Parkville Chamber of Commerce: Newsletter

November/2008

The Parkville Chamber of Commerce

Welcome home for the holidays.

The holiday season is rapidly approaching. The Parkville Chamber of Commerce wants to welcome you and your family to take part in our festivities. Christmas on the River and the Gallery of Trees are just two of our annual events for the holiday season. Now is the best time for each of us to make the concerted effort to support our community during the holiday season. What can you do to help? Get involved, get motivated, and support a chamber member every chance you get.

PCOC Pres., Bill Q A Message from the President

Bill Quitmeier, Quitmeier Martsching Law Firm

New membership is very important to a vibrant chamber, but we also need to concentrate on membership retention. The best way to retain our members is to offer valuable service and seek member engagement. Our new EDC committee is delivering just that. They have inventoried the local businesses, know the available properties, and offer educational support to our business community.

Thanks to the Communication Committee, we have this newsletter and thousands of pictures from our events. Their mission is to keep us all informed of what is going on in Parkville and offer some additional opportunities to connect with various segments of the community. You can see pictures from Chamber meetings and socializing events such as our annual Denim and Diamonds event. Join us January 15, 2009 for the signature event. I hope to see you there!

In such a challenging economy we must all work to support each other. I suggest that this season we all try to shop local members and merchants. Get to know your neighboring businesses and chamber members. Referrals are free and they offer everyone the opportunity to spread the word about our strongest assets in Parkville. Its members! Christmas on the River is a great way to promote downtown Parkville. It is the first weekend in December. It is not too late to be a sponsor. Don't miss out on a chance to promote your business during the Christmas On The River celebration.

Enjoy your autumn. Attend chamber events and get to know your fellow Parkville Chamber members. It is a great group of people that truly cares about its community. When considering your New Year's Resolutions, please add bringing 5 new members into the Chamber. The more we grow, the more people you could know!

Economic Development Parkville Commons

Committee Update

Jim McCall, Country Financial

Kerby Varner

The Parkville Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee, the past three months talked about what economic development means to our city. What attracts business to a city the size of Parkville? What goals does the Chamber of Commerce want to achieve to move the city forward? How to work with city government to achieve those goals and create new business opportunities? To answer these questions, the PCOC/EDC invited to their luncheon meetings, leaders from the economic development community.

In our July meeting, Shani Porter, Business Outreach Coordinator, Platte County Economic Development Council ((PCEDC) www.plattecountyedc.com) spoke on what attracts economic development. She talked about how her office could assist the PCOC/EDC in moving forward with goals that have an economic impact on our community and educational resources available to help retain and attract new business.

Our August meeting was headlined by John Englemann, a representative from Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L). Mr. Englemann has over twenty years experience with the Kansas City Area Development Council, Aquila, and KCP&L. He spoke about Location One Information Systems (www.locationone.com) a real-time, on-line system available for use by cities and community organizations engaged in economic development. The PCOC/EDC would also, develop and sponsor in conjunction with the PCEDC quarterly business seminars. Those seminars would be presented in a Business over Breakfast format.

Finally, the PCOC/EDC, last month, mailed to the business community, a Business and Property survey. As of this writing, a business response of 20% (three hundred mailed) has exceeded our expectation. Thank You, Parkville businesses for your support.

Membership Committee

Daren Higerd, Weichert, Realtors

Greetings from the Parkville Chamber Membership team!

Wow, fall is really upon us and another year almost behind us. We will not be recapping our success we have had in 2008 because there is still more success to come before we are done! It is only November! I know time has really flown by and so many new faces!! Our membership is currently 355 and growing. We are being blessed with new applicants every month. Year to date we have 54 new members. Thanks to all of you that have joined and will be joining here in 2008. We cannot forget to shout out a huge "Thank You" to those current members that have been working very diligently on spreading the news about our vibrant growing chamber.

Mark your calendar for Christmas on the River "Members Only" Holiday Kickoff Party, Friday, December 5th at 5 PM. Come join us for chili & hot chocolate at the chamber office (depot). You must visit the chamber office and talk to Annette to get your pass. Come enjoy your perks of membership!

