Adjustments continue for the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce — as evidenced by the upcoming Annual Meeting and Dinner.
Activities will move to White Auditorium for the Feb. 6 event after years at the Emporia State Memorial Union Webb Hall. It’s part of an overall theme of “Shift Happens,” according to Interim Chamber President Christian Keisler (KEEZ-ler).
Keisler says the Chamber is evolving after the departure of longtime Chamber president Jeanine McKenna last summer. Besides the change in leadership, Keisler says there have been other adjustments the last few months.
The Chamber’s position in local economic development remains in flux, along with Visit Emporia, the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas and Emporia Main Street, after a Vision First study over 18 months ago suggested bringing those city partners together under one agency. Aside from Keisler supplanting McKenna, Matt Fowler being named permanent director at Visit Emporia after leading the agency as interim director for several months and a change in board structure for the RDA, there has been no public movement towards the Vision First overall goal since it was announced.
Mentalist Christophe Fox will be the entertainment after annual awards for Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement are distributed. The after-party will also include live music.
Residents can call 620-342-1600 or go online to emporiakschamber.org to get tickets, which are selling for $100 each. The event goes from 5:30-11:30 pm.
