Leawood Chamber of Commerce Member Memo — March 7, 2008

Upcoming events and news from around the Leawood area.

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Leawood Chamber Events

Chamber Night at the NAIA Basketball Tournament

Mar. 24, 2008, 4:30pm at Municipal Auditorium Exhibition Hall, 301 W 13th St (North Entrance 13th & Central), Kansas City, 64105
Contact: Chamber Office – chamber@leawoodchamber.org 913-498-1514
Cost: $15 each, includes admission

Join members from over 20 area Chambers from across the KC Metro for a fun-filled Business After Hours: Chamber shoot-out, tasty hors d oeuvres from area restaurants, great networking and exciting basketball!

4:30-5:30 p.m. Social Hour
5:30-6:00 p.m. Program/Chamber Shoot-out
6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Game Times

$15 Admission Includes:
- A ticket to both semi-final games
- Great food compliments of KC area restaurants
- Free non-alcoholic beverages (cash bar)
- Entertainment: Chamber shoot-out
- $5 of each pre-paid ticket is donated back to your participating chamber.

Ticket purchase deadline is Wednesday, March 19th, so use the link below and get your tickets today!.

— Register Online

2008 State of the County Address

Apr. 8, 2008, 11:30am at Ritz Charles Overland Park, 9000 West 137th Street, Overland Park, 66221
Cost: $30/ person or $300 for a table of 8

The Johnson County Public Policy Council and the Chairman of the Board of Johnson County Commissioners, Annabeth Surbaugh, cordially invite you to attend the 2008 State of the County Address and Luncheon.

The cost is $30 / person, or $300 for a table of 8. Advanced reservations and payment are required. The reservation deadline for this event is by 5pm on Monday, March 31st. Refunds will not be made on cancellations received after registration deadline.

Check-in on April 8th will begin at 11:30 am, followed by lunch at noon and Chairman Surbaugh's Address at 12:30 pm.

— Register Online

Rigenerante Day Spa Ribbon Cutting

Mar. 7, 2008, 3:30pm at Rigenerante Day Spa, 2317 W. 143rd Street, (Corner of 143rd & State Line/Kenneth Road), Leawood,

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

The ribbon will be cut at 3:30 pm and their Grand Opening celebration will run from 4 - 7 pm. If you would like to stay for their Grand Opening event, please RSVP to 913-814-0504.

Super-Charged Networking

Mar. 11, 2008, 8:00am at Ritz Charles Overland Park, 9000 W. 137th Street, Overland Park, 66221 — Register Online
Cost: Free for Chamber members, $5 for non-members.

This month our Membership Meeting takes a new direction! Increase the volume and quality of business connections with Super Charged Networking.

Expand your new contact list in an efficient way by joining us at this event. Attendees will participate in unstructured networking and structured networking. Make sure you bring your business cards!!

This event is sponsored by Bank of Blue Valley located at 13401 Mission Road in Leawood. For more information, call their location at (913) 234-3000 or visit their web site at www.bankbv.com.

The reservation deadline for this event is 5:00 pm on Friday, March 7th, so reserve your spot today!

Leawood Community Events

Free Live Music at ARTichokes

Mar. 7, 2008, 7:30pm at ARTichokes, 10557 Mission Road, Leawood, 66224
Cost: FREE Weblink: http://www.artichokeskc.com/

ARTichokes will be featuring the musical stylings of singer/songwriter Laura Lisbeth on Friday, March 7 from 7:30-8:30 pm. 

Artist Laura Lisbeth creates a fetching synthesis of folk and country that leads you over emotional terrain nowhere near as smooth as her warm vocals and rich, companionable guitar.  Her engaging melodies and soulful lyrics leave you feeling as if the contemplation of heartbreak, sadness, and the search for meaning is a beautiful and worthy exercise.

Laura's acoustic guitar provides a country/folk feel to her music, but she draws from a wide range of influences, from Mary Chapin Carpenter to Paul Simon to Bonnie Raitt to Shawn Colvin.

GLOBE Program

Mar. 11, 2008 at Alternating Locations-see above for more information, Kansas City,
Contact: Mary Pyle – pyle@kcchamber.com 816-374-5483
Cost: Tuition discount for Chamber members Weblink: http://www.kcchamber.com

As international flattening trends continue, executive leadership development is crucial to expanding business. Consider your staff’s participation in the region’s premiere international training and education program, GLOBE (Global Leadership Opportunities for Business Executives).

Since 1998, GLOBE has offered expertise beyond standard business practices. This unique program prepares leaders in the Kansas City community to further elevate their company’s international growth in the global business arena.

Tercon Consulting will again lead this flagship program. Tercon, a Greater Kansas City-based company founded in 1978, has offices in Houston and Washington, D.C. As recognized leaders in project team consulting, multi-cultural team building, and leadership development, Tercon has established a thriving global consultancy, with specialization in the oil and gas industry. Clients range from major oil companies, such as Chevron and Shell to professional associations, such as the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the American Academy of Family Physicians. For more information, visit

Does My Business Need Social Software?

