Leawood Chamber of Commerce Member Memo — December 22, 2006

Upcoming events and news from around the Leawood area.

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Leawood Chamber Events

Mayor's State of the City Address

Jan. 16, 2007, 11:30am at The Lodge at Ironwoods Park, 147th and Mission Road, Leawood,
Contact: Chamber Office – chamber@leawoodchamber.org (913) 498-1514
Cost: $28 for members, $30 for non-members. Prepayment is required.

Don't miss the chance to hear Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn address accomplishments, issues and concerns facing our Leawood community. Join your neighbors and members of the Leawood Chamber of Commerce as we present the Mayor's State of the City Address and Luncheon.

Another big part of the event will be the debut of Leawood's new promotional video that was coordinated by the Leawood Chamber.

Advance registration & payment is required.

— Register Online

Chamber Education Program

Jan. 3, 2007, 8:00am at KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall, room 163, 12600 Quivira Road, Overland Park, 66213
Contact: Chamber Office – chamber@leawoodchamber.org 913-498-1514 — Register Online
Cost: There is no cost to attend this event; however, reservations are required.

This presentation, led by Professor Wally Meyer, will discuss what it takes to achieve your business goals by observing the ten critical entrepreneurial success factors. If you are considering an entrepreneurial venture or are already managing your own business, this sixty minute presentation could make the difference between mediocre and meteoric business growth.

Presenter:
Wallace W. Meyer, Jr.
Director of Entrepreneurship Programs
University of Kansas
School of Business

Legislative Luncheon

Jan. 3, 2007, 12:00pm at Hereford House Restaurant, 4801 Town Center Drive, Leawood,
Contact: Chamber Office – chamber@leawoodchamber.org (913) 498-1514 — Register Online
Cost: $22 for members, $25 for non-members. Prepayment is required.

Join us for lunch and conversation with Leawood's State Senators and Representatives before they head up to Topeka for the 2007 legislative session.

The Chamber will present our delegation with our 2007 Legislative Priorities, and then each elected official will give a short presentation on what they feel will be the hot issues in Topeka this session.

Presenting Sponsor: Discover Vision Centers

Morning Mingling

Jan. 9, 2007, 8:00am at Eden Day Spa, 2317 W. 143rd Street, Leawood, 66224
Contact: Chamber Staff – chamber@leawoodchamber.org (913) 498-1514 — 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, so please contact the Chamber office for more information at 913-498-1514 or email us at chamber@leawoodchamber.org.

Are you stressed after the Holidays? Do you feel like you indulged in too many Holiday treats? If so, you will not want to miss this event!

Leawood Chamber members, their guests, and 'future' Chamber members are invited to join Eden Day Spa and Fitness Quest for some high-quality networking. Enjoy a continental style breakfast, Caribou coffee, networking and door prizes provided by our hosts!

The reservation deadline for this event is January 4th.

After Hours Networking

Jan. 24, 2007, 5:00pm at Cheeseburger In Paradise, 5041 W. 135th Street, Leawood, 66224
Contact: Chamber office – chamber@leawoodchamber.org 913-498-1514 — 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, so please contact the Chamber office for more information at 913-498-1514 or email us at chamber@leawoodchamber.org.

Escape to Paradise and enjoy networking with Leawood Chamber members and 'future' members in a casual, business-card-friendly social environment. Cheeseburger in Paradise will have great door prizes, food & beverages, and of course the area's best networking. You'll want to be sure to attend!

The reservation deadline for this event is January 22nd.

Leawood Community Events

Get Your Christmas Crustaceans!

Dec. 22, 2006, 10:00am at Solace House, 8012 State Line Rd., Suite 202, Leawood, 66208
Contact: Elizabeth – elizabeth@solacehouse.org 913-341-0318 x355
Cost: $18.00 per live 1.25lb. Maine lobster $32.00 for 2 live 1.25lb. Maine lobsters

Purchase live Maine lobsters for your holiday feasts or give as gifts to friends, family, colleagues, & clients!

Orders are being taken now!

PICK-UP is on Friday, December 22nd from 10:00am - 5:00pm at Solace House, 8012 State Line Rd., Suite 202. You may call in your order or fax it to (913) 341-0319. Please bring a cooler or freeze bag.

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFITING SOLACE HOUSE!

MADD/Waterway Gas & Wash "Tie One On For Safety"

Dec. 31, 2006, 7:30am at Leawood Waterway Gas & Wash, 4200 W. 119th Street, Leawood, 66209
Contact: C. Koboldt – ckoboldt@lentsandassoc.com 314.968.3060

Waterway Gas & Wash and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are working together for the ninth annual “Tie One On For Safety” event held every New Year’s Eve to remind everyone to designate a driver for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

MADD volunteers will tie symbolic red ribbons on washed cars at the Leawood Waterway location. Waterway will contribute $1 to MADD for every “Winter Protection Package” sold at all Waterway locations on December 31.

To promote awareness for safe driving, patrons at all Waterway locations are encouraged to make donations to MADD during the week of December 24-December 31.

