A Journey Toward Excellence

story by Jill Dutton | photography by Kevin Anderson

When the Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1946, Shawnee residents numbered about 800; the Chamber comprised 46 members. Nearly 75 years later, the population has grown to more than 66,000 with about 650 Chamber member businesses and 1,400 member representatives. visit us online at shawneepizza.com

Shawnee businesses look to the Chamber for opportunities for for updated hours and carry-out options networking, education, business growth, and connections with the local community. shawnee lenexa The Chamber’s Purpose 6000 Roger Dr. 19617 W. 101st

A chamber of commerce is a local association created and designed Shawnee, KS 66203 Lenexa, KS 66220 to promote and protect the interests of the business community. The 913-631-5716 913-254-1234 Shawnee Chamber extends that focus through a variety of partnerships designed to facilitate community advocacy.

“Chambers—and they do serve different roles in different communities—but primarily, we are the advocate for the businesses in our community. ... We are and continue to be the connector and convener and advocator for our business community and for the community as a whole. So, we are able to provide the service of being a community champion, a business champion that government and other offices [are unable to] really fulfill,” says Chamber president Ann Smith-Tate.

The Chamber’s government affairs program advocates for and communicates the community’s and business leaders’ needs to elected officials. By hosting panel-style events, the Chamber offers the opportunity for members to ask questions and review a variety of issues with those officials. Smith-Tate and Visit Shawnee executive director Kevin Fern have both participated in committees and working groups for the City of Shawnee government’s strategic plan.

The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce fulfills these roles through a mix of products, services, and events. A large part of the programming focuses on educational programs, business openings, annual dinners, Preschool • All Day Child CarePreschool • All Day Child Care and awards ceremonies, among other events. Certified Teachers • 12 months to KindergartenCertified Teachers • 12 months to Kindergarten

While events are standard fare at any chamber, Dustin Wolfe, director of marketing events, says part of what distinguishes the Little Learners Early Childhood Center offers children the Little Learners Early Childhood Center offers children the Shawnee Chamber is its range of programs and events. The Chamber opportunity to explore, create, and imagine while they develop opportunity to explore, create, and imagine while they develop routinely hosts more than 100 events each year; and, while the current academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. pandemic has reduced that number, Wolfe says they continue to host These opportunities take place in a safe, nurturing environment These opportunities take place in a safe, nurturing environment ribbon cuttings, AM Connects, Young Professional programing, as under the guidance of a highly qualified, caring teaching staff.under the guidance of a highly qualified, caring teaching staff. well as a number of webinars. “We hear a lot from members that our events and programs are at a level above what others are offering.” Located just 15 minutes east of Eudora along the K-10 Corridor.Located just 15 minutes east of Eudora along the K-10 Corridor.

The ribbon cuttings offer a way for Chamber members to support the rest of the local business community, he says. “Our AM Connect Call 913-254-1818 to enroll.Call 913-254-1818 to enroll. www.kslittlelearners.comwww.kslittlelearners.com

is another example, as those morning coffee events rotate locations around Shawnee allowing for our member businesses to connect with each other and our community.”

The Young Professional programs are open to anyone in the Shawnee area who is between 20 and 40 years of age. The Chamber hosts educational and networking events for this demographic, similar to what the organization does for its membership.

The Chamber often surveys members about the events as way of checking how the Chamber is performing. Wolfe says, “In those surveys, we have received countless responses letting us know that the Shawnee Chamber is one of, if not the most, welcoming and friendly chambers in Johnson County.” He says that is likely why the Chamber has a larger membership base compared to other cities of the same size.

Housed in one location, the Shawnee Chamber Corp. includes three divisions: the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, Shawnee Economic Development, and Visit Shawnee.

“One thing you don’t find in every chamber, is that we also have our economic development and tourism divisions as part of the Chamber. That allows us to serve as one organization that’s fully cohesive in promoting business, tourism, and economic growth for our community, and connecting businesses with the divisions that can help serve their purposes,” Wolfe says.

