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Good News Starts Here.
A few good words from the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
November 2009
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Annual Dinner 2009

"Good Fortune Starts Here," in Shawnee.

The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce's Annual Dinner 2009 is around the corner; save the date of Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010. More than 500 guests will enjoy an evening of fine dining and dancing at the Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park, Kan. Both a silent and live auction will spice up the night with an on-going, bid battle.

The premier event will celebrate the many successes of the 2009 Chairman of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors John Miller, Lake Quivira Country Club, and will welcome the 2010 Chairman of the Board.

Annual Dinner Chair Lori Barngrover, LA Graphics, alongside Co Chairs Chris Gorup, Shawnee Mission Ford, and Jody Adams, JRA Baskets, will work together with the event's committee of dedicated volunteers to make sure the evening, Good Fortune Starts Here, is one to remember.

If your business is interested in donating an auction item to either the silent or live auction, please contact the Chamber office, 913.631.6545. To purchase group or individual tickets, contact Mary Taylor, Vice President of Programs and Events, either at the Chamber or by email, mtaylor@shawneekschamber.com.

John Miller Web image
The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors had its annual, planning session Wednesday, October 28. The afternoon "retreat" was ably hosted by the fine folks at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, I-435 and Midland Drive. Following the afternoon session, several of us continued the retreat at the Hereford House next to the hotel. My thanks to the management and staff at both venues for their hospitality and excellent service. Most of the current, Board members attended, and we were joined by four of the incoming directors - Kirk Gutekunst, Dave Herndon, Leon Logan, Kim Pearse - who will join the Board on Jan. 1, 2010.

We began our meeting with a presentation by Joseph "Rosey" Rosenberger, Principal of Process Triage, LLC and a relatively new, Chamber member. Mr. Rosenberger works with clients to analyze and refine business processes to enhance performance. He led our group through a very thought provoking exercise on how to more effectively plan and deliver our services in a way that truly meets the needs and expectations of our members.

The rest of the afternoon centered on a review of the strategic plan we adopted last year, along with updates on new initiatives at the Chamber. The discussion was led by our Chamber management and staff, all of who played a key role. Linda Leeper, Jim Martin, Mary Taylor and Kevin Fern reviewed our progress toward the long-term objectives in the six focus areas we set in the strategic plan, which includes the following:

  1. Economic Development
  2. Member Value
  3. Community
  4. Tourism
  5. Governmental Affairs
  6. Operations | Communications

Stacey Dickson then gave a presentation on the new Websites we have introduced this year for the Chamber, SEDC and CVB, which will debut shortly. The new Websites are part of a more elaborate, communications system the Chamber is launching at the end of the year, enabling new, marketing opportunities for our members; enhanced communication and information sharing between the Chamber and its members; and new, Web-based services such as the ability to make reservations and pay for events online.

Finally, we had a presentation from the twenty- something staff members, Megan Hardwick and Libby Connell, which they titled "Social Media - A New World of Communication." Megan and Libby led us through a spirited discussion on the use of social media as a business-communications tool. Thanks to the enthusiasm (and patience) of Megan and Libby, we all left the meeting more knowledgeable of and motivated to explore the new world of social media.

In closing, I wish all of you could have the opportunity to observe our Chamber management and staff in the way our Board did last week. They are an intelligent, energetic and dedicated team, all working hard to promote the best-possible, business climate and quality of life in our community.

Good Planning Starts Here.
Tim Harmon, President, Harmon Construction, Inc., will be the 2010 Chairman of Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. John Miller, General Manager, Lake Quivira Country Club, will continue to serve on the Executive Committee in the past chairman position. Current treasurer, Jack Wagner, CFO, Shawnee Mission Medical Center, will step up and serve as the 2010 first vice chair. Board director, Steve Hale, Director of Marketing, Brotherhood Bank and Trust, will assume the 2010 treasurer position and also serve on the Executive Committee. Linda Leeper, President and CEO, and Jim Martin, Executive Director, SEDC, complete the 2010 Executive Committee.

With the strength of the Executive Committee leadership, along with the Board directors serving terms through year 2010, renewing terms and the four new directors announced in October's ChamberLine, the Chamber is positioned very well for year 2010 and beyond.
Results from a survey conducted by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce prove the Business Expo 2009 to be a significant success, with 79 percent of the event's exhibitors genuinely satisfied.

More than half of this year's exhibitors were returning exhibitors from previous years. Exhibitors liked the featured, eco area, which set apart businesses encouraging green initiatives through their products, programs and services.

Amongst several, personal testimonials, the amount of exposure and networking opportunities were most beneficial to exhibitors. This year's Expo really was a successful event, with 87 percent of the exhibitors would recommend this annual event to other, Chamber members as well as community businesses.

Once again, thank you to everyone who made this event the type of event it was. The Chamber is looking forward to next year!
Shawnee Tomorrow 2010
Want a behind-the-scenes advantage of Shawnee? Or maybe you would like to better your leadership qualities. Whatever your reason is, you cannot go wrong by participating in the Shawnee Tomorrow Leadership Program 2010. This program is strategically designed to offer the leaders of tomorrow an advantage; being purpose driven to create awareness, appreciation and action in the community.

Each class is comprised of 20 individuals who live and/or work in Shawnee. The program is from january to May, with eight class sessions. Class sessions are full days and scheduled during the week. Participants will be introduced to leaders within each field; on-site visits, small-group discussions, leadership- development strategies and case studies will be utilized. The curriculum is designed to inspire analysis, inquiry and to explore public-policy alternatives of current, community issues. The program's product is an audience of developed individuals assuming leadership roles within the Shawnee community, Johnson County, the state of Kansas and beyond.

Reserve your spot as a participant today by calling the Chamber office, 913.631.6545, or send an email to Mary Taylor, mtaylor@shawneekschamber.com. The application deadline is November 16!!! Follow the link below for an application.
Below is the November schedule of seminars offered by the Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) at Johnson County Community College.

  • November 3 | Understanding Your Financial Statements; Boomer-preneurs: How Baby Boomers Can Start Their Own Businesses
  • November 4 | Maximizing the Internet to Expand Your Business
  • November 5 | Bootstrapping Your Business Workshop; Sales and Use Tax Information for Construction Contractors; Meet the Tax Man: Your Tax Responsibility to the State of Kansas
  • November 10 | FOCUS: Productivity and Time Management for Small Business Owners and Employees
  • November 10 & 12 | Intro to QuickBooks Pro
  • November 12 | Success Right from the Start - Information for anyone starting a business
  • November 16 | Business Book Club
  • November 17 | IRS Small Business Tax Workshop
  • November 19 | CEO Roundtable: Work on your Business, Not in your Business; Implementing Your Strategic Plan

To register for any of these seminars, contact the Continuing Education Registration office, 913.469.2323. Using the CRN numbers listed by the seminar (please click link below to locate CRN numbers), information will facilitate the registration process.

In addition to the seminars, the JCCC KSBDC provides free, confidential, one-on-one consulting to existing and prospective small- business owners in Johnson, Wyandotte and Miami counties in Kansas.

The JCCC KSBDC's team of consultants includes experienced professionals with expertise in the areas of finance, accounting, marketing, strategic planning and general, small-business management. Consultants meet with small-business owners by appointment, and there is no charge for the KSBDC's consulting services.

For additional information about any of the seminars or services, please contact Malinda Bryan-Smith, regional director, or Kay Lampe, training and event coordinator, at 913.469.3878, or click the link below to view the Website.
BAYER. IG

Thank you for your Platinum, Investors-Guild support and dedication!
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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