Chamber Vision May 2014 | Page 5

Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau May 2014 Date 5 Chairman’s Corner Greetings, Ron Thomas Chairman of the Board I know this gets repetitive, but there is a lot going on at your Chamber.  First I want to applaud the efforts of many that made the first ever 3-D competition a huge success.  A field of 30 student entries from Emporia State and Flint Hills Technical College was narrowed to the final three teams who gave their final pitches to four judges during the 3-D gala at Webb Hall on the Emporia State campus.  It was a great well attended event with wonderful presentations, and we congratulate Nakita Elwood and Teri Whitson on their winning Dream it, Design It, Develop it concept, Rock Creek Ostrich Farm.  The 3-D competition was a collaboration of the Emporia State School of Business (thanks to Business Dean, Kristi Ogilvie and Jessica Buchholz Director of Student services and Marketing for the School of Business for their super work), the Chamber (great job Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna) and ESB Financial. The Corky bobble heads are arriving this month! These limited edition bobble heads will not last long so don’t delay. Get yours for only 20 dollars today. Be on the lookout for the date and time of our Government Matters Dialogue with our local Legislators.  Plenty has happened this legislative session in Topeka that will affect all of us and our Dialogue sessions are a good opportunity to get your questions answered. I want to take a moment to thank Gloria Baxter for her 17 years of service to the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.  Gloria retired in April, and it will not be the same without her.  I wonder how many times Gloria said “It’s a Great Day in Emporia”? Good luck and good health Gloria, you are the best! Congratulations to our very own Susan Rathke. As you have probably heard Susan is now the Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.  No more interim.  What a great hire! Your Chamber is here for you, please contact the staff if there is anything they can do for you. As Gloria would say “It’s a Great Day in Emporia” Have a good day and a super fantastic May.