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The new year always comes with anticipation of plans for the new year. Also change comes along with the new year with the transition of the Chairman of the Board leadership role - Jack Wagner, 2011 Chairman, to Steve Hale for the 2012 Chamber year. It really is a process that happens during the month of January - first with the January 1 call to duty, next the official installation of the 2012 Board of Directors and Officers by Commissioner Jim Allen at a special dinner January 17 and then the formal announcement to the membership during our Annual Dinner, January 28.
As you read Steve Hale's article in this month's ChamberLine you will get to know a little about Steve but I have a few more things to share about our new Chairman:
Again, welcome Steve! We're looking forward to working with you in 2012!
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Connection puts money in pocket!
Participating in the same Shawnee Tomorrow class led Randy Braley & Clifton Alexander to numerous business opportunities. As classmates in the Chamber's 2005 leadership program, the two found they had a lot in common. Randy was working in marketing at a design firm and Clifton was a designer, so comparing notes and bouncing ideas off one another was a natural.
"We got along really well from the start," said Clifton Alexander, REACTOR. "We had a lot of similar ideas and concepts about design and marketing. We also seem to have similar personalities."
While it took a few years for any actual business dealings to come about due to their relationship, Clifton did end up landing a large rebranding project that was a direct result of Randy's connections.
"That one job and the relationships I've had from that one client puts the value in the tens of thousands, at least," said Clifton. "That one connection directly led to one really large project, which led to many more projects for our firm, and is still a cornerstone of our portfolio and who we are."
The connection benefited Randy as well. When he left the design company to start his own business as a photographer, Randy asked Clifton to work on his new logo. Clifton was in need of high-end photography of his new offices, so a trade-out was negotiated.
With such complimentary backgrounds, the two have regularly shared contacts, served as references for one another, and sent each other leads. This past Fall the two even worked together on a project. Randy heard about an opportunity to bid on a rebranding project for the Arts Council of Johnson County. He contacted Clifton, along with a few other freelancers, and they put together a proposal and won the business. Their involvement with Shawnee Tomorrow was included in the proposal, focusing on how the class provided a broad understanding of various topics and how that dynamic plays out in the community.
"The feedback we received from the Arts Council was that they liked that we were active in the Chamber and that we had been through a program like Shawnee Tomorrow," said Randy Braley, Randy Braley Photography. "Our involvement in Shawnee Tomorrow was a benefit to a client we pitched, that ultimately ended up putting money in our pockets."
Most recently, they flew to Colorado for the day for a small business retreat they coined the "Elevate Summit." Clifton's lead designer and another small business owner from Kansas City joined them. The four worked on their business plans and served as a mini-advisory committee to each other.
"One of the first people I thought of that would want to do that for his business was Randy," Clifton said. "It was really fun and rejuvenating for everybody."
Both are quick to point out the role the Chamber has played in their connection.
"Even if I haven't seen Randy in a year, I'll see him at the Shawnee Tomorrow kickoff event, so the events have always allowed us to reconnect," said Clifton. "The more you see someone the more opportunities there will be." "The Chamber delivered on one of its many promises - connecting people," said Randy. "If it weren't for our involvement in the class, I don't know how else we would have crossed paths."
Do you have a Member Connection to share? Call Stacey Dickson, Director Member Services & Communications, at the Chamber office to tell your story. |
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Volunteers play a key role in completing the work at the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, so it's fitting they were the focus at the December Volunteer Appreciation luncheon held Wednesday, December 14.
Congratulations to the 2011 Chamber Star Awardee, Paul Ridgway, American Family Insurance!
"Paul proves time and again that he truly loves Shawnee," said Mary Taylor, Sr. Vice President, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. "With his business located in Shawnee, he works hard to make the community a better place to do business and is an excellent advocate for the Chamber."
Congratulations to the Ambassador of the Year for 2011, Jean Nelson, Porter Funeral Homes and Crematory.
"We couldn't do our job without our many volunteers and Jean has always gone above and beyond to step up and lend a hand," said Taylor. "Her spirit and positive energy are contagious, and we are fortunate that Jean is so giving of her time."
The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon also honors the many dedicated volunteers who have served the Chamber in 2011. Please read our press release on the luncheon for recognition of Committee Chairs and Division Chairs.
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The Win, Place, Show Total Resource Campaign has drawn to a close and we are happy to report a successful campaign. While not quite reaching our lofty goal, the campaign did result in a 162% increase over last year's campaign!
Additionally, the campaign brought in 29 new members, as well as reached an additional 24 members who did not participate last year in any of the marketing opportunities provided by the Chamber. Several opportunities even sold out, but there are a variety of options still open if you would like to explore how to increase visibility for your business. Just give us a call at the Chamber office, 913.631.6545, and we'll be happy to match you with the right marketing opportunity.
Thank you to the many dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to secure participants for our many marketing opportunities.
