Category: News

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

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

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

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

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

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

GO Topeka announced today that Laurie Pieper, Ph.D., has assumed the position of Vice-President of Entrepreneurship & Small Business. Within this position, Pieper will manage programming designed to support entrepreneurs and innovators and support the SVP Innovation to establish and foster relationships with local, regional and national partners. “I’ve had a great working relationship with GO Topeka in the past and I’m excited to start engaging with Topeka’s diverse community of small business and entrepreneurship,” said Laurie Pieper, Ph.D., VP of entrepreneurship & small business, GO Topeka. Pieper comes to GO Topeka from the Washburn University BRITE Center, where she served as Director. Prior to this she was the Assistant Director… Read More

Greater Topeka Partnership to host 2021 State of Community event on November 9 at Townsite Avenue Ballroom; speakers include Commissioner Cook and Mayor De La Isla. The 2021 State of Community, organized by Greater Topeka Partnership, will include presentations from Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla and Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook; these will highlight past successes in the community as well as a focus on future goals. Programming also includes a housing market panel hosted by local experts. This event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 9 at 7:45 a.m. at Townsite Avenue Ballroom. “The State of Community event truly is an experience that brings so many people… Read More

GO Topeka announced two new leaders focused on business retention and talent attraction. Trina Goss and Rhett Flood have assumed the roles of Director of Business & Talent Initiatives and Executive Director of Forge Young Talent, respectively. Goss and Flood previously held positions within the Greater Topeka Partnership. “As Topeka continues to grow, attracting and maintaining the best talent, and serving our existing businesses is more important than ever. Trina and Rhett were chosen for the outstanding skills and leadership abilities they’ve demonstrated within their careers,” said Molly Howey, president of GO Topeka. “Both were instrumental in supporting GO Topeka initiatives that foster growth and development in our community, such as the Choose Topeka talent… Read More