March - Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce

Topeka
VOLUME 49, No. 3, MARCH 2014
A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER TOPEKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Nominations Open for
Small Business Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2014 Small Business Awards that will be presented by the Greater
Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka in mid-May. Local businesses and a non-profit agency
will be recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Shawnee County
community.
Awards will be presented for the following categories:
•
•
•
•
Capital City Business of Distinction
Minority & Women Business of Distinction
Non-profit Award of Distinction
Emerging Entrepreneur Award of Distinction
Nomination forms are available online at www.TopekaChamber.org. Deadline for nominations is
Friday, March 14, 2014, 4:30 p.m. Forms can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:
Entrepreneurial & Minority Business Development
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka
120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110
Topeka, KS 66603
The Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon will be Tuesday, May 13, 2014. You can purchase
tickets online at www.TopekaChamber.org or by calling Mary Ann Anderson at 785.231.6000.
news
CHAMBER
Chamber Lunch Connect
The first Chamber
Lunch Connect
event for 2014
will be Tuesday,
April 8 from 11:45
a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at
Aboud’s, 2127 SW
Westport Drive.
Please make your reservations
early as seating is limited to 30
for this event!
Brad Aboud is looking forward
to treating attendees to
smoked gouda corn chowder,
harvest chicken salad, cottage
cheese, dill muffins, dessert
and beverage. Your $15 price
includes lunch, tax and tip.
Come and meet fellow Chamber
members you may not know
in a friendly environment
that encourages conversation,
connections and fun!
RSVP at:
www.TopekaChamber.org.
PIE & POLITICS
The next Pie & Politics of 2014
will be March 7, in the Topeka
Chamber board room.
Senator Vicki Schmidt and
Representative Ron Highland
will discuss Education
Legislation: Impact on Your
Business.
Belinda and Sam Gonzales and Megan Kirkwood,
NuSound and her husband Trevor attended the
February 18 Business After Hours event at Topeka
Regional Airport, hosted by Metropolitan Topeka
Airport Authority.
Megan Green, Kelli Cutter and Lana Burgess all of Se2
attended the February 25 Fast Forward Social hosted by
Advisors Excel. Attendance was the highest to date, as many
wanted to check out the firms’ new office space located at
2950 SW McClure Road.
CHAMBER OFFICERS
Neil Dobler
Chairman of the Board
Brent Boles
Chairman of the Board-Elect
Jim Ogle
Treasurer
Coleen Jennison
Immediate Past Chairman
Douglas S. Kinsinger
President & CEO
COUNCIL VICE CHAIRMEN
Curtis Sneden
Government Relations
Allan Towle
Development/GO Topeka
Paul Bossert
Leadership
Karla Clem
Marketing
CHAMBER
news
Date Set for State of the
Community
The Chamber’s annual State of the Community Luncheon will be Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from
noon-1:30 p.m. at the Sunflower Ballroom/Maner Conference Center at the Topeka Capitol Plaza
Hotel.
This is the fourth year the Chamber has hosted the State of the Community event, focusing on
what is in store during the year for our city and county governments.
Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast and County Commission Chair Bob Archer will present their wrap-up of
2013 and their vision for 2014 for their respective governmental units. Invitations will be mailed in
late March. Tickets will be $40 for members and $45 for non-members.
For information contact Marsha Sheahan at 785.234.2644 or [email protected]. You can
also purchase tickets online at www.topekachamber.org.
Randy Goldsmith
Membership
CHAMBER
Staff Profile
Strathman Sales hosted the February Fast Forward
Insiders Series. Attendees toured the new facility located
at 4235 SW Burlingame Road.
Andrea Bailey
Executive Assistant
2 years with the Chamber/GO Topeka
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Topeka Home Show ribbon cutting
ceremonies were February 28 to kick off
the weekend event at the Expocentre
Exhibition Hall. This event is in it’s 52nd
year with 180 vendors and attracts 10,000 visitors
annually.
Has been married to her husband
and best friend Chris for 14 years
Oldest of 48 grandchildren
Loves dirt track racing
Has 10 nieces and nephews that
she loves to spoil
Enjoys fishing and camping
She and her husband take at least
one spontaneous vacation a year….
pack up and go!
