Inter-City Visit

Member Services

Events

Inter-City Visit

2011 Trip to Greenville was a success!

Greenville, South Carolina was the site for the 2011 Inter-City Visit September 15-17, 2011.

Intercity Visit Final Report

Participant Survey Responses

Last Year's Trip to Oklahoma City

The Chamber's 2010 Inter-City Visit was September 2-3, 2010 to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City is #4 on the "Cities that are having an Awesome Recovery" List from the Business Insider. There's lots to learn from the people of Oklahoma City including such topics as:

Transforming downtown
Riverfront
Economic development
Re-aligning a major highway
The Paseo Arts District
Intern leadership program
Baseball

Over 70 Chamber members, community leaders, elected officials, government leaders and young professionals left Topeka early the morning of Thursday, September 2 and traveled by motorcoach to Oklahoma City. The group returned late afternoon on Friday, September 3.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Capitol Federal
Hill's Pet Nutrition
Bartlett and West
Parrish Hotel Corporation
WIBW Channels

Prior visits were to the communities of:

2010 Oklahoma City, OK
2009 The Quad Cities, IA & IL
2008 Des Moines, Iowa
2007 Sioux City, IA & Sioux Falls, SD
2006 Little Rock, Arkansas
2005 Columbus, Ohio and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
2004 Lincoln and Omaha, NE
2003 Oklahoma City, OK
2002 Springfield, MO

Notable outcomes from prior visits:

Renewed efforts to revitalize downtown Topeka and importance of amenities to attract private investment, housing and people
Move forward to create NOTO Arts District
Importance of “quality of life” in economic development recruiting of businesses and workers
Regional marketing for economic development – Topeka Chamber working with chambers from Manhattan and Lawrence on regional initiative
Develop a master-plan for Kansas Riverfront development
Include advocacy for highway re-development bordering downtown and the riverfront as part of downtown and riverfront development
Creating community Visioning to develop a shared vision and plan for the community
Support Complete Streets program
Importance of strong young professional program to impact community growth and business development
Involving young professionals in community boards and decision-making
City’s development review committee
Erecting signs indicating street improvements are a result of voters sales tax initiatives
Creation of highway gateway beautification program and wayfinding program
Utilizing scientific polling to gage interest in ballot issues