October 2010
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Presents Candidates’ Forum
The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce will host a forum featuring the three candidates vying for the Third Congressional District Seat. The Candidates’ Forum begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 13 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire. The forum features candidates Stephene Moore (D), Jasmin Talbet (L), Kevin Yoder (R). Each representative will make a brief presentation before taking questions from the audience. This forum is an excellent opportunity for the Lawrence community to hear first-hand from the candidates and better understand their positions on issues important to our community and the state. The forum is free to attend and open to the public. No reservations are required. The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and enhances the economic vitality of Lawrence and Douglas County. The Chamber is the leading advocate on issues that will affect the economic well being of the business community.
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Focus on what is possible not on what is…. When I came to Lawrence in October 2008, I saw a community with tremendous potential. Yes, I had heard about all the challenges the community had faced over the past 10 years but I focused on the community’s positives: it is a great university town; it has a small but diversified industrial base; it has a great vibrant downtown; and it has an untapped world-class research university, to highlight just a few attributes. For the first 18 months or so, I charted a course to maximize and expand those positive attributes. I met with literally hundreds of people from the business community, the university and the community at large. I ignored the preconceived notions of others concerning certain organizations or groups. I met with many groups and individuals who were often labeled as “anti-business” or “antigrowth” and what I found were people and groups that cared deeply about their community and who wanted to ensure its quality of life. I discovered that we agree on about 80% of all issues, and while we are often far apart on the remaining 20%, my philosophy was to focus on areas where we had common shared goals. During that 18 month period, we made some progress. We held a community forum on job creation that was co-sponsored by six different community organizations including the League of Women Voters and was attended by more than 115 citizens. From that forum emerged a road map on how we would focus our economic development efforts. We have dramatically improved our relationship with KU and its various business units in an effort to maximize the economic benefit the community receives from its affiliation with the university. Our relationship with the City and County as economic development partners has never been better and we now work as one group in helping our existing businesses to grow and expand even as we promote Lawrence to outside prospects. Over the past 90 days, I have come to realize that I allowed myself to stop thinking about what is possible and instead simply accept things for what they are. Our community has dealt with several significant issues recently including the Community Improvement District policy, a location for a new Lowe’s and the Berry Plastics warehouse project and I found myself thinking “this is just the way things are here in Lawrence,” rather than thinking about what is possible in Lawrence. I have come to realize that this mind set has huge implications, not just for me, but for the chamber staff, board
Tom Kern President& CEO
of directors and to some extent, the community at large. As I become less enthusiastic and optimistic about the future, so do others around me. So what do I do now that I have come to this realization? For me the answer is quite simple. I choose once again to focus on what is possible and not on what is. The issues facing our community will not change but how I choose to look at them will. In many ways that is a powerful shift. For me Lawrence is a great place and has tremendous potential. I want to help make it the best university community in the country. To me Lawrence has the potential to be: • • • • •
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A partner with Manhattan and Topeka in becoming the Bioscience, Animal Health and Food Safety Corridor of the Great Plains. A community with a strong retail presence and an even more exciting and diverse downtown. A community where there exists an even stronger economic development partnership between the community and KU that benefits all parties. A community with a strong diversified and growing light industrial base. A community that has a talented, diverse and highly trained workforce that meets the needs of not only our emerging hi-tech and bioscience industries but also provides a skilled workforce for our light manufacturing and service industries. A community that has a very diverse and engaged citizenry that cares very passionately about its community but chooses to focus on the areas where there is a common interest.
So it seems I allowed myself to veer from my initial course, but now I am once again squarely focused on the future and what is possible. That is exciting for me and I look forward to talking with each of you about it.
2 Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
N E WS & E V E N TS
October 2010
University of Kansas Office of Admissions to Host Business After Hours October 20 The University of Kansas Office of Admissions is excited to host the October Business After Hours Mixer. You are invited to the KU Visitor Center at 15th & Iowa, from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20. Please feel free to have your high school student attend with you! Admissions Representatives will be available to answer questions about KU including applying for admission and scholarships. A brief program will take place at 6:00 p.m. and optional tours of the residence halls will be available. Please contact Lisa Pinamonti Kress, Director of Admissions, at lpkress@ku.edu or 785.864.5421 if you ever have any questions about KU.
