The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, as the largest business organization in the community, represents over 1,000 member firms and over 1,700 individual members. Our members are all sizes and represent all sectors of the community as well as other businesses in the region that consider the Topeka/Shawnee County area part of their market. More than 80% of our firms are small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
As the voice of business, the Chamber speaks at the city, county, state and federal level about businesses issues that impact our community. We are the “eyes of business” and look out for the interests of our members.
The Chamber employs a professional lobbyist who works with the Chamber’s board of directors and member business representatives to craft policy and information about issues affecting businesses in the Topeka/Shawnee County community.
At the state level, the issues consistently considered priorities are economic development incentives, taxes affecting businesses, regulatory issues and transportation issues. Other issues may arise and Chamber policy is determined by the board of directors.
In addition to communicating regularly with Kansas’ federal delegation, the Chamber along with Madison Government Affairs in Washington, our federal lobbying firm, presents project reports and requests to the federal delegation in an effort to enlist federal assistance for the economic well-being of our community.
At the city and county level, the Chamber provides information and input on a number of issues that impact the business community and the development of quality of life initiatives that will advance the economic growth of Topeka and Shawnee County. Chamber staff participates in a multitude of meetings with government leaders and staff to provide feedback and offer the business communities’ point of view.
Each year, the Chamber hosts meetings and forums with members the Kansas congressional delegation and state, county and local elected leaders and their respective staffs.
For information about the Chamber’s Government Relations program, contact Curtis Sneden, vice president government relations, 785.234.2644.