Our Olathe Chamber volunteers are the best
We love our Olathe Chamber of Commerce volunteers. There’s no way we could function without those members with such giving hearts.
We celebrate you this week during National Volunteer Week, but we appreciate you 52 weeks a year. From our wonderful Ambassadors, Membership Council and Chairman’s Liaisons to our amazing event volunteers, and everyone in between, we see you, volunteers, we see you!
And if you’re looking for more volunteer opportunities, look no further than the April 22 Gamin Olathe Marathon. We could use some volunteers at the two-day Holmes Murphy Expo and Packet Pick-Up, as well as on race day. Check out all the volunteer options here.
Panasonic update coming at next BLS
Our second Business Lunch Series event is just around the corner. Please join us at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 12080 S. Strang Line Road, to hear a Panasonic update. Register today.
Walt Miller, VP of Operational Excellence at Panasonic, and Angie Stanland, CEO of PeopleFirst and HR/recruiting partner at Panasonic, will be on hand to share some new and exciting updates about the multi-billion dollar Panasonic project and how it will affect DeSoto and the surrounding communities.
Big thanks to our BLS #2 sponsors Johnson County Community College, Kansas State University – Olathe, Humana and John Deere.
They will also share information about their hiring process and what types of jobs Panasonic is looking to fill. Be sure to register today.
Welcome to the Olathe Chamber blog
The brand-new Olathe Chamber of Commerce blog and the companion Economic Development Council blog have arrived.
More than just an area for the latest news about the Chamber and EDC, the blogs will feature some more insight into what, why and when. We’ll discuss the benefits of the Chamber, give readers an inside look at how the Chamber works, as well as information about upcoming events.
Our news section gives you the information you need, but our blogs will give you the story behind the information you need.
Both will be similar to our Visit Olathe Blog that has been helping keep you informed about everything our Olathe Convention & Visitors Bureau has been doing to help promote our amazing community.
Check out our Chamber blog and our EDC blog.
Lunch ‘n’ Learn on tap for April YOPro
The Young Olathe Professionals are back! Make plans to join us for April’s Lunch ‘n” Learn featuring Megan Reed from 12 – 1:30 p.m. next Tuesday, April 25 at Lotpop, Inc., 18103 W. 106th St., Suite 130.
This YOPro event will be about learning to deal with confidence issues. The founder of the Creative Confidence Society will lead a coaching session to give attendees the tools they need to silence the negative voice in their head, ditch the self-doubt and show up confidently.
We’re excited to re-engage with the younger members of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce (and the young at heart). YOPro will meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Stay tuned for more great events coming later this year.
A big thanks to Enterprise Bank & Trust, our 2023 YOPro sponsor.
The cost for the event is $10. Register today.
We’re moving downtown
The Olathe Chamber of Commerce is in the midst of moving downtown. The Chamber will call 260 E. Santa Fe, Suite 101 home as of May 1.
We’ll begin the moving process this week and be up and running in our new office on the first floor of the brand-new Olathe Downtown Library on Monday May 1.
Please excuse our mess as we get settled. While our office is in transition, our commitment to our members is not. It’s business as usual and our members are still our top priority. During the interim, the best way to get ahold of us will be via e-mail.
We can’t wait to see you downtown!
Street and park sales tax renewal
mail-in ballot due next week
City of Olathe residents have the opportunity to renew the Street Maintenance Sales Tax (SMST) and the Parks Sales Tax. Both sales tax measures are the main vehicle for funding in their respective areas.
The 3/8 cent SMST was approved by Olathe voters in 2013. The 1/8 cent Parks Sales Tax was approved by Olathe voters in 1999 and renewed in 2004 and again in 2014.
The ballot will contain two separate questions regarding renewal of each sales tax. This opportunity provides transparency to residents by allowing renewal for sales tax liability on one ballot, rather than separate elections in following years and cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars by having one election cycle.
Ballots will be mailed this week and must be returned by noon on April 25. Visit here to view ballot language and for more information.
At their February meeting, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously to support both the Street Maintenance Sales Tax (SMST) and the Parks Sales Tax.
