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Leawood Chamber reports record events and economic-development activity; highlights two office tenant wins
Summary
The Leawood Chamber of Commerce told the council it held a record number of events in 2024 and reported ongoing economic-development outreach that yielded two large office tenants and several retail openings; the city funds an EDC contract of $125,000 for chamber economic development work.
Stephanie Meyer, executive director of the Leawood Chamber of Commerce, presented the chamber’s annual update and an overview of Economic Development Council (EDC) activities.
Meyer told the council the chamber ran 97 chamber-led events in 2024, welcomed about 85 new members in that year and improved member retention. The chamber reported about $600,000 in total revenue for the year, with special events and membership dues as the largest income sources. Meyer also described a pivot to fractional finance support and staffing changes that she said reduced overhead and maintained programming capacity.
On economic-development work, Meyer said chamber staff and volunteers coordinate tours for office tenants and consultants, participate in national conference outreach and maintain the chamber’s available-buildings inventory. She highlighted two recently secured office tenants: a trust company bringing 47 six‑figure jobs and $6.2 million in capital investment, and an insurance broker expected to bring 125 jobs and roughly $11.5 million in investment. Meyer also reviewed retail openings and coming tenants, including new restaurants at Park Place and Ranch Mart and the return of J.Crew to Town Center Crossing.
Meyer described the city’s EDC contract to the chamber ($125,000) and summarized how those dollars are allocated to EDC staff time, advertising and KCADC membership and events. She said the chamber will continue business-retention outreach, large-business visits and participation in the city’s comprehensive-plan engagement process.
Council reaction Council members thanked Meyer for the update and congratulated the chamber on Taste of Leawood’s record attendance. Several members noted the office tenant wins as meaningful economic development and encouraged continuing coordination between the chamber, city staff and the EDC.
