Leawood Chamber of Commerce Member Memo — November 9, 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.

Open to the public, this event 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

— Register Online

Leawood Chiropractic Ribbon Cutting

Nov. 9, 2007, 4:30pm at Leawood Chiropractic, 4835 W. 135th Street, Leawood, 66224

Come join us as we welcome Leawood Chiropractic to the Leawood Chamber and help them kick off the Grand Opening of their location in Leawood.

On Saturday, November 10th, Leawood Chiropracitc will have a Grand Opening celebration.

Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood & Steak Ribbon Cutting

Nov. 12, 2007, 3:00pm at Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood & Steak, 10551 Mission Road, (Mission Farms), Leawood, 66206

Come join us as we welcome Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood & Steak restaurant to the Leawood Chamber and help them kick off the Grand Opening of their location in Leawood.

Leawood Community Events

5th Annual Gift Gallery

Nov. 10, 2007, 9:00am at Cure of Ars School, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, 66206
Contact: Kelly Young – kyoung23@kc.rr.com 913-385-0795
Cost: Admission is $3.

The Gift Gallery is an unique, upscale event sponsored by the Mothers of Young Children organization at Cure of Ars Catholic Church. 35 local artisans come together to sell their beautiful, handcrafted items.

Proceeds from the event is donated to local children's charities. $4500 was donated last year to Camp Tekawitha, Operation Breakthrough, St. Benedict's Special Children Center, and Cure of Ars School combined.

Hillcrest Annual Gala & Auction

Nov. 10, 2007, 7:00pm at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, 66209
Contact: Marilyn Minter – minter@crn.org 816-838-7443
Cost: Contact Marilyn Minter at 816-838-7443 for pricing information. Weblink: http://www.hillcresttransitionalhousing.org

Please be our guest at this exciting dinner and auction event: The 2007 Gala & Auction to benefit Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties.

You can make a significant difference in the lives of homeless families through your involvement in this night of fun, food, and hope. Do not be the one person who misses this big night!

The Silent Auction begins at 7:00 PM, followed by dinner, dessert, and the live auction!

Leadership Day 2007

Nov. 13, 2007, 7:30am at Overland Park Convention Center, (Adjacent to the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel), 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, 66211
Contact: Sue Lee – 877-903-6287
Cost: To register, visit www.ceofocus.com/kc.htm or call 1-877-903-6287. Leawood Chamber Members will receive a special discount for this event!! Weblink: http://www.ceofocus.com/kc.htm

Do you know if your company is at risk?  Find out during a full day of working on your business rather than in it.  Learn from an interactive exchange of ideas with Entrepreneurs who "Have Been There...And Done That!"

Keynote speakers for the event are Mitch Holthus, Kansas City Chiefs Radio Announcer, Dr. Joel Prakken, Chairman of the Macro Economic Advisors, and Dave L. Goebel, CEO and President of Applebee's International, Inc.

Attendees will receive powerful insights into issues affecting business owners.  Break out sessions include:

• Reinventing your Company
• Renewable Energy
• Building Strategic Muscle and Understanding the Subtle Differences between Winning and Losing Strategies
• Utilizing Outside Advisers to Accelerate Business Performance
• Raising Private Equity
• Doing Business with China
• Preparing for a Strategic Buyer
• Lifecycle of an Entrepreneurial Company

For a more detailed schedule of the day's events, view the Event Flier.  Make sure you tell them y ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

Should I Upgrade to Office 2007?

Nov. 14, 2007, 11:45am at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, 66210
Cost: To enroll at no cost, please call registration at 913-469-2323. Register early, seating is limited to 22 people.

The Center for Business and Technology at Johnson County Community College is pleased to introduce its monthly Tech Series Lunch and Learns.  The Tech Series will encompass tech related topics important to businesses and consumers.

November's topic:

Should I Upgrade to Office 2007?
CRN 92952 

As a way of introducing local businesses to our new facilities located at the Regnier Center on the JCCC campus, the Center offers area chamber members free attendance at these seminars.  So come join us for a free lunch, free information, and the opportunity to network with your peers.

Lunch & Learns are located on the 2nd Floor of the Regnier Center. Be sure to check the monitor the day of the seminar for the room location.