Emprise Bank to Host Business After Hours November 17 Emprise Bank has enjoyed being part of the Lawrence, KS community for nearly 20 years and 2010 marks our 100th year annivesary as a Kansas community bank. Our Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer, kicking off the holiday season has become an annual tradition. Please join us on Wednesday, November 17, from 5-7:00 p.m. at Emprise Bank, 1121 Wakarusa Dr. for drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and mixing and mingling with your fellow Chamber Members. It will be a great way to kick off the holiday season!
Final Member to Member Direct Mail Promotion for 2010 Through the M2M Direct Mail Promotion, Chamber members can advertsie their businesses to a direct audience of over 1,350 potential patrons. The cost is just $100 plus 1,350 of your marketing materials (i.e. flyers, brochures, or business cards), and we will take care of the rest. Please contact Christy Bogner at 785.865.4490 or cbogner@lawrencechamber by 5 p.m., October 15 to participate. Materials are due to the Chamber office by 5 p.m., October 22.
In Lawrence, Kansas
Showcase Mixer
Sponsored by: Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center Wednesday, November 3, 2010 5-7:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center 200 McDonald Drive Chamber Members are invited to rent table space to showcase their products or services to each other during a two-hour mixer. This is a terrific opportunity for our members to share information about their business and encourage evertyone to START HERE in Lawrence when purchasing products or services. Cost for a table is $150. Early Bird tables are available for $125 if payment is received by October 20. Half tables can be rented for $75 (based upon availability) Vendors will have the opportunity to choose their location at the Showcase when they reserve their tabletop on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will be no charge to attend the Business Showcase Mixer and all Chamber members are invited. Reservation and payment deadline is October 27 for non early bird tables. 6 foot tables with linen will be provided. Contact Adam Handshy at 785.865-4427 or ahandshy@lawrencechamber.com for more information or to make your reservation.
3 785.865.4411 • lawrencechamber.com
NE WS & E V ENTS
Program Focuses on Local Business Success by Eileen Hawley, Director of Business Retention & Marketing
A vibrant business community needs both new business and a strong base of existing businesses to succeed. As part of its ongoing efforts to serve the Lawrence business community, the Chamber of Commerce has initiated a dedicated “business retention” program to understand the needs of existing businesses in Lawrence and Douglas County. With studies showing that 40-80% of new jobs in any community are created by existing businesses, it becomes even more important to ensure these businesses remain viable and active in Lawrence. By understanding the issues and opportunities facing local businesses, the Chamber can more effectively advocate for businesses throughout Lawrence and Douglas County. “Our goal is to identify the issues and trends faced by our local businesses and work collaboratively to help them succeed,” said Beth Johnson, vice president of economic development. “Our business retention program will help us develop strategies to ensure the success of our local businesses.” The goals of the program are to: improve relationships and communications between the Chamber and existing businesses; identify recurring problems or issues faced by the business community; find and recommend options for training funds, incentives or state and federal resources; and develop strategies that benefit our local business community. An increased understanding of trends and issues specific to our business community will allow the Chamber to take action and work collaboratively with community leaders to eliminate barriers to success. Information on workforce recruiting, job skills, growth plans and quality of life is gathered during face-to-face meetings. Information gathered during those meetings remains confidential but is used in the aggregate to provide an accurate picture of the strengths and issues of doing business in Lawrence and Douglas County. Quarterly reports on business retention and attraction will present additional data and analysis, but an overview of approximately 30 business visits identifies some common themes on living and working in Lawrence.
Community Strengths and Weaknesses: Lawrence consistently is perceived as having a diverse population with a shared sense of community. Its hike and bike trails, parks and recreational activities are a great benefit to residents and can serve to attract consumers to the city. Recent polls listing Lawrence as a top 10 city in the nation in terms of economic development potential are a positive reinforcement of its diverse business base. Identified weaknesses are few, which is good news for the community. There is some concern that the state of Kansas is not perceived as a desirable place to live and work. Local business owners also express concern about how changing regulations at the local, state and federal level will affect business operations. Workforce Strengths and Weaknesses: Most businesses believe the quality and availability of the local workforce is good, but agree there is a gap in technically skilled workers, including mechanics, machinists and technicians. On a bright note, most employers surveyed expected their workforce either to remain stable or increase slightly over the next year. Business Prospects Going Forward: Businesses remain concerned about the overall state of the economy and how it will affect their growth over the next year. The economy is cited most frequently as a possible impediment to growing a business, followed by concerns about local, state and federal regulations. Most business owners expect any growth they experience to take place locally, rather than on a regional or national level. On-line sales are cited as both a potential growth source for business as well as a competitive threat. The Chamber’s business retention program is another valuable tool that can be used to advocate on behalf of businesses in Lawrence and Douglas County. Working together to resolve issues that affect our local businesses can result in job creation, additional capital investment and continuation of the quality of life our community is known for.