She LOVES to organize the office
supply closet.
2
The Kansas Contractors
Association has moved
into new office and meeting
space in the former US Bank building at 800 SW Jackson.
Bob Totten, executive director, and his staff and board
members hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies February 11.
St. Francis Health held a
ribbon cutting ceremony
February 25 for the grand
opening of their new Family Medicine and ReadyCare
clinic, located at Brewster Place, 1101 SW 29th St. Hours
will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Walk-ins welcome.
TopekaChamber.org
COMMUNITY
news
Coming Soon: Big Changes
Downtown
Redevelopment is coming to Downtown Topeka this spring! You’ll want to come downtown
for all your regular meetings as well as to SEE THE PROGRESS and SUPPORT THE DOWNTOWN
MERCHANTS during construction.
Watch for more news on the downtown front at the newly designed and launched Downtown
Topeka Inc. website: www.downtowntopekainc.com.
You’ll also be able to go from the Downtown Topeka site to a Kansas Avenue Project site that
will have all the current news and pictures as work progresses in the downtown area.
OK, so you say, WHERE WILL I PARK? To make it easy, there are new parking options for you:
The City Parking Division is providing “2 HOURS FREE” vouchers to the downtown shopping and dining merchants for clients wishing to park
in the Crosby Place Garage (8th and Kansas) and 9th Street Garage (215 SE 9th behind BNSF) Monday through Friday. If you exceed the 2 hours,
you’ll be charged only for the remaining time you were parked. Parking is FREE in the City owned Parking Garages on Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to
Sunday at 1:00 a.m.
If you have questions, contact the City Parking Section at 785.368.3916.
Designs for the redeveloped downtown were shared with downtown supporters and merchants at an open house February 26. Edie Smith with Downtown Topeka, Inc. said
people were excited about seeing the designs and are ready to “get started!”
March 2014
3
BUSINESS
notations
Would you like to tell your Chamber colleagues about your expansions, new locations, awards and honors, or new products
and services? Sorry, personnel changes or announcements are not included. Notation information and your logo should be
e-mailed to Marsha Sheahan at [email protected].
Arrow Stage Lines was recognized by Metro Magazine this
month as a “2014 Innovative Motorcoach Operator.” The
Arrow Stage Lines offices in Topeka are at 2700 NW Button
Road.
Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas held its annual Dare
to Dream event for the KC metro area and Topeka area
at the University of Missouri-Kansas City January 28. YE
students from eight Kansas City metro area high schools
and four Topeka
high schools were
inspired with the
presentations.
Pictured is Topeka
High School student
Mario King enjoying
the interactive
keynote session at
the event.
CITY OF
CHARACTER
Ryan “Mo” Mohwinkle State Farm
Agency office associate Juli Meier-Tinoco
qualified for the Kansas/Missouri Team Member Hall of Fame for 2013. Awarded for excellence in
life insurance sales, Juli was honored February 22, 2014 at the Argosy Casino in Kansas City with
the other qualifiers and 600 of her State Farm peers.
Washburn Institute of Technology held its own National Letter of Intent Signing Day ceremony
February 20. The event, which was a national first among technical institutions, mirrors the
NCAA’s National Signing Day for students who commit to play sports in college. More than
500 high school students were introduced to the
audience by the field of study they were planning
to apply themselves, including auto mechanics,
nursing, diesel mechanics and culinary arts.
The students were seated at the tables, given
Washburn Tech ball caps to put on, then signed
their names on documents indicating they will
be enrolled next fall at the west Topeka campus.
Photos then were taken of each group of students.
TOLERANCE:
Accepting others at different levels of maturity
VALUGUARD
A Sunny Escape
Is Within Reach
™
ValuGuard is Northeast Kansas’ leading
commercial roofing repair, maintenance
and protection service available today.
United connects Topeka to
10 cities in Florida,
23 cities in California,
18 cities in the Caribbean,
and 5 cities in Hawaii.
