Lead with Purpose & Impact
Dear Shawnee Chamber Members,
It is with great pleasure that I get to share this year's winners of the Shawnee Business Awards. Click the links to watch a video on each award recipient.
Expansion Award: McAnany Construction
Congratulations to each of the winners, and thank you for exemplifying excellence in our business community.
As we enter the holiday season, I encourage each of us to consider how we can support the organizations that strengthen the fabric of our community year-round. Organizations such as Shawnee Community Services and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas are doing vital work supporting our neighbors during this time of year and beyond. Whether through monetary donations, volunteer hours, or in-kind contributions, your business can make a tangible difference.
The Chamber is also leading by example through our Annual Dinner Auction. I invite you to contribute items to our Amazon Wish List to support this important fundraiser. Every item donated helps us invest back into programs that benefit our entire business community.
Celebrate Connection & Community
As business leaders, we know that relationships are our greatest asset. This quarter offers exceptional opportunities to strengthen those bonds:
- Chamber's Jingle Mingle Holiday Party – Join us for an evening of celebration, networking, and holiday cheer. This is where business relationships deepen and new partnerships are born.
- Annual Dinner 2026 – The theme has been announced for our next Annual Dinner – Lanterns and Luck. In this event, we’ll honor our community's achievements and set our sights on the year ahead.
Support Local This Holiday Season
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and I urge you to check out Visit Shawnee's Gift Guide, coming soon, a collection of local businesses offering gift cards. We invest in our neighbors' dreams, support local jobs, and keep dollars circulating in our community when we buy local. Promote this resource to your customers, employees, and networks.
Lead with Purpose in Q4
As you navigate year-end planning, budget finalization, and holiday staffing challenges, remember that your leadership extends beyond your business walls. Consider these opportunities:
- How can your business partner with local nonprofits during this season of giving?
- Are you positioned to capture holiday shopping traffic while promoting other local businesses?
- What legacy do you want your business to leave in Shawnee as we close out 2025?
Thank you for your continued commitment to making Shawnee a vibrant place to live, work, and do business. Let's finish 2025 strong.
With gratitude and anticipation for all we'll accomplish,
Don Chew, 2025 Board Chair