The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting on Friday in the middle of a lengthy transition period.
The site, White Auditorium, and the theme, “Shift Happens,” were reflective of change or the change mindset in place for over 18 months. Chamber Board Chair Lisa Kirmer says the event recognizes Emporia’s business community. In this case, she says it also serves as a way to highlight different partnerships that have strengthened behind the scenes recently.
The timetable for bringing on a new CEO is pending, but Kirmer says a streamlined Board of Directors is ready to help local businesses as a new leader is named.
Several awards were announced and distributed Friday, including Lifetime Achievement to Colleen and Rick Mitchell, in part through the work of Mitchell Markowitz Construction but also for other projects like the Gazette Collective development project at the former Emporia Gazette headquarters and support of the David Traylor Zoo. Colleen Mitchell says they still have a lot of work ahead.
Also honored:
*Business of the Year: 627 Event Space
*Volunteer of the Year: Ashley Williams
*Community Impact: The Wall That Heals
*Artist of the Year: Kristin Oberle
Two new awards were announced:
*Next Gen Award: Aaron Larson
*Legacy Award: Evora Wheeler
The event also featured mentalist Christophe Fox as the entertainment. About 300 people attended.
In one way, the Chamber’s transition period started when longtime president and chief executive officer Jeanine McKenna became the CEO of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, followed by Christian Keisler as interim president and CEO — before the Chamber parted ways with Keisler on Thursday. That period has also seen Matt Fowler succeed LeLan Dains as Visit Emporia’s director, first on an interim basis and then permanently as of last month. Also, Rebeca Herrera left her role as membership director this past December.
In another way, the foundation for change was laid over 18 months ago by a Vision First study, requested by the Emporia City Commission, that said the Chamber, Visit Emporia, Emporia Main Street and Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas should have clearly-defined and largely separate economic development roles with the RDA as the lead agency — while Emporia Enterprises was recommended for dissolution, although that has not happened.
Looking ahead, Kirmer says the Chamber is dedicated to business retention and growth.
Kirmer was also pleased to announce Little Lyons Childcare, a venture of the Chamber and Ignite Emporia, was recently licensed for 90 children. The facility at 19 Constitution is seen as a way to help parents, especially those working nontraditional hours, as well as employers. Late last year, the Chamber and Visit Emporia also partnered with ESB Financial to have the ESB Financial Holiday Plaza ice rink in downtown Emporia.
*Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including a YouTube Short from the Annual Meeting.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