Wolfe says there are opportunities at several levels for member involvement.

“We promote new businesses, we help established businesses, offer free networking opportunities, plus coffees, luncheons, and large galas. Then there are fully educational programs like our Shawnee Tomorrow Leadership Program that has graduated 350 students through the program who have gone on to become elected officials and leaders in the community,” Wolfe says.

Wolfe says joining the Chamber is a good way to invest in the community. Members can also get a lot in return from the variety of offerings that the Chamber has as an organization.

All of this is part of the Chamber’s community commitment to make Shawnee succeed.

“Our organization is unique in that … (it) is the only one that exists to really propel Shawnee forward—to make Shawnee a friendly community to do business in, to be welcoming to visitors and tourists,” Wolfe says.

Through the years the Chamber has received accolades for its commitment to community. In 2008, 2013, and 2020, the Chamber received Five-Star Accreditation, one of the highest honors bestowed by the United States Chamber of Commerce.

—Dustin Wolfe

Celebrating 75 Years

To celebrate the 75th anniversary in 2021, the Chamber will hold a Covid-19-safe and friendly outdoor celebration with a 1940s theme of Diamonds Are Forever to complement its 1946 origination. Citizen of the Year will be announced at the event. A website has been created to keep members and the community updated on the celebration (www. shawnee-ks.org/75th anniversary).

Moving Forward

In addition to educational and business programming for its members, the Shawnee Chamber is committed to community advocacy as well. Smith-Tate says, “We are working with multiple community partners to identify training resources for individuals in the community, working with companies to identify what those needs are, and then going out, working with community colleges, pastoring services, and workforce partnerships. So that is something that we hadn’t done a lot of previously.

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Congratulations on 75 years! We have been members since 2001. The Chamber has been a great avenue for networking with the community and growing the club’s membership.

“We’re looking at how we bridge that gap, connecting our education system with the business community, working to attract those [who] are entering in businesses in and around Shawnee to promote Shawnee as a great place to live, to work. And we’re also, on the flip side, trying to make sure that [the community is] delivering on that promise. That includes working to create things that are uniquely Shawnee—that’s what’s behind the emphasis on the downtown Shawnee area. People are looking for unique restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, whatever that experience is that they want—people more and more are drawn to that local experience—so what is it that is uniquely ours?

“And we continue to strive towards identifying, creating, and putting our shoulder behind how we figure out how to promote that local aspect, and make it attractive to the workforce of the next generation,” she says.

SHAWNEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 15100 W. 67TH ST., SUITE 202 SHAWNEE, KS 66217-9344 (913) 631-6545 WWW.SHAWNEEKSCHAMBER.COM

Calkins Electric Supply Co., Inc., www.CalkinsElectric.com

For me, the two biggest benefits of being a member of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce are networking and knowledge. Getting together with other Chamber members for ribbon cuttings and other networking events makes it easy for me to connect with other business owners and residents while expanding my knowledge of the local business climate. I have always considered the members and directors my friends. And they have always been the heart and soul of this community, with a primary objective of making Shawnee a great place to not only own a business, but the best place to live, work, and play. Our company, Calkins Electric Supply, which was established in 1957 by my grandfather, Carl Calkins, has been a member of the Chamber for more than 70 years. And I’m looking forward to joining the Chamber again with a new Shawnee business, the Aztec Theater in downtown Shawnee.

Kiene Dental Group, www.KieneDental.com

I would say that the benefit of being a Shawnee Chamber member is the unique opportunity that the Chamber brings to the community. I have never seen a Chamber so devoted to growing the businesses within the community and helping businesses and people network through a common platform. Kiene Dental has been a member of the Chamber since I bought the practice in 2017, and [I] will continue to be devoted to actively participating in community events, Chamber meetings, and using the Chamber to find ways to give back to the Shawnee community.