Posts by slawson@opchamber.org
President’s Message | Each one counts
President’s Message November 2023 From the Business Perspective Newsletter Each one counts Twenty-five percent. Seventeen percent. Seventeen percent. These percentages aren’t some fun sale to get you in the door. They’re the percentages for voter turnout in the most recent three local elections: November of 2021, 2019 and 2017. The “big” bump was for mayoral…
Read MoreNews Release | Chamber hires Libbey Tucker as Economic Development leader
News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tracey Osborne Oltjen, tosborne@opchamber.org, (913) 491-3600 Overland Park Chamber hires Libbey Tucker as Economic Development leader Overland Park, Kan., November 1, 2023 – The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce announced the hiring of Libbey Tucker, CEcD, as its senior vice president of economic development. Tucker will be responsible for…
Read MorePresident’s Message | Playing the long game
President’s Message October 2023 From the Business Perspective Newsletter Playing the long game We celebrated the long-awaited expansion of Overland Park’s Arboretum and Botanical Garden and its gorgeous LongHouse Visitor Center a few weeks ago. The Arboretum is one of my favorite places – both as a space to refresh and relax and to show…
Read MoreChamber leaders meet with reps in Washington, D.C.
In the News Chamber representatives meet with national leaders in Washington, D.C. Overland Park, Kan., September 25, 2023 – Chamber leaders recently returned from Washington, D.C. where they met with our federal elected officials. Not surprisingly, workforce challenges topped the list of issues they took to the nation’s capital. “Our members continue to share with…
Read MorePresident’s Column | Our #1 asset
President’s Message September 2023 From the Business Perspective Newsletter Our #1 asset Classrooms across the region are abuzz again. Little ones are bright-eyed with wonder as the mysteries of reading and math unfold for them. Many make friends they’ll keep for a lifetime. Teens – and adults, too – chart paths that will shape their…
Read MorePresident’s Message | And just like that . . .
President’s Message August 2023 From the Business Perspective Newsletter And just like that . . . Our workforce department is fully staffed! At our Annual Meeting in December, we announced that our economic and community development initiative, Opportunity NOW’s successful fundraising campaign would kick into high gear in 2023 with the implementation of its goals.…
Read MorePresident’s Message | Fired up for OP’s future
President’s Message July 2023 From the Business Perspective Newsletter Fired up for OP’s future 40 years. 40 classes. Hundreds of speakers. More than 1,000 graduates. That’s how long Leadership Overland Park (LOP) has been committed to developing passionate and informed leaders about the future of our city and region. At the end of a whirlwind…
Read MoreLeadership class raises $20,170 for vision-impaired accessibility at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2023 Leadership class raises $20,170 for Arboretum improvements for vision-impaired visitors Overland Park, Kan., June 23, 2023 – At the beginning of this year, professionals from prominent sectors of the Overland Park community assembled to form this year’s Leadership Overland Park (LOP) class. Together they focused on the common goal…
Read MoreGuest Column | Why I’m voting Yes4OP
Guest Column June 2023 Why I’m voting Yes4OP As an Overland Park parent, I will be voting Yes on the June ballot. Investing in this community for the long-term is important to me. I grew up here and I want my kids to experience the same level of service throughout their lives as I…
Read MoreGuest Column | Why I’m voting Yes4OP
Guest Column June 2023 Why I’m voting Yes4OP As a resident of Ward 2, I was privileged to serve on Overland Park’s Infrastructure Advisory (IAG) Group. The group had a series of in-depth conversations with experts on city staff and from industry to discuss key topics like road maintenance and reconstruction, bridges, stormwater management, and…
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