Book your trip at United.com
PREVENT minor issues from becoming costly ones
PROTECT against dangers like debris buildup
PRESERVE your warranty with certified technicians
PROLONG the life of your roof
PREPARE for future needs
(785) 232-4276 or MidwestCoating.us
Brought to you by the leader in
commercial roofing for over 30
years, Midwest Coating, Inc.
4
Topeka Regional Airport code: FOE
TopekaChamber.org
CHAMBER
news
Topeka Regional and
United Airlines Host
Business After Hours
Over 250 Chamber members and guests attended the Business After Hours event on February
18, hosted by MTAA, Topeka Regional and United Airlines. To help better illustrate that you can
travel to cities other than “just Chicago;”attendees were treated to a “taste of travel.” Foods
were catered to represent a few of the 130 destinations you could choose to travel to from
Topeka Regional. Some of the foods represented Hawaii, Asia, France and Mexico.
Jay Brame (left), United Airlines and Jack Penning
(right), Sixel Consulting delivered the sponsor message.
(Left to right) Juliann Earl, Classic Bean, Chris
Cruz, Smith Audio Visual and Cheryl Chavez,
Country Legends 106.9 enjoyed the Asian
Cuisine.
Brian Haug, WIBW Channels, presented a door
prize, two tickets to Chicago, to Diana Ramirez of
Express Employment Professionals.
YOUR AD HERE.
REACH CHAMBER COLLEAGUES BY ADVERTISING
IN TOPEKA BUSINESS DURING 2014.
Call Marsha Sheahan or Tiffany Hall for details: 785.234.2644.
Jack Penning (right) presented MTAA president &
director of airports Eric Johnson (left) an award for best
inaugural flight cake.
Some Things in Business Need Expertise
A Commercial Real Estate
Transaction is One of Them
Tom Moses, CCIM
Senior Vice President
NAI Martens
Topeka, Kansas
785-232-1602
[email protected]
www.naimartens.com
30 Years Experience
March 2014
5
ECONOMIC t
rends
Topeka MSA* (five counties)
Eco Devo
The business
community
celebrated
multiple
successes in the
Scott Smathers,
last quarter. HF
VP Economic
Rubber Mixing
Development,
Group completed
GOTopeka
a $2 million dollar
investment plus
the hiring of up to 7 new people.
Dynamarine launched its new
model airboat that can reach
speeds of over 100 miles an hour.
Crosswind Petfoods, Inc. held a
job fair to recruit 30 people for their
new location in Topeka/Shawnee
County. GO Topeka is working on
new opportunities and will have
more to share in the near future.
Monthly Economic Indicators for the Topeka Area Economy
Washburn University School of Business Leading Index & Coincidence Index
102
DECEMBER 2013
Coincident Index (Shawnee County)
Leading Index (National, State, County)
100
98
96
94
92
The Washburn University School of Business Leading Index increased 0.1% in December to a preliminary estimate of 96.1 from 96.0
in November (2005 = 100). The index is a composite of national, state and county indicators whose movements often precede changes
in economic growth. The leading index is up 0.3% over the last three months and up 0.8% over the last 6 months.
The Washburn University School of Business Coincident Index, which measures current economic conditions in Shawnee County
decreased 0.4% in December to a preliminary estimate of 98.8 from 99.3 in November (2005 = 100). The index is a composite index
of county non-farm employment and taxable sales. The coincident index is up 0.6% over the last six months and down 0.2% from
December 2012.
Estimated Taxable Sales Topeka/Shawnee County
$204,587,470
October 2013
YTD 2013
$ 2,067,468,224
$201,628,661
October 2012
YTD 2012
$2,075,042,437
Source: Kansas Department of Revenue
UTILITY HOOK-UPS
CITY OF TOPEKA
January
2014
January
2013
Residential
51,570
50,815
Commercial
4,129
4,115
55,699
54,930
Topeka Water**
Total
**Includes those within the county who use Topeka water.
January
2014
January
2013
Residential
68,880
69,016
Commercial
8,230
8,225
51
46
77,161
77,287
Westar Energy*
Industrial
Total
*Includes those within the Topeka city limits.
