Benson begins term as KCCE president

As 2009 begins, so too does Blake Benson's term as president of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Executives, an organization comprised of 50 chambers of commerce from across the state.
Benson was nominated for the office by the KCCE board of directors and approved by the membership. His term as president will expire in October.
Benson, the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce president, said the KCCE is an organization that allows the other chambers of commerce throughout Kansas to network and discuss how to better the various communities.
"More often than not, what is happening in one community is probably happening somewhere else," Benson said. "So we share ideas."
The KCCE members meet as a group about twice a year, Benson said. Their meeting in the spring will take place in Manhattan. Benson said the meetings serve as an opportunity to discuss issues involving business and other matters involving the chambers of commerce. It also offers chamber executives to visit other communities, which can lead to ideas that could be implemented in the cities the executives serve.
"It's a chance for us, as chamber executives, to get out and visit other communities," Benson said. "It's nice to go somewhere else and see what's worked in different communities and see if it would be applicable to the Pittsburg area."
Benson said a hot topic that will be discussed this year is city-wide smoking bans, a discussion that he said will make its way to the Pittsburg area.
"Through the KCCE, we're able to visit with chamber colleagues around the state and discuss places where that debate has already gotten there, they are through it and how that is affecting them now," Benson said.
The economy also will be a major topic of discussion this year, he said.
"I think what we all have to do, as chambers, regardless of what part of the state you serve, you have to figure out how to help your businesses do more with less," Benson said. "Budgets are being cut back heading into next year. We have to get lean and help businesses do more through lean times. When times are tough, like they are now, that's when you need to get creative."
Benson said he is excited to begin his term as KCCE president for many reasons, including the opportunity to promote the Pittsburg area.
"I'm excited about it because there are a lot of great people in this organization," he said. "This is also a chance to promote Pittsburg. With this responsibility and with this title, you get to be seen and quoted and my name always has 'Pittsburg area' right behind it."
The new year also brings a new face to the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Chelsey Waddell, a Joplin, Mo., native, was recently named director of membership services. Her responsibilities will include recruitment and retention of chamber investors and she will monitor feedback "to ensure the chamber's services meet the needs of the area business community."
"We're always wanting to grow our chamber," Waddell said. "So what I'm doing is trying to get new members in and retain the ones that we have. We have so many opportunities for smaller businesses, and the bigger ones, so it's really a great network tool. So what I'm wanting people to know is the great opportunities the Chamber has for them and what we have to offer."