Chamber loses longtime friend, staff member
A week ago, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce lost a very dear, old friend when Diane Costello passed away on April 20.
Her time with the Olathe Chamber started long before she joined the Chamber staff in 1991. Prior to joining the staff she served on the Olathe Chamber and Olathe Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.
She became a part of the Chamber staff in 1991 as the Events Coordinator and wore many hats with us, including leading out Public Affairs and Leadership efforts. She was the Vice President of Leadership Development when she retired in 2010.
“Our community will certainly miss Diane,” Chamber CEO Tim McKee said. “Saying goodbye to someone who meant so much to our members for so many years is difficult. For so many years, Diane was an integral part of the Olathe Chamber, in several different capacities. Diane made a true impact at the Olathe Chamber and we cherished the time she spent as a part our Chamber family.”
Diane’s family will be hosting a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22. The location and details are forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lawrence Humane Society or Unleashed Pet Rescue, in memory of Diane Costello.
Read Diane’s obituary here.
Chamber Golf Classic sold out, volunteers still needed
The 2024 Olathe Chamber Golf Classic is less than a month away and while the May 20 event at Prairie Highlands Golf Course is now sold out, we are still in need of some help.
Our annual tournament would be nothing without our wonderful volunteers. If you’d like to help at this year’s tournament, please reach out to Sara Misemer for more information.
A big thanks to Garmin, McCownGordon Construction, Tommy’s Express Car Wash and VanTrust Real Estate for sponsoring this year’s Chamber Golf Classic.
Upcoming BLS focuses on
game changers
Want to hear about the bright future of professional sports and how women are changing the game? Join us for our second Business Lunch Series event of the year from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 12080 S. Strang Line Road.
Joining us will be Becky Harsch, National Account Manager with VisitKC; Lori Thomas, President of Kansas City’s new professional volleyball team; and Dani Welniak, VP of Communications of the KC Current to talk about how they’re helping to redefine the business of sports in Kansas City.
Our panelists will share insight into the rapidly growing world of professional sports for women across the Midwest and right here in Kansas City. The event promises to provide some information about some teams that call KC home as well as teams getting ready to plant roots. Register today.
Thank you to our series sponsor Johnson County Community College and our quarterly sponsors Garmin and K-State Olathe.
NFL comes calling for MNU’s Anthony Sao
The next stop for MidAmerica Nazarene University defensive back Anthony Sao is the NFL.
The MNU senior was signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The senior from California had four interceptions in the 2022 season and was named first team all-conference. Injuries limited him to just seven games this past season as the Pioneers tied for the Heart of America Athletic Conference South title.
Congrats, Anthony.
Image courtesy of MNU.
Leadership Olathe graduation set for May 15
Join the Olathe Chamber of Commerce as we recognize and celebrate the Leadership Olathe Class of 2024. Please register today.
The graduation dinner and ceremony is open to graduates and their families and friends; Leadership Olathe alumni; and Chamber members. The event will take place from 6 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Olathe Conference Center, 10401 S. Ridgeview Road.
A big thanks to our Leadership Graduation sponsors, the City of Olathe, Heart-to-Heart International, John Deere, Olathe Public Schools and Terracon.
The event is free for graduates and a guest. For others, the cost is $50 for individuals, $400 for a table of eight. Be sure to register today.
Culture Fest set for Friday evening
Don’t miss the Olathe Culture Fest, sponsored by the City of Olathe and Olathe Public Schools. The event takes place from 5 – 8 p.m. this Friday, May 3, in downtown Olathe.
The event will feature food trucks, music, live performers and a car show. Registration for the car show is $10 and all proceeds go to the Olathe Leadership Lowrider Bike Club. All cars, trucks, bikes and motorcycles are welcome.
WHAT'S NEW
Fourth Friday events begin in less than a month
Fourth Fridays are back. The Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s Convention & Visitors Bureau will, once again, be hosting the awesome Friday night events this summer. Register here to be a part of the fun as a vendor.
Please join us for any of the following dates, May 24, June 28 or Aug. 23, to connect with thousands of Olathe residents at what have become a summer staple. And don’t miss your chance to be a part of the events.
These free events offer live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer gardens and so much more. Join us to highlight and promote your business. Offer marketing materials, promotions, sell products or services or offer samples.
Secure your spot now and give your business or organization some great visibility at the marquee events in downtown Olathe. Secure your spot today by registering here. We can’t wait to see you this summer.
Thank you to our Fourth Fridays presenting sponsor, Honda of Olathe/Subaru of Olathe, and our gold sponsors, the City of Olathe, Communities that Care, Azura Credit Union, Fry Orthodontics, Tommy’s Express Car Wash and LeBlanc & Associates.
OUT & ABOUT
9Round Kickboxing Fitness Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to 9Round Kickboxing Fitness on their Olathe Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting last week. Be sure to stop by and see them at 18583 W. 151st St.
CHAMBER CONNECTION
The Super Famous Warehouse Sale at Gerson Company runs through the end of May. 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.
Eligible Johnson County businesses can now apply for awards up to $25,000 to provide employee training through the Workforce Development and Continuing Education program at Johnson County Community College. Short-term training is available for a variety of industries and jobs and JCCC provides in-person, online and hybrid training options. Get more information here.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is looking for some youth mentors. If anyone is interested in volunteering as mentors to offer a wide range of educational, career and life experiences. Their main objective is to increase a sense of belonging, self-confidence and motivation in refugee youth. They want to engage the youth in their communities and help enhance opportunities for their educational and professional growth. You can more about their youth mentoring program here.
The Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund, Let’s Grow Together, United Office Products and the Starfish Project Foundation is joining City of Olathe Mayor John Bacon for the Olathe Mayor’s Community Food Drive. The event will take place throughout April. Collect non-perishable items at your place of business or at home and drop them off at The Beach at the Starfish Project, 134 N. Clairborne Road, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on April 30.
Don’t miss the Heart of America Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Open Hangar Day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 6 Aero Plaza at New Century AirCenter. There will be face painting, vintage Jeep rides, games and activities. You can also watch vintage plans take off and land.
Join AdventHealth at 10 a.m. this Thursday, May 2, for a special ribbon cutting and open house for their new AdventHealth Cancer Institute at 9100 W. 74th St. in Shawnee. Following the remarks at 10:15 there will be refreshments and tours.
Olathe East High School football player, Damarion Green-Burk, and Olathe South High School player Bryce Noernberg were selected to play in the 51st annual Kansas Shrine Bowl on June 29. Visit here to submit a sponsorship in support of Sharp or learn more about the Kansas Shrine Bowl event by May 17.
Grace United Methodist Church is hosting a screening of the documentary, “Join in or Die” at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10. They’re partnering with American Public Square to screen the documentary.
McGilley & Frye Funeral Home is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on May 8 in their event room. Appointments are preferred, but not necessary. Book your appointment today at savealifenow.org/group and enter the code EI3Q.
DID YOU KNOW
There are plenty of ways to get your name in front of fellow Olathe Chamber of Commerce members. You can add coupons/discounts to the online discounts page on the Chamber website or help provide coupons and free goodies for our new member boxes and mugs. Check here 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.
May 2 – Olathe Chamber Coffee at Hy-Vee, 18101 W. 119th St., co-hosted by Azura Credit Union, 9 a.m.
May 2 – Olathe Chamber Ribbon Cutting at Gearhead Outfitters, 686 N. Central St., 11 a.m.
RECENT CHAMBER MEMBERS
COUPONS AND DISCOUNTS
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