Leawood Chamber of Commerce Member Memo — January 18, 2008

Upcoming events and news from around the Leawood area.

(Sponsor the member memo – Reach nearly 1000 Leawood Chamber members and guests with your message each week.)

Leawood Chamber Events

After Hours Networking

Jan. 23, 2008, 5:00pm at The Mission Bank, 13501 Aberdeen, (135th & Chadwick), Leawood, 66224 — Register Online
Cost: There is no additional cost for Leawood Chamber Members to attend this event. There may be a nominal charge for guests to attend.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to attend the first Leawood Chamber After Hours Event in 2008, hosted by The Mission Bank!

Leawood Chamber members, their guests, and 'future' Chamber members are invited to participate in some great Leawood Chamber networking. The registration deadline for this event is Monday, January 21st by 5:00 pm, so make your reservation today!

2008 Legislative Breakfast Series

Jan. 26, 2008, 7:30am at Ritz Charles Overland Park, 9000 West 137th Street, Overland Park,

The Leawood Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Public Policy Council sponsor the Legislative Breakfast Series to enhance the communication and exchange of information between the business community and the Johnson County state legislative delegation. Legislators will be on hand to discuss issues and offer the most current legislative updates. All meetings are at the Ritz Charles Overland Park, 9000 West 137th Street. Casual attire is requested. Breakfast is served promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Speaking: Senators Nick Jordan and David Wysong
Representatives Ronnie Metsker, Cindy Neighbor, and Arlen Siegfreid

The Legislative Breakfast Series is a prepaid event. Reservations must be made in advance. The reservation deadline is the Wednesday preceding each breakfast.
$20 - Single breakfast for Chamber members
$25 - Single breakfast for non-members
$85 - Discount package price for Chamber members for all five breakfasts ($15 savings)

Call 913-491-3600 for reservations and additional information.
You may also download and submit the following reservation form:

www.leawoodchamber.org/Downloadable%20files/2008LegislativeBreakfastSeries.pdf

Dates and speakers are subject to change.

Leawood Community Events

Small Business Innovative Research Grant Workshop

Jan. 24, 2008, 3:00pm at ECJC Conference Center, 8527 Bluejacket St., Lenexa, 66214
Contact: Jayne Vehlewald – jvehlewald@ecjc.com 913-438-2282
Cost: For pricing information, call 913-438-2282 Weblink: http://www.ecjc.com

The U.S. Government provides over $2 billion annually to hundreds of small, high-tech firms through the SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) and STTR (Small Business Tech Transfer and Research) programs. These programs are aimed at the development of early-stage, high-risk, high-payoff technologies in areas such as life sciences, information technology, manufacturing, defense, and homeland security. More than 1000 solicitations from various federal agencies are currently open, with proposals due between now and December 2008.

In this workshop learn more about these federal grant funding opportunities and how to apply for them.

Presented by Mr. Suman Saripalli, an SBIR/STTR program specialist with 13+ years of SBIR experience.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Jan. 28, 2008, 6:00pm at The Lodge at Ironwoods Park, 14701 Mission Road, Leawood,
Cost: For pricing information, call 913-339-6700 x 252.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Mayor Peggy Dunn, the Leawood City Council, and the Leawood Sister City Committee.

Attendees will enjoy a Dim Sum Buffet and entertainment throughout the evening. A cash bar will be available.

The reservation deadline is January 16th. Call 913-339-6700 x 252 for more information.

Annual Kansas Day Lecture

Jan. 29, 2008, 7:00pm at Leawood City Hall, 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood, 66211
Contact: April Bishop – aprilb@leawood.org 913-339-6700 x157
Cost: Free Weblink: http://leawood.org

Marleen Katz will present a first person account of Ester Brown, the Johnson county resident who raised funds for the historic case of Brown v. Board of Education. Judge Jon R. Brown will assist.

Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm and the program will begin at 7:00 pm.

News & Announcements

Idiots' Open Golf Tournament to Benefit Kansas City Hospice

For golfers who can’t wait until spring, the fifth annual Idiots’ Open benefiting Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care is the way to get a golf fix.

The tournament is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008, at Smiley’s Golf Complex, 10195 Monticello Ter., at K-7 and K-10 highways in Lenexa, Kansas. A pre-tournament contest starts at 8 a.m. with the opportunity to win a cash prize.