Construction Permit Information
City of Topeka
New Single Family Residential Permits
New Multi-Family Residential Permits
Value, New Residential Units
New Commercial Units
Value, New Commercial Units
New Commercial Alterations
Value, Commercial Alterations
Construction Permit Information
Unincorporated Shawnee County
New Residential Permits
Value, New Residential Units
New Commercial Buildings
Value, New Commercial Buildings
New Commercial Alterations
Value, Commercial Alterations
Civilian Labor Force
Total
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Employment (In Thousands)
Non Farm Wage and Salary
Natural Resources/Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Transportation,
Warehouse, Utilities
Information
Finance Activities
Professional & Business Services
Education & Health Services
Leisure & Hospitality
Other Services
Government
Total
December November
2013
2013
3
15
0
$600,000
1
$900,000
8
$22,809,500
December
2012
82
6
0
0
$2,945,000 $17,382,000
0
23
$0 $12,897,200
3
173
$3,842,896 $63,025,643
December November
2013
2013
9
6
$5,100,000
0
$0
3
$4,720,700
YTD
2013
0
10
$975,000 $17,807,863
3
52
$34,474 $33,760,163
32
474
$8,750,675 $35,833,327
YTD
December
2013
2012
116
4
$1,484,800 $22,222,275
0
2
$0
$700,000
1
15
$10,500 $20,124,745
December 2013
118,507
112,525
5,982
5.00%
YTD
2012
88
YTD
2012
106
$673,800 $20,111,067
9
8
$0 $6,300,500
0
8
$0 $2,706,068
November 2013
118,227
112,518
5,709
4.80%
December 2012
120,016
112,708
7,308
6.10%
December
2013
5.5
7.3
November
2013
5.6
7.3
December
2012
4.8
7.6
18.1
17.9
18.2
1.8
6.9
12.3
17.5
9.1
4.9
26.3
109.7
1.8
6.9
12.3
17.6
9.1
5.0
26.5
110.0
1.6
7.2
11.6
17.7
9.1
4.9
25.7
108.4
*These numbers reflect the five-county MSA. Comparing these figures with 2004 and prior years is not advisable.
6
TopekaChamber.org
GO TOPEKA
news
EMBD Hosted FREE
Tax Seminar for Small
Businesses
On Thursday, February 13, GO Topeka’s Entrepreneurial and Minority
Business Development department hosted a free Small Business tax
seminar. Berberich Trahan & Co.’s Brad Koehn, director and CPA,
and Gary Knoll, senior tax manager and CPA, used the time to give
an overview of what small businesses should know when filing 2013
Small Business Income Taxes, review the changes in the last year and
answer questions.
According to Koehn and Knoll having an understanding of the
types of entities, record keeping and changes in tax law each year is
important when filing your taxes.
By knowing the different types of entities when filing you will have
a better understanding of which forms need to be filed and the
particulars on Social Security, State and Federal withholdings.
Record keeping is very important. The IRS requires that you keep
receipts for 3-7 years especially if they are over $25. Credit card
statements are not sufficient; the actual receipt is also needed and
even a simple excel spreadsheet is adequate in record keeping.
Both Koehn and Knoll recommend you find a CPA that you feel
comfortable with, who you trust to keep you informed, be thorough
and prepare your taxes.
Attendee Brad Noller
said, “I received updates
on corporate tax rates
and state income tax
rates that are vital to
planning and making
important decisions in my
business.”
“A quality seminar put on
by very knowledgeable
subject matter experts,”
said attendee, Diane
Bellquist. “I am hoping
more quality seminars
will be offered as it was
well worth my time.”
THINKING
OF ADDING
EMPLOYEES OR
EXPANDING YOUR
FACILITY?
There may be assistance
available to you in the form
of tax incentives and small
business or employee
on-the-job training
programs!
Call GO Topeka at YOUR
Greater Topeka Chamber of
Commerce for more details –
785.234.2644.
Scott Smathers
Vice President
Economic Development
Jo Feldmann
Vice President
Existing Business
Glenda Washington
Vice President
Entrepreneurial Minority Business
Development
Be watching for additional educational seminars and conferences hosted by EMBD.