News & Announcements

Q&A with Kevin Jeffries

In the October 26th - November 1st edition of the Kansas City Business Journal, Kevin Jeffries, President and CEO of the Leawood Chamber, was featured in the Q&A section.

Kevin was asked a series of questions on the economic development in the Leawood Community.  He discussed how the free market approach to economic development seems to do well in Leawood and the how the Leawood Council favors that method, choosing not to pursue a business recruiting model based on local tax incentives. 

He also discussed a 2008 goal for Leawood Chamber is to reach out within the Leawood community to build better connections between Leawood citizens, the City Council, and Leawood businesses, possibly through community town hall meetings or surveys.

For more information on the article, contact the Kansas City Business Journal at www.kansascity.bizjournals.com or at 816-421-5900.

The 2007 Economic Census is Coming

In December, millions of American businesses, including 11,000 in Johnson County, will receive the 2007 Economic Census forms.  Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernake has called this census "indispensable to understanding America's economy." 

The Census is taken every 5 years and "assures the accuracy of the statistics we rely on for sound economic policy and for successful business planning," said Bernanke.

Leawood Chamber president and CEO, Kevin Jeffries, states, "Data gathered from this Census provides critical information for businesses exploring expansion opportunities throughout the region.  It also provides benchmark data for businesses to measure their progress versus regional norms."

For more information visit the special Web page provided by the US Census Bureau at www.business.census.gov.

Responses are required by law (Title 13, U.S.Code), to be returned by February 12th, 2008. Make sure you watch for your business's form and report in a timely manner!

Blue Valley Recreation Commission Seeking Executive Director

Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC) is the largest recreation commission in the state of Kansas and provides recreation programs and facilities for approximately 105,000 patrons in the Blue Valley School District.  Blue Valley Recreation is seeking applications for an Executive Director.  This position reports to a board of seven Commissioners who are appointed by the Blue Valley School District board of education. 

The Executive Director will organize and direct the employees and programs of the Recreation Commission, and oversee the development, implementation, and administration of Recreation Commission policies and programs.  The Executive Director will also ensure the effective maintenance and operations of recreation facilities, including an outdoor athletic complex and recreational center; coordinate assigned activities with outside agencies and community groups; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Commission.

Qualified applicants must possess the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation Administration, Business/Public Administration ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

Job Posting

CV|Vision, a ground-breaking company producing personal multimedia marketing presentations is seeking Independent Sales Representatives to help grow our client base of professional people with a story to tell and something valuable to promote: themselves!

Our clients include professionals in transition, consultants and proprietors promoting their services, and individuals seeking to expand their networking capability, all via our revolutionary Pure Context© model. The viral nature of CV|Vision enables the client to get his/her message out with unparalleled reach and velocity all over the metro, all over the country or all over the world.

Requirements: Excellent communication skills and previous sales experience. Knowledge and experience in the recruiting industry would be helpful.

Contact: Mark Frankfurt CV|Vision (913) 491-0490
mfrankfurt@cv-vision.com
Web Site: www.cv-vision.com

ALLSTATE AGENCY CELEBRATES 25 YEARS SERVING KANSAS CITY RESIDENTS

The Anab Abdulahi Insurance Agency celebrates an important milestone this week. The Allstate Insurance agency operated by agent Anab Abdulahi celebrates 25 years of serving the metropolitan Kansas City community and the surrounding area – only two other Allstate agencies have operated in the Kansas City metropolitan area for longer.

“My staff and I are thrilled to celebrate this important anniversary," said Abdulahi. "Reaching a milestone such as this is never easy and reflects my team’s commitment to providing Kansas City residents extraordinary customer support. We would like to thank our clients on both sides of the state for the wonderful 25 years of having the privilege to serve them and for the support they have provided  us over the years.”

The agency sells auto, property, Life Insurance, Long term Care, Commercial Insurance and Retirement Plans. In addition, agency staff members offer guidance and counseling about those products, helping customers choose what insurance coverage best meet their needs.

Abdulahi first opened her agency in 1982. The Anab Abdulahi Insurance Agency is located at 500 W 103 S ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

Member Profile

Johnson County Concierge, LLC

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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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