Founded in 1984, Leadership Greater Topeka, a Greater Topeka Partnership program, identifies aspiring and established leadership from the community to participate in an annual leadership training course. Class members attend a retreat and eight day-long sessions that begin in January and continue through May. During these classes they will learn about challenges facing Topeka and Shawnee County and how they can work to influence important community issues. The class of 2023 was selected from over 160 nominations and are: Craig Barnes Division Manager Shawnee County Health Department Jacqueline Belden Program… Read More
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EnvistaCares Challenge Highlights Kansas Book Festival
Envista Credit Union is pleased to announce that it will highlight Kansas Book Festival through the EnvistaCares Challenge during the month of September. The EnvistaCares Challenge includes a challenge grant, media and marketing package, and an organizational storytelling video. Through the challenge grant, Envista will match every dollar given to Kansas Book Festival during the month of September up to $2,500. Giving can be done online at www.envistacares.com. The media package provided to Kansas Book Festival by Envista is valued at more than $12,000 and includes a month of promotion through billboards, emails, social media and radio. Finally, Envista supports the production of a video for Kansas Book Festival to… Read More
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Nightmare on the Boulevard – Topeka’s Largest Indoor Haunted House is back
Nightmare on the Boulevard – Topeka’s Largest Indoor Haunted House is back TOPEKA, Kansas (August 24, 2022) – The Stormont Vail Events Center and Jinxed Productions announce Nightmare on the Boulevard, presented by Spirit Halloween. After 2021’s Haunted House success in the backstage tunnels of Landon Arena, it was decided to introduce a much larger and expanded Haunted House experience inside Exhibition Hall for 2022. The theme for this year’s haunt is Carnival of Souls. Venture into the Carnival of Souls at the Stormont Vail Events Center. Topeka’s largest indoor haunted house will transport you into an abandoned carnival where the deranged Dr. Jacobson has filled his park with… Read More
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Glenda Washington elected to board of directors for Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Foundation
Alexandria, VA August 17, 2022— Glenda Washington, Chief Equity and Opportunity Officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership, has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the ACCE Foundation, a 501(c)3 that supports the work of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. ACCE’s Foundation was established to fund programming, peer-to-peer learning, and leadership development for chamber professionals seeking to create positive change by addressing the issues that challenge the long-term economic health and quality of life in our country’s cities and towns. Directors bring their knowledge and expertise to help the ACCE Foundation understand industry trends and the needs of members working in the priority areas… Read More
Continue ReadingNOMINATE THIS YEAR’S GRAND MARSHAL AND JUNIOR GRAND MARSHAL OF THE MIRACLE ON KANSAS AVENUE PARADE
The Greater Topeka Partnership is now accepting nominations for the grand marshal and junior grand marshal for the 26th Annual Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade, presented by Frito-Lay. The parade will take place Saturday, December 4 at 6 p.m. in Downtown Topeka, starting at 5th and Kansas. The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 12. “The grand marshal and junior grand marshal play a central role in the parade,” said Stephanie Norwood, director of events. “They’ll preside over the entire event, ride on a float and help promote the importance of this event in the community. It’s a great honor.” Both marshals will be featured on the event’s webpage, the Greater Topeka Partnership’s social channels and any additional media coverage… Read More
Continue ReadingMOMENTUM 2027 PLANNING BEGINS; SURVEY ANNOUNCED
The Greater Topeka Partnership announced today that planning is underway for Shawnee County’s next holistic community strategy, Momentum 2027. A kickoff meeting will begin on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 1 p.m. The event will be held at the new Sunflower Foundation building, located on Menninger Hill. The event brings together elected leaders, alongside community stakeholders and will be facilitated by the Greater Topeka Partnership and Broad Ripple Strategies. Momentum 2022, the current community strategy was unveiled in 2017 focusing on five key objectives: Develop Home Grown Talent; Create Vibrant and Attractive Places; Grow a Diverse Economy; Promote a Positive Image; and Collaborate for a Strong Community. That strategy will be… Read More
Continue Reading2021 WOMEN OF INFLUENCE HONOREES ANNOUNCED
Several local women will be honored at the Seventh Annual Women of Influence Awards on October 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. This event is hosted by GO Topeka and the Women’s Initiative Committee. Click here to register for the 2021 Women of Influence Awards. Award Honorees: Woman of Influence Honorees – Melissa Brunner, WIBW, and Lucy Opit, Midwest Barber College Award Description: A woman who is influential within her company or industry. She displays strong leadership experience and inspires other women. A visionary with a track record of accomplishments. Outstanding Entrepreneur Honoree – Cheryl Clark, Dare to Dream Award Description: A female entrepreneur who contributes to the success of other women and entrepreneurs. She has experienced business growth and promotes… Read More
Continue ReadingGO TOPEKA’S REDEVELOPMENT POSITION TO LEAD CHARGE IN CATALYTIC DEVELOPMENT
GO Topeka, the region’s leading economic development organization, has created a position to place a focus on facilitating development opportunities in blighted or underutilized areas in Topeka & Shawnee County. The Redevelopment Specialist is tasked with fostering relationships and attracting and managing catalytic redevelopment projects to redevelop sites to their best and highest use. GO Topeka staff and local leadership view this new position as an invaluable role within the community as Topeka & Shawnee County transition into further development. “This new position fills a need that GO Topeka wasn’t able to meet but was always cognizant of; blight and underuse is a cancer to economic development, so we knew… Read More
Continue ReadingFORGE ANNOUNCES ‘EMERGING LEADERS’ SERIES
Forge Young Talent announced the first event in a new leadership series, titled “Emerging Leaders Series.” The first event, “Navigating Trends as a Young Leader,” will feature a panel of local young leaders, as well as an established leader to further the conversation and provide feedback. The panel includes Del-Metrius Herron, Keller Williams, One Legacy Partners, LLC; Cassidy Roberson, Schendel Lawn & Landscapes; Alycia Weakland, U.S. Bank; Matt Pivarnik, Greater Topeka Partnership; and Justin Moore (panel moderator), Royal Valley USD 337. This event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5 at Norsemen Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. “Creating opportunities for young leaders to develop their talents and grow within their community is… Read More
Continue ReadingVISIT TOPEKA ANNOUNCES NEW VICE PRESIDENT, MELISSA SOWERS
Visit Topeka announced today that Melissa Sowers will fill the role of Vice-President of Convention Sales and Marketing. This position leads Visit Topeka’s convention sales endeavors, scouting and securing leads for future conventions and group tours to take place in Topeka, with the purpose of creating positive economic impact to local tourism and travel partners and the whole of the community. Sowers will assume her role on October 1. “I’m excited to be moving back to Topeka, and eager to continue the growth Topeka has seen over the past few years by working with community partners and securing great new events,” said Melissa Sowers, vice president of convention sales &… Read More
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