WHAT'S NEW
Fourth Friday celebrations are
back in 2023
The first Fourth Friday celebration of the year is closer than you may think.
The annual celebrations are sponsored by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s Olathe Convention & Visitors Bureau and are back in downtown Olathe this summer. The first one will be from 6 – 9 p.m. on May 26.
Fourth Fridays is presented by Honda and Subaru of Olathe. And a big thanks to our other Fourth Fridays sponsors Azura, City of Olathe, Fry Wagner, Humana, Olathe Communities that Care and Tommy’s Express Car Wash.
Be sure to make plans to join us this summer, whether you’re down there to have fun, or want to sponsor a booth at the event. May will feature our Sip ‘n’ Shop event. The cost is $25 for members. For more information, please contact Allison Calvin.
For other event or booth sponsorship opportunities for any of the five Fourth Friday events this summer, please contact Susie Carson for more information.
Explore KC with KC Kid Friendly Trip
The KC Kid Friendly Trip is a free way to explore Kansas City! Download the OtoCast app on your phone and start exploring. Get out and enjoy some stops throughout KC that are for the young (and young at heart). Be sure to stop by Calamity Line Park near K-7 and Santa Fe to check out Olathe’s kid friendly spot on the trip. Earn three badges along the way and be entered to win a $250 prize. Check out more information here.
OUT AND ABOUT
U.S Army Career Center Chamber Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to the U.S. Army Career Center on their Olathe Chamber Ribbon Cutting. Stop by and see them at 13519 S. Mur-Len Road.
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Looking for a job? The Kansas City Job Fair will take place from noon – 2 p.m. on April 25 at the Olathe Community Center, 1205 E. Kansas City Road. The job fair is presented by Stepupjobfairs.com. Check here for more information.
The Angel Clothing Foundation, 112 South Claiborne, is having a fundraiser silent auction open house from 6 – 9 p.m. on April 29th from 6:00 to 9:00. Lots of fun activities at the open house, including food trucks.
The Super Famous Warehouse Sale at Gerson Company begins next Thursday, March 30 and runs through May 26. The sale features discounts of up to 75 percent off spring and summer items. The sale takes place from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Saturday at 1450 S. Lone Elm Road.
Don’t miss the Family Fun Fest from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 30 at the Olathe Health Cancer Center. The free event features free health checks, face painting, free hot dogs and a bicycle safety rodeo with the Olathe Fire Department that includes a free bike helmet.
Celebrate the grand opening of the Olathe Downtown Library from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Festivities include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, face painting, and more. The multi-story building, located at 260 E Santa Fe, will total 46,600 sq. ft. and will feature a large flexbox space, a café, numerous meeting and study rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a special Olathe history collection.
DID YOU KNOW
The Chairman’s Liaison Committee works to engage members in activities and volunteer opportunities. They make personal visits to members each month, delivering certificates of appreciation while promoting their businesses. Contact Chelsea Taylor for more info.
A LOOK AHEAD
NOTE: You can reach the Olathe community and beyond through the Chamber’s online calendar of events. Members can complete the online form and then submit their events online for approval by staff. If you have multiple day events, a form must be submitted for each day. Listings must meet the established criteria.
April 20 – Olathe Chamber Coffee at Country Club Bank, 18675 W. 151st St., 9 a.m.
April 20 – Olathe Chamber Ribbon Cutting at Big O’ Tires, 20202 W. 153rd St., 11 a.m.
April 20 – Garmin Olathe Marathon Holmes Murphy Expo and Packet Pick-Up at Ball Event Center, 21350 W. 153rd St., 3 – 7 p.m.
April 21 – Garmin Olathe Marathon Holmes Murphy Expo and Packet Pick-Up at Ball Event Center, 21350 W. 153rd St., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
April 22 – Garmin Olathe Marathon, 1200 E. 151st St., 6:45 a.m.
RECENT CHAMBER MEMBERS
COUPONS AND DISCOUNTS
Please send us the names and e-mails of members you know who might not be receiving this e-newsletter or other Chamber e-communications. We do not yet have e-mail addresses for every member representative. Also, please forward this e-newsletter to others you know who might like to be included in our every-Tuesday distribution!
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©2023 Olathe Chamber of Commerce