2022 Business Symposium

The City of Leavenworth held a Business Symposium on October 2022. It was a pleasure to see so many local businesses and talk to you about our programs.

AGENDA: MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2022

RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY CENTER
123 SOUTH ESPLANADE STREET
LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
 

• 8:30 a.m. – Welcome-  Mayor Camalla Leonhard

• 8:40 a.m. – Keynote Speaker - Kayla Savage:  Kayla Savage is Director of the Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce and a member of the Executive Leadership Team since May 2020. Before coming to Commerce, Kayla spent 14 years in nonprofit management and community development, including serving as the Executive Director of Emporia Main Street. Originally from the small community of Alma, Kayla has a strong passion for supporting Kansas businesses and communities. This drives her to create initiatives that leverage existing and new resources and work collaboratively with public and private partners for the growth of businesses and communities. She has been instrumental in the growth of Kansas Main Street, Covid-relief programs, and the creation of the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline, or HEAL, program at Commerce.

• 9:00 a.m. – Session 1: Tech Tools to Better Know Your Competition (and Their Profits)- Kristina Mease and Christian Hopkins with the University of Kansas Small Business Development Center (KU SBDC)
• 9:45 a.m. – Session 2, Option A: The Bold New Future of Recruiting Talent (With Tips for Success) -  Roberta Rowland and Shanda Cooper with Workforce Partnership
• 9:45 a.m. – Session 2, Option B:  Grants, Loans, and Expertise for Starting or Growing Your Business [Held in Adjoining Women’s Waiting Room]-   Penny Holler with the City of Leavenworth and Lisa Weakley with Grow Leavenworth County Development Corporation (a Network Kansas Partner)

10:30 a.m. – BREAK (Economic Development Partner Booths)

• Wendy Scheidt with Leavenworth Main Street
• Jen Anders with Leavenworth/Lansing Chamber of Commerce
• Lisa Haack with Leavenworth County Development Corporation
• Jamilah Ward with the U.S. Small Business Association

• 10:45 a.m. – Session 3: Business Preparedness – Are You Ready for What’s Ahead? - Ram Basnet and Shelton Watson with the U.S. Small Business Administration (US SBA)
• 11:15 a.m. – Session 4: Local Legends Panel – Overcoming Business Hurdles (Includes Interactive Question and Answer Session)
  • John Campbell with Studdard Moving
  • Jason Wiggin with The Suburban
  • Stacy McCowen with Candle Queen Candles
• Noon – The City Scoop: A Look Ahead with City Manager Paul Kramer

• Question and Answer Session with City Staff (Including Assistant City Manager Penny Holler, Planning/Community Development Director Julie Hurley, City Clerk Sarah Bodensteiner, Fire Marshal Andy Brooks, Chief Building Inspector Hal Burdette)