Mar. 12, 2008, 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.

March's topic:  MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn;
Does My Business Need Social Software?; CRN 21904  

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

Great Plains Energy Announces Agreement in KS for Aquila Acquisition & Files Revised Proposal in MO

Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP) announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle to settle all issues related to its application before the Kansas Corporation Commission requesting approval of its pending acquisition of Aquila, Inc. (NYSE:ILA).  Great Plains Energy also submitted a revised proposal to the Missouri Public Service Commission that continues to provide increased short and long-term value to all stakeholders.

“We remain committed to the region’s total living environment by providing clean, affordable, reliable energy and good jobs for years to come,” said Michael Chesser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Great Plains Energy. “We are confident that the agreement in Kansas and the revised proposal in Missouri strike the right balance between customers and shareholders and will create a strong regional utility.”

Highlights:

• Net customer benefits have been accelerated.
• The acquisition will generate benefits and net customer savings of approximately $140 million by 2013 and $482 million by 2017.
• Great Plains Energy will not seek ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

  Have You Received Your Chamber Snack Pack?

  It's always good practice to let customers know that their business is appreciated.  The Leawood Chamber considers every one of our Members a valued customer.

  Beginning this month, Leawood Chamber Ambassadors will be dropping off a Chamber Snack Pack to Members during their annual renewal month in appreciation of this ongoing partnership.  Many thanks to our Snack Pack sponsor, Atlanta Bread Company, located at 8180 W. 135th Street. 

  Have you received your Chamber Snack Pack yet?

  Severe Weather Awareness Week

  Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security and Johnson County Risk Management would like to announce the National Weather Service’s observance of the 32nd annual Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 10-14, 2008. 

  Informational materials and the annual online tornado drill survey may be found at Johnson County Emergency Management & Homeland Security’s (JCEMHS) website, www.jocoem.org under Public Education. 

  Kansas had 137 tornadoes occur across the state in 2007 – well above the average of 55 tornadoes per year.   This was one of the highest number of recorded tornadoes sin ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

  Dependent Age Change Effective in Kansas/Missouri for Healthcare

  On January 1, 2008 Missouri HB 818 went into effect which raises the limiting age for dependent coverage to 25, whether a full-time student or not.  Most carriers have decided to extend this benefit to Kansas residents also.
  
  The requirements for adding a child back on under a parent's plan are:

  • The child must be a resident of Kansas or Missouri
  • Unmarried and no more than 24 years of age
  • Not entitled to benefits under Medicare
  • Not covered as a subscriber, insured, enrollee, or covered person under any age group or individual health benefit plan.
    

  
  This should definitely help adults with dependent children still living at home who do not have their own coverage under an employer, or are still full-time students and have not yet reached 25 years of age.
  

  Chamber Seeking Missing Piece to Puzzle

  The Leawood Chamber of Commerce, one of the Metro’s fastest-growing chambers of commerce has an immediate job opening.

  Office Adminstrator:

  Part-time (15-20 hours per week), experienced Office Assistant.  Duties and responsibilities of the position include the following:

  General Bookkeeping Duties

  • Invoice preparation
  • Post payments on accounts (credit cards & checks)
  • Prepare bank deposits
  • Prepare payments for Chamber expenses

  Event Administration

  • Email and fax notices to members of upcoming events, meetings, etc
  • Process event reservations from members
  • Prepare meeting materials
  • Prepare event name badges

  Other Administrative Tasks

  • Respond to telephone inquiries for information
  • Maintain accuracy of Chamber membership database
  • Prepare various mailings to general membership
  • Monitor office supply levels and order additional supplies as required
  • Prepare monthly member retention forms for the Ambassadors Committee
  • Distribute appropriate follow up letters to prospective, ne ... (go to www.leawoodchamber.org for more information)

    Member Profile

    Grace Gardens Retirement Community

    

    Is it your desire to have maintenance-free independent living, with lawn sprinkler systems and security alarms, where there is no snow to shovel or lawns to mow, and where you have the ability to lock the door when you travel with no worry about your residence?

    Or, do you or your loved ones need assisted-living arrangements where the apartments can be rented month-to-month and care is provided including three nutritious meals a day; assistance with medications, eating, transportation, housekeeping, etc?

    Grace Gardens provides relaxed, graceful retirement living for everyone!

    Grace Gardens, a small community nestled among Leawood’s finest residential neighborhoods, provides unparalleled independent living, assisted living & memory care. Pleasantly situated on 13 acres of lush green space, residents have the freedom & comfort to enjoy life fully. 

    For more information, visit their web site at www.gracegardenscommunity.com, or call 913-685-4800.

    
    
     

    
    

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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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