4 Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
October 2010
N E WS & E V E N TS
Competition between communities to attract new business is becoming increasingly intense and our ability to successfully recruit companies to locate or expand in Lawrence and Douglas County requires that we stand out from other cities in our region. A strong partnership with the business community helps ensure our economic development efforts have the resources needed to successfully compete in this increasingly global business environment. Funding from the City, County and private investors allow us to create a sustained program of business attraction and retention that creates job gowth, leads to additional investment, enhances property values and ensures the continued economic vitality of the city. An economically vibrant community provides the jobs that make local residents choose to remain in the area. At the same time, it attracts new residents to the community increasing its diversity and appeal. Investments in economic development enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County, now and in the future. Below are the Top Five Economic Development Objectives for the current economic development program. Top Five Economic Development Objectives • Job Creation & Growth: consider that every $1 spent in job creation translates into many more dollars for the community. The creation of each primary manufacturing job at the average county wage creates an additional 1.9 jobs throughout the city, and each new retail job created results in 1.3 additional jobs. • Workforce Skills & Training: Businesses must be
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competitive to survive. Today’s competitive advantage relies largely on the education and skills of the available workforce. The availability of a skilled labor force ranks among the top five factors companies consider when choosing a location. Workforce training programs help local businesses remain competitive in a global economy and ensure a workforce ready to meet the needs of industry. In recent surveys, 92% of site selection consultants identified skilled labor as a critical factor in the process. Business Friendly Environment: A positive business climate allows elected officials to quickly respond to evolving economic challenges and enhance the city’s ability to be competitive in attracting and retaining businesses. A business friendly environment reflects the city’s needs, addresses its priorities and takes advantage of the opportunities presented by attracting new business including job creation and a diversified tax base. The two items most cited by companies considering a new location are the ability of a city to offer incentives and a transparent and expedited permitting process. Creating Diversified Tax Base: A diversified tax base can help insulate a community and its citizens during tough economic times. The current revenue from tax dollars received in Lawrence is 68% residential and 32% non-residential. Our goal is to increase and diversify the tax base where 60% of tax dollars comes from residential and 40% from non-residential. Ensuring Available Infrastructure: Communities that invest in sound infrastructue - water, sewer, electrical, maintained highways and sidewalks and public safety among others - increase their competitiveness in attracting new businesses to the area. More than 75% of executives cited the availability of land (with existing infrastructure) and buildings as being “very important” in their decision.
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VENTS
10/21
Ribbon Cutting: Sacred Heart Home Healthcare 4:30 p.m., 545 Columbia Dr., Ste. 1002
10/27
New Member Reception 5-7:00 p.m., Castle Tea Room, 1307 Massachusetts St.
11/04
Ribbon Cutting: Express Employment Professionals 4:30 p.m., 1000 Iowa St.
11/17
Business After Hours Holiday Mixer hosted by Emprise Bank, 1121 Wakarusa St. 5-7:00 p.m.
10/11
Voter Education Coalition Forum 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, City Commission Meeting Rm. 6 E. 6th Street
10/13
Election Forum - 3rd District Congressional Seat 7:00 p.m. at Lawrence Arts Center 940 New Hampshire St.
10/19
Ribbon Cutting: Biao Designs 4:30 p.m., 825 Massachusetts, Ste. A
10/20
Business After Hours Holiday Mixer hosted by KU Admissions at the KU Visitors Center, 15th & Iowa, 5-7:00 p.m. Visit www.lawrencechamber.com for up to date event information
5 785.865.4411 • lawrencechamber.com
L E ADE RSHIP NE WS
Fostering The Next Generation of Leaders Now in its 29th year and with more than 650 graduates, Leadership Lawrence welcomed the Class of 2011 in September. These 36 men and women are ready and willing to commit the next year to learning about themselves, their community and leadership principles. Leadership Lawrence is made possible through a productive partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) which provides direction and funding for the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC). The goal of the KLC is to transform civic culture throughout the state by developing leaders with the skills needed to make progress on the challenges of health, education, economic development and the environment.
