Leawood Chamber of Commerce Member Memo — November 30, 2007

Upcoming events and news from around the Leawood area.

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Leawood Chamber Events

2007 Annual Meeting-The Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Dec. 4, 2007, 11:30am at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, 66211
Cost: $45 for members, $55 for non-members.

Featuring keynote speaker Dave Kiersznowski, CEO of DEMDACO, Inc. DEMDACO (www.demdaco.com) has quietly become one of the area's fastest growing, entrepreneurial companies, and is ranked as one of the leading companies in high quality home accessories.

Now headquartered in Leawood, DEMDACO was founded in 1997. DEMDACO's mission is "to create beautiful gifts and décor that lift the spirit and enhance the home." Perhaps their best-known product line is the "Willow Tree" hand-carved sculptures.

DEMDACO was recognized in 2005 as one of Kansas City's "Best places to Work." Kiersznowski states "The Company aims to foster an environment where employees know the concepts of success and integrity aren't mutually exclusive". DEMDACO has been very successful in recruiting and retaining talented artists that help the company grow and expand their product line. DEMDACO provides an employee-friendly environment that supports creativity. Annette Glary, HR director, was recently quoted stating "He (Dave) recognizes that people have lives outside of work. He doesn't just say it. He lives it and delivers it."

You won't want to miss the inspiring story of this innovative Leawood based employer. This 2 hour event is open to the public, and provides a way for the Chamber to connect area business and community leaders.

Event Host Sponsors:

Commerce Bank - M & I Bank
Shawnee Mission Medical Center -Sprint - Town & Country Bank

Chamber Education Program

Dec. 5, 2007, 8:00am at KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall Room 163, 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park, 66213 — Register Online
Cost: There is no cost to attend this event; however, reservations are required.

Effective data analysis and presentation are at a premium in today?s world of evidence-driven management.

Dr. Justin Marlowe, Assistant Professor, KU Department of Public Administration, will share with participants the strategies for effectively analyzing and presenting data in meaningful ways to a variety of audiences.

The reservation deadline for this event is Monday, December 3rd by 5:00 p.m., so make sure you reserve your spot today!

Xiphium Salon Ribbon Cutting

Dec. 6, 2007, 4:00pm at Xiphium Salon, (Mission Farms), 10589 Mission Road, Leawood, 66206

Come join us as we welcome Xiphium Salon as a new member of the Leawood Chamber and help kick off their Grand Opening celebration.

The ribbon will be cut at 4:00 pm and the Grand Opening celebration will begin at 5:00 pm. There will be special demos, including hand massages, special pricing for Aveda products, and a give away!

Leawood Community Events

CHRISTMAS CRUSTACEANS!

Nov. 30, 2007 at Solace House, 8012 State Line Rd., Suite 202, Leawood, 66208
Contact: Elizabeth Deutsch – elizabeth@solacehouse.org 913-341-0318 x355
Cost: $20 per 1.25lb Lobster or 2 for $36 Weblink: http://www.solacehouse.org

Back by popular demand...Chirstmas Cristaceans from Solace House!  We have lobsters waiting for you. Order your live lobsters now for the holidays and support Solace House.

Only $20.00 each or 2 for $36.00. Bring a cooler or freeze bag to pick up your live lobsters on December 22nd at Solace House.

Please contact Elizabeth Deutsch, elizabeth@solacehouse.org or
913-341-0318 x355 to order.

Come & Enjoy Live Folk & Holiday Music!

Nov. 30, 2007, 7:30pm at ARTichokes, 10557 Mission Road, Leawood,
Cost: FREE Weblink: http://www.artichokeskc.com

Come and enjoy free live music this Friday, November 30th from 7:30 - 8:30 pm, at ARTichokes!

Featuring:

DTR (Down the Road)

Playing Folk & Holiday Tunes

Kansas Brass Quintet Comes to KU Edwards

Nov. 30, 2007, 7:00pm at KU Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park,
Cost: FREE; No Tickets Required Weblink: http://edwardscampus.ku.edu

The Lied Center of Kansas presents the Kansas Brass Quintet.

Concert begins at 7 pm with a reception at 6:30 pm in Regnier Hall auditorium.

Bring the family and enjoy stunning arrangements of holiday favorites along with seasonal favorites from around the world.