Idiots' Open Golf Tournament

Feb. 10, 2007, 9:00am at Smiley's Golf Course, 10195 Monticello Ter., Lenexa, 66227
Contact: Vicki Rancilio – vrancilio@kchospice.org 816-363-2600
Cost: Registration fees are $75 a player, $300 for a team of four, $400 for hole sponsorship, and $600 for hole sponsorship plus a team. Registration fees include nine holes of golf with the option to finish the other nine holes after the tournament, brightly colored golf balls, hot lunch and coffee.

This winter tournament exemplifies the hospice spirit of making the most of every day. The event goes on no matter what the weather brings!

Funds raised from the tournament, silent, and live auctions will help provide comfort and care to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care patients and families.

Tournament is a four-person scramble format. The event is sponsored by Medical One.

News & Announcements

John Geiger with Hereford House Named 2006 Restaurateur of the Year

“The association is extremely honored to present the 2006 Restaurateur of the Year award to John Geiger,” said Ron Barkley, past president of the GKCRA. “Geiger’s commitment to the Anderson Restaurant Group is a passion all restaurateurs should hope to achieve. I know the staff and management at four Hereford House locations and Pierpont’s feel fortunate to have such an outstanding boss.”

John Geiger has been with the Anderson Restaurant Group for almost 10 years. Currently he is the vice president of operations, overseeing five properties as well as playing a role in the development and strategic growth of the company. Geiger has been involved with the GKCRA for the past 10 years. He is also active on the advisory board for the hospitality programs at Johnson County Community College, and is committed to the communities of Holy Cross parish and St. Thomas Aquinas school.

The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association is a trade association of restaurants, caterers, hospitals, schools, institutions, clubs and in-plant cafeterias. Members work together to represent, educate and promote the restau ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

Be A Chamber Champion in 2007

The Chamber provides the Chamber Champion Sponsorhsip so more members have an opportunity to give their business additional publicity!

With this Sponsorhip you will receive a name badge and a complimentary admission to each of the Leawood Chamber Membership Meetings, including the Mayor's State of the City and the Annual Meeting. Plus, you receive over 2,500 exposures at Leawood Chamber Events through the Chamber Champion sign board displayed at all meetings.

The Sponsorhip fee is $400 for the year and we offer different payment plans. If you are interested in being a 2007 Chamber Champion, please fax the form to the Chamber office at (913) 491-0134. If you need assistance please contatct Stephanie Scholfield at (913) 498-1514.

Chamber Champion Sponsorship Form

Dave Pleskac Pleased With Leawood Chamber Experience

As a realtor with Reece & Nichols, Dave Pleskac knows the importance of checking out options in order to maximize a client's investment in their home. With that mindset he made sure that he visited and analyzed all of the networking sources in town before choosing to join the Leawood Chamber.

In a letter to the Leawood Chamber Director of Membership, Dave writes, "Prior to joining the Leawood Chamber, I did some 'comparison shopping' of various chambers in the Kansas City Metro area trying to find one that allowed me to network with other professionals in an atmosphere that was out-going and enjoyable. I attended several get-acquainted meetings with other chambers, and when I did the final analysis, the Leawood Chamber clearly stood out as the most professional, friendly, and enjoyable group to be with."

The Leawood Chamber staff truly enjoys the members and that is what makes it easy for them to provide service based on member needs. In Dave's letter he stated it best when he wrote, "It (his joining experience) was that genuine feeling of being respected and welcome by all members of the Leawood ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

B2B Cookie Winner

This month's B2B cookie winner Laura Wynn from Big Guy Little Guy Promotions, received more than cookies, she also received a bundle of joy! Laura gave birth to a baby girl, so her partner Brad Elpers accepted the cookies on her behalf.

By attending the Chamber's November 7th Morning Mingling Meeting and submitting her business card, Laura was automatically entered into a drawing for a dozen Blue Chip Cookies, compliments of Blue Chip Cookies in Town Center Plaza.

BigGuyLittleGuy

Pictured are: Ed O'Connor (PC Partners, Inc.), Brad Elpers (Big Guy Little Guy Promotions), Linda Murray (Leawood Chamber), David Cox (Bank of Blue Valley), Beverly Goldstein (Fastsigns), and Bill Kanaga (UBS).

Member Profile

Baker University

Empowering employees to improve their knowledge, self-esteem, and status within the corporation is one of the highest rewards a company can provide its employees. In turn, these employees provide the vigor to move the company forward and enhance its competitiveness in the industry. Baker University strives to partner with area companies in the business community to increase awareness of our accelerated business and management degree programs.

Baker University works with companies in helping them develop a more educated workforce. Baker also strategically collaborates with companies to increase profitability and retention. When employees are more productive, efficient and effective, they are happier and better equipped for promotions.

Baker's innovative, respected programs are specifically designed for career-minded working adults and apply real-world work situations. They have practicing professionals as instructors, who are preeminent in their fields. The programs also provide convenience and flexibility. Most of the programs include laptops and delivery of educational materials.

Accredited by the H ... (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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