Author: Jared Hitchens

In an effort to advance the process of the East Topeka Learning Center project, GO Topeka has partnered with Ketchum Global Research & Analytics to glean information directly from the Topeka community. The project started by reaching out via a telephone survey asking for volunteers to be a part of a focus group. Many who were called were receptive to being a part of a 90-minute focus group. The objectives of the focus groups are to further understand the needs of East Topeka community residents in their own words in regards to the East Topeka Learning Center project and validate the findings and market segments from the survey. Some of… Read More

Self-Care and Wellness: Midwest Float In the hopes of making it a truly happy holiday, we often undertake a myriad of responsibilities on the behalf of others: we schlep relatives from the airport at odd hours, fight the crowds at the super market to get that special ingredient that was conveniently forgotten during the last trip, and – on top of maintaining your personal and professional schedules – somehow find time to clean and decorate the house for company. So, is it any wonder that to many of us the season “to be jolly” ‘tis also the season for stress and anxiety? In many cases, holiday stress can be attributed… Read More

The inaugural Economic Outlook Conference presented by U.S. Bank is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at Washburn University’s Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. Join us to learn about the state of the economy on a national, regional and local level. Bill Northey, Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Bank Private Client Group, will be the keynote speaker, addressing the economy on the national level. We have partnered with the Washburn University School of Business to offer a student discount for Washburn students. Breakfast will be provided to attendees. Thank you to our partners, GO Topeka and Washburn University School of Business, for making this event possible.… Read More

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize and congratulate its member, Custom Tree Care, for ranking No. 98 on Ingram’s Top 100 of 2017 and No. 3724 on Inc. Magazine’s 5000. These lists measure the overall revenue growth experienced in the previous three years. Custom Tree Care yielded an annual average growth rate of 26.74% and had experienced an overall growth rate of 80.22% since 2013; the company’s yearly revenue for 2016 was $4.4 M. Custom Tree Care was established in Topeka in 1999. It provides services both in residential upkeep and disaster recovery. In fact, at the time of publication, Custom Tree Care President Greg Gathers and… Read More

The Who’s Who of the Business Community By: Jensen Moore On Oct. 24, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Expo in the Ramada Downtown Topeka. More than 100 exhibitors will be presenting their wares and services to the public while connecting and learning from their fellow local businesses. The event will commence with a luncheon in the Grand Ballroom. During this time, attendees will hear a keynote presentation from the members of Top Tank. Learn what inspired these six impresarios to create a contest that will endow one creative entrepreneur with $100,000 to start their business, and how this contest will benefit Shawnee County. Members Include… Read More

Bringing economic development organizations together for focus, efficiency and improved engagement It’s no secret that the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, GO Topeka, Visit Topeka and Downtown Topeka, Inc. have similar goals. It’s even common to hear the names used interchangeably – even among those “in the know.” Boards of those four organizations, after inspiration from last year’s inter-city visit to Des Moines and the recent recommendation by Market Street, have signed off on establishing the new Greater Topeka Partnership beginning January 1. Incorporation papers for the new 501(c)6 organization were filed Oct. 2 and the remaining months will allow for ironing out logistics. “This approach will allow us to play… Read More