BLS registration
deadline approaching
The deadline to register for our second Business Lunch Series event of the year is at noon on Thursday, May 9. The cool event takes place 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.
Register today for Leadership Olathe graduation
The registration deadline for next week’s Leadership Olathe graduation is tomorrow. 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.
With graduation looming, this year’s class is getting ready for its last session on Thursday. Take a look at some photos from last week’s County Day at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center here.
Former Olathe Public School Superintendent passes away
Former Olathe Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Marlin Berry, passed away last week.
The former leader of the Olathe Public Schools took over as the fifth superintendent of the consolidated district in 2010. He came to Olathe as an assistant superintendent in 2007. Dr. Berry was admired for his student-first leadership skills, as well as his quick, often dry, wit.
He opened three buildings in Olathe during his tenure – Mission Trail Middle School, the Olathe Advanced Technical Center and Millbrooke Elementary. He was also at the helm of the design and construction of Olathe West High School. He was named the Kansas Superintendent of the year in 2013.
He left Olathe in the spring of 2016 and became the superintendent at the Rogers (Ark.) School District. He retired from education after the 2021-22 school year, remarking, he’d been in school – as a student or employee – since he was in kindergarten, and that, “I decided I need to try and graduate.”
Upon retirement, he and his wife, Judy, moved to Wichita, to be near their infant granddaughter.
Read more about Dr. Berry here.
WHAT'S NEW
May Fourth Friday coming in a couple of weeks
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. Register 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.
OUR & ABOUT
Gearhead Outfitters
Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to Gearhead Outfitters on their Olathe Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting last week. Be sure to stop by and see them at 686 N. Central 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.
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.
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.
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.
DID YOU KNOW
The Olathe Chamber of Commerce can provide a certificate of origin for members free of charge at any time. Just drop by the office at 260 E. Santa Fe St., Suite 101 and we will gladly provide it for you.
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 9 – Olathe Chamber Coffee at Inclusion Connections, 2073 E. Santa Fe St., co-hosted by Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop, 9 a.m.
RECENT CHAMBER MEMBERS
COUPONS AND DISCOUNTS
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©2024 Olathe Chamber of Commerce