The tournament goes on no matter what the weather brings—it’s all in the hospice spirit of making the most of every day. The funds raised from this event will help provide care and support to seriously ill patients and their families. Funds raised cover costs incurred by patients who are unable to pay and services not customarily reimbursable by insurance.

Registration fees include nine holes of golf with the option to finish the other nine holes after the tournament, brightly colored golf balls, a hot lunch and coffee. The event also includes silent and live auctions. To register or for more information about the tournament, registration fees and additional sponsorship opportunities, call Vicki Rancilio at Kansas City Hospic ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

What's the secret ingredient to success?

You are a fantastic small business owner!

You've got a great product that people need. You know how to deliver the product, you know the industry, you know how to help people solve problems - ultimately you deliver value.

You've been to training, maybe you're certified, you know your product or service inside and out. If anything you get distracted by all of the great things you could do!

You've honed and focused your marketing message. You have a clearly defined target market, you have a vision, you have a plan on how to reach that market and you are tracking your activity and results.

However...
If you're a typical small business owner, you're probably not making as much money as you'd like. You don't have nearly enough clients / customers. You're working a lot of hours. You have a lot of stress, worrying about how you're going to break through.

You might even be carrying around some desperation - I really need this job / client / sale or I'm not going to make my numbers, my payroll, my rent.

What can you do?
There are a lot of possible w ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

Bukaty Companies Starts Payroll & HR Consulting Division

Bukaty Companies, one of Kansas City’s largest privately owned employee benefit and insurance brokerage companies, has launched a new payroll and human resources consulting division.

Bukaty Companies Business & People Management Services division was created in an effort to provide comprehensive benefits, human resource management, payroll, and insurance services to clients through a single source. The division has a full-time staff of five, lead by Shirley Lind, SPHR, CEBS, who has worked in various consulting and senior management positions in the Kansas City area for the past 25 years.

“We created a division able to service a multitude of critical business and human resource needs for our clients," said Bukaty Companies President Mike Bukaty. “Our payroll and human resource consulting services, coupled with our tradition of benefit, retirement planning, property and casualty and administrative services, allows us to offer a turnkey solution.

“Our clients have come to appreciate our commitment to service,” added Bukaty. “We launched our Business & People Management Services division, in large part, ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

Prevention Plus 2008 Education Series

Many of us are THINKING about exercising and eating right but just not sure how to go about it. If that sounds like you, plan on attending the 2008 Prevention Plus lecture series.

On Friday, February 1st, there will be a Health Education Dinner seminar titled “What Every Doctor Should Tell Their Patients” featuring Michael Ewald, D.C. Attendees will learn the power of nutrition and disease prevention and lower your risk of heart disease and degenerative illnesses.

The event will start at 6:00 pm (Doors open at 5:45) at the Ritz Charles, 9000 West 137th Street in Overland Park. The reservation deadline for this event is January 26. For more information on the event or to RSVP, contact Hildy Ann McElvain at hildy@kc.rr.com or call 913-685-0828. Vegan plates will be available, so please specify with RSVP.

Member Profile

Swim Quik

Swim Quik originated in Downtown Overland Park more than 30 years ago as a family-owned business to outfit the competitive swimmer. The business is currently run by Gary Bietka, President, and Kelly Bietka, Marketing Coordinator/Merchandise Buyer.

Swim Quik offers the latest styles and highest quality in women’s, men’s and children’s swimwear. Since the company first opened, Swim Quik has expanded its fashion lines to include up and coming designers and unique brands from around the world. Their selection includes designer brands such as Red Carter, Le Doux, Seafolly of Australia, Sunflair and Aqua de Coco. They also carry must have accessories such as sandals, goggles, beach towels, hats, etc. year-round.

Whether you are heading out for a much deserved tropical vacation, a honeymoon, or even a family pool party, the retailer’s trained staff will work one-on-one with customers to find a suit that flatters their figure, whether they just had a baby, have a larger bust size, or just need an opinion on colors or styles. Swim Quik has something for everyone!

Swim Quik continues to stock gear for recreational and competitive s ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for complete profile)

Leawood Chamber of Commerce
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway #240, Leawood, KS 66211
Web: www.leawoodchamber.org
Email: chamber@leawoodchamber.org
Voice: 913-498-1514 Fax: 913-491-0134

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