Rebecca Bailey, Shawnee Mission Medical Center; Devran Brower, The Halcyon Group; Danielle Browning, KCP&L; JonAnn Cavanaugh, M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group; Mary Foster, Metcalf Bank; Lindsay Gentry, Perceptive Software; Chris Gorup, Shawnee Mission Ford; David Herndon, First State Bank; Michelle Hovick, Mary Kay Cosmetics; Gary Kemske, Shawnee Mission Medical Center; Dawn Kuhn, Bank Midwest; Jackie Leary, Shawnee Mission Medical Center; Pat Lyles, State Farm Insurance; John Miller, Lake Quivira Country Club; Dennis Monahan, Metcalf Bank; Kristin Mudgett, Kristin Mudgett Realtor; Jean Nelson, Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory; Justin Nichols, Lathrop & Gage, L.L.P.; Bryan Rapp, American Family Insurance; Paul Ridgway, American Family Insurance; Ron Rigdon, Commerce Bank; Natalie Stark, Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep; Heidi Thummel, GBA-Architects and Engineers; Dale Warman; Teresa Weems, Harmon Construction, Inc.; John Wills, State Farm Insurance; Donna Zimmerman, Special Olympics Kansas
We'd like to single out the campaign's top producers. Congratulations for winning the trip to Vegas, you hard work is appreciated!
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The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and the leadership steering committee take pride in announcing the Shawnee Tomorrow Leadership class of 2012. The class is comprised of 13 individuals who live and/or work in the Shawnee area.
The following individuals were selected for the 2012 Shawnee Tomorrow Leadership Class:
The 2012 Leadership Steering Committee is chaired by MeLissa Trujillo, CoreFirst Bank and Trust and co-chair, Danielle Browning, KCP&L. Committee members: Rebecca Bailey, Overland Park Regional Medical Center; Dana Blubaugh, Pittsburg State University; Karen Boyd, Johnson County Christmas Bureau; Rob Dinneen, Shawnee Mission Medical Center; Paul Lindstrom, City of Shawnee; Jim Neighbor; Jean Nelson, Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory; Justin Nichols, Lathrop & Gage, L.L. P.; Aaron Ridenour, Capitol Federal Savings; and Mary Taylor, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce.
Shawnee Tomorrow Leadership was founded in 1989 by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. The goal of the program is to create awareness, appreciation and action in the Shawnee community and to develop individuals to assume leadership roles within the Shawnee community, Johnson County and the state of Kansas and beyond.
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Want $50 off new packing materials? How about buy one get $5 off your lunch or dinner? Or $20 off your first dog training purchase? These are just a few of the deals featured on the Chamber's mobile app, Go2Shawnee (and also listed as coupons on the Chamber's website).
If you've already downloaded the mobile app, just select deals to see what members are offering. If you haven't, look for it in your mobile phone's app market or visit http://www.shawneekschamber.com/Go2Shawnee.htm. You can start taking advantage of these deals immediately, and the app features geo-location mapping, sharing a map of where the business is located and directions.
To get your deal listed, simple go to http://www.shop.chambertogo.com/ to sign up for FREE! Over 200 people have downloaded the app so far.
What are you waiting for? Get your business in front of people on the go by posting a deal on Go2Shawnee.
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For those of you that are political junkies, you might be interested in a few upcoming legislative activities. First, the Governmental Affairs Committee has finalized this year's state legislative agenda. The annual agenda supports the needs of the business community in targeted initiatives supporting business interests. View the 2012 State Legislative Agenda, which was approved by the Chamber's Board of Directors in December.
Another activity that begins this month is the Legislative Breakfast Series. The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Public Policy Council sponsor the Legislative Breakfast Series to enhance the communication and exchange of information between the business community and the Johnson County state legislative delegation. Legislators will be on hand to discuss issues and offer the most current legislative updates. All meetings are at the Ritz Charles Overland Park, 9000 West 137th St. Casual attire is requested. Breakfast is served promptly at 7:30 a.m.
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Get connected in person at the January Chamber events. Interested in hosting an event? Call us - we would love to help you set up an event!
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January Shawnee Chamber of Commerce member anniversaries:
1 year - Athena Communications
2 years - Resource Center for Independent Living 3 years - M.B. Services, Inc. & Yancey Insurance Agency 4 years - CoreFirst Bank & Trust & Molin Concrete Products 5 years - Tires Plus 6 years - Leon Logan CPA, P.A. 9 years - The Sweet Life Rosehill 10 years - IT21, Research Concepts, Shawnee Church of the Nazarene, SureWest, The Land Source & The University of Kansas Hospital 11 years - Northwestern Mutual Financial Network & Wal-Mart Supercenter 12 years - Capital Federal Savings Bank, Old Shawnee Days Society & Perceptive Software 13 years - Harold Payne Plastics, L.C. 16 years - Carter Glass Company, Inc. & Kraft Tool Company 17 years - The Sweet Life Shawnee - Memory Care 18 years - John Waters Construction Company, Kenneth R. Cox Co., Inc., LDM, The Peterson Companies & Trailridge Center Assoc. 19 years - Texaco Star Fuel Centers, Inc. 20 years - Greenhalgh Family Dental, Harmon Construction, J.E. Dunn Construction & Shawnee Cycle Plaza 21 years - Classic Catering Corporation 24 years - Lake Quivira Country Club & Your Wellness Connection 32 years - Nallia School of Dance 45 years - Old Shawnee Pizza & Italian Kitchen 50+ - Amos Family Funeral Home & Family Tree Nursery Thank you for your membership investment in the Shawnee Chamber!
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Brotherhood Bank & Trust is a rare breed in today's banking world. They offer all the personal and business services of consolidated, nationwide financial institutions, but with a big difference - the personal touch of a locally-owned, neighborhood bank. Their mission is to provide financial solutions and memorable service experiences which produce fully banked, lifetime customers.
Thank you for your continued Investors Guild support and dedication!
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In good business,
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
email:
info@shawneekschamber.com
phone:
913.631.6545
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