HAVE YOU
NOTICED?
You are no longer
receiving monthly
mailings with
invitations to events.
We’re trying to save
There’s a new
community for
Topeka and
Shawnee County
entrepreneurs and
small business owners:
Topeka Entrepreneur.
Join us online so you never
miss out on news, advice
and conversation.
trees and postage
expense. Find events
on our website at
www.TopekaChamber.
org or on page 11 of
this Topeka Business
Newsletter.
March 2014
Facebook: Topeka Entrepreneurs
Twitter: @TopekaEntrprnr
LinkedIn: Topeka Entrepreneurs
7
MEMBER
pr of i le
The Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority is the sole mass transportation carrier in the Topeka
metropolitan area and operates within the Topeka city limits. The Metro runs Monday through
Saturday during daytime hours, providing twelve fixed routes and two daily specials as well as a Paratransit (Lift) service. All vehicles
in their fleet, including the fixed route buses, are ADA accessible and are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps, which can be used
by any passenger.
What is something interesting about Topeka Metropolitan Transit
Authority that Chamber members may not know?
Topeka Metro just celebrated its 40th birthday! Topeka Metro was created
in 1973 by a vote of the city residents and began transit operations in July of
that year.
What’s new for 2014?
New fareboxes were just installed on all of our fixed route buses in February.
We believe these new “smart” fareboxes will be a great benefit for our
riders by allowing more flexiblability in the types of fare media we offer. A
tremendous benefit to the agency will be the ability to collect information
about where and when our riders are boarding. This data allows for more
informed decisions when we start looking at route restructuring. We were
lagging significantly with technology and with the addition of our new
fareboxes we’ll be able to transition into smart cards and phone applications.
Topeka Metro is so excited to offer “Kids Ride Free!” again this summer.
Last year, Topeka Metro provided over 45,000 rides to kids, a 75% increase
over the previous summer. Families all over Topeka depend on Topeka
Metro to get kids to summer school, work, Grandma’s and to summer fun
destinations. Transit is a safe and reliable way to get around town. Riding
transit is a life skill that Topeka kids should learn and feel comfortable with
before they venture away from home.
Topeka Metro is also looking forward to providing better shelter amenities
for our riders this year. The last time Topeka Metro added any significant
number was twenty-five years ago. Look for sixteen new shelters to be added
this spring on the green routes and nineteen new shelters on the yellow
routes this fall. Providing shelter from weather elements is critical to our
riders waiting for the bus and is why many don’t ride the bus.
This coming fall Topeka Metro hopes to have started a bike-share project
which will provide Topekans a service in which bicycles are available for
shared use on a very short term basis. Bike-share has seen explosive, global
growth recently with over 600 bike-sharing programs around the world.
Many bike-share systems offer subscriptions that make the first 30–45
minutes of use very inexpensive, encouraging their use as transportation.
We believe Topeka is ready for such a program and that it will complement
what is going on with the new Topeka Bikeways Master Plan.
How would a revitalized downtown affect Topeka Metro?
We believe the Metro would be an integral part of GETTING people to a
revitalized downtown. Why bother with finding parking when you can
simply take the Metro? We also have a beautiful bus transfer station at the
corner of SE 9th and Quincy Street very close to the heart of downtown.
8
What is the biggest misperception about public transportation?
The biggest misperception is that riding the bus is for “those people, not
me.” The bus is for all of us. When I ride the bus, what strikes me most is the
little community that forms between the regular riders. Riders exchange
conversation and pleasantries with each other and everyone is so helpful to
each other. It is also so easy to ride the bus. I challenge folks who have never
ridden to try it just for a day or a week and determine if transit might be an
alternate form of transportation for you or your family. Operators and our
customer service staff are extremely supportive in insuring you board the
right bus. We provide over 1,200 rides daily. Try us out at the First Friday Art
Walk and leave the car behind!
How can our business community help support Topeka Metro/public
transportation?
We would like to transport YOUR employees to and from work. I encourage
businesses to contact Topeka Metro and discover how you as the employer
can purchase deeply discounted passes for your employees as a real benefit.