Stay tuned for other upcoming events and ways to get involved in the Parkville Chamber. To any and all who might be interested in getting involved in the membership committee, feel free to join us on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:45 AM at Weichert, Realtors-Advantage Professionals. We love fresh ideas and energy! Jump in, don't be scared, get involved in the Parkville Chamber and let your membership work for you while you grow with the community!! Until next time---

Denim and Diamonds Denim & Diamonds Logo

The Parkville Chamber of Commerce will hold its Third Annual "Denim & Diamonds" on January 15, 2009 at the Airport Hilton Hotel. Attire for the event is dressy denim and dazzling diamonds. This year's Diamond Sponsor is Wattmaster Controls and the Denim Sponsor is Park University.

Denim & Diamonds is a fundraiser and a celebration of success featuring the "Best of 2008" awards. Attendees will enjoy a silent and live auction, networking, dinner, music, dancing and lots of fun!

The live auction will feature a beautiful "diamond setting" donated from Jewelry by Morgan. Jim Flink, anchor and newscaster for KMBC TV9, will return as the emcee.

Gem Sponsorships are available for $ 500 and include a table of 10, signage on your table and recognition in program if pledged before January 1, 2009. Individual tickets can also be purchased for $50.

Please mark your calendars for January 15, 2009 for a fun and exciting evening with the Chamber. If you have any questions or would like to be a sponsor, please contact us at (816)587-2700 or info@parkvillechamber.com.

Tourism Highlights

Deborah Butcher, Reece & Nichols

The Area Marketing Partnership (AMP) ad campaign is in full swing. Representatives from the local partners, The Parkville Chamber, Main Street Parkville, and the City of Parkville, have cooperatively worked to develop the Parkville ads. Fall ad submissions have included the following publications/media: The Kansas City Star e-advertising blasts in Mom2Mom and Weekly Blink, Travel Host Magazine, Missouri Life Magazine, and the Platte County Visitors Guide. The committee carefully evaluated the target markets prior to ad development.

A review of the existing photo library has clearly verified the need for additional photos, with signed releases of those pictured. The committee is assessing target markets for future publications to determine photo needs. Local business interiors will be toured in October to evaluate locations for additional photo opportunities. The AMP agreement includes limited photography services that will be utilized in addition to local efforts. A holiday shoot that produced an inviting picture of a shopper admiring fabulous seasonal items was recently coordinated by committee members Nan McManus, Carol Kuhns, and Deborah Butcher. All photo work and talent were donated resulting in no cost for the partners.

If you are interested in joining the Tourism Committee please contact: DeborahButcher@earthlink.net.

Member Spotlight...

The Homes of Note Tour lands in Parkville - The Main Street Inn and The Nationals ...

Barkville Pet Boutique is voted #1 for 2008 Pet Couture in KMBC's A-List Contest

Kansas City Star Magazine's features an article on Artful Xpressions (Rhoda Powers) titled "Getting Started"

Jason Grill, State Representative, is voted Best Local Politician...

CONGRATULATIONS!

DID YOU KNOW ...

(Facts about Parkville)

Barbara Lance, City of Parkville

For many years Parkville's logo read "1858," which everyone assumed meant the year of incorporation. When the number of crew members grew and actual uniform shirts were needed, the 1858 logo was used, as it was on letterheads. Then in 1997 the Chamber of Commerce published a calendar; it included an article covering the 1800's written by local historian Sylvia Gault.  As we read, it became apparent that 1858 was not among the dates of incorporation.  Sylvia's work was known to be accurate, and in fact she did not put anything in print until she had checked it three ways, from different historical records.  For whatever reason, Parkville had used an erroneous date all those years until the calendar came out.

Sylvia's history showed that founder George S. Park filed a plat for the village of Parkville in 1844; the survey of lots was completed in 1846, and the State Legislature approved it on March 6, 1849.    Because the City evidently did not comply with the paperwork required annually to preserve its status, the incorporation expired and had to be refiled in 1855. In 1858 a seal was designed for the City, and the date on it was never updated ... until more than a hundred years later, when Mrs. Gault's article on Parkville history brought to light the need to do so.

Actually, since the 1858 seal was created, the city had to be incorporated twice more -- in 1884 and 1888. The latter incorporation was the one that finally took, and it is that date under which the city was legally incorporated for the fourth and final time. Upon discovering that 1858 was not a meaningful date for the city, the Board of Aldermen changed the logo to indicate that the city was actually founded in 1849, as that was the date when the village/town/city began its actual life as the city we know now.