Leadership Lawrence Class of 2011 Kristopher Amos, Barber Emerson Anne Barker Hall, Pendleton and Sutton Alice Brewer, The World Company Mary Chappell, KU Recreation Services Linda Crabb, Douglas County Visiting Nurses Danelle Dresslar, City of Lawrence Chris English, TCK Trust and Financials Megan Gilliland, City of Lawrence Kurt Goeser, State Farm Insurance Kevin Harrell, Lawrence Public Schools Cindy Hart, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Eileen Hawley, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce James Hicks, Colonial Colony Michelle Jennings, Douglas County Bank Lori Johns, United Way of Douglas County Jeff Jones, Bartlett & West Chris King, Lawrence/Douglas County Fire and Medical Denise Kissinger, Intrust Bank Charlotte Marthaler, Lawrence/Douglas County Health Department Pat McCandless, Stephens Real Estate Brad Minnick, Capitol Concrete Leigh Moore, Landmark National Bank Nathan Oehlert, Capital City Bank Jennifer Phillips, ICL Performance Products Stephanie Rasys, Central National Bank Megan Richardson, First State Bank & Trust Matt Sarna, Lawrence Police Department Adam Sikes, Kansas Athletics Monte Soukup, KU Endowment Loralee Stevens, Johnson County Community College Kate Turner, Express Employment Professionals Ben Wells, Stevens Brand Linda Wheatley, Community Living Opportunities Michael Williams, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Cheryl Wright, Office of the District Attorney Sally Zogry, Health Care Access
About 10 years ago, the KHF and KLC conducted intense “listening” tours throughout the state and determined we were not making progress on the issues that were most important to Kansans. They realized successfully addressing these issues required a new set of skills for community leaders and the ability to engage the ‘unusual’ voices as we work to resolve community issues. As a result of these tours and analysis of the data, KLC developed a new series of leadership training sessions, in which Leadership Lawrence participants are actively engaged. According to the KLC, a profoundly different kind of civic leadership and culture is needed throughout our communities. It further states the ability to make progress on civil challenges requires the ability to collaborate, to lead from personal credibility rather than authority, and focus on the process of engagement rather than issue content. The KLC determined that for Kansas to create truly healthy communities, this style of leadership must be pervasive across the state. Leadership Lawrence actively embraces the concept that engaged and skilled civic leaders can make significant progress on issues important to the community. We should be able to enhance our social capital as communities – that ability to work together across boundaries – and transform our civic culture in ways that support the difficult work of collaborative civic engagement. KLC identifies several core principles in its leadership training sessions: 1. Leadership is an activity, not a position of authority. 2. Distinct differences exist between positional leadership and civic leadership. 3. Leadership requires personal intervention without advanced knowledge of the ultimate outcome. 4. Leadership often is risky or uncomfortable, both personally and professionally. 5. The process of leadership involves loss and casualties that need to be managed effectively. In the end, though leadership is hard work, the absence of leadership is a vacuum no community desires. In the coming months, these Leadership Lesson articles will discuss the four major leadership competencies and accompany skills that form the core of our leadership training.
Andy Tompkins, President/CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents wa the keynot speaker for the Alumni Luncheon on September 23. Dr. Tompkins spoke about “Leading Change”.
Welcome, Class of 2011. We are excited about the future of Leadership Lawrence and the future of Lawrence, Kansas.
“We must be silent before we can listen. We must listen before we can learn. We must learn before we can prepare. We must prepare before we can serve. We must serve before we can lead.” William Arthur Ward
6 Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
John Ross of Laser Logic, was selected as the 2011 Distinguished Alumnus of Leadership Lawrence.