The passes are fully tax deductible and are not included as gross income for
employees. Studies show that employees who ride transit are more likely
to arrive to work on time. Again, I challenge you to hop on a bus and take a
ride; you might be surprised how much you enjoy it.
Operating hours are Monday- Friday: 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.;
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Route information can be found
on the website at www.topekametro.org. Updates are posted
on the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/TopekaMetro
and on Twitter @TopekaMetro. Customer Service Specialists are
available to assist passengers during operating hours by calling
785.783.7000.
Susan Duffy, executive
director said, “ Our
Vision is to be known as
a transportation solution
provider and explore and
implement transportation
opportunities that
enhance the social,
economic and
environmental wellbeing of the Greater
Topeka community. It is
our Mission to provide
safe, reliable, courteous
and efficient public
transportation service
to all residents of the
Topeka community. Our
Values are to operate in
an ethical manner within
the framework of all
regulatory and budgetary
constraints while always
maintaining a focus on
our customers.”
TopekaChamber.org
MEMBERSHIP news
Please join the Chamber staff in welcoming these firms and organizations to Chamber membership and support them by buying from your
Chamber colleagues! The following members joined or reinvested in January 2014 and were approved for membership at the February 2014 Board
of Directors meeting.
New Members
(From January 2014)
AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning
Heating and air conditioning service, repair
Art Stone, Owner
1301 S Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612
785.338.4955
Sold by: Selena McNaul, Chamber Staff
Allied Paint
Paint
Leslie Noller
2818 SW Gage Boulevard
Topeka, KS 66614
785.272.5644
Sold by: Phil Tysinger
Feel Good Nutrition Club
Nurtition, health
Cacy Klumpp, Owner
3627 SE 29th Street, Suite 111
Topeka, KS 66605
785.608.6104
Sold by: Selena McNaul, Chamber Staff
HHB BBQ, LLC
Restaurant, cater
Kim Moege
720 S Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603
785.249.3359
Sold by: Jay Loschke, Equity Bank; Selena
McNaul, Chamber staff (Fast Forward Co-op)
Alden Hickman - Legal Shield
Legal Services
Alden Hickman, Independent associate
4039 SW Stonybrook Drive
Topeka, KS 66610
785.478.1111
Sold by: Adrianne Evans, Chamber staff
Jensen Communications
Public Relations
Brendan Jensen, Owner
1275 SW Jewell Avenue
Topeka, KS 66604
785.274.9887
Sold by: Selena McNaul; Jennifer Owen,
Chamber Staff (Fast Forward Co-op)
Kansas Army National Guard
Military
James Hubbard, Marketing NCO
1223 SW Wanamker Road, Suite 110
Topeka, KS 66604
785.274.1097
Sold by: Selena McNaul, Chamber Staff
True North Consulting, LLC
Search firm/staffing
Deb North
4314 NW Valencia Road
Silver Lake, KS 66539
913.256.6598
Sold by: Adrianne Evans, Chamber staff
Corrections from
Prior Issues of
Topeka Business
New Members
Appelhanz Roofing, Inc.
Roofing contractor
Matt Appelhanz, President
7521 NW Nickell Road
Topeka, KS 66618
785.246.0006
Sold by: Nathan Morris, Meridian
Roofing Solutions
Creative Senior Solutions
Insurance and annuities
Thad Wellshear
6607 SW Hamptonshire
Topeka, KS 66614
Sold by: Rise Quinn, Chamber staff
Topeka Youth Project
Youth development agency
Georgianna Wong
2901 SW Burlingame Road
Topeka, KS 66611
785.273.4141
Sold by: Rise Quinn, Chamber staff
Reinstatements
Event Management Solutions
On the Border
Welcome to
New Assignees
(In January 2014)
Jessica Beeson
University of Kansas-College of Liberal Arts &
Business
Eileen Caspers
Topeka Public Schools, USD 501
Jay Deans
Briggs KIA
Bridget Debus
Kansas Gas Service, a Division of ONE Gas Inc.
Michael Hammersmith
Sunflower Bank
Tim Harrington
Cartridge King of Kansas
Jacque McCormick
Kansas Gas Service, a Division of ONE Gas Inc.
