Area leaders tour FHSU campus

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger, shares details of the 2022 Community Cruise.

 

Transcript:

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James Bell 

Area officials will tour Fort Hays State University campus this week from the Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger stops by to share the details on this episode of the Post Podcast.

 

Sarah Wasinger 

So for many people, they may not know what the community cruises and we're calling this one community cruise for today's edition, because we're doing it a little bit different format. So the community Cruise is usually when the downtown Hays Development Corporation grow haze, the haze Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the chamber and haze, of course, get together to take our elected officials and community leaders across town. And we show them all the different projects and things going on. Because there's been so much growth and development on the Fort Hays State University campus over the past several years, we thought how cool would it be to kind of re think that I did just a little bit this year. So we're inviting those folks onto campus today. And we'll have some presentations from our partnering agency directors that I just named, and talk about what things are going on within our organizations and some of the projects we've been working on. And then we'll also give folks an opportunity to just kind of visit with one another but such a neat event.

 

James Bell 

Yeah, I love that. You know, and we were kind of joking. Some of us here in the office the other day about about these events, because it's kind of it seems like on the surface, you know, Hayes's let's be real. It's not the smallest of towns, but it's a small town. And like, what else could there be deceived? But then you think about and you actually get in on these things, and you get driving around. And absolutely, there's so much going on that you don't even recognize and you're absolutely right for his campus, holy smokes, talk about some work that they've done. It's like that's like a whole new campus from when I went

 

Sarah Wasinger 

there. I know, I don't barely recognize that myself anymore. I'm like, this would have been really cool when I was going to school. So. But I'm so excited that our students in our community and those who come to visit us from out of state, really have such a wonderful campus to enjoy. So they do a great job, just highlighting everything. And Jason Willoughby has been wonderful to work with. And a big shout out to Melissa Dixon. She's kind of taken the reins for organizing this year's cruise with him. Lunch will be provided by the Fort Hays State University Foundation, so people will be treated to that. It is kind of an invitation event. So we do have I believe media invited as well to cover that. So I'm not sure if there will be a Post story about that. I do believe there will be well, there'll be a guy named James Bell.

 

James Bell 

No, it's not me. I'm going to be here. I wish I could. I love going to those things. But you guys, you planned it too early. So next year, keep that in mind. early afternoon works better for me. Okay. Duly noted. That's the most important thing. It's can James go, can James. No. But there will be a haze poster story up there. Christina Janie, who's doing news for us this morning here on the eagle morning show. I'm sure we'll be getting that up maybe tomorrow or Thursday. So it'd be great to see

 

Sarah Wasinger 

Perfect. Well, we look forward to seeing her. One thing I do enjoy. And what people should know is, you know, our elected officials work really hard to do a good job representing us. This gives them an opportunity to kind of be in the same room together. And there's something to be said about breaking bread with your fellow community leaders and elected officials and just making sure that everybody has a good idea of what things are going on in Hayes, I think when we can all be on the same page, and we can kind of get our gears turning in the same direction we can achieve more together.

 

James Bell 

Absolutely. And you know, I think there's something to be said too, about the informal events. You know, when you're when you're only interact in these settings where you know, you've got business to do there's something on the agenda. You don't get to, you know, have fun and enjoy those people. And once you make those connections, and you have that ability, I think it you know, it serves the community better when those leaders are and maybe not friends but friendly.

 

Sarah Wasinger 

Yes, absolutely. Well, ironically enough, I've been with the Chamber now full time since July of 2019. We were we usually do this event in April. And so I've not had a community cruise in my capacity yet. So this is my first one. Oh, I'm Melissa Dixon and I were both talking. She's like this might be the first one I remember. She said maybe I was a part of one. And I just don't remember, it was just so long ago. And I think this thing could be said for Doug Williams too. So we're definitely excited. So to our community leaders if we, you know, put our feet or miles or do something differently than what you're accustomed to give us just a little bit of grace as this is our first time putting this together.

