Greetings to all,

I trust you are setting goals for astonishing marketing feats and record-breaking sales as you embrace the new year. Come be inspired by attending our first dinner meeting of the new year. It will feature a panel of three local entrepreneurs discussing sales and marketing from a small business perspective. Serving on the panel are Jessica Horton, Clinical Services & Designer of Heart & Home Design Services, Michael Odupitan CEO of Omni Circle Group and Jeremy Poling Owner and Digital Strategist of Top Fuel Digital. Be sure to RSVP if you have not already let us know you’re coming next Tuesday, January 16.

Scott VanGenderen was named Executive of the Month this month. He continues to bring great educational opportunities to SME members through the High Performance Seminars he has been organizing this year. Learn more about Scott in this article and join me in hearty congratulations to him when you next see him! The next lunch-time seminar is set for February 27th. Click here to learn more or register to attend. This seminar will feature Steve Shehi, Director of Player Development at Prairie Band Casino & Resort, speaking on customer service and leadership in a customer focused organization. High Performance Seminars are free to SME members and their guests.

The annual SME Executive of the Year banquet, honoring Mr. Jon Haas as SME 2023 Executive of the Year will be celebrated at our February dinner meeting, Tuesday, February 6. Mr. Haas is the owner and CEO of HME (Haas Metal Engineering). HME consists of several affiliated companies owned by Haas, all of which are in the steel and metal engineering and fabrication industry. Recent HME investments have created a significant economic impact, surpassing $12 million for our community. HME recorded sales for their products surpassing $200 million last year and are on target for another banner year in 2024. Click here to read more about the executive of the year and to make your reservation to attend. SME is proud to recognize Mr. Haas as the 2023 Executive of the Year.

Membership Committee Chair, Irene Haws is hosting a new member orientation session just before the January meeting. We are calling on all new SME members to attend at least one new member orientation session. Learn about all things SME and let us know what you hope to get out of your SME membership. This orientation session begins at 4:30 pm at TCC January 16th – just one hour before the dinner meeting. Please plan to attend if you are a new SME member.

Please save the date reserving the morning of Tuesday April 23 for SME Live. The keynote speaker is Kolbe Corp’s Executive Vice President of Sales, Eric Herrera. Kolbe is the world leader in identifying and applying conative strengths in human behavior. Come learn and gain key insights into how unlocking the mysteries of the 3-dimensional mind and your personal conative strengths can help build or strengthen key relationships. Herrera will share information about the Kolbe index and its meaning and application. Understanding your instinctive strengths can help to boost success in sales and marketing for you and your team. Opening the seminar for SME is a local talent, Dan Linquist. He will share his marketing genius over breakfast. Dan is a local Jingle and Voice Over talent and President of Twilight Productions. SME-Topeka will host SME Live at Topeka Civic Theatre. Registration will begin at 7:30 am with a continental breakfast offered and the program to start at 8:15 am.

As an SME member you receive one free ticket to attend the SME Live seminar, a $100 value. SME Live typically has a full capacity audience. We anticipate no vacant seats will be left again this year. To get your free ticket, you must claim it by March 8 by submitting your RSVP to let SME Executive Director, Beth Mathews know you plan to attend. After that date tickets not claimed are released for sale to the public. In addition to the free ticket, you will have access to obtain your own personalized Kolbe index at a well-discounted price of $44.00. This is not only an offer for you personally, but also the offer extends to your company team or organization at the same discounted price. Many companies use the Kolbe Index throughout the organization to build strong teams.

All my best to you and I hope to see you at the dinner meeting next week!

Jeannie