Jerry Ney
Aldersgate Village
Adam Reber
Orange Leaf
Karen Rivera
Johnson Storage & Moving
Gonzalo Sanchez
Pepe & Chela’s
Mike Scott
AT&T Kansas
Sarah Solomon
Houck Transit Advertising
Luke Thompson
Topeka Networking Council
Jesse Thorson
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Jay Tunnell
Sunflower Bank
Ivan Weichert
Topeka Home Builders Association
Sherry White
Thornton Place Retirement Community
March 2014
9
MEMBERSHIP news
Thanks to those Chamber member firms and organizations that renewed their commitment to
the growth and development of the Greater Topeka community through Chamber membership
during January 2014.
Reinvestments
(From January 2014)
Absolute Design by Brenda
Aldersgate Village
Annie’s Place
Aquarian Design
B A Designs, L.L.C.
Breathe Oxygen & Medical Supply
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
Classic Bean - Fairlawn Plaza
Clayton Financial Services, Inc.
Community Bank
Compensated Work Therapy/Supported
Employment
Cornerstone Construction
Country Inn & Suites
Cowabunga Safaris
David’s Jewelers
Dog Day Afternoon
Famous Dave’s BBQ
Foulston Siefkin LLP
Frito-Lay, Inc.
Gaches, Braden and Associates
Gardner Floor Covering
Helping Hands Humane Society
Hyatt Place
Ice & Olives
ICI Manufacturing
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local Union #304
Brian Ismert - Northwestern Mutual
jones huyett partners
Kansas Children’s Discovery Center Inc.
Kansas First News KTKA KSNT Fox 43
Kansas Gas Service-A Division of ONE Gas Inc.
Kansas Masonic Foundation, Inc.
Kansas Powertrain & Equipment
Kansas Turnpike Authority
Maggie Kelley
Kelly Services, Inc.
Luminous Neon, Inc.
Macfee Refinishing Inc.
Madison Government Affairs
Maximus Fitness & Wellness/Woodvalley Racquet
& Fitness Center
Meyer’s Wines & Spirits
Mize Houser & Company P.A.
Network Technologies of Kansas
Newman, Riffel & Hesse, PA
Maynard Oliverius
OneAmerica Securities Inc.
P1 Group, Inc.
Picture This!
Professional Fire Alarm Systems Inc.
Quizno’s
Ramada West
Red Robin
Residential Leasing & Management Services, LP
Doug Richert Pontiac Cadillac
Shawnee Heights USD 450
Shawnee Lawn & Landscape
Silver Lake Bank
Sovanski Photography
10
Stubbs Development Co, LLC
Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans
Ed Swift
Topeka Harley-Davidson
Topeka Public Schools, USD 501
City of Topeka
Townsite Cafe’/Peachtree Catering
Underground Vaults & Storage - Topeka
University of Kansas - College of Liberal Arts
& Sciences
Vintage Vibe
Wal Mart #2131
Walt’s Auto Service Plus, Inc.
Wellness Information Network
WIBW AM/FM
Wild Horse Saloon
Zimmerman & Zimmerman PA
Reinstatements
(From January 2014)
Dog Day Afternoon
Ramada West
WANT
TO GET
INVOLVED
IN YOUR
CHAMBER?
Chamber standing
committees are always
looking for new volunteers…
join us!
Ambassadors
•Meets monthly for lunch,
first Friday
•Assist with Ribbon Cuttings,
Groundbreakings and
Community Events
•Be the PR “face” of the
Chamber at Chamber events!
•Ambassadors wear the Red
Jackets at Chamber events.
Call Marsha Sheahan if
interested in joining this
committee.
Diplomats
•Meets bi-weekly for lunch,
second and fourth Mondays
•Assists with membership
retention by delivering new
member packets, visiting
current members and
calling on members whose
investments may have lapsed.
Call Adrianne Evans if
interested in joining this
committee.
Be an active participant in
YOUR Chamber!
