Name: Tracey Osborne
Title: President
Organization: Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Contact Information: 9001 W. 110th St. Suite 150
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 491-3600
www.opks.org

Target Businesses & Services: Aspiring/Startups, Education & training

By Ellen Jensen

As president of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, Tracey Osborne is responsible for the complete operation of the chamber, working with volunteers and staff on programs, services, planning and operations. Although there isn’t time for her to be heavily involved in every program, she said she enjoys project planning and execution, and is more involved with some of the new programs and services the chamber is developing.

The chamber is a non-profit organization supported by 1,000 member investors. It serves small and large businesses located in, or doing business in, Johnson County. Osborne has been with the chamber for about 10 months and works with a staff of 10.

The chamber’s mission is to enhance and sustain the economic environment and quality of life in the community. The chamber provides business education services and resources geared toward small business, as well as a variety of networking and promotional opportunities to increase exposure of businesses.

“We will continue to strengthen our programs and services and will maintain our focus on economic development and services as a business advocate on legislative issues,” Osborne said.

The board of directors and staff are working on several new programs and services, one of which is a new networking program, which Osborne said will bring members together in a more focused marketing environment.

“I've had the opportunity to work with a program like this in two other chambers and saw very positive results,” she said. “Members learn more about each other when the networking is more focused than the standard ‘meet and greet.’”

Osborne grew up in Carthage, Mo., and graduated from William Jewel College with bachelor’s degrees in English and communications.

Before joining the Overland Park Chamber, Osborne was president of the Edmond, Okla., Chamber of Commerce. She said Edmond is similar to Overland Park demographically, just on a smaller scale. In Edmond, the chamber had oversight of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. In Overland Park, the bureau is separate, but the chamber does have responsibility for economic development.

Osborne said her favorite part of the job is working with volunteers on things that will make a difference in the community. She said there are many instances in which the chamber has assisted members, either by connecting them with other members or with government officials who could be of service to them. She has been able to see people make business and personal connections through leadership programs. She said these connections built business ties within the community but also accomplished the larger objective of a leadership program.

“I've watched people go through these programs and then run for office,” Osborne said. “It's rewarding to look at city councils or school boards and see graduates of the chamber's leadership program making a difference.”

Ellen Jensen is the managing editor of Kansas City Small Business Monthly magazine.