Just back from the RECon conference in Las Vegas, both City Council person Jeff Stone and Tamara Tateosian, executive director of the Callaway Chamber of Commerce said they made valuable contacts there.
"This was our third year," Tateosian said during her quarterly report to the Fulton City Council on Tuesday evening.
Also attending were Kurt Warfield, Kingdom City manager, and economic development leader Bruce Hackmann.
In past years, representatives of Callaway County bought tickets and attended, hobnobbing with 34,000 global business leaders and 1,000 exhibitors. Through this four-day event, those with real estate meet with those needing places to do business, including many retail companies.
"That's where we landed Shoe Sensation," Tateosian said of the shoe store that opened March 2018.
This year, the group that went got a booth, which ended up being less expensive than purchasing tickets.
"We're just hoping to get on their radar," she added of the contacts made.
While there was plenty of chit chat, Tateosian reported the group had 20 serious, direct conversations with business representatives about Callaway County.
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Tateosian said the Callaway chamber has attained 18 new members this year. They are invited to a training session 4-5 p.m. today at the chamber, and there will be networking 5-6 p.m.
"We'll be training them how to better utilize their chamber membership," she added.
Also coming up is the second Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Aug. 2. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at 54 Country.
Several speakers have been invited, including, Claudia Kehoe, married to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe. Other speakers include:
Gary Wilbers, CEO and founder of Mid-America Wireless. He also is a business coach and keynote speaker.
Dr. Margie Vandeven, commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, Missouri State Board of Education.
Tateosian said about 350 teachers came to the inaugural event.
"We're expecting 500 this year," she added. "The purpose of this event is to show (Callaway County) teachers that business leaders in this community care about teachers."