Annual Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Recap 10/23/25

Today at noon, the Colby Chamber of Commerce held their annual luncheon at The Gathering Place in Colby, KS.

Members of the Chamber, Colby diplomats, ambassadors, the Downtown Business Association and City Manager Ron Alexander spoke at the luncheon, providing updates on city developments to those who attended.

After Colby Chamber of Commerce Chair Don McKenzie delivered opening remarks, he handed the podium off to Keesa Mariman, who represented the Colby Diplomats.

Mariman discussed their role in helping children's activities at the local Sunflower Festival and running concessions during sub-state basketball at the Colby Events Center among other things. "Each of these opportunities not only allow us to serve our community directly, but also helped raise funds that go right back into supporting local causes and organizations," Mariman said.

Next up to speak was Megan Roemer, representing the Ambassadors, a group of volunteers working for Chamber member organizations.

Roemer discussed the growth of the Ambassadors, highlighting their growth from "three members plus me" in 2024 according to her, to 10 members at this time.

She also mentioned their annual car show at the Sunflower Festival and thanked those who had helped put it together. "Those of us that helped this year. It was our best year," Roemer said.

After Roemer, Leanna Sainer spoke for the Downtown Business association, delivering a speech discussing some of their projects, including a large mural painted onto the grain bins on South Franklin Street in Colby.

Sainer also mentioned the newly formed Creative Arts Committee that will bring back Thursday art events downtown. "This will include all forms of artistic expression with activities for all ages," Sainer said.

The events will run from December through March on the third Thursday of each month.

Lizzie White, the president/CEO of the local Chamber, spoke after Sainer. She reflected on her past couple of years in her position and the things that have happened in Colby since, including the success of the annual golf tournament, banquet, Food Truck Friday and more.

White also mentioned the Chamber's growth in membership: "Our membership continues to grow every day," White said. "So far this year we've actually had nine new members, which is great.

And we're proud that we have about a base of 185 to 200 members each year."

Next was Carson McLaughlin, who was recently hired as the executive director for the Colby Convention and Visitors Bureau. McLaughlin mentioned her local upbringing in her speech: "I'm born and raised from Colby," McLaughlin said, "so I'm going to do my best to represent well."

Lastly, City Manager Ron Alexander came up to speak. Alexander did some reflecting of his own, as he's only a couple months away from his four-year anniversary as city manager.

Alexander touched on the need to hire more employees in the city of Colby, the extra housing that's necessary for it and property taxes among other things that have gone on in town while he's been city manager.

He also posed a question to the audience regarding property taxes: "But for $65 a month, what do you want me to get rid of in this community to reduce that?"

We'll have a link with the audio here soon!