The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC)’s Women Connect team invites the community to its fall signature event, Courageous Leadership: Living a Life of Influence, featuring motivational speaker, author, and longtime Kansas City Chiefs mascot Dan Meers.

This inspiring afternoon, presented by Chevron, will feature a powerful message of courage, leadership, resilience, and the impact one person can have on those around them.

For 35 years, Meers brought energy, laughter, and plenty of personality to Chiefs Kingdom as KC Wolf — but behind the costume is a remarkable story of resilience. On November 23, 2013, while practicing a bungee jump and zip line stunt at Arrowhead Stadium, Meers came within inches of losing his life. What was supposed to be the thrill of a lifetime quickly turned into a life-changing accident when the stunt went wrong and Meers fell 75 feet into the stadium seats below.

Miraculously, he survived. Meers spent nine days in the hospital and faced a long road to recovery. Today, he uses that experience to help audiences think differently about leadership, adversity, and what it means to live a life of influence. During Courageous Leadership: Living a Life of Influence, Meers will share the lessons he learned through recovery and how some of life’s hardest moments can shape the way we lead, serve, and connect with others.

“Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t only about a title or position — it’s about how we respond when life doesn’t go according to plan and the influence we have on the people around us,” said Rianne Kuhn, Women Connect Committee Chair. “His message is inspiring, and we’re thrilled that he’ll be sharing it with the Minot community.”

Mark your calendars for October 6, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Minot State University’s Aleshire Theater in Hartnett Hall, 500 University Avenue West. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. Early bird tickets are $30 for MACEDC member investors, $40 for non-members, and $20 for active-duty military members. After October 1, ticket prices increase to $40 for member investors, $50 for non-members, and $30 for active-duty military members.

While this event is hosted by Women Connect, everyone is invited to attend, not just women. Bring your colleagues, leadership team, clients, or friends for an afternoon designed to encourage and inspire. Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register early at minotchamberedc.com or call 701-852-6000 with questions.