785.234.2644
TopekaChamber.org
CHAMBER
event
s
Register online @ www.TopekaChamber.org
Other Important Dates
You are encouraged to make reservations and pay for these events
on the Chamber’s Website at www.TopekaChamber.org.
(See “Register Now” in the center of the home page.)
Chamber Power Breakfast
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
Aldersgate Village
7220 SW Asbury Drive
Fast Forward Networking Social
Thursday, March 20, 2014
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Uncle Bo’s Blues Bar
420 SE Sixth Avenue
Business After Hours
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
VisionBank
3031 SW Wanamaker Road
Chamber Lunch Connect
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Aboud’s Catering
2127 SW Westport Drive
$15
March
6 Fast Forward Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m., CBR
7 GO Topeka Board, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m., CBR
7 Ambassadors, Noon-1:00 p.m., CBR
10 Diplomats, Noon-1 p.m., CBR CANCELLED
14 Leadership Greater Topeka Session #3
21 Chamber Board, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m., CBR
24 Diplomats, noon-1 p.m., CBR
26 Fast Forward Inspire Dinner Service, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Topeka Rescue Mission,
600 N Kansas Avenue
28 Leadership Greater Topeka Session #4
Business After Hours
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Kansas Expocentre- sponsored
by the Kansas Koyotes
One Expocentre Drive
State of the Community
Luncheon
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
noon-1:30 p.m.
Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel,
Maner Conference Center
Sunflower Ballroom
1717 SW Topeka Boulevard
Chamber member- $40
General Admission- $45
Fast Forward Networking Social
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Topeka Landscape
3220 SW Auburn Road
April
4 GO Topeka Board, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m., CBR
4 Ambassadors, Noon-1:00 p.m., CBR
10 Fast Forward Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Location TBA
11 Leadership Greater Topeka Session #5
14 Diplomats, Noon-1 p.m., CBR
18 Chamber Board, 7:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m., CBR
23 Fast Forward Inspire Dinner Service, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Topeka Rescue Mission,
600 N Kansas Avenue
25 Leadership Greater Topeka Session #6
28 Diplomats, noon-1:00 p.m., CBR
*events are free to Chamber Membership unless otherwise noted
CBR: Chamber Board Room, 2nd floor ECR: Executive Conference Room 1st floor
Register at www.TopekaChamber.org
If mailing or faxing please check each event you would like to register for and fill in your information below.
Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Firm ____________________________________________________________Phone________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________ Zip_________________
_____ Check enclosed
_____ Please invoice me
_____ Bill my credit card:
Visa / MasterCard / Discover / Amer. Express (CID#__ __ __ __)
Number_____________________________________________ Exp. Date_____________
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce • 120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110, Topeka, KS 66603-3515 • 785.234.2644 • fax 785.234.8656
PIE
&
POLITICS
A Program of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
March 2014
Education Legislation:
Impact on Your Business
guest speakers are Senator Vicki Schmidt
and Representative Ron Highland
Friday, March 7, 2014
3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Chamber Board Room
Register at www.TopekaChamber.org
11
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3515
Periodical postage paid at Topeka, Kansas
Topeka Business
Topeka Business (USPS 576520)
is published monthly for
$10.00 per year for members
of the Greater Topeka Chamber
of Commerce, 120 SE Sixth Avenue,
Suite 110, Topeka, Kansas 66603-3515,
785.234.2644. Periodical postage is paid
at Topeka, Kansas.
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
Topeka Business
120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3515
Editor: Marsha Sheahan
Interesting Tidbits
a’s 2013
k
e
6%
average
p
To
GET CONNECTED
g
vin
Sponsored By:
Cost of Li
2014 Legislative
Update
ge
An
nual Avera
>
The 35th
Annual
St. Pats
Parade
begins at noon on
Saturday, March 15
downtown. Don’t miss
the bed races, fun run,
music, family events
and more! Check out
TopekaStPats.com
for more details.
Chamber
Ambassadors
assisted with:
71 Ribbon Cuttings
32 Chamber events
9 Community events
3 Groundbreakings
in 2013
Are you up-to-date with Legislative News?
Add your email to the distribution list by emailing
[email protected] and request that
your name be added.
www.TopekaChamber.org