Lewis Place neighborhood and worshiped at Antioch Baptist Church in the Ville neighborhood of North St. Louis, I intimately understand the significance of organizations like SLDC in fostering meaningful change.

Under my leadership, SLDC is doubling down on its mission to bridge the socioeconomic gaps that have held St. Louis back for too long. Together with our partners, we are turning vision into action daily through the Economic Justice Action Plan.

Today, November 15, 2024, as we celebrate National Philanthropy Day, I am inspired by the transformative power of collaboration. St. Louis is at a crossroads. Decades of disinvestment and inequities have left scars on our communities, with cycles of poverty and exclusion impacting countless lives. But we stand on the brink of change. At SLDC, we see opportunities where others see challenges. We see the chance to rewrite St. Louis’ story and pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Our HomeSTL Homebuyer Assistance Program is just one example of an innovative initiative that helps build wealth and stability for families. By providing financial assistance to first-time homebuyers, particularly in historically underserved areas, this program has already empowered 27 families with $1.2 million in support, generating nearly $5 million in mortgages. These new homeowners aren’t just purchasing properties; they are building legacies and planting roots that will strengthen our city for generations to come.

Economic empowerment also means creating opportunities for small businesses and contractors, the backbone of our local economy. Through MobilizeSTL, we’ve committed $1.4 million and aim to raise $3.6 million more to provide bridge loans for minority- and women-owned contractors. These funds are essential for navigating funding delays in large-scale projects, ensuring that small businesses thrive while contributing to the growth of our city.

In addition, our ScaleUpSTL loan program is a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs and nonprofits. With partnerships we’re proving that when public, private, and philanthropic entities unite, the results can be transformative.

Philanthropic leaders, such as the St. Louis Community Foundation, other local foundations, anchor institutions, and national funders, are playing an important role in this effort. Together we’re building a multi-faceted initiative to revitalize neighborhoods, increase access to quality jobs, and expand economic opportunity. This collaborative spirit is the heartbeat of our shared vision for a stronger, more equitable St. Louis.

We know that the challenges facing our city are deeply rooted in history. Generations of systemic injustice have left an undeniable mark. But as Sam Cooke once sang, “A Change is Gonna Come.”

That change is already underway. It’s in the determination of new homeowners finding security for their families. It’s in the resilience of small business owners creating jobs in their neighborhoods. And it’s in the partnerships we’ve forged to ensure every resident, regardless of their zip code, has a fair shot at success.

At SLDC, we’re not just planning for the future—we’re building it. Together, we will empower, develop, and transform St. Louis into a place where everyone can thrive. Let this be our call to action: to lead with courage, to invest with purpose, and to dream boldly. The best days for St. Louis are ahead, and we are ready to build.

Reading The Room Gives You An Edge — No Matter Who You're Talking To

What’s the difference between a successful presentation and a not-so-successful one?

People that are skilled public speakers aren’t just good at putting words together. They know how to read a room. That skill doesn’t just make people good at public speaking. It’s helpful in all kinds of situations — whether in a one-on-one meeting, a sales pitch, or a networking event.

If you’re not good at reading the room, you might feel lost in conversations and social events. You might overthink your social interactions (before and after), wondering what they really thought of your idea or why they didn’t laugh at your joke.

Like most communication skills, however, reading the room is something that you can practice and master. Learning to pick up on what isn’t being said can enhance your presentation and communication skills. These tips will help you become a more effective and engaging communicator.

What Does it Mean to Read the Room?

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately picked up on a weird vibe? Or answered the phone and knew, before the other person said anything, that it was going to be bad news?

If so, you’ve got some context for what it means to read the room.

To read the room means to pick up on the subtle, nonverbal cues of a group of people. In practice, you become adept at noticing and responding to microreactions. These might include body language, minute facial expressions, and context clues.

By paying close attention to how people respond to you, you can respond accordingly. Noticing these cues can help you keep your audience engaged in the conversation. This process of adjustment and assessment is a kind of feedback-cycle that enriches the quality of communication.

Why is it Important to Read the Room?

Whether you’re talking to a small group, a huge audience, or just one other person, reading the room is critical. Tuning into their energy and body language can help you have more satisfying and productive conversations.

The ability to notice these cues (and what they say about the thoughts of the people you’re talking to) can be practiced and honed. Reading the room has the following benefits:

1. Improves Communication

Learning to pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal communication means that you get more out of each conversation. 

2. Better Business Outcomes

When you’re able to tell that a conversation is going really well (or really badly), you’re more likely to close deals and win over clients.

3. Establishes Rapport

When people feel heard and respected in a conversation, they like the speaker more. A disconnect between the speaker and the audience creates stagnant, negative energy.

4. Increases Engagement

If a listener feels like you’re tuned in — or like you can read their thoughts — they’ll pay more attention. Increased engagement means that they get more out of the interaction and that the speaker doesn’t have to work as hard to keep their attention.