 

James Bell 

Well, and maybe maybe it's time for a little change, do a little different. Get some new ideas in

 

Sarah Wasinger 

there. Maybe next year, we'll bring the best back and get the band back together and go tour.

 

James Bell 

There you go. There you go. Well, Sara, before we run out of time, we got to talk about some of the events because you got a lot going on this week. As always, you always busy down at the chamber but there's some really cool stuff going on this week. Yes, this

 

Sarah Wasinger 

week is jam packed with a wonderful selection of events for people to participate in should they choose Wednesday, July 27 at 4:30pm are hazy and professionals member development committee will be meeting at defiance this downtown location so definitely come and check that out. Thursday, July 28 at 1pm. We talked about this last week in greater detail but higher pass On the LS county educators roundtable we'll be going on. That's just a great way for educators to learn about higher pas and how they might be able to utilize that programming in their classroom. But event is free to attend. And it will be at brief space in the basement conference room. So if you plan on attending that, please be sure to park in front of the brief space location. And then we're going to be doing the same type of event at 3pm. That same day, July 28. But that will be a higher pass Ellis County Business Roundtable. So business owners can figure out how they can utilize higher pass to attract workforce, which obviously is something that everybody is struggling with right now. And it may not provide immediate relief, but it's definitely something that people can add to their toolkit to help them be successful. Yeah.

 

James Bell 

And I would think anything you can get in that toolkit right now is helpful.

 

Sarah Wasinger 

Absolutely. Any visibility is usually good visibility, as they say, in marketing. And then Friday, July 29, at 9am. We'll be having our ribbon cutting and chamber chat with the fhsu inaugural TGIF, so Tiger year on Friday Partner of the Year, and we will be hosting that at the sunflower bank North location. So please be sure to join us for that. And then since it is last week of the month, we'll of course be having our membership lunch on Friday, July 29, as well, that will be held at noon at Smoky Hill Country Club that will be sponsored by sunflower bank. And um to kind of round the week out for folks who maybe can't attend those roundtables. Kristin Brighton, who will be our featured guest speaker at those roundtable, higher pass discussions will actually be talking about hire pas in general and kind of sharing some videos with those in attendance. And they're really cool. They're called those Colker videos that we talked about last week. So be sure to register for that. Yesterday was technically the deadline, but I'm sure if you treat the staff really nicely today and call in before noon, they'd be able to get you in, um, RSVP.

 

James Bell 

Very cool. Yeah. And that's, um, if you're interested, don't miss it. Because what it what a powerful and helpful tool for the community.

 

Sarah Wasinger 

Absolutely. Well, all right, sir.

 

James Bell 

Anything else before we go,

 

Sarah Wasinger 

you know, just want to remind folks that that chamber blew up Kansas, we still have that survey window open. And this week is the last week for the survey for the childcare business survey that we have going on. So if you have not already participated in those and are interested in doing so, we would encourage you to visit our website to check those out.

 

James Bell 

Absolutely no cost associated with either of those now, correct, right. Correct. But the chamber thing we've talked about this so many times, so I like talking about it, because it's what a cool benefit for the community. And but you need the people that have the interest, even if you're just maybe like, I don't know, get signed up for one of these sessions and do the survey and all that now, right? Yes, so

 

Sarah Wasinger 

a little foreshadowing into next week. So next week, Friday, our chamber chat will be at the Welcome Center. We'll be talking about chamber blue of Kansas. So if you weren't able to check out the breakfast or lunch that we had to learn more about that. Come check that out and join us to learn more next Friday. Next Friday.

 

James Bell 

Okay, good. 90 calendars. Interesting. Yep. Yep. And plus the Welcome Center. You go down there, it's a you know, every time I go in there, it's very welcoming, which I suppose is the point but everybody is always so happy when you walk in that building. I love it. Well, we're

 

Sarah Wasinger 

going to have cathedral holding roast coffee there for folks as well as McDonald's breakfast burritos and sausage McMuffins. So even if you don't, per se feel like you want to learn more about insurance or you're good there. You should just come for a good meal and good conversation because we have a lot of interesting people that attend them.