In addition, for these special events KU Edwards Campus is  teaming up with Temporary Lodging for Children. Please bring a new item for a child in the shelter home program. The program serves youth ages 11-18 who have been abused, neglected or are experiencing some kind of family disruption. Suggested items: gift certificates, underwear, socks, pajama pants, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts, slippers, mittens, scarves, hats, body spray/lotions, belts, earrings, puzzles, board games and cards.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Dec. 1, 2007, 7:00am at Paint, Glaze & Fire, 127th & Metcalf, Overland Park, 66213
Contact: Debbie Wright – paintglazefire@aol.com 913-661-2529
Cost: NO Studio Fee ALL Day Long - Does not include the price of ceramic pieces. Weblink: http://paintglazeandfire.com/s/static/index.htm

Join us on Saturday, December 1 for our Holiday Open House. Everyone will receive a free ornament or dreidel magnet to paint, AND there is NO Studio Fee ALL Day Long!

Santa will be stopping by for a visit from 2 to 5 PM. Be sure to bring your camera for a wonderful photo opportunity!!

Ihloff Salon Holiday Open House

Dec. 2, 2007, 1:00pm at Ihloff Salon, 4860 W. 135th St., Leawood, 66224
Contact: Cassandra Standefer – cassandra@ihloffspa.com 913-378-0750
Cost: Free!

Please come enjoy a mint chocolatini and snacks with Ihloff Salon.

Complimentary Stylist Consultation and you will receive a discount if you book an appointment that day. Discounts also on Aveda Products when you purchase three or more gift sets! Inner Peace is the Gift at Ihloff Salon this Holiday Season.

International Marketing

Dec. 5, 2007, 8:00am at Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, 9001 W. 110th Street, Overland Park, 66210
Cost: This event is free, but seating is limited and on a first-come first-served basis. Registration deadline is December 3rd.

Come and learn from Kansas companies that have been successful in marketing their engineering/architectural and software services to international customers.

There will be informative presentations about the best marketing approaches and strategies for service-based businesses including information about the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. The USTDA funds various forms of technical assistance, provides early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of modern infrastructure.

In addition, you will learn how to obtain resources on how to do business with the various multinational banks that work to accelerate growth and social development in targeted regions around the world.

The event is co-sponsored by the Kansas Department of Commerce, Trade Development Division and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

For more information, you may contact Nathalie Scharf at the Kansas Department of Commerce at(913) 345-8072 or Regina Heise at the U.S. Department of Commerce at (816) 421-1932.

Santa is Stopping at Town & Country Bank!

Dec. 6, 2007, 5:30pm at Town & Country Bank, 4707 W. 135th Street, Leawood, 66224
Contact: Leslie Garven – lgarven@town-countrybank.com 913-239-0239

Santa will be making a stop at Town & Country Bank, so don't miss this photo opportunity.

Pictures will be taken by A Kiss Portrait Studio and there is a cost per sheet.  For more information call 913-239-0239.

News & Announcements

Borders Business Partner Appreciation Week

Borders Books & Music wants to honor you and your employees during Business Partner Appreciation Week: November 29th through December 5th. Go to http://www.bordersmedia.com/partners to acess the savings coupon!

You and your employees will receive a discount off the list price on your entire purchase of books, music, movies and more. A great time to do your holiday shopping!

Leawood Chamber Membership Renewals for October 2007

Be sure to consider these 25 businesses when you are shopping for goods and services.

You can learn more about these businesses by following the provided links, or go to http://www.leawoodchamber.org/member_directory.cfm
for a complete listing of Leawood Chamber member businesses and their contact information.

360kc http://www.360kc.com/
A.B. May http://www.abmay.com/
Almar Printing, Inc. http://www.almarprinting.com/
Alternative Risk Services, LLC http://www.arskc.com/
Bank of Blue Valley http://www.bankbv.com/
Boan & Coneally, CPA's, P.A. http://www.bandccpa.com/
City of Leawood http://www.leawood.org/
Clawson Benefit Concepts h ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

What's New at Leawood Fine Art

Leawood Fine Art is pleased to announce thier new, exciting web site. Please visit www.leawoodfineartgallery.com and view their new changes.

They will add new art and information weekly with interesting ideas on art, framing, and interior design. Call 913-338-4999 if you have any questions.

Put Your Company on the KC Life Science Map!

The Kansas City Area Life Science Institute, KCSourceLink, the Kansas Bioscience Authority, and KansasBio are supporting a research effort at Virginia Tech and would like to encourage life science entrepreneurs and executives to complete an online survey. 

Kansas City’s life science economy is vibrant and entrepreneurial and they want to capture these dynamics by creating a visual history of the life science companies located in this region.

The survey data will visualize entrepreneurial origins of companies. If you want to put your firm on the map, please take a few minutes and answer the online survey at this link: KC Life Sciences Survey.

The group wants to capture the genealogy of the following types of firms located in the Greater Kansas City region: