Shelia Lampe sees Saturday’s Chamber EXPO as a step in the right direction.
Participation was up by area vendors, with 44 reserved booths for the two-day event. Lampe estimates 800-1,000 people came to see what local retailers and businesses had to offer.
For some, a chance at $500 in EXPO bucks was a draw. Iolan Spencer Ambler was the lucky winner. The “money” may be spent at merchants who belong to the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has 128 members.
Lampe also saw Saturday as an opportunity for camaraderie and networking among local business people.
“It was also a chance for some to see who their competition is,” she said. “Competition is not a bad word. It’s what can energize us to do better.”
SATURDAY’S format was ideal for lots of talk, Lampe said.
Yes, Lampe said, current and former city leaders were on local’s minds.
“As well as across the state,” Lampe said of her many meetings that she attends as being on the boards of the Kansas Sampler as well as the Governor’s Council for Travel and Tourism.
Lampe was in Topeka Tuesday for a meeting of the travel and tourism board.
“I’m being asked what Iola is up to now,” she said. “People are watching.
“I say ‘Great things. We’re moving forward and new businesses are opening up.’”
FOCUSING on where Iola needs to go, is a purpose of the Chamber, Lampe said. “We’re here to build community.”
For Lampe that means going back to ribbon cuttings to celebrate the openings of new businesses, sponsoring community forums and workshops, growing membership, and looking at ways to bring new businesses to town.
“I would love to see some bed and breakfasts in Iola,” she said, noting a good friend, Linda Fort of Ulysses, is director of the state B&B organization.
Lampe also thinks a new Friday forum will help generate community spirit.
Beginning April 27, Iola will host a monthly forum to update residents of community happenings. Organizers have named the event “See, Hear, Iola.” It will be at the New Community Building at Riverside Park and include “very” brief presentations by community leaders and their dealings with Iola.
