A group of Manhattan Area Young Professionals attended the 2nd Annual Young Professionals Day at the Kansas State Capitol on February 25, 2024. This event provided young professionals across our state an opportunity to sit at the table with our elected officials and advocate for a more competitive, innovative, prosperous, and welcoming state.
The day unfolded with remarks from elected officials followed by a panel discussion featuring several well-established Chamber Executives including Jason Smith, CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Others included Juliet Abdel of the Topeka Chamber, Renee Duxler of the Salina Chamber, and Dennis Clary of the Wichita Chamber.
The lunch session allowed for the opportunity to dine and converse with peers and legislators. These moments of informal interaction fostered new connections and opened doors to collaborative possibilities between the various chambers.
Diving deeper into the legislative process, many participants attended committee meetings or arranged meetings with their local representatives. This direct engagement highlighted the importance of voicing community needs and concerns at the state level. Allison Muth and Samantha Ellison, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce staff members, met with Representative Mike Dodson, Senator Usha Reddi, and finished the day meeting with Lieutenant Governor David Toland.
The event’s success has laid a foundation for future gatherings and empowered young professionals to engage in positive, meaningful change to improve their communities and set the stage for ongoing engagement and advocacy with state leaders.
