In the KNOW!

 

April 6, 2026

 

Big news this week! Shawnee Forward is officially launching our new brand.


After months of thoughtful planning and intentional alignment, we are proud to introduce an updated look that better reflects who we are, where we are headed, and the impact we are making every day.

While the logo and visuals may be new, the work behind them is not. This rebrand is about clarity. It helps tell the full story of Shawnee Forward as both your Chamber of Commerce and the lead economic development organization for our region. More importantly, it helps better communicate the value we deliver to you as a member.

On the Chamber side, that value shows up in connections, visibility, education, and opportunities that help your business grow and stay competitive. On the economic development side, it is the long-term work happening behind the scenes to bring new investment, support existing businesses, and strengthen the overall economy of Pottawatomie County.

You will see that come to life in the visuals we are sharing this week, including the combined brand, individual versions for Chamber and Economic Development, and a simple diagram that shows how these two functions work together. It is a helpful way to see where each piece of our work lives and how it all connects to support both your business today and the future growth of our community.

At the end of the day, this rebrand is about YOU. It is about making sure you clearly see the return on your investment, the opportunities available to you, and the role Shawnee Forward plays in helping your business and our community move forward.

We are excited to roll this out over the coming weeks and look forward to continuing this work with you.

-Crystal

OUR NEW LOOK

UPCOMING SHAWNEE FORWARD EVENTS

This Friday!

Legislative Luncheon | April 10th 11:30-1:00 PM

Join us for the next Legislative Luncheon as we continue our in-session updates from our local legislators. This series gives our business community the opportunity to hear directly from those serving at the Capitol and stay informed on legislation that could impact businesses and communities across our region.

Our legislators will share updates on the current legislative session, discuss key issues being debated, and take questions from attendees.

This is a great opportunity to stay connected, informed, and engaged while networking with fellow business and community leaders.


We will share our community's legislative priorities based on the survey results at this event.


Chamber Members: Free

Non-Members: $25

Lunch Provided

Registration Required

 

Your network grows when you show up. Social Exchange gives you two chances each month to connect with fellow Chamber members, share what you do, and build relationships that actually matter.

To make networking easier to fit into your schedule, we offer both before-hours and after-hours Social Exchange options each month, so you can choose the time that works best for you.

Free for Members!

Next After Hours | April 16th 5-6:30 PM

Join us on April 16th for our next after-hours Social Exchange from 5:00–6:30 PM at BancFirst Insurance Services.

Pottawatomie County Young Professionals



Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7th, from 12-1:00 PM at Santa Fe Restaurant located at 4901 N. Kickapoo, with a networking lunch. It’s a great chance to connect with other area young professionals ages 18 to 40, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed setting. There’s no cost to attend, just cover your own lunch.


Join us for our next SF101 session on Thursday, April 16th .


This session is a great fit for new members, current members who want to get more involved, or anyone considering joining the Chamber.

We’ll walk through the programs and services we offer, how to get the most out of your membership, and the many ways Shawnee Forward helps businesses grow while strengthening our community. You’ll also learn about networking opportunities and how to plug in at a level that makes sense for you.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

 
 

BUSINESS RESOURCES

 

How to Conduct Competitive Research: Sizing up the Competition


Competitive research helps you uncover market trends, spot gaps in your plan, and avoid losing customers to competitors you didn’t even know existed. Here’s how to conduct competitive research so you can learn how to position your business more effectively in the market. 

MEMBER EVENTS

Click on each image to learn more.

Congratulations to the Plesent Grove 7/8th Grade Girls Basketball Team on earning thier third consecutive ORES State Championship Title!


They are currently seeking sponsorship to help support with the purchase of state championship rings to commemorate this historic achievement. Any level of sponsorship or guidance you are able to provide would be sincerely appreciated. If you are able to support you can contact Coach Tramble below.

The Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre program presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. Performances will take place in the Sarkeys Black Box Theatre April 16-18, 23-25 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances April 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

General admission is $10 and student admission is $5 with a valid student ID. Tickets may be purchased online at okbu.edu/theatre.

Want Your Event in Our Newsletter?

If you're a Shawnee Forward member and have an upcoming event you'd like to share, we’d love to help spread the word! Please email your flyer to Daniel or Crystal at least two weeks before the event, and we’ll include it in the two newsletters leading up to your big day. It’s a great way to get your event in front of the community. Don’t miss out on this member benefit!



Miss a Newsletter?

If you missed a recent newsletter, you can catch up anytime by viewing the archives on our website here.

Thank you, ShawneeCTV, for your generous sponsorship of our newsletter, "In the Know". Your support enables us to keep our community informed and engaged with the latest updates and events.

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