October 2010
NE WS & E V E N TS
2010 Taste of Lawrence Fall Mixer
Guests at this years mixer enjoyed the sound of Menage of Twang compliments of KLWN 1320/LAZOR 105.9/92.9 The BULL
KU Football Pep Rally October 21 A downtown pep rally will run from 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, October 21 in the 1000 block of Mass Street. The KU Pep Band, KU Cheerleader and KU Football Players will join in the activity prior to Saturday’s game with the Aggies. Coach Turner Gill will participate in the pep rally and speak to the crowd. With plenty of food and drink, and the HY-Vee Fun Zone prividing great entertainment for the kids, the pep rally is the perfect venue to show off your Jayhawk Pride.
king r ma o f e ll on every wrence Fa o t u k yo f La s Than 10 Taste o cess. Lewi c 0 y u 2 h s t e e Ca th ug rah e x i M
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NE WS AND E VENTS Think Outside The (Big) Box
by Eileen Hawley, Director of Business Retention & Marketing In business parlance, to think “outside the box” means to look at things from a different perspective, to think creatively without conventional constraints or assumptions about what we ‘know’ to be true. Today, we look at the thinking taking place inside three of Lawrence’s “big box” retailers and, in the process, perhaps challenge what we “know” about each of them. Beyond size, is there a significant difference that sets the Home Depot, Best Buy and Walmart apart from Lawrence’s smaller, historic or family-owned businesses? Combined, these three businesses employ 550 full- and part-time sales associates and managers. Their employees volunteer in the community. They support charitable causes. And they work to meet the needs of the Lawrence community. “We may be a national corporation but we consider ourselves part of this community,” said Bruce Knight, Home Depot manager. “We are a part of Lawrence.” The commitment to be good corporate citizens and reflect the needs of the Lawrence community is consistent for all three businesses and takes many forms. “At Best Buy, we recognize that Lawrence is a musical town,” manager Todd Brees said. “We can get unique music for our customers. It’s a service we can provide, and since Best Buy owns Napster, we have a resource that others may not.” In addition to meeting the buying desires of their customers, understanding the needs of the community also is important for these three businesses. Over the past year, each has given money to local charitable organizations and employees have given their time to make the community better. Scott Matchell, manager of the Iowa Street Walmart, said while the Walmart corporation is big, its philosophy is “about doing what’s right and fitting into the community” where they live and work. “Team Depot,” the employee volunteer group at Home Depot has built fences around a community garden at West Junior High School, provided woodworking safety workshops for Douglas County 4H students and supported the Fall Leaf Farm “halos and heroes” events for children with cancer. “In some areas, we’ve built playground equipment,” Knight said, “and in others we’ve fixed houses for needy families. We have a very active Team Depot here. We can’t do it all, but we try to do what we can.” At Best Buy, sales associates joined the community in planting flowers in downtown Lawrence during the spring. The store made a donation to Van Go Mobil Arts, and its associates support numerous charities including the United Way Day of Caring and Wayne Simien’s Called to Greatness sports ministry. On Sept. 26, Best Buy and Home Depot partnered to host an e-cycle/recycle event so Lawrence residents could safely dispose of computer monitors, laptops, phones, plastic, batteries and other items. “At Walmart, our focus is to keep our resources in the community we serve,” Matchell said. Using a $10,000 budget, the store provides grants to local charities including a battered women’s shelter, Hillcrest, the Boys and Girls club and CASA house. The store also provides matching dollar-for-dollar contributions when employees raise money for a charitable organization.
Walmart employees support a wide range of volunteer activities including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Clinton Lake clean-up, Junior Achievement and youth sports programs. Sales associates held bake sales and auctions raising $22,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and the store provided gift cards to teachers to defray the costs of school supplies. “We are a business,” Matchell said, “but we want to give as much or more back to the community through money or volunteerism.” The two Walmart stores in Lawrence are unique within the company according to Matchell. When Walmart came to Lawrence in the 1980s its store was built to be “green” but technologies were not yet mature enough to be truly effective. Today, the Iowa Street store is the only Walmart in the nation with a recycling center. Matchell points to the company’s sustainability philosophy which encourages green technologies to minimize the effect of a store’s carbon footprint. At Best Buy, Brees focuses on employee development. “We have grown several individuals out of our store, who now lead other stores or have gone to corporate,” Brees said. “We train our sales associates for customer satisfaction and those skills translate into almost any job field. We have a career path for individuals if they have that desire.” Knight began his Home Depot career 12 years ago as a cashier. He worked in the Washington DC and Kansas City area before beginning his current leadership role in April. “This company is very good about providing opportunities for growth,” he said. “Because of the company’s size, there are so many opportunities at Walmart,” Matchell said. “We often say ‘if you have the will, we can teach the skill’ and it’s true.” Career fields at Walmart include sales, logistics, aviation and management. Take a look inside these “big box” stores and you will see a business that reflects the diversity and commitment to the community found throughout Lawrence.