With that date decided, the City of Parkville decided to celebrate its Sequicentennial in 1999. We had a party in English Landing Park, and we invited stories about Parkville, which we typed and taped to trees in the park.  We thought you might enjoy some of them.

Welcome new members!

Alphapointe
Arbonne International
Argosy Casino
Epic Bike & Sport
Platte County Health Department
First Federal Bank
Fulton, Marcena
Horizon CPA Services
Jewelry by Morgan
Kemper Dumay Real Estate, LLC Lochman, Tricia
McManus, Nan
Meteornomics Morrill Insurance Group
Paulus Law Firm, LLC
Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry
RBC Wealth Management
Salvation Army Northland Corps
SeaMaster Cruises
Visage
Watercolor High Fashions

Issue: 2

In This Issue

A Message from the President

Economic Development Committee Update

Membership Committee

Denim and Diamonds

Tourism Highlights

DID YOU KNOW

2008 Christmas on the River

Economic Facts about Platte County

Parkville Education

How Can Involvement Help

Upcoming Events

What is everyone else saying

2008 Christmas on the River

"Family fun for everyone"

Plans are underway for the 16th annual Christmas on the River with this year's theme "A Family Celebration".

Christmas on the River will take place on Friday, December 5, 2008 and once again kicks off the Parkville holiday season with the arrival of Santa, holiday carols sung by the one thousand voice Park Hill choir, performances by area dance teams, live reindeer, a wide array of seasonal drinks and snacks available throughout the evening from local vendors and across from the English Landing Center. A traditional fireworks display will conclude the outdoor activities. The Mayor's Christmas Party with children's activities and warm drinks and snacks, will follow the fireworks in the former Café Cedar space in the English Landing Center. A full listing and schedule of events is available at www.parkvillechamber.com and parkvillemo.org.

"Hometown Holiday" is the theme selected for this year's Gallery of Trees which will feature live music by the "The Wilders" and silent and live auction of original artwork from celebrated live artists, decorated trees and wreaths, and gift items, all donated by local merchants and businesses. Tickets are $20 per person for the early birds. They are available at Platte Valley Bank, Patriots Bank, H.M.S. Beagle, Nine Lives and the Sunrise Soap Company. You may also purchase tickets at the door the evening of the event. The 2008 Christmas on River holiday ornament, a lovely blue and white snowflake, is available now.

Christmas on the River is presented by the Parkville Community Development Corporation (PCDC), a 501c3 organization. Co-chairs of the 2008 Christmas on the River committee are: Debbie Hopkins, Tom Hutsler, Carol Kuhns, and Linda Varner.

Economic
Facts about
Platte County

Platte County communities such as Thousand Oaks, Riss Lake and The National are just a few Platte County communities that may be your choice or residency. Platte
county has a population of 83,611. There are 47,258 workers in Platte County over the age of 16. The mean household income is $82,715 while the median household income is $60,796. Platte county is one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri. With its continued focus on community and local economy, Platte county continues to move forward to become your community of choice to live or work. Come visit us soon!

What type of education will my children get in Parkville?

The Park Hill school district is one of several school districts in Platte County. Platte County is the only county in the state of Missouri to have all school districts 'Accredited with Distinction.'

School districts are accredited according to standards set by the State Board of Education. Within the last five years, two of the Platte County school districts had superintendents that were awarded the distinction of being Missouri's 'Superintendent of the Year.'
· Student to teacher ratios in Platte County are 17/1 (Missouri: 19/1)
· Students entering 4 year college/university in Platte County are 54.5% (Missouri 38%)
· Graduation rate: 91.8% (Missouri: 85.7%)
· American College Test (ACT): 21.8 (National Average 20.9)

Your children get a great education in the Park Hill School District!

How can involvement in the chamber increase your customer base?

The chamber is a fun and exciting way to increase your presence in Parkville. It is extremely important that you strengthen your network by engaging in the various activities of the Parkville Chamber. What better way to advertise both you and your business then through socializing in a casual atmosphere that provides you with an opportunity to discuss your business and meet new potential clients? Don't wait, join us at the next business after hours and get involved today!