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Good News Starts Here.

A few good words from the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce

Jan | Feb 2009

 

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Events calendar
January Luncheon
February Luncheon
Business After Hours
2009 Investors Guild
Member news
Welcome, new members!
Member promotion
Shawnee Magazine benefit
Thank you for your business

The premiere event

AD logo chamberlineThe premiere event is only three weeks away! Not to worry, there are still individual tickets available for the Annual Dinner; however, sponsorship availability is limited. Act now to assure an enjoyable evening of dining, dancing, bidding on exciting auction items and cocktails! La Fiesta - Shawnee Celebrates is the event you do not want to miss as it will be in recognition of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board's, Phil McAnany, McAnany Construction, Inc., success in year 2008. Please join the Chamber in thanking McAnany for all of his hard work and dedication. Donations for both the live and silent auction are still being accepted and are very much appreciated. For ticket, sponsorship, auction and member information, please contact the Chamber office at 913 | 631| 6545. Do not forget to mark your calendar for January 31, 2009! Come out and celebrate!

 

John Miller Web imageWe begin the New Year in the midst of the worst economic downturn in decades. (How is that for an upbeat start to my first column as Chairman of the Board of Directors?) I am sure all of our members' businesses and organizations are affected to some extent by the downturn; some more than others. The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce has felt the impact as well.

 

Still, as we look forward to the year ahead, there is reason to be optimistic. Through the leadership of both the city and the Chamber, Shawnee is poised for progress. Examples include the recently-completed branding project, and the soon-to-begin development study of the I-435 corridor. There are varying predictions from the economic prognosticators as to when the recession will end and the recovery will begin. We are laying the groundwork now to be ready when the recovery begins.

 

At the December meeting, the Board approved the operating budget for the year 2009. It finished year 2008 shy of its membership goals for the year. Thus, the revenue for the year was short of the original projection. The goals set by the Board for membership growth during year 2008 were optimistic-even in good times-and proved to be out of reach given the weak economy. Thanks to prudent management of operating expenses by Linda Leeper, Chamber president, and the entire Chamber staff, the Board was able to reduce expenses and finish the year with a slightly higher net income than originally projected. For year 2009, the Board has set a cautiously-optimistic budget and target for membership growth and retention. It promises to be a very challenging year, and the Board will have to continue to manage its budget very carefully.

 

The advantages of membership in the Chamber can be even more valuable during tough economic times of today. The investment all of its members is greatly appreciated in order to keep the Chamber strong and vibrant. It is encouraged for Chamber members to promote the benefits of membership to others who have yet to join the team. Together, we really can make a difference.

 

Here is to a healthy, successful year 2009. Good Recovery Starts Here!

 

LeeperChanges and challenges in 2009! As we begin each New Year with excitement and opportunity, 2009 will also bring challenges. As members of the largest business organization in the community, together we can believe in change, help bring back confidence and provide the positive energy for a brighter tomorrow.

 

The biggest change you will see during year 2009 will be the transition to our new community brand. There is so much to share with the research and what we learned about; a summary report will be posted on the Web site in conjunction with the Tuesday, February 10th, State of the City address by Mayor Jeff Meyers at our monthly membership luncheon.

 

With this new issue of the Chamber News, you are seeing one of several ways to present the tree and Shawnee as well as our strap line GoodStartsHere. The Chamber, Economic Development Council and Convention & Visitors Bureau Web sites soon will show off the new look along with new features and values.

 

We are also presenting the new Chamber mission, vision and focus areas 2009-2011, all of which are developed and approved by the Board of Directors during the fall 2008 planning session.

 

Last, but not least, year 2009 brings a very warm welcome to the new Chairman of the Board, John Miller, general manager, Lake Quivira Country Club.

 

Click here to view the community brand, mission, vision and focus areas.

 

Jim Martin Web imageSEDC Executive Committee Tom Langhofer, the Shawnee Economic Development Council (SEDC) representative from Rodrock Development, was elected to serve as 2009 Chairman of the organization. Beth Holtwick, with HarenLaughlin Construction, was selected to serve in the position of Vice Chairman. The 2009 SEDC Executive Committee will consist of the following persons: Chairman, Tom Langhofer, Rodrock Development; Vice Chairman, Beth Holtwick, HarenLaughlin Construction; Past Chairman, Jim Andrews, Miller-Stauch Construction Co., Mayor, Jeff Meyers, City of Shawnee; City Manager, Carol Gonzales, City of Shawnee; SCC Chairman of the Board of Directors, John Miller, Lake Quivira Country Club; SCC Vice Chairman, Tim Harmon, Harmon Construction, Inc.; at-large appointees, Rob Curtis, First American Title, Mike Graft, George Butler Associates, Inc., Mark Myer, Metcalf Bank, Ralph Varnum, CCIM, Varnum/Armstrong/Deeter, LLC, Tom Zarda, Zarda-Rieke Development Corp.

 

Kansas Commerce Secretary David Kerr addressed the SEDC membership at its November meeting. He covered a wide range of topics in his comments, but many of our members expressed an interest in the numerous impressive state rankings Kansas has achieved in recent months. Among these:

 

· Kansas was named a Top-10 Pro-Business State by Pollina Corporate Real Estate.

 

· Site Selection magazine rated Kansas among the 10 Most Competitive States, from a business cost and tax fairness perspective

 

· Kansas was the recipient of the Silver Shovel Award, given by Area Development magazine, which the top rated award among state's with a population under three million persons.

 

· CNBC America rated Kansas among the Top States for Business, with our state ranking 11th in an overall score, eighth in transportation and cost of living, and 11th in workforce quality.

 

· Business Facilities magazine ranked Kansas as a top-10 state in bio-technology, fifth for funding of bioscience research, and fourth in state bioscience investment.

 

For many more interesting facts about Kansas and its business environment, visit www.thinkbigks.com.

 

The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Public Policy Council (JCPPC) sponsor the 2009 Legislative Breakfast Series. This is a great opportunity for business members to have the opportunity to participate in an exchange with the Johnson County state legislative delegation. The series of five, 7:30 a.m. Saturday breakfast panel presentations will provide you with the most current legislative updates by the invited speakers.

 

You may register to attend all five for a discount rate of $85.00, or you may select the individual breakfast you would like to attend for $20.00 per Chamber member.

Click to register

 

The 2009 Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Kevin Tubbesing of Stag Commercial, compiled the 2009 State Platform and submited it the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for approval on December 17, 2008.

View the 2009 State Legislative Agenda and full committee

 

SMMC

Thank you for your continued, Investors Guild sponsorship!

Visit Shawnee Mission Medical Center

 

BAYER. IG

Thank you for your continued, platinum level, Investors Guild sponsorship!

Visit Bayer HealthCare

 

 

CALL TODAY TO RESERVE ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORSHIP TABLES AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS. THE PREMIERE EVENT WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!

In good business,

 

Shawnee Chamber of Commerce

 

phone: 913 | 631 | 6545

 

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Shawnee Chamber of Commerce | 15100 W. 67th St., Suite 202 | Shawnee | KS | 66217-9344