~ November 2019 ~      
Presidents Corner with Angie Schuster

What an exciting time for our Lake Area -- the fresh start of a new year, a new decade - Look out 2020, here we come!
The Lake Area Chamber has an event to kick it off too, our Business Academy starts up soon offering an educational opportunity for our business community. It supplies valuable information in several aspects of business life - insurance, accounting, legal, marketing, & more - in a smaller group atmosphere with dedicated area experts providing real life illustrations. New to business or just want a refresher on everyday practices, attendees will be rewarded with direction and advice.
Our members are important to our success as our mission is to serve them. We are more able to do this effectively with the input and effort of our membership; therefore, we encourage your involvement! Please consider volunteering to assist with one of our events, sign up to serve on a committee, or simply attend a networking social to get connected with other members. We have a diverse membership that grants a multitude of opportunities and experiences for everyone involved. I look forward to the opportunity to get to know each of you better during 2020 and wish you a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Board President
Angie Schuster
Legislative Committee Update

Greetings Chamber members! As the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, I hope to provide some quick notes in this newsletter during the Missouri Legislative session. My goal is to keep members current on issues impacting the Lake Area.
 
As you may know, the 2020 Legislative Session opens in Jefferson City on January 8. This will prove an interesting session considering the upcoming election cycle.  All of the House seats will be up for grabs in November along with half of the Senate seats. Locally, two Representatives, Rocky Miller and David Wood have entered their final terms in the house. Districts 124 and 58 will thus have new representation for the first time in 8 years starting in 2021.  
 
We will have the opportunity to honor these two local Representatives for their service to our area at the 2020 Legislative reception. This event will be co-hosted by all local Chambers of Commerce on January 9.
 
The upcoming November election will also mark the last one with current districts on the ballot as presently drawn. After the 2020 census, population shifts in our state will determine new district lines. In 2018, voters across the state approved Amendment 1, known as Clean Missouri, featuring a new way of drawing district maps. Over the decades, the Lake region has been divvied up in various ways. These results provided different levels of representation in the Missouri House and Senate for the area.
 
A conflict may be on the horizon regarding how and if "Clean Missouri" will be implemented in this regard. How the amendment is interpreted will influence the type of representation the Lake will get for the next decade and beyond. Members need to keep tabs on redistricting and how it affects the Lake.
 
 
If you have any input on these topics, have a topic of your own you would like to discuss, or have any interest in joining the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative committee, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at lukeoftheozarks@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Legislative Committee Chairman
Luke Hagedorn


Young Professionals Update


The dodgeball committee is busy planning the 5th Annual YPL Dodgeball Tournament scheduled Saturday, Feb. 22 at School of the Osage Middle School. This year's theme is "Cinco De Dodge-O" in celebration for our fifth annual event. This year's tournament will benefit Wonderland Camp. The entry fee is $150 for a team of 6 players and includes a commemorative item for each player! Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 17. To register a team, contact the Lake Area Chamber at 573-964-1008 or info@lakeareachamber.com.
 
YPL had lots of fun in December. Our Christmas parade float featured presents galore, Christmas trees, and Grandma who got run over by a lawn mower! We also held our annual Chiefs watch party at Wicked Willies. It was a fun Sunday afternoon networking and cheering on the Chiefs!
 
Our next membership meeting is scheduled noon, Wednesday, Feb. 5, and will feature guest speaker Dustin Cox with Country Financial. To register for the event, RSVP to dborrett@lakeareachamber.com by Monday, Jan. 27.

 Chamber Activities At A Glance
#LakeChamberAtWork
(DecemberActivities)
  • On-Air Monthly Chamber Talk with Mix 92.7, 101.9 The Wave, and KRMS NewsTalk 1150.
  • Supported Economic Development and Workforce by attending and participating in the:
    • LOREDC (Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council) Marketing Meeting
    • Eagle Days Committee
    • Workforce 2020 Roundtable Planning Committee
    • EDAC (Economic Development Advisory Council) Bi-Monthly Meeting
  • Participated in the Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade
  • Volunteered for the Christmas for Kids Kiwanis Event
  • Hosted Monthly Networking Social - Holiday Special - at Willmore Lodge
  • Hosted Community Night at Boys HS Basketball game at School of the Osage
  • Hosted Joint Chamber Eggs & Issues event
  • Steered the following Lake Area Chamber & Community Committee meetings:
    • Executive Committee
    • Magic Dragon Car Show Committee
    • Lake Area Chamber Women's Conference Planning Committee
  • Hosted Member Ribbon Cuttings for: On Q Financial, and The Law Office of Mark Webb
 



 A ribbon cutting ceremony is a fantastic way to gain exposure for your business at the Lake of the Ozarks! Whether you're a new member or celebrating a milestone occasion (new ownership, new location, major anniversary, etc.) we'd love to celebrate with you! Contact Danyell Borrett today to get your ribbon cutting event scheduled! DBorrett@LakeAreaChamber.com
January Events
Jan. 8     Lake Area Chamber Business Academy -  Session 1- 8:30 AM at Willmore Lodge
Jan. 9      Legislative Reception @ Margaritaville - 6 PM
Jan. 21    Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Networking Social  @ Vista Grande 5PM                  to 7 PM
Jan. 29   Lake Area Chamber Business Academy - Session 2 - 8:30 AM at Willmore Lodge
                                    February Events

Feb. 5    YPL Meeting -  Willmore Lodge 12PM-1PM
Feb. 8    Lake of the Ozarks Mardi Gras Pub Crawl 4PM - 2AM
Feb.12   Lake Area Chamber Business Academy Session 3-8:30AM @ Willmore Lodge
Feb. 18  Lake Area Chamber Networking Social TBD
Feb. 22  YPL Dodgeball Tournament @ School of the Osage Middle School
             8:30AM to 2PM
Feb. 26  Lake Area Chamber Business Academy Session 4-8:30 AM @ Willmore Lodge
 

Willmore Lodge welcomed 396  visitors during the month of December; which included visitors from multiple states and countries!

* As a reminder, only Lake Area Chamber Members have the opportunity to be showcased in our Visitors Center.
 
Don't miss out on promoting your business to the 16,000+ visitors we welcome each year!  Be sure to provide us with your business brochures  or rack cards to display.


Top States Represented in December:
Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Taxes

Countries Represented in December:
The one and only USA
Please help us give a warm welcome to  our
 new Lake Area Chamber Members .



 
Thank you to the following Chamber Members for their renewal to the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. We sincerely value your membership and look forward to continuing to serve you and our community. To learn more about our renewing members, please click on their company name listed below to be directed to their website or to their chamber directory listing. 





Members are the greatest asset to the Chamber. Please support the businesses listed above because they support  and  believe 
in our community! 





 

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