“Meet the Managers” Home Depot Manager Bruce Knight joined the company 12 years ago as a cashier. Has been at the Iowa Street store since February 2010. Store opened: 2003 125 employees, almost evenly split between full- and part-time positions. Best Buy Manager Todd Brees has been at the Iowa Street store for two years Store opened in 2002. 100 employees; about 35 full time and 65 part time. Approximately 10% of sales are routed directly back into the Lawrence economy as wages, rent, taxes and services. Walmart Manager Scott Matchell joined the company 11 years ago Has been at the Iowa Street store for four years. Employs 362 sales associates or managers. 66% are full time and 34% are part time $87 million in sales last year. $6.6 million in salaries Approximately $430,000 in real estate and personal property taxes and city fees or licenses.
8 Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
October 2010
RIBBO N C U T T I N GS
Willow Domestic Violence Center ~ 1920 Moodie Road
Lawrence General Surgery ~ 330 Arkansas, Ste. 202
Mia’s Italian Restaraunt ~ 1540 Wakarusa, Ste. L
AT&T Custom Communications ~ 4821 W. 6th St.
Discovery Furniture ~ 2525 Iowa Street
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M E MB ERS H I P
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October 2010
ELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Advance Auto Part Automobile Parts & Accessories 2535 S. Iowa St. Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785-749-2941 www.advanceautoparts.com Gene Deabler Buffalo Bob’s Smoke House & Dynamite Saloon Restaurants 719 Massachusetts St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-842-7337 Fax: 785-842-4025 Bob Schumm schummfoods@gmail.com Discovery Furniture Furniture - Retail 2525 Iowa St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-856-8444 James Winter jamesw@discoveryfurniture.com Douglas County Dental Clinic Non-Profit 316 Maine St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-312-7770 Fax: 785-312-9447 www.dcdclinic.org Julie Branstrom dcdcdirector@sunflower.com
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is the advocate for economic vitality and job growth in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Douglas County Eckan Center Non-Profit 2518 Ridge Ct., Ste. 104. Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone: 785-841-3357 Fax: 785-856-0671 Dave Burns dburns@eckan.org Hovey & Associates, Inc. Real Estate Appraisers 13809 W. 130th Terrace Olathe, KS 66062 Phone: 785-832-0208 Fax: 913-829-6789 Bill Hovey billhovey@yahoo.com Jim Moore, Financial Advisor – Wells Fargo Investments 1811 Wakarusa Dr., Ste. 103 Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 785-842-7680 Fax: 785-842-7455 www.wfadvisors.com Jim Moore jim.moore@wellsfargoadvisors.com Killingsworth Family Painting, Inc. Painting Contractors 708 Flame Way Baldwin City, KS 66006 Phone: 785-764-6868 Dave Killingsworth kfpainting@mchsi.com Mia’s Italian Restaurant Caterers 1540 Wakarusa, Ste. L. Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 785-856-0606 Rachel Dong dtpk1@att.net Parker Landscape Management Landscape – Contracting & Irrigation 313 E. 8th St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-979-5091 www.parkerlandscapeinc.com David Parker david@parkerlandscape.com
10 Lawrence Kansas Chamber of Commerce • 734 Vermont, Ste. 101 • Lawrence, KS 66044
TIP of the MONTH from our partner KUSBDC
Growth Strategies— Know that you must grow!
As a small business person, it’s really tempting to circle the wagons, protect what you have, and avoid spending the time & energy on growing your company. After all, you’ve survived this long, right? Especially when the economic conditions present challenges to growth, the path of least resistance is attractive. Rather than spend money on growth, could it be better, maybe, to keep chugging along and doing exactly what you’ve been doing? The problem with this strategy is that it is virtually impossible to hold the line on expenses for very long. You have costs that are going up. Some of those costs you might be able to pass along, but it’s difficult to pass along increases in your overhead cost structure...and you should know that you will experience those increases over time. It’s much better for the long-term health of your business to commit to a strategy of slow, steady, consistent growth. You should have a written plan in place to guide your actions on everything from branding to differentiation to marketing, advertising, selling. Remember that this is a great time to gain market share. If you would like some help with stratgic analysis and planning, come see us.
Will Katz Regional Director KU Small Business Development Center 785-843-8844
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ELCOME NEW MEMBERS Tenurgy, LLC Utilities 445 E. Mitchell, Ste 7. Petosksey, MI 49770 Phone: 231-838-3084 Fax: 231-487-9002 www.tenurgy.com John R. Watson frick-h@tenurgy.com
Pieroguys Pierogies, LLC Caterers 307 Main St. Kansas City, KS 64105 Phone: 816-252-1575 www.pieroguys.com Frank Gazella sales@pieroguys.com Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Non-Profit 2350 Petefish Dr. Lawrence, KS 66045 Phone: 785-864-4900 Fax: 785-864-1414 www.doleinstitute.org Barbara W. Ballard bballard@ku.edu
Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital Veterinary Hospital 1825 Wakarusa Dr. Lawrence, KS 66047 Phone: 785-843-5577 Dr. Mark Marks, DVM danawvh@hotmail.com
Rueschhoff Automobiles Automobile Dealers – Used Cars 2441 W. 6th St. Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 785-856-6100 Fax: 785-856-4494 www.rueschhoffautos.com Dave Rueschhoff salessigns@sunflower.com prairiehillsart@aol.com Sacred Heart Home Health Care Home Health Care 545 Columbia Dr., Ste 1002 Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: 785-865-7490 Fax: 785-865-7491 www.sacredhearthomehealthcare.com Kim McMinnville kim@sacredhearthomehealthcare.com Say Cheez Photobooth Entertainment 2231 Vail Way Lawrence, KS 66047 Phone: 785-760-6387 www.saycheezphotobooth.com Bryan O’Connor bo@saycheezphotobooth.com
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STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Past Chair Incoming Chair Treasurer
Matt Hoy, Stevens & Brand Bonnie Lowe, United States Attorney’s Office Cindy Yulich, Emprise Bank Doug Gaumer, INTRUST Bank
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Brown, Berry Plastics Brad Burnside, U.S Bank Co-Vice Chair of Economic Development Terry Campbell, Barber Emerson Co-Vice Chair of Communications/ Operations Sheryle D’Amico, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Dr. Rick Doll, USD 497 Superintendent Shannon Frost, Hallmark Cards, Inc. Bill Fuerst, KU School of Business Co-Vice Chair of Economic Development George Grieb, Lynn Electric, Inc. & Communications Rodger Henry, Lawrence Medical Plaza Tim Herndon, Landplan Engineering Frank Male, Lawrence Landscape Mike McGrew, McGrew Real Estate Jeffrey Morrison, Prairie Asset Management Group
George Paley, Paley Properties/Caspian Group Delbert Philpot, Amarr Garage Door Saralyn Reece Hardy, Spencer Museum of Art Trudy Rice, Rice Enterprises Linda Robinson, KU Center for Research on Learning John Ross, Laser Logic, Inc. Co-Vice Chair of Communications/ Operations Steve Schwada, Meadowbrook Apt. Todd Thompson, Thompson, Ramsdell, & Qualseth, P.A. Allison Vance Moore, Grubb & Ellis|The Winbury Group Vice Chair of Membership Services Debra Vignatelli Konzem, AT&T Vice Chair of Government and Community Affairs Dr. Linda Sue Warner, Haskell Indian Nations University President Keith Yehle, KU Chancellor’s Office
THE LAWRENCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • PH (785) 865-4411 • WWW.LAWRENCECHAMBER.COM
734 Vermont, Suite 101 Lawrence, KS 66044
Tom Kern, President & CEO tkern@lawrencechamber.com Beth Johnson, Vice President of Economic Development bjohnson@lawrencechamber.com Cathy Lewis, IOM Vice President of Membership clewis@lawrencechamber.com Christy Bogner Accountant/Director of Operations cbogner@lawrencechamber.com Sue Hack Executive Director, Leadership Lawrence shack@lawrencechamber.com Hank Booth, Government & Community Affairs Director hbooth@lawrencechamber.com Eileen Hawley, Director of Business Retention & Marketing for Economic Development ehawley@lawrencechamber.com Adam Handshy Project & Program Coordinator ahandshy@lawrencechamber.com Meredithe McCormick Member Sales Executive mereditheandgary@sunflower.com